At Schmidt Associates, we are honored to support Butler University in its mission to transform lives through education. Founder’s College, a new two-year college being added to Butler University, is set to welcome its first students in fall 2025. This forward-thinking initiative will offer accessible, affordable, and career-focused associate degrees, designed to meet the needs of students who may not have considered a college education attainable. In partnership with the Come to Believe Network, Founder’s College represents a transformative model for higher education—one that opens doors to opportunity while minimizing financial burden.

Affordable, Career-Focused Education

Founder’s College will remove financial barriers, offering two-year associate degrees in fields such as business management, data analytics, healthcare, and youth development. With little to no debt to students, Founder’s College will allow graduates to avoid the financial burdens typically associated with higher education. For those who continue at Butler, most will complete their bachelor’s degrees for around $10,000.

What makes the Come to Believe model exceptional is its success in driving impressive student outcomes, including:

• Graduation rates four to six times higher than the national average for two-year colleges
• Nearly 80% of graduates continue on to pursue bachelor’s degrees

This speaks to the comprehensive support system that Founder’s College will provide.

Renovating Spaces for Learning and Growth

Schmidt Associates is leading the full-service renovation of approximately 8,000 square feet of library and adjacent spaces in the CTS building, transforming them into vibrant learning environments that inspire collaboration and invigorate community. This full-service project for Schmidt Associates includes all construction and engineering. Butler University is seizing the opportunity to repurpose underutilized spaces, transforming them into classrooms, workspaces, faculty offices, and a local food pantry to support student needs.

These spaces are being designed with students in mind, offering the resources and support necessary for both academic and personal growth.

Whole-Student Support

Founder’s College will emphasize wraparound services addressing the entire student experience. From day one, students will have access to:

• A dedicated advisor to guide them through their academic journey
• Career coaching and paid internships for hands-on learning
• Block scheduling to accommodate work and family commitments
• Access to labs, libraries, and other Butler resources

This approach will ensure students have the tools to succeed in and out of the classroom.

A Community-Driven Vision for the Future

Founder’s College is about more than earning a degree—it’s about fostering a sense of community and preparing students to make a positive impact. For many students, this will be the first time a family member has attended college, enabling them to gain valuable skills and credentials while becoming advocates and leaders in their communities.

At Schmidt Associates, we are proud to contribute to this forward-thinking initiative. As a purpose-driven firm rooted in servant leadership, we believe everyone should have access to quality education, with diversity and equity at the heart of our work. We are creating spaces that promote collaboration, learning, and personal development. The impact of Founder’s College will extend far beyond campus, benefiting students, families, and the broader Central Indiana community.

We congratulate Butler University for reimagining what higher education can be. By offering affordable education and supporting students every step of the way, Butler and the Come to Believe Network are setting a powerful example of how institutions can lead with compassion and purpose. Together, we’re not just building a college—we’re building a future where education is accessible to all.