Prof. Anthony Barnhart shows his class some magic tricks during his on-campus J-Term course.

1. Our Liberal Arts Foundation

Well-rounded. Resourceful. Insightful. Prepared. A Carthage education goes beyond career preparation to empower you to deal with complexity and communication. Just ask graduate Ashley Gorman ’22. “My liberal arts education gave me the foundation to see things from different perspectives, allowing me to meet people where they are and communicate effectively,” she says.


 

Small Class Size

2. Small Classes

With an average class size of 17, you will get all the personal attention you need. “Having a smaller class size at Carthage has helped me more than I thought it would. I am confident that all of my professors know my name, and I also have a positive relationship with each and every one of them. I feel more than comfortable asking any instructor for advice or extra help outside of the classroom,” says Megan Christian ’24, public relations and communication major.

Read more about our small class sizes


 

Prof. Laura Huaracha helps a graphic design student.

3. Devoted Faculty

“The Carthage faculty have played an instrumental role in shaping both my academic journey and personal growth. Their expertise, guidance, and unwavering support have been invaluable. The relationships I’ve built with faculty members have opened doors to research opportunities, mentorship, and a deeper understanding of my chosen fields,” explains neuroscience and psychology major Summer Zilisch ’26. “These connections have not only expanded my knowledge, but also provided me with a network of mentors who genuinely care about my success. Their encouragement has empowered me to pursue ambitious goals, such as a double major, and to balance academic pursuits with extracurricular activities, work, and volunteering. Carthage’s faculty truly exemplify dedication to students’ growth and development, and I’m grateful for their ongoing impact on my life and career.”


 

A view of the Integrated Sciences Pavilion in the Carthage Science Center.

4. Top Facilities

Things look new at Carthage because they are. The athletic center, library, student union, and many residence halls have all been constructed or renovated in the last 12 years. A new science center opened in 2015, the new Tower Residence Hall opened in fall 2018, and the new Engineering Center opened in fall 2023.


 

A student poses during her J-Term study tour to Peru.

5. January Term

During January, students have the opportunity to take a month-long course either on campus or abroad. “When I learned about the J-Term study tours here at Carthage, I knew it was something I could not pass up. The opportunities to travel during J-Term showed me that Carthage was where I was meant to be,” says Rosemary Ehle ’24, accounting and finance major.

Learn more about J-Term at Carthage


 

Science

6. Focus on Real Learning

“Carthage faculty and staff have helped me feel welcomed on campus, and they engage in a hands-on and personal way with my learning. The relationships I have with faculty bring me joy and add additional motivation to attend classes and ask questions,” explains Lin Sensenbrenner ’26, a neuroscience and psychology major. “Additionally, the faculty help me discover and explore my interests. My lab professors have helped me engage in personal research and so much more.”


 

Prof. Angela Dassow and students researched the gibbons at the Racine Zoo.

7. Research Opportunities

Carthage places a major emphasis on undergraduate research, scholarship, and creativity. Early and often, students are challenged to perform original research under the close guidance of experienced faculty. Luke Ehlert ’24, neuroscience and psychology double major, says, “At Carthage, I have had the opportunity to run and conduct multiple research projects, present research, and hear presentations from other student researchers. Along with that, I was given the chance to attend research conferences, such as the Midwest Psychological Association Conference in Chicago in April 2022. There, I got to see my classmates present and also hear real researchers present their work for free. I was given the chance to see what a conference is like, what presenting is like, and an opportunity to grow my scientific thinking.”

Learn more about research at Carthage


 

Carthage is known for its long relationship with NASA. Carthage students have been selected to do...

8. You Might Go Weightless!

Carthage has one of the most successful Microgravity Teams in the country. “I spent the entire summer designing and developing my very own fluid dynamics for the Carthage microgravity research project,” says engineering major Justin Wheeler ’25. “It was an incredible undertaking, and after gaining the skills over the summer, I was promoted to team lead of this project, which will be sent up on a Blue Origin New Shepherd payload into space.” 

Learn about Carthage’s space sciences program


 

A faculty member leads a class lecture at the outdoor classroom overlooking Lake Michigan.

9. Intellectual Foundations

“My favorite class at Carthage so far would have to be Intellectual Foundations,” says Joseph Fudali ’26, a computer science major with a concentration in game development. “Professor Marla Polley was always a ball of joy and gave a clear view of how enthusiastic she was to teach us. In the class, I also made many new friends, who became some of the best people I know. Work-wise, the homework was thought-provoking and interesting.”

Learn more about Intellectual Foundations


 

YES at the spring 2023 Involvement Fair.

10. 130+ Student Organizations

With more than 130 student clubs, you will need one really big excuse not to get involved. “My involvement in various clubs and organizations has enriched my time at Carthage,” says art major Abigail Smith ’25. “I’m a proud member of the Art Club and Best Buddies, but my primary focus and activity have been within the Art Club. Being a part of the Art Club has allowed me to connect with students who share the same passion for creativity and self-expression. Through the club’s events, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate and learn alongside talented peers. These experiences have not only fostered my growth as an artist but have also provided a platform to engage with the broader artistic community on campus.”

Explore Carthage’s student organizations


 

T-Pain performed at Carthage in 2019.

