Professor Hill-Butler’s research areas encompass the sociology of African American Culture and African American women’s representations in society. Her current focus is the role of African American women in contemporary stepfamilies. She has published articles in Afro-Americans in New York Life and History: An Interdisciplinary Journal and The Journal of the Association for Research on Mothering. She is a lifetime member of the Association of Black Women Historians and contributed an article to the organization’s 2008 text, Emerging Voices and Paradigms. She also guest-edited an Africana Mothering-themed edition of The Journal of Pan African Studies.
Professor Hill-Butler is the mentor for Union POSSE 5. POSSE recruits student leaders from urban high schools who have extraordinary academic and leadership backgrounds. At Union, Posse students play key roles in building a rich campus community.
Professor Hill-Butler incorporates local service learning experiences into her upper-level courses and teaches courses on comparative American family structures, the intersections of race, class, and gender, and African American feminist practice.
Professor Hill-Butler was awarded the 2011 Leadership Council on Inclusion Award (LCI) for her dedication to the Union College mission and her work on diversity and inclusion with students, faculty, staff and administrators. LCI enhances and promotes diversity and multicultural programs at educational institutions and agencies in New York’s Capital Region. Nominated by President Stephen C. Ainlay and supported by the LCI council Hill-Butler was recognized for her ongoing dedication to students and administrative tasks which continue to enhance inclusion efforts on Union’s campus.