MC appoints Admissions vet Catherine Hill to new director position for student transition, family programs
May 19, 2026
Maryville College has appointed Catherine Hill as its inaugural director of student transition and family programs, a newly created position designed to strengthen support for students and families from enrollment through graduation.
Hill, who has served the College as assistant director of Admissions and Visitor Experience for the past five years in the MC Office of Admissions, will oversee programs focused on student orientation, transition support and family engagement. The role reflects the College’s growing emphasis on fostering belonging, connection and long-term student success during pivotal moments in the college experience.
“I think that it’s fantastic to be at an institution that is prioritizing the new student transition experience in a way that puts someone fully responsible for it,” Hill said. “The new student transition programs have seen varied owners, even in my five years at the College. Dr. (Ben) Stubbs (vice president and dean of students) got us in great shape last year with a redesigned New Scots Orientation model that better supports students and connects campus partners, and I am thrilled to get to continue on in allowing that program to take shape and become a standard program at Maryville College.”
She added that she is especially excited “to see legacy programs come to fruition and build up a transition experience that students across grade levels can share.”
Hill described the mission of student transition and family programs as “intentional programming geared towards ensuring that students and their families know what is expected of them and the resources available to them as Maryville College students/community members; feel confident in their decision to enroll; and overall feel a sense of belonging in the MC community/greater region.”
At a time when higher education institutions across the country face enrollment challenges and growing skepticism about the value of college, Hill said transition programming plays a vital role in helping students feel supported and connected.
“It’s important that we recognize these challenges and understand the privilege of someone choosing to enroll at Maryville College and provide the best possible experience for them, from the enrollment process all the way through graduation,” she said. “Transition programs offer students and their families a stable place to land at a time when it is most urgent.”
A native of Michigan, Hill earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Eastern Michigan University in 2018. Her own positive experiences at EMU led her to pursue a master’s degree in college student personnel administration from Illinois State University, which she completed in 2020. Shortly thereafter, she joined the staff of Maryville College.
Hill’s previous work in the Office of Admissions included overseeing programs ranging from daily campus visits to large-scale open houses and admitted-student events — experiences she said helped her better understand the diverse needs that students and families bring to the College.
“I’ve been able to understand the complex needs of our students and their families and been able to adapt visit experiences to accommodate those needs, and I feel like that knowledge will serve me well in this experience,” she said.
A key focus of Hill’s work will be helping students navigate the inevitable challenges that accompany the transition to college life.
“The goal is not that students never experience challenge or conflict during their time at MC, but rather they are equipped to handle these concerns with minimal disruption,” she said. “If a student can show us that they learned something, whether it be conflict resolution skills with their roommate or how to ask for help from their faculty, I think it’s a job well done.”
Hill also emphasized the importance of community-building and family engagement in helping students thrive.
“One of the coolest parts of orientation to me is that this is one of the only opportunities (beyond classes) where all types of students are intermixed,” she said. “Whether you’re a star athlete or a star on stage, you’re going to be working together on the high ropes course,” one of the key teamwork exercises organized through the College’s outdoor adventure partner, Mountain Challenge.
She noted that many students maintain friendships formed during orientation long after their first semester ends, something she sees as a testament to the College’s culture of belonging and support.
“Having a connected and strong support system outside of Maryville, whether it is family, friends, religious leaders, etc, can really assist in a student’s college experience,” Hill added. “Helping keep students’ support systems in the loop through parent communications and by providing experiences to be a part of the campus community during events like Family Weekend ensures that we are providing the tools for these families to best support their students.”
“Catherine’s appointment reflects Maryville College’s ongoing commitment to supporting students not only academically, but holistically throughout every stage of their college journey,” Stubbs added. “Through her work in Admissions and with campus visit experiences, she has earned a stellar reputation for her care for students, collaborative leadership and deep understanding of what helps students feel connected and supported. She is uniquely qualified to help shape this important new role and continue strengthening the sense of community and belonging that defines the Maryville College experience.”
Originally from outside the region, Hill said her own experience finding community in East Tennessee has shaped the way she works with students who are also navigating unfamiliar surroundings.
“When working as an enrollment counselor, I was always genuinely able to tell folks looking at MC from outside of the region that the folks here truly make it,” she said. “I have never been made to feel like an outsider … and that has just furthered my drive to continue on this type of work. I really do think Maryville is such a special place, and I feel so lucky to have been embraced here.”
Looking ahead, Hill said she hopes to continue expanding orientation programming while exploring additional opportunities for family engagement throughout the academic year.
“I really hope they can feel the love,” she said of students and families arriving on campus for the first time. “I really feel invigorated after a major admissions event or move-in day, because those are the days that campus comes alive and shows up for the students in such a big way, but I really hope they can see and feel that support show up in the quiet, midsemester moments too. That’s what makes MC truly special!”