Annual Report Year In Review 2020-2021
In addition to recognizing the many individuals and businesses who have so generously supported our students and the college, our 2020-2021 Annual Report provides a timeline of some of the impressive initiatives and achievements of our Carroll community from the past year.
Nursing Center
The new E. L. Wiegand Nursing Simulation Center provides Carroll’s undergraduate and Accelerated Nursing students an unparalleled training ground to prepare them for the rigors of the nursing profession. The center features three new state-of-the-art simulation labs with seven high fidelity patient simulator manikins and an observation room. The new facility promotes teaching and engaged learning through high-impact practice in a safe and realistic healthcare setting
In Person
Out of nearly 3,000 colleges and universities surveyed in fall 2020, Carroll was among the 27% who remained open and in-person for the entire autumn semester. The other 73% were either fully or primarily online or hybrid. Carroll demonstrated that by adhering to safety protocols and diligently following testing, quarantine and isolation procedures having a safe, in-person college experience was possible even in the midst of a global pandemic.
Wastewater Testing
Throughout the course of the pandemic, Carroll biology faculty have teamed up with the cities of Helena and East Helena as well as Lewis & Clark Public Health to test municipal wastewater samples for the presence and concentration of COVID-19. Carroll’s faculty were able to use this experience to engage with students on a topical subject and expand into other areas of COVID-19 research in the classroom.
Winter Session
With a revised fall schedule and extended winter break due to the pandemic, Carroll was able to launch its first Winter Session of classes during the stretch between Thanksgiving and early January. The session was a tremendous success with 138 students participating in 12 courses. All classes were delivered remotely with the session divided into three-week and six-week sections.
Solar Eclipse
After spending the summer of 2020 working with the Montana Space Grant Consortia, Carroll STEM students, Shirley Davidson and Keaton Blair were among a group of 17 student researchers from across the country who traveled to Santiago, Chile, under strict COVID-19 protocols, to assist NASA and the National Science Foundation with first-of-its-kind solar eclipse research.
Internships
History and international relations major McCabe Webb earned a prestigious and first-for-Carroll internship with the Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution Program in Sudan in spring of 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, McCabe interned remotely from Carroll but communicated regularly with his supervisor in Khartoum. In fall of 2021, McCabe is studying at the American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE and following graduation plans to continue his education and pursue a career in some area of terrorism/counter-terrorism and human rights.
International Students
A NASA grant in the amount of $86,000 allowed Carroll Chemistry Professor John Rowley the ability to hire three undergraduate students to conduct research during the summer that has the potential to support future NASA missions by developing a method to create solar panels using minimally-processed resources readily available on Mars. Preliminary data collected by students in Carroll’s chemistry courses inspired the proposal and made the grant possible.
NASA Grant
Congratulations to all 38 graduates of Carroll’s nursing class of 2020 who received a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN national licensure exam (national average is 88%). Additionally, all of the May 2020 nursing graduates who were seeking job placement directly following graduation have found employment in the nursing field. These graduates obtained positions in health facilities throughout the country including Washington D.C., Tennessee, Washington, Colorado, North Dakota, and numerous cities across Montana.
Alumni Callers
Carroll’s Advancement Outreach Center employs students who learn the value of philanthropy by reaching out to alumni, family, friends, and businesses throughout the year. The team not only raises significant dollars from loyal supporters but also makes meaningful connections with many who love Carroll College and appreciate a campus update from a current Carroll student.
Service
Nursing students from the Carroll College Student Nurses’ Association initiated a collection drive to make health and hygiene kits. Through generous donations, they were able to donate 60 hygiene kits fully stocked with soap, deodorant, washcloths, socks, combs, hand sanitizer, reusable masks and so much more to God’s Love Shelter in Helena.
Collar Scholars
Collar Scholars at Carroll College is a new club on campus comprised of students who assist in raising puppies who will eventually become assistance dogs through Canine Companions for Independence, a nationally affiliated, non-profit organization that provides service dogs for people with disabilities. Carroll’s Anthrozoology program and new Canine Center provide a welcome and receptive environment for this club to succeed on campus.
Easter Egg Hunt
Carroll’s Intro to Public Relations class organized a massive Easter Egg Hunt to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena and Great Falls. Nearly 300 local grade-schoolers converged on campus to find the thousands of colorful eggs stuffed with candy hidden in the campus grass.
Master of Social Work
In the fall of 2021, Carroll welcomed its first cohort of students for its new Master of Social Work degree. The clinically-focused master’s program is delivered in a hybrid format combining both in-person and remote learning. Recognizing the great need for trained professionals in the field of social work, Terry Payne of PayneWest Insurance graciously provided the funding to launch the MSW program.