Introducing ... Dr. Tamara Daniel
Dr. Tamara Daniel President
Dr. Barry Robinson
Vice President of Academics
Bill Rinkenbaugh
Vice President of Student Services
Tom Borrego
Vice President of Advancement/
Special Asst. to the President
Kent Williams
Vice President of Finance
Christina Byram
Vice President of Digital Transformation / CIO
Dr. Jessica Ohman
Associate Vice President of Student Services
Dr. Aidan Dunleavy, CMA
Associate Vice President of Research & Institutional Effectiveness
Shelley Stultz
Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Kamielle Freeman Professor and President, Butler Community College Education Association
Kelly Snedden
Director of College Relations & Marketing
OUR MISSION
Butler Community College inspires and prepares students for lifetime success through inclusive, innovative, affordable, quality education while advancing community vitality.
In her first days at Butler Community College, Dr. Tamara Daniel could be found diving into the work of connecting campus and community.
Now, as Butler’s new president, she shares her thoughts on how Butler transforms students, families, and the region itself.
For me, higher education has always been about more than earning a degree. It’s about transformation—helping students discover their strengths, grow in confidence and move forward ready to thrive. That’s why I feel so honored to serve as the president of Butler Community College. Because Butler is a place where this transformation happens every day.
From the moment I arrived, I knew I wanted to connect not just with our campuses, but with our greater community. That’s why in these first few months I’ve joined the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, the Wichita and El Dorado Chambers of Commerce and the El Dorado Rotary Club. I believe colleges are at their strongest when they’re deeply rooted in the communities they serve, and Butler is such a vital part of this region.
My approach to leadership is based on three simple beliefs:
• People are our greatest asset. This includes our students, faculty, staff and the many individuals who support Butler behind the scenes. It also includes our Board of Trustees who help shape our vision and the community partners who invest in our mission.
• Culture is our foundation. I believe in a culture that values respect, inclusion, growth and a shared commitment to excellence.
• Numbers bring focus to our vision. I believe in setting bold goals, tracking what matters, and using numbers to continuously improve and provide the best possible experience to our students.
Most importantly, I believe student success changes everything. When students succeed, families are stronger, businesses flourish and entire communities move forward. Before coming to Butler, I served as Provost and Vice Chancellor at Arkansas State University–Mountain Home, where I saw firsthand the incredible power community colleges have to change lives. I carry that same belief here: futures start at Butler thanks to a focus on personalized learning, innovative programs and a caring educational community.
As we look ahead to Butler’s centennial in 2027, I’m excited about our history and our future. I’m excited that our timeless institutional values of Quality, Integrity, Service and Caring aren’t just words. They are how we live, teach and lead every single day. At Butler, we don’t just educate. We empower. We don’t just enroll. We engage.
FGC Donates Diesel Truck to Butler Diesel Technology Program
Butler’s diesel technology program recently received a major boost through the donation of a Kenworth diesel truck by FGC Inc., a transportation company based in Park City, Kansas.
Joe Cordell, fleet manager at FGC, said the donation of the massive 18-wheeler was an investment in the next generation of technicians. “I’ve been in contact with Todd [Williams] about the diesel program for the last couple years, as we are always looking for new talent,” Cordell said. “We recently purchased new trucks and are selling old ones, so we thought now would be a great time to donate a piece of equipment and build a relationship with the diesel program [at the] school.”
Butler automotive technology instructor Todd Williams said the donation came together quickly. “It happened very fast. I got Joe in contact with the Foundation, and they set it up,” Williams said. “It was out on a route on a Monday, and they cleaned it up, de-stickered it and brought it over to us on Tuesday.”
Williams emphasized the importance of having a full truck in the shop. “Getting the whole truck is a huge deal for students because they’re able to work on the whole system,” he said. He added that in-service donations like this are a “game changer” in preparing Butler students with industry-ready skills. “We’ll be addressing different aspects with students for a while, [because] everything on it is relevant.”
Want some more good news? You still have time to join Butler for the fall semester with late start classes!
