Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast Partners with Carroll University to Award College Credit for Gold Award Girl Scouts

Beginning Fall 2026, eligible Gold Award Girl Scouts will receive four credits for leadership and personal effectiveness through new credit for prior learning program.

MILWAUKEE – (May 21, 2026) – Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) today announced a partnership with Carroll University to recognize the extraordinary achievement and leadership development of Gold Award Girl Scouts by awarding academic credit through Carroll’s new credit for prior learning program.

Beginning with Fall 2026 enrollment, students who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award will receive four credits for LEA190: Leadership and Personal Effectiveness at Carroll University. The recognition affirms the significant learning, leadership, and project management skills that Girl Scouts develop while working toward the highest award in Girl Scouting. Through this partnership, Carroll University is formally recognizing that the Gold Award reflects college-level learning outcomes in leadership, initiative, and personal effectiveness.

“Carroll University is proud to recognize the exceptional leadership demonstrated through the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said President Cindy Gnadinger. “By awarding academic credit for this achievement, we are affirming that meaningful, high-impact learning often happens beyond the classroom. This partnership reflects our commitment to honoring the dedication, initiative and real-world impact these students bring to our campus community.”

“Earning the Gold Award is a powerful demonstration of leadership, vision, and commitment to creating lasting change. This new opportunity with Carroll University helps honor the incredible work of these Girl Scouts and reinforces the value of the skills they bring to their college experience and to their communities,” said Ana Simpson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. “We are excited to see Carroll University affirm the lasting value of this achievement and invest in the future of these young leaders.”

The Gold Award is presented to Girl Scouts in grades 9–12 who identify a community issue, develop a sustainable solution and lead a project that creates lasting impact. In the process, Gold Award Girl Scouts build skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, and project management that prepare them for success in college and beyond.

According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Gold Award Girl Scouts agree that earning their Gold Award gave them skills that help them succeed professionally. Seventy-two percent (72%) said earning their Gold Award helped them get a scholarship. Changing the world doesn’t end when a Girl Scout earns her Gold Award. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of Gold Award Girl Scout alums take on leadership roles in their everyday lives.

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About Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE)
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. We serve more than 12,000 girls in grades K5-12, and more than 6,000 adults who believe in our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. With programs in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties, we give every Girl Scout in our council the chance to reach their full leadership potential. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit gswise.org, email customercare@gswise.org, or call 800-565-4475.

About Carroll University
First. Foremost. Forward. For 180 Years!
Carroll University was incorporated in 1846, making it Wisconsin’s first four-year institution of higher learning. Situated in Waukesha, the independent, co-educational comprehensive university is grounded in the liberal arts tradition, and offers more than 95 areas of study, multiple graduate programs and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy. For more information visit carrollu.edu and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Flickr and Facebook.

pinning a gold award girl scout on khaki vest

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