When deciding which college to attend in Maryland, Cara Olson knew she had to pick one that would be the right fit as a home-schooled student and a first-generation college attendee. Carroll Community College (Carroll) stood out among the rest for many reasons but most importantly, its student-backed culture. “There are a lot of ways you can get involved with the college and the community, such as joining a club, running for student government, or going on a volunteer trip,” shares Olson. “There are so many opportunities and resources available, it’s truly magnificent.” Four years later, when Cara Olson graduated from Carroll in May 2024, she was just one of the many students whose college experience was shaped by The Kahlert Foundation’s partnership with her alma mater.
For the past 10 years, The Kahlert Foundation has supported Carroll and their mission to lead students toward success. “There is hardly a corner of our college that hasn’t been touched by The Kahlert Foundation,” shares Steve Wantz, executive director of institutional advancement of the Carroll Community College Foundation. “Their most recent pledge of $1.8 million to Carroll is for STEM scholarships, athletic programs, technology, and workforce development projects.”
The STEM Scholars program welcomes a cohort of high academic achieving students in STEM related fields, assisting them with their independent research and capstone projects—like Lanie Lilly, a former chemical engineering major and student of the STEM Scholars program. “I was very interested in the STEM Scholars program because it’s uncommon that students do research so early on, and I wanted to have that opportunity,” shares Lilly. “I also loved how the honors program pushed you to always be your best.”
The Kahlert Foundation believes investing in Carroll’s current students is solidifying future community leaders across the nation. Whether programs are tailored toward STEM scholars or their athletic endeavors, each student and their fields of interest are supported. “The Kahlert Foundation has made a profound impact on the lives of the students at Carroll,” shares Dr. Rosalie Mince, current president of Carroll Community College. “By investing in them, The Kahlert Foundation is helping to ensure a better future for our prospective students, the college, and Carroll County.”
$300,000 of The Kahlert Foundation’s most recent pledge was in honor of Dr. James Ball, former Carroll Community College president. After providing Carroll with 25 years of visionary leadership, Dr. Ball officially retired in July 2024. “Carroll has thrived over the past decade directly because of the vision and impactful generosity of The Kahlert Foundation,” shares Dr. James Ball. “Their support has given wings to the college’s new programs and athletic endeavors, helped us deploy state-of-the-art technology across campus, and enabled our STEM offerings to emerge as our signature programs.”