There are still classes to choose from, both online and on campus, starting in October and finishing in December. Get started today!
Former Butler Art Chair Honored at Memorial Exhibit
Butler Community College honored the late Lynn Havel, former Chair of the Art Department, with a special exhibit in the Erman B. White Gallery of Art. The show featured a selection of Havel’s works, including paintings, printmaking, handmade papers, and ceramics.
Havel, who passed away in May at his home in Colorado, spent 31 years at Butler shaping both the art program and the gallery itself. He was instrumental in securing a donor for the gallery, guiding its expansion, and curating exhibits that challenged and inspired audiences. Many of his pieces remain displayed across the El Dorado campus, reflecting his meticulous craftsmanship and love of abstract design.
The exhibit celebrated not only Havel’s artistic contributions but also his vision of the gallery as a learning space for students and community. In addition, a scholarship was established in his name to benefit future art students.
Arts, Digital Media and Communications Dean Valerie Haring, a former student of the longtime art chair, speaks at the exhibition’s reception, which also served as a celebration of life for Havel. (Elizabeth Cody)
Diesel technology students can now learn their craft on an industry standard Kenworth truck recently donated by FGC, Inc. of Park City.
(Joe Wescott)
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Dr. Daniel’s First Hundred Days
Over the course of the first 100 days of her tenure, President Dr. Tamara Daniel travelled all over the Butler Community College service area, shaking hands and listening closely and engaging with members of the communities she serves as leader of the largest employer in the region.
ABOVE: Dr. Daniel participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for Butler’s new welding lab at Rose Hill High School on August 26, 2025. (Photo Courtesy Rose Hill Chamber)
ANDOVER
FLINT HILLS
Dr. Daniel visited a class at Butler’s Flint Hills campus on August 21, 2025. (Heather Rinkenbaugh)
LEFT: Dr. Daniel speaks at an Andover Meet and Greet hosted by White Eagle Credit Union at the Redler Institute of Culinary Arts on September 5. (Joe Wescott) BELOW: On her first day as President, Dr. Daniel spoke at the Regional Apprenticeship Day of Learning hosted at Butler’s Andover campus on June 23, 2025. (Elizabeth Cody)
ROSE HILL
EL DORADO
ABOVE LEFT: Dr. Daniel addressed the crowd at the El Dorado Community Welcome Event hosted by El Dorado Main Street at the Coutts Museum of Art on August 14, 2025. (Rodney Dimick)
ABOVE CENTER: Dr. Daniel speaks with Kansas State Senator Michael Fagg at the El Dorado Community Welcome Event on August 14, 2025. (Rodney Dimick)
WICHITA
ABOVE: On June 25, 2025, her third day as president, Dr. Daniel attended a military affairs luncheon hosted by the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. (Joe Wescott)
THE AFFORDABILITY CHECKLIST
Scholarships and a lower price tag mean Butler provides its students an average savings of more than $8,500/year compared to four-year public universities in Kansas.
3 SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
Hundreds of renewable scholarships are offered every year, totaling $3 million in awards for academic excellence or involvement in activities. Plus The Kansas Promise Scholarship can make up the difference in aid for select programs.
During the 2023-24 academic year 82% of first-time, full-time Butler students received federal, state/local, and/or institutional grant or scholarship aid. The average amount of this aid was $5,072.
(Source: IPEDS)
3 COUNTY TUITION DISCOUNT
Butler County residents receive a discounted tuition rate relative to in-state, out-of-state and international students.
For the 2025-2026 school year, residents only pay $104 per credit hour, compared to $136.50 per credit hour for other Kansas residents.
3 2+2 AGREEMENTS
Butler holds partnerships with dozens of four-year institutions that ensure each credit earned at Butler transfers directly to a variety of programs. For example, the new Educate the State partnership provides a discounted tuition for Butler Secondary Education majors transferring to Friends University, Newman University or Southwestern College.
