CILC WALSER Grant Award
CILC Awarded Walser Foundation Grant to Expand Career Exploration Through Live Virtual Learning
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — July 2025 — The Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) has received a $5,000 grant from the Walser Automotive Foundation to expand its Community of Learning series, a free, live virtual program connecting students across the country to meaningful learning experiences.
The grant will support 18 special Career Exploration Fridays, offered at no cost and live at 12:00 p.m. Central Time during the fall and spring semesters of CILC’s Community of Learning series. These interactive sessions give students real-time access to professionals across fields—including health sciences, engineering, the arts, and more—offering real-world insight into career and college pathways.
CILC and the Walser Foundation share a commitment to advancing education and expanding access. With a philanthropic reach spanning Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Georgia, and New Mexico, Walser’s support helps ensure that students—especially those in communities with limited access to career exploration—can connect with professionals, explore new possibilities, and envision futures they may not have previously considered.
Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, Community of Learning has reached more than 450,000 students through weekly, curriculum-aligned live programs in STEM, literacy, and history—guided by experts from museums, science centers, and other cultural institutions.
With Walser’s support, CILC will grow the series to 162 live sessions over the next year by adding Career Exploration Fridays to its Tuesday–Thursday lineup.
Dr. Tania Lyon, Director of Strategic Learning Systems at CILC, emphasized the lasting value of this kind of exposure:
“Having worked in schools and supported CTE programs, I’ve seen how powerful it can be for students to meet real people doing real work,” Lyon said. “These live, virtual sessions help students connect classroom learning to future possibilities—and that kind of exposure can shape the choices they make for years to come.”
By bringing students face-to-face with real-world professionals, CILC helps students see what’s possible—sparking curiosity, building confidence, and opening doors to future career paths.
About the Walser Foundation
The Walser Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Walser Automotive Group, dedicated to increasing access to quality education, supporting career training, and strengthening the communities where Walser operates. With a focus on advancing equity and opportunity, the Foundation invests in programs and organizations that prepare the next generation for success. Walser Automotive Group serves customers in Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Georgia, and New Mexico. Learn more at www.walserfoundation.org.
About the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration
For more than 30 years, the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) has connected learners of all ages to transformative educational experiences through live virtual programming. As a nonprofit dedicated to opening hearts and minds through interactive learning, CILC bridges communities, people, and ideas—expanding the boundaries of traditional education and sparking lifelong curiosity. Since its founding in 1994, CILC has partnered with museums, science centers, zoos, historic sites, and other institutions to deliver over 113,000 programs to 3.5 million groups worldwide. Committed to accessibility and meaningful engagement, CILC fosters authentic learning experiences that inspire growth and discovery, regardless of location or financial means. For more information, visit cilc.org.
Media Contacts:
Allyson Mitchell
CILC
amitchell@cilc.org
507-386-2972