Dear Carroll Community,
One of the most distinctive aspects of a Carroll education is the way learning extends beyond the classroom. Through our Sed Vitae experience, students are invited to connect what they study on campus to the wider world, preparing them non scholae, sed vitae – not for school, but for life.
Every Carroll student completes at least one Sed Vitae experience as part of the Core Curriculum. These experiences take many forms, from research and internships to service learning and study abroad. What unites them is a shared purpose: helping students apply knowledge in real-world contexts, develop cultural awareness, and grow as thoughtful, engaged citizens.
Study abroad reflects the core of Sed Vitae by connecting learning to the wider world. Faculty-led experiences allow students to deepen academic learning while gaining firsthand exposure to different environments, cultures, and global challenges. Recent programs have taken Carroll students to Zambia for public health work, Norway and Sweden for psychology, and Guatemala through our ongoing partnership with Engineers Without Borders, where students and faculty collaborate with communities on sustainable infrastructure projects.
In this issue of the newsletter, we are pleased to share reflections from students who participated in a faculty-led study abroad program to the Galápagos Islands this past December. Their stories speak to the transformative impact of seeing classroom concepts come alive in one of the most biologically significant places on Earth. You will also read about Carroll’s continued work with Engineers Without Borders in Guatemala, another example of how students are using their education to engage meaningfully with the world.
Looking ahead, faculty across disciplines are developing new opportunities for students to learn globally through upcoming programs in Europe, Latin America, and beyond. Together, these experiences reflect Carroll’s deep commitment to experiential learning, global engagement, and preparing students for lives of purpose and service.
We are thankful for the dedication of our faculty and the curiosity of our students, and we are pleased to share more about the experiences shaping their Carroll journey.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Glowienka, Ph.D.
Bishop Austin A. Vetter, D.D.
Interim Co-Presidents, Carroll College