Student Profile: Sophia Kurszewski 

Sophia Kurszewski is a junior from Hubertus, Wis. majoring in Public Health and Spanish. She is a recipient of the Class of 1972 Endowed Scholarship Fund for fiscal year 2020-2021.

Why did you decide to attend Carroll?

I decided to go to Carroll because of the small class sizes and the student-to-professor ratio. It is a welcoming campus where I felt valued and a place where I felt like I belonged.

Share a little bit about your interests, hobbies, your family and/or other notes that describe you.

I was adopted from Guatemala when I was five months old. I spent a lot of time with my family growing up and spent many summers swimming in my grandparent's pool. Growing up I was always involved in sports like soccer, cross country, and ballet. I also learned how to play the violin and flute during my time in middle school. I love to learn, travel, cook, spend time with family and friends, take my dog for a walk, and read.

What has been your favorite class? Why?

My favorite class has been Public Health 102 which focused on global health. This class was very interesting to me as I love to travel and learn about new cultures. I also really enjoyed Public Health 312 Policy and Administration. I found this class eye opening and very interesting. In the future, I would love to do something with global health and policy.

What have you enjoyed most about your Carroll experience so far?

I have enjoyed meeting new people and taking new classes. I have met some of my best friends here and made many connections. Some of my friends have been international students, which has been fun to learn about their culture and the differences between Carroll and their universities back home. I have taken some of the most interesting and eye-opening classes that have helped shape and challenge me. I have really enjoyed learning and all my classes. I have nothing but great things to say.

Describe why you are majoring in your field of study.

I have a few family members that are nurses, doctors and other hospital administrators, so I have always been surrounded by healthcare. I always knew I wanted to do something in the healthcare field as I am ultimately interested in helping others. Originally I was interested in becoming a PA, but after taking Intro to Public Health I knew this path was a better fit.

What are your future professional goals and/or career plans following Carroll?

After Carroll, I would love to get a master's degree in global health and work with a global organization or help shape and influence policy.

Are you involved in any activities including sports or organizations on or off campus?

On campus, I am the president of the Rotaract Club. Off campus, I volunteer at St. Joseph's Hospital in the birthing center.

Please share a personal note of thanks to the donor helping sponsor your Carroll experience.

Thank you so much for this wonderful gift and opportunity made possible through the Class of 1972 Scholarship. I am so happy to be here at Carroll and I am thankful that I can continue my studies. Thank you for wanting others to enjoy and take advantage of all the resources, experience, and education that a place like Carroll provides. I am so grateful!

What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship really means a great deal to me as it means I can continue to study something that I love and that I am very passionate about. Being able to afford a college education is a huge stress for many students and knowing there are people who give back to help others is truly a wonderful gift that I am extremely grateful for. Thank you for helping to make my time here possible.