University Marketing Staff
University Marketing operates like an in-house agency built for institutional impact. We combine strategy, creative, web, digital, and enrollment expertise to deliver work that amplifies Butler’s brand and supports the University’s most important goals
We don’t approach marketing as a collection of deliverables—we build campaigns, experiences, and systems designed to drive results. We’re passionate about Butler and proud of the culture we’ve built: smart, collaborative, and pretty fun to work with.
Leadership
Jonathan Purvis is a respected leader in higher education with over 25 years of experience. He joined Butler in 2018 as Vice President for University Advancement, and leadership for the University’s Marketing division was added in 2024.
At Butler, Purvis launched the public phase of Butler Beyond: The Campaign for Butler University which concluded on May 31, 2022 having surpassed its $250 million goal with $262 million raised. The campaign supported key strategic priorities such as the construction of Bill and Joanne Dugan Hall, the completion of Levinson Family Hall and the Sciences Expansion and Renovation project, enhancements to Hinkle Fieldhouse, the launch of Butler Ventures, and raising $150 million in gifts and commitments to grow the endowment and provide for the University’s future financial security through documented estate intentions.
Prior to arriving at Butler, Purvis served for 20 years at Indiana University in a variety of leadership roles that existed at the intersection of fundraising, marketing, and alumni relations. These include serving as Vice President for Development and Regional Campuses, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the Indiana University School of Education, and Executive Director of Special Gifts and Annual Giving Programs.
Purvis holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential (CFRE) and has taught a variety of fundraising courses. He is a frequent presenter and a contributing author to the third edition of the acclaimed Achieving Excellence in Fundraising. He holds a BA in English and Master of Public Affairs, both from Indiana University.
Courtney Tuell serves as Butler University’s Executive Director of Brand Marketing, where she leads strategies that enhance Butler’s reputation as a premier national university. She oversees the talented Brand Strategy and Creative teams, guiding their work to elevate Butler’s visibility and impact. Since joining Butler in 2002, Courtney has held various communication, account management, and leadership roles, including Director of Public Relations during the University’s historic back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Prior to her time at Butler, Courtney served as an Account Executive with full-service marketing communications firm Hickman and Associates. She is a 1999 graduate of Butler University where she studied Integrated Communications.
Away from the office, Courtney enjoys time with her two boys, Connor and Chase.
Kristi Lafree joined Butler University in 2013 and currently serves as the Executive Director of Enrollment Marketing and Technology. A member of the Marketing and Communications leadership team, she oversees the Enrollment Marketing and Web teams, helping to shape the University’s prospective student experience from first impression to final decision.
Kristi is a Michiana native and a 2011 graduate of Indiana University Bloomington. She earned her MBA in 2013 from WGU Indiana, where she also served on the University’s public relations team before joining Butler.
When she’s not on campus, Kristi enjoys spending time with her husband, Nathan (a fellow Butler employee), their high school #ButlerBound senior, Madison, their new baby, Luke, and their very opinionated cat, Lisa Frank. A former fastpitch softball pitcher whose throwing arm is now strictly decorative, she still loves watching baseball (go Cubs), listening to audiobooks, and scouting out new restaurants on Indy’s south side.
Brand Strategy
Rachel Stotts first joined Butler University in 1999 in what was then the Publications Office. She served as Account Manager until 2003 when she left Butler to stay home with her children. She returned to Butler in 2013 to Marketing and Communications and currently serves as Associate Director of Marketing Strategy and Editor of Butler Magazine.
Rachel is a graduate of Greenville University in Greenville, Illinois with a degree in English. Rachel, her husband, Doug MS ’01, and their children, Amelia and Owen ’29, live in Broad Ripple with their French bulldog, Stuart.
As a Marketing Specialist, Victoria Ochs facilitates the development and completion of marketing projects for University clients. She supports Butler’s Marketing and Communications team via project management, copywriting for print and digital content, and other Brand Strategy efforts.
Prior to her work at Butler, Victoria developed her passion for higher ed and the nonprofit sector in roles at Taylor University, her alma mater, and the nonprofit law firm Charitable Allies.
In her spare time, Victoria enjoys exploring Broad Ripple and participating in the Indianapolis arts, music, and poetry scenes. She serves alongside her husband at The Sanctuary, a neighborhood church that gathers in the Indianapolis Art Center.
Evan Krauss, a 2016 and 2023 MS College of Communication graduate, has been with the Butler Marketing & Communications office in one form or another since 2013. Starting as a volunteer handler of Butler Blue III and working his way through an internship his Senior year, Krauss is now Associate Director of Digital Content Strategy and Handler/Dad of Butler Blue IV.
Enrollment Marketing
Kaitlyn Roberts is a distinguished 2015 graduate of Butler University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management Information Systems. She also holds a Master of Science in Data Analytics from Butler University, reflecting her continued commitment to advancing her expertise in data-driven strategy and decision-making.
Kaitlyn joined Butler University’s Marketing team in May 2022 and currently serves as the Enrollment Marketing CRM Manager. In this role, she oversees the management of marketing assets within Enrollment Management’s CRM, Slate. Her work includes leading email marketing initiatives, developing and maintaining forms and landing pages, and supporting both undergraduate and graduate recruitment efforts through data-informed campaign execution.
Outside of her professional work, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her husband and her very spoiled pup, Urie. She also has a passion for crafting and creating, often using her Cricut to bring projects to life.
Kaitlin Dillon is a 2023 graduate of Western Michigan University, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Strategic Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Event Management. Kaitlin joined Butler’s Marketing and Communications team in May 2024, and currently serves as Butler’s Enrollment Marketing Specialist. Her responsibilities include developing marketing content and executing marketing strategies while supporting project management responsibilities for the Enrollment Management division.
Outside of the office, you can find Kaitlin reading, playing with her cat, Periwinkle, and going on walks. She loves spending time with her family and enjoys listening to music and/or snuggling on the couch with a good show playing. She also creates content for her book review page on Instagram, so if you are ever in need of book recommendations, Kaitlin would be happy to assist!
Creative Services
I have been with Butler since August 1999, relocating back to my hometown from stints in Arizona and Vermont through the nineties after college in Terre Haute, Indiana, where I studied Graphic Design and Art History. My interests outside of work include painting, playing cello, and wondering how I got so lucky to have such a wonderful family.
Web
