Azja Butler

Azja is an MA student in the Department of Communication Studies. Azja is the Associate Director of the Jayhawk Debate Institute. Azja was the 2025 winner of the Matt Grindy Outstanding Graduate Student Coach Award from the Cross Examination Debate Association. Azja was a three-time qualifier to the NDT. Azja was the first Black woman to win First Speaker at the National Debate Tournament in 2021. She was also named 2021’s Brian Johnston Debater of the Year by the Cross Examination Debate Association. Azja has won the 2019 Harvard Tournament, and both halves of the 2020 California Swings. She’s been a CEDA Finalist, CEDA Semifinalist, and NDT Semifinalist. Azja also coaches at Shawnee Mission South High School and New Trier High School.