Carson was one of three Black graduates in the class of 1945. While on campus, Carson initiated and organized conferences and visitations between Mount Holyoke and Howard University. She also organized an interracial conference at Mount Holyoke.
Carson majored in history. Reflecting on her time at Mount Holyoke, she wrote that none of the courses touched even lightly upon Black people but there was no outright protestation for at the time it was not a popular thing to be Black. Carson remembered feeling a part of the college community; however, she had to remind her classmates that she was Black and not just one of the girls. There were only six or seven Black women on the entire campus and among themselves they supplied moral support. Finally, in response to the question of how Mount Holyoke affected her, she said she felt academically challenged and thoroughly enjoyed that “meaningful experience.” *
*1973 Interview with Lynne A. Johnson for History 265 “Black and White Americans”