Brandi Butcher wanted to advance her healthcare career when she decided to return to college in her mid 30s. She had spent more than a decade in the field, with a range of responsibilities, including administration, clinical, patient advocacy, and Epic analyst. She had experience training new hires, developing workflows, and assisting patients as they navigated the complexities of the healthcare system.

Still, Brandi felt stuck.

“I felt stagnant in my career and realized that to succeed and grow, I needed to return to school,” Brandi, 37, said.

With an aptitude for leadership and guidance, Brandi, from Vermillion, began working toward an associate of applied business in human resources management.

“I’d like to move into a role in employee relations where I can contribute to fostering strong connections between employers and employees, while ensuring a positive and harmonious work environment,” Brandi said.

It was clear to Brandi that once she set her goal, LCCC faculty and staff were all in to help make it happen. Especially her advisors, beginning with Espy Correra. Brandi said Espy did more than answer her questions, plan her schedule and map out her degree. Espy believed in her and rooted for her.

“The most memorable moments were when I would register for the upcoming semester, and Espy would get so excited about my grades from the previous semester,” Brandi said. “Having not just an advisor, but a cheerleader, was incredibly motivating.”

Brandi excelled in her classes, many of which were offered online. The flexibility helped Brandi balance work, school and home life. And as she moved through the program, Espy made sure Brandi’s path to completion was clear and on track.

“She took the time to explain the courses and assist me in selecting the right number of classes each semester,” Brandi said. “Her support was invaluable in preventing burnout as I juggled working full time while pursuing my education.”

It seemed nothing could slow Brandi down. But then, tragedy brought her education to a complete stop. Brandi’s mother died of complications from COVID on December 28, 2021.

“It was unexpected and that’s the hardest part of all of this; she was here and then she wasn’t. I never got to say goodbye,” Brandi said.

Drained of drive and motivation, Brandi took a few semesters off. But she knew she had to keep going.

“I took a break, remembered who I was, and got back into it,” Brandi said.

Returning to class was challenging, but Brandi stayed focused on the end goal—because of her mother.

“Because of her, I am who I am today,” Brandi said. “Strength, willpower and fight were what she instilled in me through the years.”

When she was down to her last two classes, Brandi met again with an advisor, this time David Janik. After the loss of her mother, Brandi felt as though she was simply ready to graduate and be done. But a conversation with David led her in another direction.

“I vividly remember speaking with David and during our conversation, I learned that my grades qualified me for the University Partnership program,” she said.

Better yet, Brandi learned she was only seven classes away from completing a bachelor’s degree. Now, she’s enrolled in the University Partnership for fall 2025 to earn a bachelor’s in business administration with a specialization in human resources management from Franklin University.

“That wasn’t something I had ever planned for, but when I found out I was so close, I knew I had to pursue it,” Brandi said. “This journey has already opened so many new opportunities for me, and I believe it will continue to unlock even more.”