About
Maria Larson is the Associate Director of Financial Aid
It was one of Maria's biggest dreams to work at Carroll College and it came true in May of 2013 when she was hired as an Assistant Registrar, where she worked for almost three years before accepting her current position. Before coming to Carroll, she worked as a bookkeeper/human resource manager for Sussex Construction as well as for her in-law’s motel and a Montessori pre-school.
A native of Czech Republic, Maria came to the United States to work as a nanny after she received her Master’s Degree in Education from Silesian University in Katowice(link is external), Poland in 1996. Another great opportunity to work as a ski instructor and assistant supervisor for the children’s side of the ski school brought her to Big Sky, Montana, where she met her husband, Patrick Larson, a history teacher/football coach/driver’s education teacher at Capital High School.
Maria's favorite activity is spending time with her family – Pat, their two boys, Jakub and Daniel, and the latest addition – cockapoo puppy, Milo. They all enjoy staying active by hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, x-country skiing and mainly downhill skiing together!
I am a native of the Czech Republic. I came to the United States to work as a nanny after I received my Master’s Degree in Education from Silesian University in Katowice, Poland in 1996. I lived in a small town of Trinec, Czech Republic, which is located in the mountainous region of Beskydy. I grew up hiking and skiing on many of the small, one-run-ski-hills where you literally had to hike up to with your gear on!
My experience working as a nanny in Des Moines, Iowa, was amazing. I didn’t speak any English when I arrived, but I learned it very quickly by hanging out with nannies from all over the world, with whom I became life-long friends. While working as a nanny, another opportunity to work as a ski instructor brought me to Big Sky, Montana. After one year of working as a ski instructor, I was promoted to assistant supervisor for the children’s side of the ski school. This job has taught me many great life lessons and it is also where I met my husband, Patrick Larson, a history teacher/football coach/driver’s education teacher at Capital High School. Pat is a Helena native and that is why we decided to raise our family in this wonderful town. My favorite thing is spending time with my family – our two boys, Jakub (almost 18) and Daniel (13), and of course, our family pet, cockapoo puppy Milo. We all enjoy staying active in this beautiful state by hiking, kayaking, fishing, boating, x-country skiing and mainly downhill skiing together!
One of my biggest aspirations was to work at Carroll College. With my background in education, I was really drawn to this institution. In May of 2013, I was hired as an Assistant Registrar, where I worked for almost three years before accepting my current position as the Executive Assistant for Academic Affairs. Before coming to Carroll, I was a stay-at-home mom and I worked as a bookkeeper for many local businesses.
I cannot say enough about Carroll – there are so many things I love about this place. Mainly, it is the people I work with – everywhere you go everyone is so friendly, helpful, and always ready for a little visit. Their dedication to what they do is so obvious and that is what makes Carroll a very special place. I also think very highly of our students and I cannot wait when my son, Jakub, becomes one of them next year. I can’t imagine a better place for him to get the best education possible in this warm and welcoming environment that Carroll provides. I love working with faculty, which is my main duty, but I enjoy every opportunity I get to work and interact with our students. I am lucky enough to work together with faculty and students on organizing one of the biggest events of the year displaying the amazing research happening on this campus, SURF (Student Undergraduate Research Festival).
I feel very fortunate to live in such a wonderful place like Helena and work at Carroll College helping to change the lives of our amazing students!