Student Spotlight: Kate Hergert

Kate Hergert

For many students, the journey to college is shaped by ambition, hard work, and the hope of opportunity. For Kate Hergert, a freshman at Carroll College, that journey was also made possible through the generosity of scholarship support—opening doors that have already begun to shape her future in meaningful ways.

Hergert, an Accounting and Strategic Finance and Financial Planning major from St. John, Washington, knew early on that she wanted a college experience that felt both personal and transformative. Coming from a small high school of just 60 students in grades 9–12, she was certain that a large university setting wasn’t the right fit.

“I knew that I did not want to go to a big state school,” she shared. “When I stumbled across Carroll, I was immediately interested.”

After visiting campus, Hergert found exactly what she was looking for—a close-knit community, supportive faculty, and an environment where she could grow both academically and personally. But like many students considering an out-of-state education, affordability played a critical role in her decision.

That’s where scholarships made all the difference.

Through a combination of awards—including the Campus Visit Grant, Academic Scholarship Gold, Bishop Carroll Scholarship, and Advantage Award—Hergert was able to turn possibility into reality. These scholarships didn’t just ease the financial burden; they made attending Carroll College feasible.

“Without these scholarships, I would not have been able to attend Carroll,” she said. For Hergert, the impact of scholarship support extends far beyond tuition. It has created the space for independence, personal growth, and the ability to fully engage in the college experience. “Being away from home has allowed me to navigate life on my own, develop responsibility, and build confidence in my decision-making.”

“Being away from home has allowed me to navigate life and learn how to be a responsible adult,” she explained.

Without these scholarships, I would not have been able to attend Carroll. Being away from home has allowed me to navigate life on my own, develop responsibility, and build confidence in my decision-making.

Kate Hergert St. John, Washington

Scholarships also opened the door for Hergert to pursue opportunities that have already begun to shape her future—including competing as a student-athlete on Carroll’s volleyball team. Balancing athletics and academics has strengthened her time management, communication, and leadership skills—qualities that will serve her long after graduation.

“Playing sports here has built me into a stronger person in so many ways,” she said.

In the classroom, Hergert has followed her passion for math into a dual-major path in accounting and financial planning. Her academic interests were sparked early through dual credit coursework and further shaped through her involvement in FFA, where she discovered a love for connecting with others. This combination of analytical skill and interpersonal communication has positioned her for a career with both stability and purpose.

Looking ahead, Hergert is focused not only on her own success, but also on making a broader impact. She hopes to help individuals better understand and manage their finances—empowering them to build secure and successful futures. At the same time, she is motivated to break barriers in industries where women have traditionally been underrepresented.

“I hope to not only be successful in this path, but also to show young women that they can achieve and succeed in the careers they want,” she said.

Beyond academics and athletics, Hergert’s experience at Carroll has been defined by connection. From meaningful friendships to simple moments like a campus bowling night, she has found a sense of belonging that has made Carroll feel like home.

“Being at Carroll has helped me to find some of my best friends,” she shared.

Her story is a powerful reminder that scholarships do more than provide financial assistance—they create access, foster growth, and allow students to fully embrace the opportunities in front of them.

At Carroll College, donors play a vital role in making stories like Hergert’s possible. Their generosity fuels not only academic achievement, but also personal transformation, leadership development, and lifelong impact.

For Hergert and so many others, scholarship support is more than an investment in education—it is an investment in potential, in purpose, and in the future.

As she continues her journey at Carroll, with the support of scholarships and the strength of the Carroll community behind her, Kate Hergert is just getting started.