From Bukhara to Maryville College: Rukhshona Isomova’s journey of curiosity, courage and campus impact
June 1, 2026
Long before she ever set foot on the campus of Maryville College, Rukhshona Isomova ’26 was already doing the work of a global citizen — approaching strangers in the ancient streets of her native Bukhara, Uzbekistan, eager to share her culture with anyone willing to listen.
Years later, that same fearless curiosity carried her halfway around the world, into leadership roles across campus and earned her recognition as one of the College’s most accomplished graduating seniors.
Now a Maryville College graduate, Isomova — who earned degrees in Finance/Accounting and International Studies last month — stands as a testament to what can happen when curiosity meets courage and opportunity. One of only five students nominated for the Carl ’63 and Jean McDonald Outstanding Senior Award, she was also honored during the College’s April Celebration of Student Achievement with the Judson B. Murphy Endowed Business Award and the Jackson Outstanding International Student Award — recognitions that speak not only to her academic excellence, but to the way she moved through campus: with intention, generosity and an openness to every experience placed before her.
And Commencement itself proved to be a fitting capstone to her Maryville College experience, she said.
“Commencement was incredible,” she said. “I have never experienced such an amazing level of care and attention. Everything the College organized for us, from the Senior Brunch to the beautifully prepared outdoor stage, made the experience feel so meaningful. I was blown away by how much effort the president, faculty and staff put into every single detail to make the day special for us.”
She was also surprised to discover, moments before the ceremony began, that she would be the first graduate called to cross the stage.
“Honestly, it was such an unexpected moment because I had no idea I was going to be the first person called,” she said. “When they suddenly asked me to start and walk first, I was definitely a little nervous, but at the same time, it felt like such an honor.”
In classrooms, in student organizations and in the everyday moments that shape a college journey, she embraced each new door as something to step through, not pass by — building a life, far from home, that was as expansive as the world she first set out to discover all those years ago, striking up conversations with strangers as a child.
“I grew up with my parents and grandparents in one house, and I learned so much from them,” she said. “In Bukhara, I was surrounded by beautiful architecture, and when we would go for a walk in the old part of the city, my parents tell the story of how I was so eager to talk to travelers, and at 4 or 5 or 6, I would go up to them to tell them about my country. I’ve always been so passionate about representing my country and my culture to people from other countries.”
America bound
Despite her love for Uzbekistan, Bukhara felt too small for the girl who devoured English courses and devoted herself to education. As she approached high school graduation, she chose to apply abroad, submitting applications to 20 colleges and universities across the United States — Maryville College among them. She discovered the College through EducationUSA at the American embassy in Tashkent, a program designed to guide students through the U.S. higher education process. After attending informational sessions, she gathered her transcripts and certificates, translated them from Uzbek to English, and sent them out.
Maryville College not only accepted her — it offered her the full-tuition International Diversity Scholarship. Her acceptance came with an added layer of connection: a welcome message from a fellow Uzbek student, Shokhrukh Samadov ’23, who was enrolled at MC at the time.
“The way he made me feel so welcomed to Maryville College meant a lot, and it felt like they really wanted me,” she said. “Kirsten Sheppard (former director of the Center for Global Engagement) answered my emails and helped me learn how to get my immigration documents and my visa, and that was a big reason why I decided to come here. And I’ve never regretted it.”
In July 2022, she boarded a plane in Tashkent and began a journey that would take her five hours to Turkey and another 10 to New York. From there, her aunt and uncle — then living in New Jersey — assisted her in gathering belongings and drove her to campus, where Sheppard and former Global Engagement staffer Will Doran helped her settle into Gamble Hall.
What followed was a year of adjustment — one she embraced fully.
“There were so many things to get used to, but I think the main thing was like, I had not gotten used to being in academics plus being involved in clubs and other activities,” she said. “Back home, we don’t have anything like student clubs to be involved in, so here, it opened up so many doors for me and gave me so many ways for me to develop myself, take responsibility and be independent.”
The Global Citizenship Organization quickly became both a campus organization and a surrogate family, bringing together students from around the world to share their cultures through events and showcases. She also joined the Latino Student Alliance, served as marketing manager for TEDxMaryville and attended Student Programming Board events — all while building a wide network of friendships.
“It all gave me an opportunity to meet other people, and I got to know everyone,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of friends.”
In the classroom, her education in Uzbekistan had prepared her well. Some first-year coursework covered material she had already mastered, allowing her to explore additional classes beyond her double major. The academic structure at Maryville College, she said, offered a level of engagement and flexibility she hadn’t experienced before.
“There, university students can’t study outside of what they want to major in, so there was not a lot to offer, and I wanted to continually develop myself,” she said. “Here, you have to pay serious attention to the course material, and you have homework in every class, every day. I study a lot, but that means I don’t stress too much about finals, because I’ve been keeping up and doing the homework and developing myself throughout the semester.”
An MC ambassador
In the summer of 2023, she returned home and spoke to local high school students about studying abroad. When she returned again in December, many of those students had begun applying to American colleges and universities.
