MC delegation participates in TISL; Cornell presented individual award
Dec. 13, 2024
While a large swath of the United States reported having election fatigue after Nov. 5, approximately 500 students from several Tennessee colleges and universities were gearing up for more elections and a deep dive into government and its inner workings. A delegation of eight students from Maryville College was among that contingency.
Participating in the 55th General Assembly of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL), the eight students from Maryville College and their sponsor, Dean of Students Dr. Ben Stubbs, spent Nov. 21-24 in the legislative chambers of the state capitol in Nashville. Funding for the experience came from the Catherine Duggar ’54 and Jean Duggar Endowment for TISL at Maryville College.
Organized in 1966, TISL allows young adults an opportunity to “exchange ideas, express their opinions and learn how government works,” according to the organization’s website. Its four programs are patterned after the essential elements of public service — legislative, AMC3 (the Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge), lobbying and media.
Joshua Cornell ’26 served in the TISL Senate, while Abhilasha Ghosh ’27 and Weston Yarber ’27 served in the TISL House of Representatives. These students participated in committee meetings to review proposed bills, debated bills on the floor and initiated motions to amend bills, extend debate, and “call the question,” as needed.
Charlie Anderson ‘26 and Austin McKee ’26 served on the TISL Media Team, which is responsible for promoting TISL engagement and creating awareness related to proposed legislation and other TISL happenings. Anderson and McKee published several articles in the daily TISL Times publication.
Hannah Lee ’26, Cayden Estes ’27 and Savannah Latham ’28 served as TISL lobbyists. Each was assigned to a different “firm” representing interests ranging from healthcare to environmental issues, then worked to educate legislators about proposed bills, build coalitions in support of or against bills and ultimately shape the outcome of the legislative session. Lee, Estes and Latham wrote bill briefs, established relationships with influential legislators and sought ways to find common ground between their firms’ agendas and legislators’ interests.
Other activities undertaken by TISL participants included electing a governor and six other officers, including speakers of the house and senate and secretary of state, for the 56th General Assembly.
While TISL succeeds in simulating government proceedings and showing how laws are written and passed, the experience offers much more, students said.
“TISL is a platform for growth, leadership, and preparing students to make meaningful contributions to society,” Ghosh said. “Through debating, networking and decision-making, students enhance critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills.
“It also inspires students to see themselves as agents of change, capable of influencing policies and contributing to their communities. Personally, I would like to think that by participating in TISL, students will be able to cultivate a lifelong commitment to active citizenship and informed advocacy,” she added.
The opportunity to network is another valuable benefit for TISL participants. Building relationships with peers, mentors and professionals from other colleges and universities in the state can have long-lasting impact and shape future careers, Cornell and Ghosh pointed out.
The MC TISL delegation also had the chance to network with government officials. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett spoke at the event and hosted a pizza dinner, giving students the chance to meet this longtime state official. The Honorable W. Neal McBrayer ’86, a judge for the Tennessee Court of Appeals and Maryville College alumnus and board member, spoke with the delegation in the state Supreme Court building where he serves.
The MC TISL delegation included residential and commuter students, traditional and non-traditional students, majors ranging from Political Science to Computer Science, and students from first-semester undergraduates to seniors.
Stubbs said the entire MC delegation represented the College well, adding that he is looking forward to building interest in the program.
“Our students made valuable contributions to their teams, connected quickly with other students and made plans to grow the Maryville College presence in future years,” he said. “They gained confidence in their abilities, broadened their understanding of government and social action and sharpened their career and academic interests.”
Maryville College’s Cornell earns TISL award
Cornell acted as a sponsor for a bill in the Senate and was awarded the Carlisle Award for outstanding senators. TISL’s oldest and most prestigious award, the Carlisle Award is presented to only 10 legislators during the session.
“I’m truly honored to win the award,” Cornell said. “Maryville College has had a lasting impact on TISL with key pivotal bills and legislation coming out of previous MC delegations. Having been our first time back in a while, I’m honored to have represented Maryville College in a way that impacted the senate floor and the whole TISL 55th General Assembly in a way that represents the passion and determination of Maryville College students.”
Cornell, who is majoring in Political Science, said his time at TISL was inspiring.
“I feel like this experience provided me with a great opportunity to act out my major in a very practical and hands-on way that confirmed that political science is something that I’m passionate about and am drawn to pursue,” he said.
