Q: What originally brought you to Butler Community College?
A: After high school, I wanted the space to explore my options without the immediate pressure and heavy financial burden of a major university. Butler Community College provided the perfect environment to ease into the college experience. It offered an accessible, affordable, and flexible path that allowed me to discover my true interests while building a solid academic foundation. Knowing that my credits would easily transfer to a four-year institution made it the smart, practical choice for my future.
Q: Is there a faculty member, mentor, class, or experience at Butler that had a lasting impact on you?
A: Several faculty members at Butler had a profound impact on my academic and professional journey. My sociology professor, Nita Jackson, gave a fascinating lecture on gender differences in communication that sparked a lifelong fascination with the subject, leading me to minor in sociology when I transferred to Wichita State University. In communications, Professor Jeff Welch made every lesson remarkably relatable to real-world scenarios, giving me the confidence to trust my voice and experiment with my writing.
Additionally, an impactful English presentation assignment in which we delivered a mock speech to a defined audience first opened my eyes to the power of deliberate word choice, tone, and presence. Together, these educators didn't just teach course material; they gave me the confidence and communication tools I use every day.
Q: What are you doing today, and how did your time at Butler help shape your path?
A: Today, I work as a marketer, where I tap into consumer behavior patterns to optimize advertising campaigns and maximize engagement. Looking back, the trajectory of my career from media to aerospace and now marketing was shaped by the foundation I built at Butler. The communication skills and creative confidence I developed there directly fueled my successful career in radio, where I hosted the night show on Channel 963, and even landed an interview with MGK that was published in Rolling Stone. Later, when I transitioned into aerospace project management, the time management and cross-functional communication habits I formed at Butler allowed me to lead diverse teams successfully. Every step of the way, Butler gave me the tools to speak up, adapt, and communicate effectively in the real world.
Q: What does being a Butler alum mean to you?
A: To me, being a Butler alum means recognizing where my foundation truly began. For a long time, I focused on my upper-level degrees from Wichita State and Emporia State, sometimes underestimating the role my starting point played. But looking back at my career, I realize that the essential tools - my communication style, my confidence, and my ability to connect with people were all cultivated as a Grizzly. Today, I am proud to be a Butler alum. I love sharing my story with anyone who might be unsure of their post-high school path, because I'm proof that starting at Butler can launch you toward success.
