HPU Hero: Dr. Rhonda Butler

Chapters & Transcript

0:00

Are you ready? I'm ready. Let's do it. My HPU hero is Dr. Rhonda Butler. Dr. Rhonda Butler is the director of the Strickland Women's LIFT Fellowship Program, and she's also the assistant professor of management at High Point University.

So, how Dr. Butler and I met is kind of a funny story, but I actually was picked as the first freshman in the history of HPU to speak at my incoming class of 2026 convocation. She ended up being the person who was announcing me to speak on stage. So, we did a quick little hello on stage and then after that I realized she was my professor for the Strickland Women's LIFT Fellowship.

Now, after that, we hit it off and it's been a great mentoring relationship since. Dr. Butler is a leader, a mentor, and a friend, and I genuinely feel like she's made me a stronger woman.

0:57

And the fellowship Dr. Butler started just a few years ago. I really feel she created this amazing environment where I could lead, inspire, and really blaze trails that are unforgettable.

There's so much I've learned from Dr. Butler that will continue to impact me after I've graduated. She's not only super professional, but Dr. Butler is so personable. One of the things I truly love about Dr. Butler is she sees greatness in everybody she works with.

1:24

Every year the fellowship I'm in, we have an annual summit. And in that summit, us girls, we get opportunities to speak, interact with CEOs, owners, leaders, you name it.

And Dr. Butler asked if I wanted to run the panel for our annual summit. And I was a freshman at this time. And of course, I was excited.

1:43

But then I had nerves kicking in. And I opened up with Dr. Butler as I always do and I said, "I'm a little nervous for this. Like, are you sure you want me to do this? I'm a freshman?"

And she told me, "Sophia, one thing I want you to never forget is in order to truly be successful, you have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable."

And that always resonated with me because that's so true. If you don't take risks, if you don't put yourself in uncomfortable situations, you won't grow and be better.

I just genuinely want you to know that you make this campus extraordinary and you're incredible in so many ways and other people around see it too. So, thank you for being a great professor, a great leader and what you do on this campus matters and you've given me a great experience here at HPU and really I would not have the same college experience without you. And my experience wouldn't be the same without you as well too. I mean, seriously, I feel like you are a blessing to my life and you're just an extraordinary young lady. I'm so excited that I get this opportunity to do this portion of life with you.

2:52

So, the real reason you're here is I have something to present you with and it is the HPU Hero Award. Wow. And so, this is again just to reiterate that you're amazing on this campus. You're a hero and you're appreciated and you're not only my hero, I'm sure you are so so many others.

This is amazing. What in the world? It feels unreal. I just don't feel like a hero. I just feel like a person. It just feels very blessed to have the opportunity and the privilege to do work that I love with people that I love. And so I just feel very humbled.

3:34

And I don't really come into this space to call myself a mentor. I come into this space to just be authentically caring about students and I want to build relationships and I want to just hopefully inspire you to do what's already in you and just to do great things.

I appreciate you so much for you.

The video features HPU Student Sophia Cina recognizing Dr. Rhonda Butler as her HPU Hero. Sophia describes how Dr. Butler, director of the Strickland Women's LIFT Fellowship, has been a transformative mentor and leader in her college journey. Through her mentorship in the LIFT Fellowship and annual summits, Dr. Butler teaches students to embrace challenges and discomfort as necessary for growth. Dr. Butler receives the HPU Hero Award and reflects on her philosophy of authentic mentoring aimed at inspiring students to realize their potential.

HPU Hero: Dr. Rhonda Butler

What is mentorship like at High Point University?

What is the HPU Strickland Women's LIFT Fellowship?

What is the HPU Women's LIFT Fellowship Summit?

Why must you be comfortable with the uncomfortable?

What is the High Point University Hero Award?

What is the goal of faculty mentors at HPU?