Biography
Barbara thoroughly enjoys teaching religion at BYU. She is teaching the Doctrine and Covenants, The Eternal Family, and Teachings of the Living Prophets. Her research interests focus primarily on women in religious leadership, international education (most specifically Latin America), and religious pedagogy. She is the author of the book The Priesthood Power of Women in the Temple, Church, and Family. Barbara received her PhD in instructional psychology. Her master's degree is in educational leadership and foundations with an emphasis in international education development. She completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University. She served as institute director in Boston, which included her assignment as the chaplain at both Harvard and MIT. She continues to serve as the chaplain-at-large in higher education for the LDS Church. She also serves on the BYU Interfaith Outreach Council. Before teaching at BYU, she worked as a seminary and institute teacher as well as a researcher for the Church Educational System. She was born and raised in Salem, Oregon; served a Spanish-speaking mission in the Los Angeles Temple visitors’ center; and resides in Highland, Utah. Barbara is married to Dustin Gardner, and they are the parents of two children. She enjoys her wonderful family, learning, teaching, traveling, people, the great outdoors, and life!
Research Interests
My areas of interest in research are women in covenant leadership, Church history, the international Church, with a specific focus on education and women and instructional psychology and leadership with a primary focus on religious education.Teaching Interests
Barbara's main teaching has been in Doctrine and Covenants, Living Prophets and Eternal Family. She has also taught Book of Mormon, Old Testament and New Testament. She has currently started a new class entitled, "Women of Covenant Leadership." She is passionate about helping women and men fulfill their mission on earth and help themselves and others come unto Christ.Education
- Post-Doctoral, Higher Education administration , Harvard (2015)
- Ph.D., Instructional Psychology and Technology , International Education and Evaluation, Utah State University (2007)
- M.Ed., Educational Leadership and Foundations , International Education Development, Brigham Young University (2002)
- B.A., American Studies , English, Brigham Young University (1999)
Licenses and Certifications
- LDS Church, LDS University Chaplain (2015 - Present)
Honors and Awards
- Best International Article Award, Mormon History Assocation (2014 - 2015)
Memberships
- AAR (2017 - Present)
- John A. Whitmer Society (2016 - Present)
- Mormon Pacific History Association (2016 - Present)
- Religious Education Association (2010 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Other, Latter-day Saint Educator's Association (2019 - Present)
- Board Member, LDS Educators Association (2016 - Present)
- Board Member, Religious Education Association (2016 - Present)
- Committee/Council Chair, Religious Education Association (2016 - Present)
- Other, LDS Church Chaplaincy Dept (2015 - Present)
- Committee/Council Member, Brigham Young University (2015 - Present)
- Editorial Review Board Member, Deseret Book (2015 - Present)
- Officer (specify in Other), LDS Educators Association (2017 - 2018)
- Guest Speaker, BYU Nursing (2017 - 2017)
- Committee/Council Member, Church History Coordinating Group (2013 - 2014)