Kasia Kurz

“After I graduate, I plan to become a human resources manager, project leader, or possibly a developer and/or director for advertisements. Whichever I choose after college, it will be high paying, and I will be doing something I enjoy.”

“Professors and student success advisors at Carthage are proficient, kind, caring, and considerate. They know what they are doing, they do it well, and they care for their students simultaneously. I don’t think I have seen a better display of proper education and amazing student/professor connection anywhere but at Carthage. All my professors have been more than willing to answer all of my questions; they always go out of their way if I need help, and I’ve always shared a lot of laughs with them and other students in their classes. My student success advisor has always been understanding and helpful — I was also an assistant for his class that helped incoming students learn and navigate life at Carthage, and it was so much fun!

“If I didn’t have the care and connection I did with my professors and my student success advisor throughout my first year and a half at Carthage, I likely would have dropped out. I was stressed out, confused, and exhausted. But with their dedication to my education, I was able to get where I am today. I know what I’m doing, I know what I want to do, and I have a pretty great idea of how to get there because of them. Thank you to my amazing professors and my student success advisor!”

“I can’t name just one — every class has had a huge impact on me in some way. Introduction to Sociology made me realize that sociology is something I am extremely passionate about. In Introduction to Business, I learned how to do a proper presentation, and I enjoyed a lot of laughs among students and my professor. In Creative Writing, I learned how to manage my stress from classes by writing my feelings in a poem. I made the most friends in my language classes and got to learn about different cultures and even some things about my culture I didn’t even know. Every class I have had at Carthage has changed me for the better.”

“Introduction to Business was a healthy challenge for me. It was not originally something I was wholly versed in, but whenever I was confused or didn’t understand something, my professor or fellow students were more than happy to help explain things in greater detail. I think my biggest problem was learning the business lingo; a lot of words didn’t make sense to me at first and reading more about it made the word make even less sense, but I kept finding ways to get better. I’ve learned and retained more information about business than I ever thought I could, which helped me realize that working for a big corporation is something I would love to do.”

“In fall 2021, I was a part of the Carthage Treble Choir. While it was hard work, it was also a very fulfilling experience, and I am grateful to have been a part of it. I will forever remember the beautiful lights, the songs I got to sing, and the happiness I felt from all of the guests attending the Carthage Christmas Festival. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and so much fun too!”

“I received the Carthage Highest Honors Scholarship. Coming from a working class family, a scholarship makes a world of a difference for my education. I am extremely honored to be considered academically qualified for this scholarship, and I intend to put it to good use by continuing to be as proficient as possible in all of my classes and enjoy my time here at Carthage.”

“My favorite memory at Carthage was meeting my best friend, roommate, and maid of honor, Zoey. We sat next to each other in an Understandings of Religion class. It was one of my first classes in which I had to write down a lot of information and do tests, so I was very confused. I will never regret asking her to explain what information to write down. Without Zoey, I don’t think I would have done as well in that class. I was afraid to ask for help from the professor and was all around nervous. But she gave me confidence, and I found out that the professors here are really understanding of questions because of her. We have been friends for over a year, and I am lucky to have her as my friend!”

“There is a picnic table by The Oaks that has a great view of Lake Michigan. It is a single table on a concrete slab with a fence in front of it, so you don’t fall down the small steep hill it sits near. Whenever I am stressed and need a moment of peace, especially at night when it’s warmer out, I like to go there. I breathe in the breeze, watch the lake, and feel time stand still.”

“The biggest surprise is my success. I was homeschooled since I was 4 years old, and I didn’t think I could handle college. I didn’t know much about school classes, writing essays, or how to talk to teachers. I was a free-spirited child, always wanting to play and never wanting to learn. To my surprise, my amazing mother secretly prepared me by teaching me everything I needed to know, disguised in games! After I left my comfort zone, I discovered my passion about education, and I always want to learn something new!”

“I think I would be a bit disappointed and very surprised. At the time, I wanted to be a famous singer, but I think I would be proud of myself nonetheless. I know I am now. I don’t think 8-year-old me could have ever imagined our life to be better, happier, or more successful than it is now, and I take pride in that.”

“If you want to make a difference and change systemic racism, homophobia, ableism, and other large-scale or small-scale social problems, then sociology may be the major for you. Using sociological mindfulness, you look at not only the bigger picture, but all the pieces of the puzzle. You can connect one action of a single person to a group of people and a group of people to a system. In sociology, you learn that even one person’s single or constant action is important enough to create or fix a social problem. My advice is always to consider your actions and how they affect others, and know that even one person (and that could be you!) is important enough to make a difference in the world.”

“After touring Carthage’s campus for the first time, I knew this was it. I belonged here. The breathtaking campus right on Lake Michigan; friendly staff, professors, and students; and the superior academic program are all great reasons why Carthage College was my first choice.”