Purdue Butler Center

“It threw me into her life and I just felt like I knew her.”

“It put me on her team, on her side, and advocating for her.”

There is something so powerful about stories and being witnessed in them, especially when our underlying values are noticed and reflected back to us. We enjoyed a rich discussion and workshop about the deep and connective impact of and science behind storytelling with Storytelling Expert and Facilitator Dawn Ziegerer. Thank you so much to all who joined us!

“Giving help sometimes involves unhurried time to listen.”

“Sometimes we need to walk not ahead of someone in need, but alongside and sometimes behind them too.”



“What advice would you give your best friend if they were in your situation?”



When was the last time you received helpful help? Who and what made it helpful? What feelings arose for you?

We enjoyed an insightful workshop on giving and receiving help this week. Thank you to all who joined the conversation! We discussed barriers to asking for help and challenges in helping others, as well as strategies for being a more effective giver and receiver of help. We hope you continue the conversation beyond this fabulous workshop!



A huge thank you to our panelists Drs. Silvia Bonaccio, Jennifer Dobbs-Oates and Louis Tay for your expertise and wisdom as we navigate offering and requesting help.

Come join us for our workshop on the Power of Storytelling with Storytelling Facilitator and Expert Dawn Ziegerer! The event is filling up, so we'd encourage you to register now to secure your spot.

🗓 Friday, May 2

⏰ 11:30am - 1:30pm

Register here: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdVIUSXjJ4BJvIG

✨ Great leaders and mentors understand that stories have the power to inspire, connect, and make ideas memorable. In this session, we’ll explore how storytelling can enhance leadership and mentorship, making messages more engaging and impactful.

💡 Our guest speaker, Dawn Ziegerer, brings extensive experience in facilitating storytelling workshops and will share practical techniques to help you craft meaningful narratives. Join us for an engaging discussion on the role of storytelling in effective communication, featuring hands-on exercises—all while enjoying lunch together.

Can't wait to see you there!

This afternoon we conclude our Women’s History Month celebration by highlighting Purdue storyteller Nuela Chidubem Enebechi as she tells a story about Leza Dellinger, an impactful Purdue woman in her life:

"When I first transferred to the Purdue University Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering, I felt incredibly small and out of place. Drowning in anxiety and battling a deep sense of not being enough, I vividly remember my first meeting with Leza in her office. She told me, 'You belong here. You’ve worked hard to be here.' Then she added, 'I’m going to print a name tag for you. Every time you walk by your cubicle and see your name, you’ll remember that this is your space.' In that moment, I broke down in tears. Leza gave me a warm hug and continued reassuring me.

The next day, I found that Leza had placed a monitor there to make the space feel more like an office. For the first time, I began to believe that I had what it takes to earn this doctorate degree and become a research scientist who makes a meaningful impact in the world.

Over the past three years, Leza has continued to cheer me on, remind me of my strengths, and lift me up with her unwavering support. She is a source of light and encouragement for so many graduate students, listening with compassion, speaking with kindness, and empowering us with the courage to tackle challenges head-on. She has created a culture of safety, empathy, and genuine care within our department, where we are seen, supported, and celebrated. Leza is not only my most impactful Purdue woman, but also the most impactful Purdue woman for countless others in our department.”

Thank you, Nuela, for telling this inspiring untold story and thank you, Leza, for your deeply positive impact and support of Nuela at Purdue.

What Purdue woman inspires YOU?

Check out the story and additional untold stories here: https://simplebooklet.com/butlercenter2025womenshistor =9

Throwback to our Women's History Celebration last year - we're resurfacing this delightful video as we continue our celebration this year 🥳😊

Check out the video below featuring 7 Purdue Women Leaders sharing about what Women's History Month means to them and their encouragement for the Purdue community during Women's History Month.

Amy Boyle, Vice President for Human Resources
Cherise Hall, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
Wei Hong, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs in the College of Liberal Arts
Leah H. Jamieson, Ransburg Distinguished Professor of Purdue University Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Professor of Engineering Education (by courtesy), and John A. Edwardson Dean Emerita of Engineering
Beth McCuskey, Vice Provost for Student Life
Eva Nodine, Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Julie Rosa, Vice President for Communications

Women's History Month Celebration | Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence This video, shown at our Women's History Month Celebration, features 7 Purdue Women Leaders sharing about what Women's History Month means to them and their ...

