Q: What originally brought you to Butler Community College?
A: I attended Butler because it offered an affordable way for me to begin my college education. Butler was close to home and allowed me to save money on both tuition and housing costs. I had heard good things about Butler, and I knew a lot of people who planned to attend Butler, so choosing Butler was an easy decision for me.
Q: Is there a faculty member, mentor, class, or experience at Butler that had a lasting impact on you?
A: Looking back, I realize that I had many impactful experiences while at Butler. One of the most meaningful parts was being hired as a student worker in the Financial Aid Office and as an Ambassador for the Admissions Office. Working as a student worker at Butler helped me grow personally. I grew confident and learned to balance work and school responsibilities and manage my time effectively while also enjoying college life. Butler also gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of new people, build lifelong friendships, and experience having instructors who truly cared about my success. I had some incredible instructors at Butler who challenged and prepared me well, and I am forever grateful for them.
Q: What are you doing today, and how did your time at Butler help shape your path?
A: Butler not only prepared me to further my college education, but Butler also shaped me into who I am today in my career in higher education. After graduating from Butler, I transferred to Emporia State University, where I received my bachelor’s degree. After graduating from ESU, I came back to work at Butler to jump-start my professional career – and I never left. Today, I am the director of first-year experience and Title IX coordinator at Butler. I never imagined that I would spend my entire professional career at Butler, but I am entering my 29th year here as an employee.
Q: What does being a Butler alum mean to you?
A: Being a Butler Alum means so much more to me than just being a graduate of Butler. As a student, Butler was the building block of my college education that led to my success. Butler not only provided me with an affordable education, but it also gave me experiences that, at the time, I didn’t know a community college provided. The connections I made as a student at Butler proved to be valuable for the opportunities it gave to my future. All three of my children also attended and graduated from Butler.
Because Butler is such an important part of who I am, my husband and I have established a Foundation Scholarship to assist today’s students who also choose Butler Community College.
