Imagine for a moment that you could create your own personal college. It would be focused on your particular needs. It would have professors who knew you and shared your passions. Classes would be closer to interesting conversations with a small group of friends than long lectures with dozens of strangers. And help would always be right next door. That’s a close description of Butler University. Learn more about how we take your education personally.
Lavender McKittrick-Sweitzer
Assistant Professor, Philosophy
How have your students encouraged, inspired, or influenced you?
My students inspire me with the caring and supportive community they have cultivated. This is inherently valuable, but it also allows us to learn and grow so much more. My students continually make it possible for us to have the time and space—without judgment—to critically reflect on deeply held beliefs and their implications for how we ought to treat one another.
Why is mentoring important for college students?
Mentoring college students is important because it gives them an opportunity to build a relationship with someone they can trust for support and honest guidance. Having just one of these relationships can foster a sense of belonging and connection, letting a student know that there is someone here that has taken their best interests to heart and cares about their success holistically.
What advice would you give a prospective student who’s considering Butler University?
You will not be lost in a crowd here. Instead, you will have the opportunity to build strong relationships with faculty that are invested in your success and be surrounded by caring and supportive peers. Bulldogs will make it possible for you to make the most of your college experience.
Zoe Stapleton-Deno
Philosophy and Political Science double major
Indianapolis, Indiana
How has your professor encouraged, inspired, or influenced you? Dr. McKittrick-Sweitzer has inspired me to leave no stone unturned when addressing big questions and to approach problems wholeheartedly and with an open mind. Dr. McKittrick-Sweitzer encourages those around them to be charitable and inquisitive when engaging with ourselves and others inside and outside the classroom.
How have you grown as a result of the connections with your professor?Since I have known Dr. McKittrick-Sweitzer, they have shown me to never settle and accept my beliefs as fully formed and final, but rather to see them as subject to revision. Even more so, Dr. McKittrick-Sweitzer has shown me that revising beliefs does not indicate fault but makes education exciting and worthwhile.
What has surprised you the most about this relationship?I’ve been surprised by how impactful this relationship has been in such a short amount of time. I have only known Dr. McKittrick-Sweitzer for around a year, yet I have grown and changed so much. I have reconsidered my career path. I have grown to be more charitable with myself and others. I have stopped telling myself that goals of mine are unreachable and instead have begun asking what steps I need to take to reach them due to Dr. McKittrick-Sweitzer’s encouragement.
What advice would you give a prospective student who’s considering Butler University?Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors! Regardless of whether or not you’ve had a course with a professor, they’re all happy to help. Almost all of the opportunities I have been afforded since being at Butler have come from me simply reaching out to a professor, whether that be to grab coffee, talk about an assignment, or ask for help.