This morning we continue our Women’s History Month celebration by highlighting Purdue storyteller Lori Czerwionka as she tells a story about Jen William, an impactful Purdue woman in her life:

"Jen William (Head of SLC) is a good example of a strong, caring, and fair leader. In my case specifically, she has supported me in ways that let me see my value for the institution, and in ways that show that she knows exactly the kind of support I need. At times, this has been through data that show my productivity at work or through a free pass to try a workout class at a new gym. This individualized approach to motivation and support of her team members as whole people is one of the reasons why she is a great leader.”

Thank you, Lori, for telling this wonderful untold story and thank you to Jen for your individualized approach and supportive leadership at Purdue.

What Purdue woman inspires YOU?

Check out the story and additional untold stories here: https://simplebooklet.com/butlercenter2025womenshistor =7

This afternoon we continue our Women’s History Month celebration by highlighting Purdue storyteller Beth Holloway as she tells a story about Leah Jamieson, an impactful Purdue woman in her life:

"Early in my tenure as Director of Women in Engineering, the College was experiencing a decline in women in the incoming engineering class. My boss at the time was Leah Jamieson, and I expressed to her that I was frustrated, stressed, and felt like maybe I wasn’t the right person for the position. I remember that she looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Yes, you are.” I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that until she said it. Her confidence in me was what I needed to take a fresh look at the situation and keep working. I was completely and totally honored when years later, the directorship of Women in Engineering was named in her honor (after she stepped back from being Dean of Engineering).”

Thank you to Beth for telling this inspiring untold story and thank you to Leah for your belief and confidence in Beth at Purdue.

What Purdue woman inspires YOU?

Check out the story and additional untold stories here: https://simplebooklet.com/butlercenter2025womenshistor =19

This morning we continue our Women’s History Month celebration by highlighting Purdue storyteller Vidya Madana as she tells a story about Aparajita Jaiswal, an impactful Purdue woman in their life:

"I first met Dr. Jaiswal last spring when I signed up for her class, Storytelling with Data. Dr. Jaiswal was a phenomenal teacher, and I loved the class.

What really stood out to me, however, was when I showed up to class ten minutes early, and I stood out in the hallway waiting to enter class. Dr. Jaiswal was there too, and after exchanging casual pleasantries, Dr. Jaiswal asked me why I was interested in her class, and I told her the truth: I don’t really know. All I really knew then was that I loved data and numbers and yet I also loved to write.

And normally, when people hear about my two passions, I typically get a comment about how I have to “pick one” or how “funny” it is that I have interests so vastly different from one another. But, Dr. Jaiswal celebrated the dichotomy that I was. She showed me that it was okay to love both and want to grow both passions.

From there, I started working with Dr. Jaiswal and helping with some of her research projects, and I realized how two things that I love can truly go hand in hand despite exercising different skills. From her, I learned not just more about research and data journalism, a field I realized I want to pursue, but I also learned so much about who I am and how to nurture my skills and fit them together like puzzle pieces.”

Thank you to Vidya for telling this inspiring untold story and thank you to Aparajita for encouraging and mentoring Vidya in her multiple passions at Purdue.

What Purdue woman inspires YOU?

Check out the story and additional untold stories here: https://simplebooklet.com/butlercenter2025womenshistor =15

This afternoon we continue our Women’s History Month celebration by highlighting a Purdue storyteller as they tell a story about Christa Pazera, an impactful Purdue woman in their life:

"Christa worked with me when I was a Resident Assistant over 20 years ago at Meredith Hall. What I found remarkable about Christa is how she remembered me (seeing me for the first time in 20 years) and made me feel included immediately. This included networking me to others on campus. I feel like her continued ability to connect me to Purdue is a wonderful gift that makes Christa a truly remarkable person.”

