As the fields of healthcare and education continue to evolve, Butler University is reimagining and expanding its academic offerings to meet the needs of the community and to ensure students graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in these dynamic industries. Reflecting this commitment, Butler will update the names of two of its academic colleges to better represent the breadth and future direction of their programs. 

Effective June 1, 2026, the College of Education will become the College of Education and Human Development, adding new programming to emphasize a holistic approach to human growth and potential. Butler’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will be renamed the College of Health Professions and will include new programs to reflect the growing need and interest in healthcare-related disciplines. 

“These changes are more than cosmetic—they represent a bold step forward in how we prepare students to meet the growing demands of careers in education and healthcare,” Butler University President James Danko said. “By expanding our programmatic offerings and updating our college names, we’re aligning our academic identity with where these professions are headed.” 

The College of Education and Human Development will now encompass early childhood and K–12 education, adult learning, mental health counseling, sport, and kinesiology. The name also reflects growing student interest in professions tied to community well-being and personal development. 

“This new name reflects who we are today and where we’re going in the future,” Brooke Kandel, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, said. “Our students are passionate about improving lives—in schools and communities and through health and wellness. The program now reflects the full range of needs related to human development.” 

The newly named College of Health Professions includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that launched in August. Other programs under consideration include Respiratory Therapy, Social Work, Nutrition, and Patient Care Manager. 

“We are building more healthcare offerings to meet workforce demands and improve patient care across settings,” Dr. Robert Soltis, Dean of the College of Health Professions, said. “These additional programs will strengthen our legacy programs in pharmacy and PA studies through shared resources and interprofessional activities.” 

The changes follow extensive consultation with faculty, staff, and advisory councils, as well as input from industry stakeholders, who emphasized the importance of preparing graduates for emerging roles within their respective fields. 

“We look to the future, with gratitude for the strong legacy of excellence that has defined Butler’s education and healthcare programs,” President Danko added. “We are building on that foundation to offer programs that reflect the evolving needs of our communities, our students, and the industries they will serve.”