Community Service at Maryville College

Service Organizations and Programs at Maryville College

Alternative Fall Break and Spring Break

For detailed information or to connect with one of our service organizations, please visit the Volunteer Services website or contact the Director of Volunteer Services or the Center for Strong Communities

Alternative Fall Break and Spring Break provide service and learning alternatives for students who are willing to trade in a traditional vacation period for the challenge of serving others. Students, faculty and staff participate in hands-on service and learning trips that address particular needs in a community. Previous trips have included mountain trail maintenance and Katrina disaster relief and the ongoing work along the Gulf coast.
Staff Contact: Preston Fields

American Humanics

American HumanicsThe College’s academic-based nonprofit leadership program is an affiliate chapter of American Humanics (AH), a professional organization dedicated to equipping college and university students with the education and experience needed to become skilled professionals and leaders in America’s youth and human service agencies. AH ensures students’ success by providing an educational curriculum, leadership opportunities, internships and financial aid, and helping graduating students connect with its national partners, such as American Red Cross, Second Harvest, United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, National Urban League, National 4-H Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Girls, Inc.
Student Contact: Matthew Warner
Faculty Contact: Cole Piper

Bonner Scholars Program

Bonnor ScholarsThe Bonner Scholarship is an innovative national scholarship program that provides financial aid to students and engages them in community service for four years while in college. Bonner Scholars at Maryville College and 24 other colleges and universities serve up to ten hours/week with nonprofit service organizations. Service initiatives include tutoring, environmental action, community research, and multiple services in heath care, child advocacy, affordable housing, hunger relief, public education and community development. There are 60 Bonner Scholars at Maryville, and the college recruits and selects 15 new Bonners in each entering class. In 2007, the Bonner Foundation announced a $4.5 million endowment for the program at Maryville College. Click here for more information about the Bonner Program.
Staff Contact: Preston Fields

Circle K

Circle K is a Maryville College chapter of the Kiwanis International. Circle K is service-based volunteer organization that is centered around community involvement and leadership.
Staff Contact: Kandis Schram

Erskine Tutoring Foundation

The purpose of the Erskine Tutoring Foundation program is to provide educational tutoring to the Maryville and Alcoa City community. The foundation makes it possible for Maryville College students to interact educationally and socially with students throughout the community while being role models.
Student Contact: Dominque McCraven
Staff Contact: Paula McGhee

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a Maryville College chapter of Habitat International. The organization increases campus awareness about the need for affordable housing, sponsors Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, and participates in local Habitat builds and in spring break or fall break building projects.
Student Contact: Rebecca Dailey
Faculty Contact: Rebecca Dailey

MC Literacy Corp

The Maryville College Student Literacy Corps members serve the Blount County community by volunteering specifically in the area of literacy.  Students complete a minimum of two hours per week promoting literacy by tutoring inmates in the Blount County Justice Center, helping adults at the Everett Learning Opportunity Center, working with teens at the Tennessee Career Center at Alcoa, and helping the elderly at Asbury Place Retirement and Nursing Facility.  The student leadership group also holds events on campus, such as training days for prospective volunteers and a Dr. Seuss birthday party for local children. 
Staff Contact: Diana Lovelace

P.E.A.C.E

PEACE is an organization of student volunteers who mentor potential first generation college students by stressing the importance of pursuing a college education. College students assist area high school students with college preparation, including both the social and academic aspects of college life. Working through the public schools, volunteers also assist high school students with ACT preparation, understanding the application process, and where to look for financial aid.
Student Contact: Ransford Sarfo

Project Lead

Project Lead is an afterschool program for community children and youth, designed to enhance leadership skills including one's sense of identity, peacekeeping skills, communication, and appreciation for diversity. The eight-week program is held each semester on the college campus and is open to 3rd/4th graders (Thursdays) and 6th/7th graders (Mondays). Community enrollment is free, but it is limited to 20 children or youth in each age grouping. The Project Lead curriculum is designed and led by faculty and students from Behavioral Sciences service-learning courses, with the assistance of community adults who volunteer as mentors.
Student Contact: Kathie Shiba and Ariane Schratter

For more information or to connect with one of our service organizations, contact the Director of Volunteer Services or the Center for Strong Communities.