Keira Salt
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Butler’s Honors Program provides unique opportunities, fosters a sense of community, and helps to create lifelong learners. Meet Keira, a Butler junior and Honors student who loves the opportunities and events the Honors Program offers.

What has been the best part about being an Honors Student at Butler?
There are so many interesting and challenging classes offered. With the required amount of Honors courses, it pushed me to sign up for classes I might not have done before. These classes are different from most as discussion and group collaborations are the main focus, and there tends to be more leeway in how projects and assignments are done to provide more individual creativity and understanding. The smaller class sizes also encourage deeper connections between students and professors, allowing for more personalized feedback and support. And not only are the topics interesting, but the professors are committed and engaged with their students, creating an open learning environment that benefits us all. This supportive classroom space motivates us to challenge ourselves academically while pushing our personal growth. 

Which Honors Program faculty member has inspired you the most and why?
While I love all Honors faculty, I would say that Dr. Carter has been a huge inspiration in my life. I first met Dr. Carter when I took her Honors First Year-Seminar, Women Writing the World, and I have been connected ever since—I am now working as a student Honors assistant and I am going on an Honors study abroad trip where she is a faculty advisor. Dr. Carter is the true embodiment of a professor who cares for her students, not only in their academic growth but also in their daily lives. She inspired me to pursue my minor and to apply for a summer internship I was nervous about. Overall, Dr. Carter goes above and beyond and inspires me with her caring attitude, involved mentorship, and general enthusiasm for what she’s passionate about. I hope to carry her ideals and her attitude toward life well after my time here at Butler. 

What advice would you give someone who is considering joining Butler’s Honors Program?
Apply! It may seem intimidating or like a big addition to your college courses but it is more than manageable and leaves you with close relationships with other Honors students and professors, along with academic opportunities that challenge your everyday thinking. Butler’s Honors Program gives you so many more opportunities that traditional classrooms might not give you and allows you to expand your education and professional endeavors along with your interests. Beyond the classroom, the Honors Program has several opportunities that broaden your experience here at Butler, such as events and activities that are specialized just for Honors students. Butler’s Honors Program has positively impacted my experience here and what I strive for in the future. 

How would you describe the community in the Honors Program?
It’s a close-knit community that is small but mighty. It is incredibly easy to make friends in the Honors Program as everyone is so kind and welcoming, including the faculty and staff. You quickly get to know students and see them around the Honors office and in Honors classes, which allows this community to build and strengthen. When you are walking around campus and see any of the Honors faculty members, they always say hi and strike up a conversation because they are genuinely interested in the well-being of their students. I have met so many people through Honors classes and events that I have continued to be friends with since Honors is intertwined with everything on campus. It is a great community that lifts you and pushes you to be your best self both academically and personally.