Student Spotlight: Will Smith

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Will Smith (Walton Executive MBA ’23)

Will Smith is an operator at the Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority and a member of the 2023 Walton Executive MBA cohort.

Will graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in biology and decided to pursue his MBA to increase his business acumen. In his role, Will is responsible for treating the water for 135,000 people. Running a water utility can be difficult: “it requires smart, capable leaders to ensure the population has a steady supply of potable water.

Will chose the Walton MBA program due to its accessible curriculum designed for working professionals. The most transformative part of the program for Will has been the finance classes. ”I was an ‘investor’ before this program, but the methods and strategies I learned in the finance courses are something that I’m going to have with me for the rest of my life,” says Smith. Will has also enjoyed expanding his network, improving his public speaking skills and the proximity of campus.

In his spare time, Will enjoys learning about homesteading and personal sustainability. “I recently purchased my first property, so I am in the process of turning my backyard into a mini farm!” He was recently accepted into the Water Utility Leadership Fellowship with the Center for Water Security and Cooperation in Washington D.C. where he will be working on an access and affordability plan for their water treatment plant.

Thank you for sharing, Will!