“There are just so many opportunities, and doors open every day, but sometimes we just pass them by,” she said. “In my high school in Uzbekistan, we heavily focused on academics and academic competitions, and there were not many opportunities when it came to extracurricular activities and clubs, but when I came here and saw how many opportunities there are for networking, it changed the way I look at the world.
“I don’t think I could ever have had such an amazing and rewarding experience where I could develop myself personally, professionally and academically if I were to have gone to a big university somewhere else. God blessed me with coming to this College.”
And Isomova, said Dr. Scott Henson — professor of political science and interim director of the Center for Global Engagement — changed Maryville College.
“Rukhshona brought with her a beautiful culture which she exemplified in her hospitality, respect for others, and joy for life,” Henson said. “Rukhshona gave us a personality that lightened every room she entered with humor and kindness. Rukhshona also enriched every course she took with a keen intellect and insatiable curiosity.
“A staff member recently told me that just one conversation with Rukhshona changed her perspective on a range of issues and gave her hope for a future led by such a talented and caring younger generation. It’s never easy to go abroad and live in another culture, but Rukhshona thrived in new situations and experiences sharing her enthusiasm and confidence with other international students.”
It’s little wonder she was nominated for the Carl ’63 and Jean McDonald Outstanding Senior Award — an honor she still struggles to fully grasp.
“How could I have been an outstanding senior? I don’t even speak good English, and I’m not that involved!” she said.
But then she pauses, smiling.
“It feels like yesterday I was a freshman; I knew nothing and didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “I was shy at first, but then I started asking questions of everyone, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot, that I’ve become more confident and independent. I came all the way from Uzbekistan, built my life here, gotten involved in things and figured things out without my parents. I guess I am proud of myself.”
Without a doubt, the educators and mentors who have been part of her journey share that pride. Henson has seen firsthand the difference she made in the lives of her fellow Scots by going out of her way to “enrich life for herself and others.”
“Showing a genuine concern for every person she met, Rukhshona gave us a fresh perspective on the mission and values we profess at Maryville College,” he added. “Sometimes it takes someone from a different culture and perspective to help you understand your own values better. Rukhshona has given that gift to Maryville College.”
A family and a home away from home
Henson is one of many supporters who helped shape her experience, alongside faculty members Rebecca Treadway, Dr. Gabie Kerr and Dr. Sarah Clinton, as well as alumnae Stephanie Faust Collins ’05 and Marcia Kilby ’89, who served as host families. In fact, the first congratulatory hug she received during last month’s Commencement came from Kilby, chair of the Maryville College Board of Directors, who took part in the ceremony and embraced her on the stage.
And despite her insistence that she’s “not that involved,” her record tells a different story. In addition to representing international students in the Student Government Association, she worked as an admissions ambassador, sharing her enthusiasm for Maryville College with prospective students and their families.
“Rukhshona is amazing!” said Dr. Alayne Bowman, vice president of Admissions and Financial Aid. “She’s a bright, energetic and determined individual, the picture of dedication and resilience. Her graduation from college is just another milestone in her long, successful journey.”
On at least one occasion, she was even able to speak Uzbek with a prospective student whose family had relocated to Nashville — a moment of immediate connection rooted in shared identity. (In addition to English and Uzbek, she also speaks Tajik, intermediate Spanish and intermediate Russian.)
Her ability to connect with others also made her a natural fit for her role in the Office of Advancement, where she worked as a student donor experience officer. Through conversations with alumni, she gained a deeper appreciation for the impact of giving.
“What I found by calling alumni and inviting them and encouraging them to make contributions to the Maryville Fund is that they want to get to know students like us,” she said. “That’s when you realize you’re not just helping them generate contributions. You’re getting to know the people who have graduated from here, and sometimes you develop amazing relationships with them.
“I’ll definitely come back here a lot, because working in Advancement, I saw the real impact of giving back to the College and how the alumni play such a huge role in making students’ lives successful. It’s just such a really good lesson, and I can’t wait to give back to my community!”
Looking back, she said the experience of studying in the United States and building a life so far from home changed her in ways she could not have anticipated.
“Maryville College played a huge role in shaping me into a better version of myself,” she said. “Coming to the US and beginning a completely new chapter of life was both exciting and challenging, but being surrounded by such amazing professors, mentors, friends, and a supportive community made all the difference. The experiences, lessons, and relationships I gained here will always remain an important part of my identity.”
Now that she’s an alumna, Isomova is preparing to begin a full-time role as a financial counselor with 21st Mortgage Corporation in downtown Knoxville, where she will gain professional experience before pursuing an MBA. She plans to begin graduate study in fall 2027.
“I know the company has had a long-standing relationship with Maryville College, which is very meaningful to me,” she said. “I am very excited to learn, grow, and contribute to the team.”
Though her undergraduate chapter has now closed, she said Maryville College will always remain part of her story.
“I have had so much love and respect for this College since day one,” she said. “I’ve been really blessed to study here, and I would not have been able to achieve so much without the support of the community.”
