Four Maryville College programs earn Colleges of Distinction honors, MC itself named among the best
For the 13th consecutive year, Maryville College has been named a College of Distinction for the 2024-25 academic year in recognition of providing an exceptional undergraduate education. The organization’s award honors MC for being committed to engaged, hands-on education that focuses on student success and satisfaction.
Since its founding in 2000, Colleges of Distinction has recognized colleges and universities across the country for their successful implementation of high-impact educational practices and hands-on learning. Unlike traditional ranking systems based on numerical data, its rigorous selection process involves extensive research and detailed interviews with the institutions, and the organization then grants recognition to those schools that adhere to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes.
”We’ve never ranked our schools,” said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction. “No student is alike, so there can’t be a number-one school for everyone. We are much more focused on the innovative ways that colleges are offering their own brand of a truly rich undergraduate education.” Maryville College‘s individual approach to education helps students achieve success in unique ways that cannot be ranked against others.
“We are so impressed to see how Maryville College brings life to the traditional undergraduate experience. With a welcoming community, an immersive curriculum, and strong support networks, Maryville College is undoubtedly nurturing the growth of tomorrow’s leaders.”
Maryville College also received special recognition for career development, military support, education and business programs.
Business
According to Colleges of Distinction, MC’s liberal arts foundation and well-rounded curriculum prepare business students to enter the workforce with strong leadership skills and the ability to succeed in an ever-evolving society.
According to Schritter, the process of earning the Business College of Distinction label is based on several criteria.
“We look for qualities such as accreditation, program breadth, advising and mentoring, integration of career services, and successful student outcomes,” he said. “Thriving in a precarious economy requires one to be agile in the face of change. We applaud Maryville College’ s emphasis on educating ethical, agile, and competent leaders.”
Maryville’s business-related programs of study include majors such as Finance/Accounting, Human Resources Management, International Business, Marketing, Management and Hospitality and Regional Identity (HRI). According to Associate Professor of HRI Dr. Angela Sebby, this newest program “cultivates exceptional hospitality skills through hands-on experience at the Maryville College Downtown Center and with esteemed industry partners, complemented by rigorous interdisciplinary coursework. With a distinctive focus on Southern Appalachian culture, cuisine, history, and tradition, this distinguished program prepares students for diverse and prestigious careers in hospitality management, both nationally and internationally.”
“At Maryville College, our business program is firmly grounded in the liberal arts,” added Dr. Sharon May, professor of economics and chair of the Division of Social Sciences at MC. “Our faculty embraces a multidisciplinary approach to preparing the next generation of business leaders. We prompt our students to consider minors in programs across campus, to study abroad, and to engage in career exploration.
“Within our courses, we routinely invite local businesses and non-profits to share their real issues with our students and give our students the opportunity to craft strategies to address those issues. Being recognized as a ‘Top Business College of Distinction’ for 2024-2025 is an affirmation of our efforts to prepare ‘students for lives of citizenship and leadership,’ as we declare in our Mission Statement.”
Education
Colleges of Distinction also gave its stamp of approval to Maryville College’s Division of Education by honoring it as an Education College of Distinction.
“An impressive undergraduate education is marked by its stability, practical experiences, advising and mentoring, high-impact practices, and successful student outcomes,” Schritter said. “It’s inspiring to see the next generation of teachers graduating from Maryville College with confidence. Beyond having a deep understanding of the topics they will teach, Maryville College students also gain the skills to lead their classrooms with empathy, patience, and creativity.”
Career Development
An additional recognition from the Colleges of Distinction, MC has been awarded the title of a Career Development College of Distinction. Earning a college degree helps graduates secure jobs, but the process of entering the workforce is often a challenge in its own right. Maryville College’s career development recognition is a celebration of its commitment to helping students advance in their desired careers, Schritter said.
The Career Development award is given to a school with consideration of its integrated career exploration and preparation, accessible programs and trainings, dedicated career-centered staff, career services such as resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation and networking support — all of which are hallmarks of the work conducted by the Maryville College Career Center.
In addition to integrating career development into the curriculum, the Career Center hosts various networking and career preparation events throughout the year working closely with employers, graduate schools and faculty to encourage and support students at these events. Dr. Niklas Trzaskowski, director of the Career Center, is excited about receiving this honor and credits the work of the Career Center’s team for their diligence in supporting the career preparation of the students.
“[This award] really speaks to the College’s commitment to supporting the career development of its students. The entire college community supports the career development of our students,” he said. “We are extremely thankful for the support we receive from employers and graduate school partners who visit our beautiful campus so that they can speak to our Scots.”
Military Support
MC also received recognition from Colleges of Distinction for its military support initiatives.
“Maryville College sets a new standard of excellence for military support services in higher education,” Schritter said. “Service members in higher education bring with them not only a unique set of challenges, but also a distinct set of skills. As a Military Support College of Distinction, Maryville College truly embraces the opportunity to give these students an unmatched educational experience.”
MC’s Military Student Center provides support for veterans and their families as they transition to and embark on their collegiate journey. The Center’s staff offers assistance in accessing essential resources and navigating the processes for enrollment, class registration, federal education benefits and other administrative procedures. The Center also aids in adapting to college life, career planning and post-graduation plans as well as providing a comfortable lounge area for veterans and students with military ties to relax.
“As the new director of Veterans and Military Services at MC, it is an honor and privilege to receive this recognition and also represents an excellent precedent that the Veterans Center and the College have established and maintained,” said Dr. Jim Getman. “ I will endeavor to continue to receive this honorable acknowledgment that our current and future student veterans richly deserve.”