Students accepted into the inaugural cohort of Founder’s College at Butler University can choose from among four interdisciplinary programs, University officials announced today. Founder’s College, the newest and now seventh College on the Butler campus, will offer two-year associate degrees in Business Data Analytics, Business Management Studies, Healthcare Studies, and Youth and Community Advocacy. Applications for the fall 2025 semester are now being accepted.
Butler University first announced its intention to open a two-year college to complement its current offerings in November 2023. The goal was to increase access, offer an affordable pathway without debt, deliver an intentional curriculum with real-world skills, and address workforce needs with attention to career readiness. Centered on students from low-wealth backgrounds, Pell Grant-eligible students can graduate with an associate degree in one of the four-degree programs with little-to-no out of pocket expenses. Graduates from Founder’s College are assured academic pathways to pursue bachelor’s degrees at Butler University for approximately $10,000.
“By offering four programs in business, data analytics, healthcare, and youth development fields, we are leading the state in offering the only comprehensive, high-quality, rigorous, interdisciplinary, two-year program for in-demand jobs, now,” Carolyn Gentle Genitty, professor and inaugural Dean of Founder’s College, said. “At the same time, we are putting Butler students in a position to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a variety of majors, if they so choose. The best part, of course, is that the students will have two years to discover who they are and what they want to do without incurring thousands of dollars in debt, and leaving with a degree and certificates in-hand for the workplace.”
The curriculum within the Business Data Analytics (BDA) major will include coursework within Butler’s Core Curriculum in addition to major-specific classes focused on business, data and analytics, programming, and more. Students in the program can expect to access a variety of experiential learning opportunities and can also earn relevant industry credentials including Microsoft Excel, Python, Database, Systems, and SQL, and Tableau/Power BI.
The Business Management Studies program merges business acumen with the creative and critical thinking skills which are fostered through study in the liberal arts. This unique combination of coursework and experience prepares students to become a business leader who values and promotes strategic thinking, collaboration, and communication. Students will have the opportunity to earn Microsoft Excel and Python credentials.
The Healthcare Studies major offers two distinct concentration tracks: Administration or Clinical Science. Both associate degree programs prepare students for a healthcare career or to obtain a bachelor’s degree in just two additional years. Students can also earn relevant industry credentials in medical billing and coding.
The Youth and Community Advocacy program is designed for students who want to pursue careers as educators, community builders, nonprofit managers, and youth coaches. The curriculum includes coursework within Butler’s Core Curriculum in addition to major-specific classes focused on education, advocacy, youth development, and more. Students will have the opportunity to earn credentials in Child and Youth Care, Mental Health, and First Aid.
Founder’s College will offer flexible block scheduling. “We know there are hundreds of capable, high-ability students who don’t see themselves attending college because they have other commitments,” Gentle-Genitty said. “We want to do everything possible to offer intentional supports and opportunities for them to balance education, family, and work and still see themselves getting the highest quality education. We are making space for equity and excellence to co-exist for them at Butler University.”
Philanthropic support for Founder’s College has gained increasing momentum since Butler first announced its plans to launch the two-year college. Along with Marianne Glick and Mike Woods’ generous $2.5 million gift to fund facility renovations and provide operating support, Butler has received more than $1 million in additional combined donations from individual and community partners to help make the vision for Founder’s College a reality. This includes a recent $300,000 commitment from Bill Sherwood ’84 and Dana Beaty Sherwood ’85. The couple hopes their gift will inspire others to join them in supporting the initiative.