Thank you for telling this inspiring untold story and thank you to Christa for your positive and connective impact at Purdue.

What Purdue woman inspires YOU?

Check out the story and additional untold stories here: https://simplebooklet.com/butlercenter2025womenshistor =25

This morning we continue our Women’s History Month celebration by highlighting a Purdue storyteller as they tell a story about multiple Purdue women who made an impact in their life:

"When the pandemic hit, my career came to a sudden halt. I lost my job and had to move back home, feeling lost and uncertain about the future. But then, I remembered advice I had received from a friend at Purdue years earlier at a conference—encouragement to consider a career in academia. Seeking guidance, I reached out to a trusted mentor at Purdue who shared wisdom passed down from another amazing woman leader at Purdue: ‘If you work for a widget factory, you need to get yourself a widget.’ In other words, if you want to work at a university, get a degree.

That simple insight gave me the push I needed to apply to graduate school. With the support and encouragement of those who believed in me, I found my path. Today, I’m in a career I love, forever grateful for the mentors who helped me get here.”

Thank you to this Purdue storyteller for telling this wonderful untold story and thank you to the impactful Purdue women who uplifted this individual at Purdue.

What Purdue woman inspires YOU?

Check out the story and additional untold stories here: https://simplebooklet.com/butlercenter2025womenshistor =23

A thriving community is built on mutual support, where individuals recognize their limits and lean on each other, knowing that both giving and receiving help are necessary for long-term well-being.

We'd LOVE for you to join us on April 16 at our Giving and Receiving Help workshop, open to Purdue faculty and staff. Register here: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5w1KNghARCQDye2

Knowing when to ask for help and how to offer it is essential for both personal well-being and the collective thriving of a community. Seeking help when needed is not a sign of weakness but an act of self-awareness and strength. It prevents burnout, fosters resilience, and allows us to grow by learning from others. At the same time, offering help should be done with care—ensuring that we support others without depleting ourselves. True generosity is sustainable, rooted in respect for our own boundaries as well as the needs of those around us.

The Butler Center invites you to participate in a roundtable discussion and to learn from an expert panel on how to give and receive help from others in the workplace:

💡 Dr. Silvia Bonaccio, Vice Dean (Research) and Full Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management at the Telfer School of Management / École de gestion Telfer - uOttawa at the University of Ottawa, where she also holds the Ian Telfer Professorship of Workplace Psychology

💡 Dr. Jennifer Dobbs-Oates, Clinical Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science and inaugural Associate Vice Provost for World Readiness at Purdue University

💡 Dr. Louis Tay, William C. Byham Professor, Purdue University Department of Psychological Sciences who has served as a Provost Fellow on the Steps to Leaps initiative at Purdue University

This afternoon we continue our Women’s History Month celebration by highlighting Purdue storyteller Filippa Rodriguez as she tells a story about Cara Putman, an impactful Purdue woman in their life:

"Growing up, I believed mistakes meant failure—that I wasn’t good enough. That fear followed me for years until it finally caught up with me. In the most important leadership role I’d ever taken, I made a mistake. A big one. One that made me question everything—my ability, my leadership, even who I was.

Desperate, I turned to Cara, a woman I deeply admire. My voice shook as I asked, “How do I fix this?” She listened—really listened—then said something that changed me: “True leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about having the courage to be vulnerable.”

Vulnerable? That wasn’t what leaders were supposed to be. Leaders were supposed to be unshakable and always in control. But looking at Cara—a woman who led with grace, who commanded respect by being real, not perfect—I saw something different. Strength in honesty. Power in admitting when things go wrong.

Cara didn’t just give me advice; she gave me permission to be human. To let go of the impossible standards I’d set for myself. To understand that mistakes don’t define us—how we grow from them does. Because of her, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about never failing. It’s about owning our mistakes, learning, and becoming better.”

Thank you to Filippa for telling this inspiring untold story and thank you to Cara for encouraging and uplifting Filippa in leadership and bravery at Purdue.

What Purdue woman inspires YOU?

Check out the story and additional untold stories here: https://simplebooklet.com/butlercenter2025womenshistor =7