The origination of several academic institutes is rooted in the vision of its founders who wanted to offer better learning and teaching opportunities to the world of education. With time, the founding vision inculcates the modern aspects and learning possibilities to further cater to the evolved educational requirements of the students.
The incorporation results in a comprehensive educational structure that fulfills the basic academic requirements and prepares the students for a voracious future. Carroll University draws upon its Christian tradition to prepare students for vocational success, lifelong learning, and service in a diverse and global society. The university’s superior education is rooted in its Presbyterian and liberal arts heritage.
A Pioneering Establishment
A true Pioneer, Carroll University is Wisconsin’s first, four-year institution of higher learning. The private university was established in 1841 by settlers living in the Wisconsin Territory community of Prairieville. It is grounded in the liberal arts tradition and is a leader in the health sciences. After its establishment, the university was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and adopted the motto “Christo et Litteris”—which means “for Christ and Learning.”
In 1846, it was chartered by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature and since then, the university has prepared students to live a purposeful and meaningful life through learning opportunities and experiences in a diverse and global society.
Mission of Excellence
Carroll University creates a community that embraces respect, integrity, and stewardship. The quality of the university’s life together is central to its mission of excellence in teaching, learning, and service.
- Respect: The university aims to honor the dignity and worth of each member of its diverse community by building relationships of trust, and be civil and kind as it engages each of its members in work
- Integrity: Carroll offers its best selves and trust that others will do the same through honesty, fairness, and strength of character
- Stewardship: The university cultivates and cares for its human, natural, and material resources with gratitude, responsibility, and accountability
Extensive Academic Programs
Carroll University’s study programs are structured with the individual goals and needs of the students. A majority of the programs offer the flexibility to double major or add minors within the standardized graduation span. The university’s dual degree programs make it convenient for students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. Carroll University recognizes the individual needs of students and offers holistic study programs for a greater academic experience.
The university offers over 95 areas of study. These include a variety of graduate programs and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy as well. It enables the students to pursue their passion while preparing for their careers at the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Sciences, School of Business, and the School of Education and Human Services.
Carroll University’s academic programs are housed within two colleges and two schools. It offers an exclusive, student-centric learning experience that is characterized by individual attention and faculty support. Its faculty are personally invested in its students’ success. They prioritize knowing the students—which translates to better support in helping them achieve their individual academic and personal goals.
The ‘Pioneer Core’
Carroll differentiates itself through its Pioneer Core. This unique general education requirement weaves a cross-cultural emphasis throughout a student’s academic career, exposing them to cultures, ideas, and beliefs different from their own. Carroll’s Pioneer Core Program provides an opportunity for students to discover their unique passions and seek out their future. Moreover, it is more than a checklist of required courses.
The Pioneer Core is the centerpiece of Carroll’s undergraduate experience and an opportunity to explore one’s interests across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences with a cross-cultural thread running throughout. This broad body of knowledge complements students’ major areas of study and helps build real-world skills such as communication, problem-solving, and innovative thinking. Irrespective of an individual’s field of study, it helps prepare the students for a successful career in the current diverse and global society.
The Pioneer Core has two main focuses—the four-course cross-cultural component and the distribution component. The four steps of the innovative program are:
• Foundational Courses
• Distribution Courses
• Cross-Cultural Experience
• Senior Integration
From freshman to senior year, the Pioneer Core enables students to explore, experience, and reflect upon other cultures through various segments. These include a cultural seminar, a cross-cultural development course, the immersive learning Cross-Cultural Experience (CCE), and an integrative global perspectives colloquium. Simultaneously, distribution component classes outside of the major challenge the students to think critically about the social and natural world—including their own beliefs, worldviews, and preconceptions.
Safe and Exceptional Educational Experience
Carroll University is committed to offering an exceptional educational experience in a safe environment. The faculty, staff, and administration are working diligently to support students, staff, and faculty to keep the Carroll community safe.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carroll University worked with the community to provide various facilities and COVID aids. It provided free testing on campus during the pandemic. The university’s live COVID-19 is designated to provide bi-weekly updates regarding the number of active cases, including vaccination updates on campus.
The university had periodical access to limited doses of the vaccines. During ample supply, it updated its students via email regarding access to doses, eligibility, and how to sign-up for registration. In case of unavailability, the university encouraged the students to get vaccinated at the available community sites.
Rewarding Financial Aids
Carroll University has a long tradition of working in partnership with its students and their families to keep a Carroll education within reach. The university is committed to maintaining affordability without sacrificing the quality of a premier academic experience. It offers various types of scholarships to students at different academic levels. These include graduate students, undergraduate freshmen, current students, transfer students, special admission types, and international students. To date, Carroll University has awarded aid worth over millions to its students.
The pandemic induced several financial difficulties and hardships for the students, particularly for those who were most economically vulnerable. Carroll University created an emergency fund to help the students with financial aids. Its Student Emergency Fund provides limited grants and short-term, interest-free loans to students experiencing financial hardship due to unexpected circumstances. It also allows the students to request financial assistance for any critical costs they cannot otherwise cover—namely medical bills, utilities, transportation costs, or personal or academic supplies.
Marching Past Challenges
2020 hoisted severe modifications in the education sector. It demanded changes in teaching and learning methods, the transition from classrooms to digital or virtual platforms, the incorporation of hybrid learning, and many more. Although the abrupt shift impacted educational approaches, several institutions triumphed over the challenges and successfully adhered to the latest norms. Amidst the shifting scenarios, Carroll University strives to march forward and celebrate its 175th anniversary. It further aims to continue to adapt with integrity, respect, and stewardship.
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