Since her sophomore year, Mia Armendariz wanted to attend Butler University.
She loved the community and felt right at home on campus. But the private college is expensive, and she didn’t get into Butler when she first applied.
Then she received a letter inviting her to apply to Butler’s new two-year associate degree program, Founder’s College. Now she’s excited to become a Butler student at last. She hopes to eventually transfer to receive a bachelor’s degree.
“I’m honestly just excited to start a new chapter in my life,” the Pike High School senior said. “I’m excited to find out more about myself.”
She was among dozens of staff, students and community members who checked out Butler’s new program April 29. The university unveiled the new space for Founder’s College after announcing plans for the program in November 2023. The college is in the part of the building that formerly housed the Christian Theological Seminary’s library.
Founder’s College will offer associate degrees in data analytics, business management studies, health care studies and youth and community advocacy. After graduating with a two-year degree, students can choose to transfer to Butler to complete a bachelor’s degree for no more than $10,000.
Get the backstory
Butler President James Danko said Founder’s College was born out of a desire to make a Butler education more accessible to Indianapolis students who face obstacles to college, such as limited income. The school hopes to open up more opportunities for underrepresented students while maintaining a competitive application process.
“We’re such a great college within such easy reach of people that live around our campus,” Danko said. “We just need to go down three or four blocks and say, ‘Why can’t those students come to Butler?’ It was a matter of just opening up the possibilities.”
Doing things differently
Because Founder’s College is built to serve a more diverse student body, resources are built into the program from day one — right down to the design of the building.
Students will not have to go far to find academic or career help. The new space at Founder’s College will have a financial aid coach, career counselor and writing lab, so students can easily find time to use those resources rather than scrambling to fit appointments in between classes.
Butler will also provide free lunch to students, and there is a pantry in the common area with snacks, tea and coffee.
“Everything they need is right in this space, so there’s nothing left to challenge for their success,” said Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, dean of Founder’s College.
Though her students will be pursuing a different degree path, Gentle-Genitty said she doesn’t want them to feel distant from the wider Butler campus. Staff are working to ensure that Founder’s College students can participate in all campus activities and clubs.
“Nothing is off the table for the support that they will get, just like any other student,” she said.
Fifty students have already been admitted to Founder’s College for fall 2025, and staff are still reviewing applications. Gentle-Genitty said the college is aiming for 100 students in its inaugural class.
Applications still open
Though most high school seniors will decide where they want to go to college by May 1, Gentle-Genitty said Founder’s College will continue to take applications at least until the end of May. The first day of classes is Aug. 27.
Competitive applicants should live in Central Indiana, be willing to commute to Butler’s campus and have at least a 2.5 GPA. Applicants must also be a high school senior or have completed high school or some equivalent, such as a GED, within the last two years.
You can apply to Founder’s College online.
Editor’s note: Carolyn Gentle-Genitty is a board member for Free Press Indiana, the support organization of Mirror Indy.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire by email claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org, on most social media @clairerafford or on Signal 317-759-0429.
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