Butler Community College was recently named a Top Community College for 2025 by Education Insider magazine, an esteemed periodical that covers higher education on a national level.
Below is the article, “Butler Community College: Turning Classrooms Into Successful Careers”, which features an exclusive interview with Butler President Dr. Tamara Daniel. It was published in Education Insider’s October issue.
Today’s college students demand more than a diploma. They expect real value and genuine opportunities to build the future they envision. As the most digitally connected generation yet, they want education to keep pace with their ambitions, blending affordability, innovation and quality.
As it approaches its 100th anniversary, Butler Community College rises to meet these expectations, going beyond the traditional model of education to prepare students to thrive in today’s job market and meet tomorrow’s challenges.
Throughout its long, rich history, the college has combined the hands-on training of a technical college, the accessibility and personal care of a community college and the vibrant experience of a four-year university. From expert faculty and supportive staff to flexible learning formats and career-focused programs, every aspect of the student experience is designed to accelerate success. With some of the lowest tuition rates in the region, Butler offers both accessibility and purpose.
“We meet students where they are and guide them forward, equipping them with real skills that serve both their future and the needs of our local industries,” says Dr. Tamara Daniel, president. “When students succeed, families thrive, businesses grow, and entire communities move upward together.”
Butler Community College sets itself apart with a comprehensive, student-centered model that goes beyond the standard approach. Through strong K-12 partnerships, Butler enables students to explore career pathways well before graduation. The best example of this is the college’s Early College Academy, where high school students can jump-start their careers by earning an associate degree alongside their high school diploma. As more families recognize the value of completing college up to two years early, dual-enrollment classes also continue to gain traction.
The college also advances “earn-while-you-learn” apprenticeships, placing students in paid industry roles where college instructors provide relevant technical instruction. These programs shorten the path to a well-paying job while giving companies a steady pipeline of trained talent.
To further support student success, Butler Community College stays ahead of the curve by integrating immersive infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and open educational resources, fostering digital literacy across disciplines. Yet the college ensures that technology enhances, rather than overshadows, pedagogy. For example, students are taught the pros and cons of AI to enhance, not replace, learning.
Feedback loops are also a vital part of the student experience. Monthly meetings with faculty, deans, and students surface insights on tools and courses, allowing the college to adapt quickly—whether by boosting online collaboration or refining AI use. These ongoing conversations keep learning responsive and student focused.
At Butler Community College, faculty development fuels academic innovation. With a strong culture of continuous learning, faculty members receive targeted professional development based on real-time insights. This enables them to quickly address student needs and respond to challenges as they arise. The college disaggregates student performance data and works to close achievement gaps, ensuring that every learner, whether traditional or non-traditional, receives the right support in the classroom.
The impact of Butler Community College’s approach is evident in stories like that of Christina Byram, an alum who began as a student worker in the IT department and rose to become Butler’s vice president of information services. Employers and four-year universities consistently report that Butler graduates are among the best prepared—a clear validation of its student-first model.
Dr. Daniel credits the college’s strong reputation to its affordability and unwavering student support, particularly for first-generation learners. The centennial theme, “More Than a Place,” reflects its belief that it is not just a campus but a community resource that raises the tide for everyone. Butler Community College will continue to empower students and families while innovating and leading efforts to strengthen the bridge between education and career. This work solidifies Butler’s role as a catalyst for individual success and community advancement.
