Dr. Tamara Daniel Calls Butler Community College “More Than a Place” in Inaugural Address

Butler Community College celebrated the inauguration of the sixth president in its nearly 100-year history, Dr. Tamara Daniel. Dignitaries from across the state including college presidents and vice presidents, local, state, and county officials, and members of the Kansas Board of Regents attended the ceremony.

In her inaugural address, Dr. Tamara Daniel reflected on her belief that the institution she has been charged to lead is more than just a place. “It is a spirit that lives in every student who walks through our doors, in every faculty and staff member who gives their best each day, in every community partner who believes in our mission,” she said. With the college’s centennial celebrations beginning next year, Daniel described a spirit that has “carried Butler through a hundred years, and will carry us into the next hundred.”

As part of her vision, Dr. Daniel says she will prioritize building collaborative relationships in the community to increase student success. “We must continue to partner with schools, businesses, and community leaders to create new opportunities for our students,” she said. “[Because] we are a lifeline for our communities and a partner in building a stronger workforce for Kansas.”

Board of Trustees Chair Forrest Rhodes thanked members of the presidential search committee in his remarks. “Your dedication to helping find a new president for Butler did not go unnoticed, and I hope that [you] share the Board’s positive outlook for Butler Community College moving forward under Dr. Tamara Daniel’s leadership,” said Rhodes.

Dr. Daniel is a first-generation college graduate whose career began in the classroom as a mathematics professor, where she developed a passion for teaching and student learning. She went on to serve in roles of increasing responsibility including Department Chair, Executive Director of International Studies, Associate Dean of Academics, Vice President, and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at both urban and rural institutions. This breadth of experience has equipped her with the adaptability to meet diverse institutional needs while honoring the unique culture of each college she has served.  

Her leadership reflects a servant-leadership philosophy grounded in collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. She believes in cultivating a culture where all voices are valued, and where education serves as a catalyst for opportunity, economic mobility, and lifelong learning. Her commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and student-centered innovation continues to guide her vision for higher education as both a public good and a transformative force in people’s lives.  

Dr. Daniel holds a PhD and M.S. in Mathematics from The University of Mississippi and a B.A. in Psychology. Throughout her career, she has been a champion of collaboration and shared governance, believing that the most meaningful progress happens when faculty, staff, students, and community members work together toward common goals.