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!
