For Alumni
Strengthening community and connections through networking, mentorship, and engagement.
Once a Carson Scholar, Always a Carson Scholar
The first class of Carson Scholars, named in 1996, was made up of 25 students from Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Since then, the Carson Scholars Fund has awarded nearly 13,000 scholarships to young people who combine proven academic excellence and a commitment to their communities.
Today, over 10,150 Carson Scholar alumni are working, leading, and giving back in communities around the globe.
Patterson HBCU Scholarship
The Patterson HBCU Scholarship is a pilot program of the Carson Scholars Fund that supports Carson Scholar alumni attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Created in partnership with author and philanthropist James Patterson, this scholarship helps future leaders continue their educations at institutions with a rich legacy of academic excellence.
The scholarship is available to Carson Scholars as they graduate from high school and begin their college journey. To be eligible, applicants must be a Carson Scholar, have graduated from high school during the current academic year, and plan to attend an HBCU.
Renewable for up to three consecutive academic years for a maximum value of $20,000
Associate Leadership Council
Alumni leaders help guide and amplify the mission of the Carson Scholars Fund, shaping programs and inspiring future scholars.
What Does the ALC Do?
- Advises on alumni engagement and programming.
- Serves as ambassadors for CSF in their communities.
- Supports events, fundraising, and outreach.
Who Can Join?
- Carson Scholar alumni from diverse fields and locations.
- Individuals committed to service and mentorship.
Hall of Fame
Honoring the Carson Scholars who have gone on to bring big impact to their corners of the world.
Since 2016, the Carson Scholars Hall of Fame has celebrated alumni whose lives and work embody the Carson Scholars Fund’s values: excellence in their careers and studies and a lasting commitment to serving others. What began as part of our 20th anniversary celebration has become one of the highest honors a Carson Scholar can receive: recognition from the community that first saw their promise.
Today, more than 50 alumni carry the title of Hall of Fame member. They are physicians and researchers, teachers and founders, advocates and artists. They are changemakers who use their talents to lift up the people and communities around them. A new class is inducted each year and celebrated at the CSF’s annual awards banquets in the spring.
Ashley Zachery-Savella
Ashley graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with bachelor’s degrees in neurobiology, physiology and biochemistry. In college,…
Paul Serrato
Paul received his bachelor’s degree in public policy with honors and master’s degree in management science and engineering…
Alumni Honor Roll
One small gift leads to one great legacy.
You know better than anyone what it meant to be named a Carson Scholar. Joining the Alumni Honor Roll is a simple yet powerful way to make that moment possible for another prospective Carson Scholar. A one-time or monthly gift helps us continue recognizing and rewarding excellence through scholarships, allowing you to pay it forward to another young student.
Every Honor Roll gift, at any amount, goes straight to work for the next generation of Carson Scholars.
With gratitude to our founding Honor Roll members:
Makenzie Greenwood, Ammy Yuan, Grace Fogel, Joseph Wyrwas
It started with the simple but radical idea that a fourth grader who excels in the classroom and cares for their community deserves the same spotlight as a star athlete.
In 1994, Dr. Ben Carson and his wife, Candy, founded the Carson Scholars Fund to put academic achievement on the trophy shelf. Two years later, the first class of 25 Carson Scholars were awarded. Three decades later, the CSF continues to award more than 500 scholarships each year, and Carson Scholars have gone on to attend more than 950 colleges and universities nationwide.
Numbers only tell part of the story. It’s the hard work and character of our scholars that matter most. Their commitment to academics and to helping others doesn’t end at graduation. It continues to echo and shine through their careers in medicine, education, engineering, public service, and beyond.
Our alumni are proof of our founding concept: recognize a child’s promise early, give them opportunity and support, and they will build something remarkable with it.
Wherever you are now, you’re still a Carson Scholar.
This community has been cheering for you since as early as 4th grade – and we’re not done! We love to hear from you so please send us updates and we’ll keep you connected to the events, opportunities and people that make this network worth being part of.
Update Your Contact Information
So we can celebrate your milestones and keep you posted about what’s happening in our community.
Get Involved
Join the ALC, volunteer remotely or in-office, mentor a scholar, or spearhead an alumni effort in your city.
Share Your Story
Tell us where you’ve been, where you’re going, or where you’ve landed!
