Faculty and Staff
Dean of the College
A HERS Alum and American Council on Education Leadership Fellow, Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty is a distinguished social work and youth development scholar with over 20 years of experience in higher education. She has held significant roles at Indiana University, including leading the Bachelor of Social Work program, developing online education programs, and overseeing system-wide academic policies as Assistant Vice President for Academic Policy. In 2024, she became the inaugural dean of Founder’s College at Butler University, a new two-year interdisciplinary college program aimed at providing affordable education and pathways to a four-year degree for low-wealth students. Dr. Gentle-Genitty is recognized nationally for her expertise in transfer and credit processes and policies and as an international expert in school bonding, attendance, and absenteeism.
Dr. Gentle-Genitty’s own educational journey was marked by perseverance and financial challenges. She paid for her associate degree through work-study, earned a full scholarship for her bachelor’s degree, and covered her master’s degree costs with a promissory loan. These experiences gave her firsthand insight into the barriers many students face in accessing higher education.
After earning her degrees in Social Work and leading the YMCA of Belize for nearly five years, she moved to Indianapolis in 2004 to pursue her Ph.D. at Indiana University. This transition into academia, combined with her background in social work and youth development, solidified her commitment to improving access and support for students in higher education.
Her progression from faculty roles to system-wide leadership positions at Indiana University, where she focused on developing online programs, overseeing academic policies, and improving transfer processes, demonstrates a growing passion for addressing systemic issues in higher education. She currently sits on the LEARN COMMISSION responding to the national credit evaluation and recognition in hopes to offer recommendations.
Fun Facts: She was a radio talk show host, was a CARICOM Consultant, consulted with UNICEF and OAS, holds an Honorary Chief of Police Distinction and got the Keys to the City of Louisville, KY for distinguished service.
Associate Deans
Dr. Stephanie Fernhaber is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in Founder’s College at Butler University. She is also a Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
She has taught a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including The Entrepreneurial Mindset, Impact Practicum, First-Year Business Experience, and Social Entrepreneurship.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Fernhaber conducts research in the areas of international entrepreneurship, grassroots innovation, and societal grand challenges. Her research has been published in various academic journals, including the Journal of International Business Studies, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Business Venturing, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, and Entrepreneurship, Theory & Practice. Dr. Fernhaber has also co-created four books. She is the Field Editor for International Entrepreneurship at the Journal of Business Venturing.
At the community level, Dr. Fernhaber has a passion for spurring innovation with an emphasis on social entrepreneurship.
Faculty and Staff
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has built her career on a deep commitment to student success and equitable access to higher education. A proud graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, along with a certificate and minor in Africana Studies, from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.
With extensive experience in college admissions, Donneisha has designed and led impactful initiatives that improve the student experience, strengthen enrollment strategies, and expand access to postsecondary opportunities. She is skilled at cultivating meaningful partnerships—both on campus and in the community—and leveraging those relationships to create supportive pathways for students from application to graduation.
Driven by her passion for educational equity, Donneisha brings strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and an unwavering belief that higher education should be within reach for every student.
Alex McGrath is a Lecturer of Business Data Analytics in the Founder’s College at Butler University. He is an alumnus of Butler’s Computer Science and Music Departments, and has previously served as an Associate Instructor of Music at Indiana University and Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Butler University.
Alex has previously held roles as a Software Developer and Data Analyst at various companies in Indianapolis, and bases his instruction on his industry experience. With a wide variety of interests and specializations and a penchant for building community, Alex helps foster a fresh enthusiasm and energy among students at Founder’s College.
She was only five at the time, but she hung her head out the window of an airplane and sang, “Don’t cry for me Argentina” when she moved from her native homeland of Buenos Aires to the United States. She knew they’d be fine without her because she would become a non-profit fundraiser and expert and earn a Certified Fundraising Executive Certificate and a Cornell University Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certificate and Business Communications Certificate.
As a non-profit leader of more than 23 years, she has become a permanent and prominent figure in the non-profit world. She is currently the Associate Director of Career Services & External Relations at the new Founder’s College at Butler University. In this role, she will partner with our incoming young executives to help them envision their future, explore diverse career possibilities, and secure transformative internships that open doors to opportunities they may have never imagined.
Her previous experience has included serving on many local boards of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, the 2024 Swimming Olympic Trials LOC, the 2024 NBA All-Star Game Host Committee and The Christamore House. She has two degrees from Florday State University. While in her former positions with Raphael Health Center, Women’s Fund of Indiana, Providence Cristo Rey High School and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana she was focused on community development, external strategy and corporate partnerships.
She is married to Jason and they have two children, Marco and Katalyna, and one cat, Moriah.