Dr. Lyon serves as the graduate HRM program advisor and professor in human resource management at Texas A&M University -- Central Texas in Killeen (a unit of Tarleton State University).  In the university's inaugural year, the Texas A&M System granted Dr. Lyon tenure; she has held rank of "full" professor in the A&M System since 2005.  Prior to joining Tarleton in 1999, she served 12 years as the lead HR professor and graduate program coordinator at the University of Central Texas.  She holds lifetime certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), is a published author and has received numerous awards from employers and professional associations, including the first Human Resource Educator Award from the Texas Society for Human Resource Management (1992) and HR Southwest Conference Educator of the Year in 2002.  Barbara’s primary areas of interest include diversity management, business ethics, strategic management, staffing, compensation management and academic program assessment.

To complement a diverse experiential background, Barbara has also gained understanding of the human resource arena through various professional volunteer activities and educational programs.  She serves Texas State Council Society Human Resource Management (SHRM) workforce readiness director and has previously served as both certification director (2008-2009) and college relations director (2003-2007).  She also makes frequent presentations across Texas, has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Killeen Free Clinic, and actively supports Bring Everyone in the Zone PTSD leader training program.  Further, she has enjoyed a career in the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard spanning over 21 years, including four years as an enlisted member and completing duty in June 2000 as a major in the Military Intelligence Corps. 

In addition to her doctorate in education, Barbara holds two associate degrees, a bachelor of science degree, and two master of science degrees.  She has also conducted significant research in cultural adaptability and HR ethics; her major publications include Business Management and Ownership, which received the American Vocational Education Curriculum of the Year Award in 1982.  In her free time, Barbara enjoys her church calling as first counselor in the Relief Society, hiking, canoeing and quiet, personal time at home, where she likes to spend time outdoors in the garden, playing with her pups, scrapbooking and creating home craft items.

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