Jacob Buttry

As Senior Coordinator of Student Engagement and Wellness, Jacob oversees the Creative PALs, Wellness Peers, and Success Peers who support Herberger Institute students. He also supports the community of care processes for Herberger Institute students and supports management of engagement and wellness events at the Tempe campus.

Jacob is a facilitator, artist, and educator interested in integrating compassion and care practices into artistic and educational processes. Originally from Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, he earned BAs in Theatre and Psychology from TCU and an MFA in Theatre for Youth & Community at ASU. He recently held roles as a workforce development intern with Sitar Arts Center in Washington, DC, and Artist in Residence at First Place AZ through ASU’s Design and Arts Corps. While at First Place, he co-created an inaugural theatre program to foster connection with neurodiverse residents and ASU undergrads. As an artist, his community performance events spark discussion on social issues and wellness topics, such as mental health awareness, equity & inclusion, compassion & empathy, shame & playfulness, and complex experiences in faith communities. Jacob also teaches at Estrella Mountain Community College.

At ASU, he aims to contribute to fostering compassionate connection and supporting young artists as they navigate the university and professional art world. He is driven by relationship-building and leads by listening. He prioritizes the agency, consent, and creative intuition of students and community stakeholders, and he strives to disrupt harm and foster an environment where students can express themselves fully in a community context.