The First Day of Founder’s College

Founder’s College of Butler University opened on August 27, 2025

By Carlos Martinez, Assistant Director of Programs at CTB

The inaugural class of Founders College gathered in Indianapolis on August 27, 2025, marking not only their first day of classes but also the beginning of a bold new chapter in higher education. Students, faculty, and administrators alike shared their hopes, motivations, and vision for what this college can become. Their voices paint a picture of a community rooted in co-creation, accessibility, and impact.

CTB’s Carlos Martinez (front left) with faculty, staff, and students on Founder’s First Day.

Leadership Perspectives

Stephanie Fernho, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

With sixteen years of experience at Butler University, Stephanie Fernho brings a deep background in entrepreneurship and innovation. She sees Founders as a startup within Butler designed to remove “the randomness of success” and to co-create education with students. Fernho hopes Founders will empower students to “author their own ending” while forging meaningful ties with the Indianapolis community.

Rob Williford, Associate Dean for Student Affairs

Originally from Flint, Michigan, Rob Williford joined Founders to return to student-centered work after years in administrative leadership. For him, the goal is belonging: helping students see possibilities beyond what they imagined. “So many barriers in higher education are failures of imagination,” he explained, hoping that students leave Founders able to envision bold futures for themselves and their communities.

Faculty Voices
Dr. Adrianna Ernsberger a.k.a. Dr. E, Core Faculty, Humanities, Arts, and Sciences

A first-generation college student and historian, Dr. E. intentionally left a tenure-track role to spend more time in the classroom. Passionate about representation and inclusion, she aims to help students transition from seeing themselves as “students” to recognizing themselves as “scholars.” Her vision for Founders is a community of welcome where all students feel empowered to pursue their dreams, supported by both academic rigor and personal connections.

High-Touch Supports

Abby Martin, Social Worker and Library Assistant

For Abby Martin, her role at Founders College is a “dream job.” With roots in Evansville, Indiana, and professional experience in K-12 schools and therapy, she sees her role as connecting students to the “right doors,” whether that’s a resource for housing or guidance to launch a business. Martin believes Founders is redefining higher education by centering student needs and creating reciprocal partnerships with Indianapolis schools and community organizations.

Students with Vision

Karmani Burton, Future Real Estate Entrepreneur

Turning 20 this fall, Karmani came to Founders after a gap year, drawn by the debt-free model and a sense of peace. With ambitions to build a real estate firm and provide housing solutions for underserved families, Karmani is determined to become an “academic monster,” absorbing all the knowledge possible to fuel her dream. Counseling and mentorship are helping shape her journey, reinforcing her resilience and commitment.

Daviam Alamo, Future News Anchor

Originally from Puerto Rico, Daviam discovered a passion for journalism through high school media programs and an internship at Wish TV. With a degree in youth and community advocacy as the foundation, Daviam aspires to become a journalist, TV anchor, and perhaps even an actor. For him, Founders is both an opportunity and a calling, a chance to professionalize his passion while expanding his network and skills.

Ethan Herd, Future High School History Teacher
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Ethan initially struggled to find a career path until inspired by his high school history teacher. With Founders’ accessibility and supportive community, Ethan is pursuing his dream of becoming a history teacher. His joy comes from working with children, and he looks forward to paying forward the same inspiration he once received.

A Shared Vision for Indianapolis
Together, these voices reflect the mission of Founders College: to expand access, remove barriers, and ignite possibility. From deans to students, each person shares a belief in education as a force for change –for themselves, their families, and the Indianapolis community.

On this first day of classes, optimism radiated across campus. As one student put it, “I feel like I can earth the whole world.” That energy, coupled with the dedication of faculty and staff, suggests that Founders College is not just authoring new endings, it is writing bold beginnings.