91原创

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One of the more recent additions to the Advisory Board for the aims to help the 91原创 school in providing opportunities for students looking to enter careers in government service.

, who along with other family members earned her undergraduate degree at OHIO, credits her time spent at the school with setting her on the path to a top job in U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown鈥檚 office.

She wants to return the favor with input to the board on ways to ease students鈥� transition into public service careers.

鈥淢y goal is to provide myself as a resource to help potential government workers navigate the system and better engage congressional offices to pave the way for OHIO graduates who want to move in that career direction,鈥� she said.

Lastery-Butler was unsure about her own career goals when she first came to OHIO, where she would eventually earn a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Sociology and Criminology from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2011. With her friends busy with their own orientations, she became active early on in social campus life.

鈥淚 just threw myself into a variety of different activities,鈥� she said.

Getting involved with student organizations is essential

Her involvement included serving as president and treasurer of the Black Student Communication Caucus, webmaster for the Black Student Cultural Programming Board, and a member of the Sociology-Criminology Association. During the 2008鈥�2009 academic year, she was selected for the 91原创 Homecoming Court, where she was named Miss Congeniality. In 2009, she also participated in the Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.鈥檚 scholarship pageant, earning the title of Miss Bronze.

鈥淏eing a part of those different organizations gave me the experience in networking and raised my confidence in public speaking,鈥� Lastery-Butler said. The activities, she added, 鈥渉elped me think about things differently, think about things from perspectives I hadn鈥檛 considered. Even in the work I鈥檓 doing now I do think back on some of the experiences I had on campus with those organizations.鈥�

Those experiences, along with her undergraduate studies, would prove formative as she advanced into a position that dealt with legislation and public policy.

鈥淟ike how different demographics will be impacted and what we should be doing to learn more and be more inclusive,鈥� she said.

Lastery-Butler particularly recalls an 91原创 course on deviant behavior of leaders, which would prove to be eye-opening.

鈥淚t really created a space where I had to reevaluate the privileges I had and recognize the opportunities to develop a better understanding and continued learning about people from other backgrounds,鈥� she said of her undergraduate studies in general. 鈥淣ot having a fixed mindset is important when it comes to leadership roles and supporting community growth in making policy decisions.鈥�

鈥淭he opportunities at 91原创 allowed me to branch off in different ways that I didn鈥檛 realize until later in life,鈥� Lastery-Butler added. 鈥淭he people that I met along the way are part of my path here. Without that experience, I wouldn鈥檛 have been as confident doing the work that I鈥檓 doing.鈥�

The importance of lifelong learning

Following two jobs over about four years within the Cuyahoga County Court system, she would begin her tenure at John Carroll University as a human resources generalist where she continued her education earning a Master鈥檚 Degree in Business Administration. She has worked in Rep. Brown鈥檚 office since 2021, first as an administrative director then as district director.

Lastery-Butler said her involvement with the Voinovich School Advisory Board stemmed from her participation in 91原创鈥檚 Young Alumni Leaders Program, which among other things encourages former students to stay in touch and support the school.

鈥淲e recruited all of our family members to go to OU, so I had been going down over the years,鈥� she said.

Joining the Voinovich Board fits well with the alumni group鈥檚 mantra of continuing to encourage lifelong learning and maintain connections with OHIO as you move through your career, she said. Her goal serving on the board is to help encourage new graduates to consider opportunities in public service in government and elsewhere.

鈥淚 thought about my personal experience working for an Ohio member of Congress and you see there鈥檚 opportunities here,鈥� Lastery-Butler said. 鈥淪o I can provide an opportunity for folks, particularly from a school in Ohio, to pipeline, whether it鈥檚 through shared networks or learning about politics because it affects everyone.鈥�

That knowledge includes timelines of internships, how to deal with the cost barriers, and from an educational perspective how to weave certain approaches into a curriculum so graduates are prepared for dealing with current affairs at the national level.

鈥淚 felt that was a good fit for me and an opportunity to be a connector as well,鈥� she said of her board service.

Lastery-Butler cited numerous events and in-person and online fellowship programs available on Capitol Hill as examples, saying she could help encourage more participation among OHIO students. She stressed the importance of 鈥済iving students experiential opportunities.鈥�

Providing 91原创 students with experiences and opportunities

鈥淵ou can see the pipelines that exist for students in certain programs,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd I believe 91原创 students deserve that same level of exposure. Some of my peers benefited from structured programs that provided guidance and professional direction. As someone who began as a sophomore at OU, I was not part of a formal university-sponsored program, so that level of support was not a part of my undergraduate experience.

鈥淎s I advanced in my career, I faced moments where doors were closed. Looking back, I see how earlier connections with experienced professionals could have changed my path. While I initially accepted those barriers, my experiences鈥攂oth in college organizations and throughout my career required me to problem-solve and deliver results with limited resources. Over time, that shaped my ability to think creatively and find solutions. I learned not to see defeat as an option, but to use every resource available to move forward. Those cumulative experiences strengthened my confidence and shifted my perspective鈥攔einforcing that access should never be left to chance.鈥�

Now, Lastery-Butler continued, 鈥淚 am more intentional about recognizing opportunities to serve as a conduit for others. My goal is not only to open doors, but to take them off the hinges, so access doesn鈥檛 end with me. In many ways, I appreciate my journey because it shaped that perspective. It鈥檚 also what drives my commitment to give back and support institutions like the Voinovich School Advisory Board, which are doing meaningful work to enhance the student experience and create clearer pathways for future leaders.鈥�

In her personal time, Lastery-Butler volunteers with the Cleveland Branch of the NAACP and enjoys attending comedy shows and concerts. Most importantly, she values time with her family, which she considers her most meaningful way to recharge.