11. CAB

The Carthage Activities Board hosts events weekly for students by students, whether it is a comedian, hypnotist, spoken word artist, a concert, or a movie. “I love CAB because it has given me opportunities I would have never gotten, such as seeing my first live Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen,” in pit seats for only $10! Also, I saw the Milwaukee Admirals game and a Scotty McCreery concert on ice; the night also included a reserved food table just for Carthage,” says Kelly Sibert ’25, education major.


 

The 2022 men's volleyball team holding the national championship trophy.

12. Be a Student and an Athlete

About 30 percent of Carthage students discover the benefits of competing on our 28 NCAA Division III teams. Here, it’s possible to continue playing the sport you love and get a first-rate education.

“I am on the men’s volleyball team, which has provided me with many different experiences, like my first trip to New York. Being on a National Championship team also allowed me to experience how much the community here at Carthage cares about our athletics. Specifically, when the National Championship was in Kenosha, there was no better feeling than the cheers we received throughout the match,” says Justin Girodat ’24, a political science major.

Explore Carthage athletics


 

The Carthage Choir performs during a Christmas Festival concert.

13. Intellectual Cross-Training

Don’t give up anything you love learning about. We have students who major in chemistry and theatre, or earn a dance minor with their education major. “Carthage is a college that provided me with a great education in multiple areas of study,” says engineering and musical theatre major Trevor Milne ’26. “While most other schools are known for either their music or STEM programs, Carthage has great programs for both.”


 

Student Azniv Khaligian '22 records gibbons at the Racine County Zoo as part of the Summer Underg...

14. Summer School!

Carthage takes summer school to a whole new level. The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) pairs selected students with faculty for full-time summer research. 10 weeks. One-on-one mentoring. Countless doors opened.

“Over the summer, I participated in the SURE program to research growth in eurypterids (ancient sea scorpions). I was able to recover a growth series for Eurypterus remipes to show how the animals changed over the course of their lives. I’ll end up continuing the project for my independent study and likely my senior thesis as well,” explains Maverick Leer ’26, a biology major with a focus on paleontology.

Learn more about the SURE program


 

?Memento Mori? is the 14th installment in Carthage's New Play Initiative.

15. Big Names. Big Stage.

Carthage theatre students work with world-renowned writers like Keith Huff from “Mad Men” and “House of Cards.” They don’t just come to campus for a lecture; they spend months working closely with our students on a brand new play.

“Carthage’s New Play Initiative offers an excellent opportunity to work on and premiere a new work each year. I was involved in ‘Memento Mori,’ a devised work that I was able to help write and develop as part of the cast. We traveled to Ireland to further our experience and learning with the show,” says musical theatre and directing major Emily Halfmann ’25.

Explore Carthage’s visual and performing arts


 

The community gathered for the 148th Annual Carthage Christmas Festival Dec. 2-4.

16. Events like the Christmas Festival

“One of my favorite memories at Carthage would have to be the Christmas Festival in 2021,” says Nathan Koehlert ’24, music and accounting major. “This was my first real experience with the festival, and it was really cool to see all these musicians come together for one big concert. Also, seeing people from all around completely filling the A. F. Siebert Chapel and lifting candles all at the same time was really fun to watch.”


 

A student explains her research poster at the Celebration of Scholars.

17. The Senior Thesis

Carthage is one of the few colleges in the country to require its seniors to complete a thesis. There’s no answer key for this one. No one telling you what chapters to study. This is your chance to build, perform, and explore a topic of your choice.

“My favorite (and toughest) class at Carthage has been my psychology fieldwork thesis course” explains Savita Chandarana ’24, a neuroscience and psychology major. “For this class, I conducted a single-subject research study at a facility in Racine that provides OT, PT, and speech services. Through this, I was able to acquire shadowing hours for graduate school, learn how to conduct a literature review, improve my professional writing skills, and apply the knowledge I have gained from the Psychology Department in real-world situations. Although this was the toughest class I have taken at Carthage, it was also the most rewarding and gratifying experience I have had. It was remarkable to be able to apply all of the knowledge I have learned through classwork to impact a child and their families positively.”


Kate Colbert '95 presented at the Aspire Conference in October 2021.

18. The Aspire Program 

The Aspire Program at Carthage is a multifaceted four-year career development sequence designed exclusively for Carthage students. Identify your interests and purpose and connect the dots to potential careers. The program prepares you for a meaningful life no matter what the future holds.

“The Aspire Center staff are invested in exploring career paths with you. My career advisor, Mandy Long, is showing me how to take a deeper dive into my career path so that I can make prototypes that fit who I am and what I wish to accomplish,” explains chemistry major Diego Alessandro Castañeda ’25.

Learn more about the Aspire Program


 

Carthage students visit Chicago.

19. Our Location

The views? Breathtaking. But our campus isn’t just beautiful. It’s also ideally located between two major cities, providing you with big opportunities.

“Carthage has an excellent location between two major business hubs, Milwaukee and Chicago,” says Nicole Vydra ’24, a marketing, management, and finance triple major.

Learn more about out location


 

A student plays ukulele on Lake Michigan.

20. The Lake

“My favorite part about Kenosha is the harbor! With the fantastic Lake Michigan view and lots of activities to do, it’s pretty awesome! It’s even more awesome that campus is right on the lake! No matter what season it is, the campus with a lakeside view is always beautiful,” explains Jana Paulsen ’26, a music education major.

See more photos of the lake