Breaking Barriers: Butler University Launches Founder's College for Students

Butler University has launched its new Founder's College, a two-year, non-residential program designed for students who excel but lack the resources to pursue higher education. The inaugural class is set to start in August.

"It's really open for any students from high ability and low wealth that see themselves as going to college and participating in what Butler offers - high-quality education with good rigor," said Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, Dean of Founder's College.

The program will offer students the opportunity to study in four growing and high-paying fields: business management studies, business data analytics, health care, and youth and community advocacy.

"Business data analytics is actually a high-demand field," said Gentle-Genitty. "It allows students to graduate with a paid internship, but also two industry certifications that most students would need to enter the job market immediately."

The program will provide full support, including career placement, writer and speaker studios, a counselor, a social worker, and even support for transportation and books.

"They're getting career services, they're being placed in opportunities, but they're also getting Writer's Studio, Speaker's Studio, a counselor, a social worker to guide them through the process," said Gentle-Genitty. "And we're removing barriers that are typical factors, such as cost, transportation support, books - all of those are included in what we're providing."

Butler is launching the Founder's College during its 170th anniversary, staying true to its mission of equity and excellence.

"What you see now through Founder's is an opportunity for us to be able to spotlight that, let people know that that's also part of our heart and also who we want to serve," said Gentle-Genitty.

Diversity is built into the DNA of the program, and it's about more than just checking a box. To Gentle-Genitty, diversity means leaning into what makes us different.

"When we talk about diversity, it's to lean into why we're all so different - why we enjoy different foods, why we choose different cars, and recognizing that as a country, as a nation, as a world, that we are all different," she said. "And providing platforms and opportunities for that is what we do best at Butler."

For students who walk through those doors this fall, Gentle-Genitty hopes they leave with one clear message: "No matter where they begin, at Butler University Founder's College, they get to author their own ending."