3 OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER)
OERs are instructional materials released under a special copyright license allowing them to be offered at a significantly reduced cost. When Butler-authored textbooks were first offered in 2018, the cost to students dropped from $240 to just $10.
Floor Installation Boot Camp Coming in December
This 5-day, 40-hour boot camp will give you insight on the basics of floor covering while giving you the skills to establish a career in the industry or complete a great DIY project at home.
December 1-5 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
<< Scan the QR code to the left to learn more and register.
Andover Campus
Scan the QR code to access special pricing for Kansas residents! >>
Rose Hill Culinary Grad Bakes Up Sweetie Pie Success
When Abby George launched Sweetie Pie Bakery in 2023, she turned childhood holiday baking into more than a personal passion. Now every Saturday you can find her at Wichita’s Kansas Grown farmers market, selling cakes, scones and protein bars while thinking through her next big steps.
George’s path to Sweetie Pie included earning a pastry arts certificate at Butler’s Redler Institute of Culinary Arts. “Redler was a game changer for my business. I became a much better baker through the pastry classes offered there,” George says. “It was a huge help getting my business off the ground. Definitely worth it.”
One of her most valuable mentors at Butler was instructor Laurie Bruce, who helped her learn the ropes of the farmers market world. “Laurie was a great, great help. She walked me through everything and was a huge influence on me,” George recalls. “It’s hard work, but I love it. I could do this forever.”
Early College Academy’s Pirtle Lights Up the Welding World
A 2025 Butler Early College Academy (ECA) graduate, Barrett Pirtle discovered a love for welding early, drawn to its peace and precision. He entered his first competition at Heartland Welding Academy last year with low expectations.
“I had very little faith in myself,” he admitted.
“But I ended up coming out with a 1st place win.”
He later competed at the Kentucky Welding Institute, placing 4th among 125 competitors. “I thought I had a decent chance to get top 10,” he humbly recalled.
Recently retired Butler welding instructor Matt Galbraith called Pirtle “one of the best students I’ve ever had. He is absolutely driven to be the best he can be.” As it turned out, welding was just a jumping off point for Pirtle. Three days after graduating from the ECA, he began a sixfigure position in refinery operations at Clean Harbors in Wichita, proving that drive skill, and confidence can ignite a bright future.
After earning her pastry arts certificate from the Redler Institute of Culinary Arts, Abby George started her own business, Sweetie Pie Bakery, in 2023. (Elizabeth Cody)
Winner of the Heartland Welding Academy competition, Barret Pirtle started a six-figure job days after graduating from Butler’s Early College Academy (Courtesy photo)
901 S. Haverhill Road | El Dorado, KS 67042
At Butler, nothing matters more than the human story, especially when it comes to celebrating our upcoming centennial. We invite you to share your Butler stories to honor what we’ve done together, and to set the stage for the next 100 years. Share your stories through words, pictures, videos or memorabilia by emailing centennial@butlercc.edu.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Forrest Rhodes - Chair District 3, Position 3 forrest.rhodes@butlercc.edu
Dave Sherrer - Vice Chair District 3, Position 6 david.sherrer@butlercc.edu
Dr. Aaron Huslig Secretary / Treasurer District 1, Position 1 aaron.huslig@butlercc.edu
Kim Braungardt District 2, Position 5 kim.braungardt@butlercc.edu
Mary Martha Good At Large mgood2@butlercc.edu
Linda Jolly District 1, Position 4 linda.jolly@butlercc.edu
Shelby Smith District 2, Position 2 shelby.smith@butlercc.edu
We’re All Smiles as Butler Sees Another Uptick in Enrollment for Fall 2025
Butler is excited to report another semester of enrollment growth for Fall 2025! Overall enrollment is at its highest since 2021 after seeing an increase of 1% over Fall 2024, which saw a 4.7% increase over Fall 2023, meaning Butler has seen a 5.3% increase over the last two years. Credit hours also climbed to 65,981 hours, the most for a fall semester since 2020. These numbers show that not only is Butler attracting more students, but students are able to take the courses they need thanks to the college’s commitment to affordability.