Helping local employers fill their talent pipeline with apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and career fairs, and working in partnership with others to understand and serve employers' talent needs, Barbara's long commitment to ensuring the College is an instigator and leader of initiatives to strengthen our communities and economy is matched just as passionately by her desire to see students succeed, especially "first-generation" students like her.

She received a Bachelor's Degree in Modern Languages from Queen Mary University London and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University.