College Alums Take Shape at Carroll
Carroll recently produced a new commercial featuring three of its outstanding college alums. (You can view the video below.) Read more about what these successful graduates have achieved during and after their time at Carroll.
Nguyen La, 2010 Graduate
Nguyen earned his Associate’s degree in Arts & Sciences from Carroll, then went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering at University of Maryland, College Park, as well as a Master’s in Systems Engineering at UMBC. The college alum was the first generation in his family to pursue a higher education degree. He is now a System Engineer at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
“I moved to the U.S. when I was in middle school, with English as my second language,” Nguyen shared. “Immersing myself in a new culture as well as learning an entirely new language was a very difficult journey. However, patience and persistence helped me greatly, and they have been the values that I hold close to myself whenever I face a new challenge.”
“Carroll provided me a chance to pursue something more,” Nguyen continued. “Even though I did not know [at first] what to study there or what I wanted to be when I grew up, I knew I had to give it my best, for my parents had sacrificed so much to provide me with this opportunity.”
Heidi Moore, 2024 Program Completer
Heidi completed her workforce training and D1 welding certification at Carroll. Before this, she served as her father’s welding apprentice for six years, gaining all the knowledge she possibly could from him. Carroll then helped further welding skills, along with assisting her with her professional certification, making it easier for her to find a job right out of school as a college alum.
“I have always been the one to set my mind to something and never look back and never give up,” Heidi said. “Completing my courses and earning my certification was not easy. However, it was a labor of love.”
“When you love what you do, it makes all the work and effort you put forth worth the time it takes to master a trade,” Heidi continued. “Since completing Carroll’s program, I am now working as a welder in the field. Everyday I am reminded that this is what I was meant to do!”
Emilee Kuzmak, 2023 Graduate
Emilee obtained her degree in Communications with a focus in Journalism at Carroll. The college alum now works for the Chief Communications Officer at the College in the role of Community Outreach and Engagement Committee Coordinator. She hopes to one day fulfill her goal of positively impacting communities beyond Carroll.
“Carroll has impacted my future by giving me the opportunity to make mistakes,” Emilee stated. “The community here at the College has always pushed me to be the best me I can be. Carroll has given me the resources to develop myself into the person I hope to be as a professional post grad.”
“I believe we make our own destiny,” Emilee continued. “I want to lay out the best plan I can for myself now, so that later I know I did all I could. Seeing what I have been able to do while here at the College has only driven me more to see what else I am capable of achieving.”