Libby Butler
2025 URH Faculty Mentor Award Recipient
Please tell us a bit about your educational background and current research.
I earned a BA in Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego, Muir College, an M.Ed. and secondary mathematics teaching credential from University of California, Los Angeles, and a PhD in K-12 Urban Education Leadership from the University of Southern California. My current research is focused mostly on TK-12 Mathematics curriculum, instruction, and mathematics, along with relationships between depth of learning in ethnic studies courses and humanizing pedagogical practice for undergraduate students. My hope is to transition my research focus in the near future to humanizing higher education STEM learning for undergraduate students.
Did you do research as an undergraduate student? How did you get started in your current field?
I participated in a program that was a precursor to the McNair Scholars program at UCSD, during my undergraduate studies. My work with a research team planted a seed that took a while to bloom, but the relationships that I made while engaging in research as an undergraduate student provided a bridge 15 years after graduation, with members of that research team serving as mentors and recommendation writers for my doctoral studies.
Who are some of your most memorable mentors? How did you meet them?
Dr. Hugh (Bud) Mehan was the PI for the research I engaged in during my undergraduate studies. His mentorship helped me to realize the power of research as an advocacy tool for transformative change.
Why do you enjoy being a mentor?
I recognize that I am only one person, and can only do so much to have a direct impact on making education a more inclusive and empowering space for all students. However, the small amounts of effort it takes to mentor others, can have exponential impact. I view it as an opportunity to build a village, not just for the present, but for the future.
What is the most useful piece of advice a mentor gave you?
It wasn't advice, but action. Mentors have poured into me by being good listeners and thought partners. This shaped my confidence in my own voice and ideas to make contributions to the fields I study.