About the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence
Butler Center Mission Statement
The Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence serves as a catalyst for cultivating purposeful, grounded, and resilient leadership in higher education. Through research support, educational programming, and interactive workshops, the Center equips both emerging and experienced leaders with tools to navigate the evolving demands of academic life. As higher education faces increasing complexity, change, and competing demands, the Center offers space for reflection, growth, and connection to strengthen leadership at every level.
Rooted in the vision of Susan Bulkeley Butler, the Center places a special emphasis on supporting women who are seeking to grow as leaders in their academic and professional journeys. Housed within the Office of Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, the Center's core programming is dedicated to faculty development and mentoring. By nurturing a positive, welcoming community for everyone, the Center helps individuals and academic communities build a foundation to thrive together - live and work with a deep sense of wholeness, purpose, and belonging.
Butler Center Reflections on Individual and Relational Thriving
Thriving in academia isn't just about personal success. It means much more than meeting deadlines or achieving professional milestones. It involves both individual growth and meaningful connection with others.
Individual thriving involves developing a strong sense of purpose, productivity, and well-being in one's work in navigating the demands of research, teaching, and service. It is the feeling of being energized by our contributions and aligned with a deeper sense of calling. Relational thriving, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of supportive networks, collegial collaboration, and mentoring relationships that foster a deep sense of belonging in academia. It is about growing together to combat imposter syndrome and inspire resilience — through authentic, trusting relationships that offer psychological safety, mutual support, and a shared commitment to collective success.
Rooted in the principles of positive psychology, thriving is not just the absence of burnout, but the presence of flourishing — of being well and doing well in meaningful ways.
Faculty development programs and administrative leadership play a critical role in fostering this culture of "thriving". Through intentional support (e.g., mentoring networks, professional learning communities, equitable workload practices, recognition of diverse contributions) leaders can signal that well-being and community matter. By championing both individual and relational well-being, academic institutions can become places not only of knowledge creation, but of human flourishing.
To this end, the Butler Center hopes to come alongside those on their leadership development journey in academia, especially here at Purdue. We can do this through a vibrant, healthy, and impactful community that we are building. Together.
In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or status as a veteran. See Purdue’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance at vpec@purdue.edu or 765-494-5830.