Carroll CC Foundation’s Steve Wantz announces retirement

Steve Wantz, the executive director of the Carroll Community College Foundation, will be stepping down from his role after a tenure spanning nearly 25 years, school officials announced Nov. 21.

An emeritus honoree and Carroll alumnus, Wantz joined the Westminster school to lead the foundation in 2002 after a 26-year stint in the financial services industry. 

Under his leadership, the Foundation completed four major campaigns, according to a Carroll CC statement. The Carroll Foundation’s most recent campaign was Turning Hopes and Dreams into Reality, which raised about $14.5 million to enhance student success through scholarships, campus improvements, and workforce development initiatives. 

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the College that gave me my start,” said Wantz, a first-generation college graduate. 

“Carroll represents opportunity and hope, and I’ve been blessed to help others discover theirs.”

Other initiatives Wantz established include the President’s Society, the Joseph F. Shields Legacy Circle, and the Starry Night Gala. These endeavors have collectively readied millions of dollars in scholarship funds over the past few decades, according to school officials. 

The Foundation’s managed assets totaled less than $750,000 when Wantz began as executive director. Now, that figure exceeds $36 million, according to school officials.

“Steve’s leadership has transformed what is possible for Carroll and its students,” Carroll CC President Rosalie Mince said. 

“His ability to connect people to our mission has built not only financial strength, but also trust, pride, and a sense of shared purpose that will endure for decades.”

Wantz’s tenure also included mentoring first-generation college students through offering guidance and encouragement to help them navigate academic challenges. 

As he transitions into retirement, Wantz anticipates spending more time with his wife, five children, and eight grandchildren while remaining an active church and community member, a Carroll release says.