Following His Culture, Finding His Community: Carroll Student Merges Two Paths

For Lohitaksh (Lohi for short) Suresh, a Business Administration program graduate of Carroll Community College, the journey to discovering himself has been anything but conventional.

Born in India but raised in the United States since the age of two, Lohi has always straddled two worlds—his Indian heritage and his American upbringing. While his roots are still deeply embedded in his culture, his experiences at Carroll have helped him carve out his own path.

Balancing Culture and Identity

Lohi’s upbringing has been molded by a deep commitment to his cultural and religious traditions. “My religion and culture both play a huge factor in my life. I grew up in a family where religion comes first; everything else comes next,” he explains. From daily rituals to sacred ceremonies, Lohi’s Hindu faith has always been a guiding force and inseparable part of his life, shaping his worldview and priorities.

Despite this strong religious foundation, Lohi has also had to navigate the challenges of being different in a community where there are not many people who look like him. “I don’t look like anyone else here. In Carroll County, I was always different—both physically and culturally,” he shares.

While he has faced moments of feeling like an outsider, he was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming atmosphere at Carroll. “At Carroll, the environment was more flexible and accepting. That was a huge green flag for me. It helped me feel like I belonged there.”

Finding His Own Path

Growing up, Lohi’s parents encouraged him to push himself academically and professionally. “I kind of did everything I could,” he explained. “I did karate in elementary school, got into filmmaking, and just dabbled in a lot of things.” While Lohi’s parents have supported him exploring his various interests, they still harbor grand expectations for him. “They’re my biggest critics, but also my biggest supporters.”

His drive to succeed has been amplified by the success of his twin sister, currently a student at Towson University. “While I was a sophomore in my second year at Carroll, and she was in her third year at Towson because she hustles and bustles and will be finishing a year early,” Lohi shared. Comparisons between the two were inevitable.

Despite these pressures, Lohi values the support and structure his parents provide. “It can be frustrating sometimes, but at the end of the day, they just want me to succeed,” he acknowledges. “And honestly, their high expectations have helped me stay motivated.”

This motivation has allowed Lohi to recognize his own strengths. “My sister can’t make friends like I can or make connections like I do,” he said. His ability to build relationships and network with others is something he considers one of his biggest assets, and it has informed his approach to his education and career goals.

Embracing the College Experience

At Carroll, the environment was more flexible and accepting. That was a huge green flag for me. It helped me feel like I belonged there.

Initially, college was not part of Lohi’s plan. “When I graduated high school, I never wanted to go to college,” he admitted. But his parents insisted. “My parents were like, ‘You’re going to college no matter what.’” While he was not pleased about it at first, eventually he found his footing at Carroll.

Carroll Community College turned out to be the right choice for him, not only financially but also in terms of support, community, and culture. “I remember when I walked in, I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is scary. I don’t know what to do,’” Lohi said.

“But everyone there had been super supportive, super nice,” he continued. His professors had been particularly impactful. “They have a lot of wisdom. Their input is valuable. They teach you more about real life.” He also appreciated the many resources the College offered, from academic tutoring to student engagement events.

Lohi’s journey at Carroll had given him clarity on some aspects of his future. For example, his decision to major in Business Administration there was a pragmatic one. “I chose Business Administration because that’s where the big bucks are,” he said matter-of-factly. “I can do most anything with a business degree.”

Leveraging his people skills, Lohi wants to pursue a leadership role in the business world. “I want to be the kind of leader who helps people get to the next step,” he said.

Lohi’s Next Step

After Carroll, Lohi transferred to Towson University College of Business & Economics. “That’s where my sister goes, and I heard they have a good Business Administration program there,” he said. While he also considered other in-state 4-year schools like Stevenson, McDaniel, or UMBC, he knew that financial practicality came first. “I didn’t want to travel out of state and pay more just to get the same facilities or the same academic treatment.”

Lohi made the most of his time at Carroll, making connections and carving out his own path. His willingness to explore different opportunities there—such as taking part in the Student Government Organization, joining the Student Ambassador program, and interning for the College President—along with his natural people skills, gave him confidence that he would find his way.

While his upbringing has instilled in him a deep respect for tradition, Lohi’s time at Carroll had given him the space to define success on his own terms. “I’m still trying to figure things out, but all the things I did at Carroll also helped me build experience,” he said.

By embracing both his proud culture and the opportunities available to him, Lohi is forging a path that honors where he comes from while preparing him for where he is going.