Dayton Engineer

By Tayte Miller, marketing communications intern

Great ideas – like the University of Dayton Sinclair Academy – are often only as good as the people on the ground making them work. For engineering students, that person is Judi Butts. 

The UD Sinclair Academy (UDSA) was launched in the spring of 2016 to allow students to begin their studies at Sinclair Community College and then transition to UD after two years. The program allows students to take general education classes at the lower Sinclair rate while locking in their UD tuition cost and enjoying full access to the UD campus.

Through this program, doors are opened for students who might not otherwise have been able to attend UD. UDSA students have UD resources available to them while they are at Sinclair including access to advising, student activities and athletic events.

Butts began as the advising coordinator for the School of Engineering UDSA students in the fall of 2017. Typically, an adviser is responsible for ensuring students are on the right track when it comes to classes and credits. Butts has consistently gone above and beyond since she started with the first cohort of 13 students. 

As the program has grown, she now has 35 students at Sinclair and 10 that have transferred to UD. The first UDSA graduate in the School of Engineering is Oscar Rwema, who will be graduating this spring with his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. 

“The UD Sinclair Academy was my real bridge to becoming a UD student. I remember the day I came to the UD admission office to ask about transfer options as a Sinclair student. The good news was waiting for me – a UDSA program was about to be launched,” said Rwema. 

“With Judi’s support, I ended up realizing my dream of becoming a UD student. Since I was among the first students in the program, I had many questions and concerns, and Judi was always there in her office and ready to answer all the questions I had along my UDSA pathway. I appreciate her consideration, guidance and time. I feel I am indebted to her.”

When it comes to Butts’ role as an adviser, there is much more to it than simply telling students what classes to take. Butts has done many things to ensure her students are successful both at Sinclair and UD. From organizing a meet and greet to surveying what her students are interested in to hosting Career Services events to having students participate in research, Butts has led her students to success. She believes that getting students involved on UD’s campus while still at Sinclair gives them a better connection to campus and eases the transition to UD. 

“Several things go into helping a student be successful,” said Butts. “First of all, believing in them is so important. I want them to have self confidence that they can complete the program successfully. Engineering is a rigorous curriculum, both at Sinclair and UD. It helps to have a cheerleader in the background urging them on. I also try to develop a professional relationship with them. I want them to know that I am someone that they can rely on.”

Assistant Dean Michelle Strunks, who oversees the Office of Students Success at the School of Engineering, also has high praises for Butts.

“She goes above and beyond to make students and their families feel welcome and at ease as they consider application into this program, matriculate to UD to begin the remainder of their coursework and ultimately achieve their bachelor’s degree,” said Strunks. “She has been innovative in helping students get and stay connected to the UD campus even while they are studying at Sinclair.”

Butts is there to help students with whatever problems they may face. With the help of people like Judi Butts, students are equipped for a road to success. As Butts heads into retirement, we thank her for her dedication and for always going the extra mile.

“I have really enjoyed working on this program and building a framework of what I thought it should look like,” said Butts. “I put emphasis on both student support and retention and what would help students along the way. Advising is much more than meeting with students just to check off a box. It’s about developing relationships and getting to know them and what makes each of them successful.”