Why Study Hospitality at Maryville College?
Maryville College’s Hospitality and Regional Identity major is committed to interdisciplinary studies and the building of hospitality-oriented skill sets through coursework and practical experience, with an emphasis placed on Southern Appalachian culture, cuisine, history and tradition. This unique combination differs from a traditional hospitality management degree and will prepare you for a wide variety of careers in the hospitality management industry that are available in a variety of regions — inside and outside the U.S. — with distinct cultural identities.
For more than two centuries, Maryville College has prided itself on being an institution that not only calls Southern Appalachia home but advocates for the region as well. As East Tennessee continues to attract visitors and new residents, the need for skilled employees who know the hospitality industry and the larger field of management more generally has grown.
Meet a Current Scot
Lillie Peterson
Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
Lillie came to MC looking for a personal approach to learning. The class sizes, professors and the campus itself have confirmed for her that she is in the right place. Lillie is a member of the Women’s Golf Team and participant in Young Life Quest.
Her favorite part about the Hospitality and Regional Identity major is “learning about the guest experience, tourism, events and festivals, as well as management and business,” she said.
In 2024, Lillie was a marketing intern for RT Lodge and is now interning with To Have and To Hold Events, a custom wedding planning business based in East Tennessee. In her role as a Wedding Day Assistant, Lillie assists with event setup and teardown, managing wedding décor, and ensuring the smooth flow of the day’s events. “I would love to eventually start my own wedding planning business,” she said.
Meet a Recent Grad
Tony Gill ’13
Currently: Guest Services Manager at Clayton Homes’ “The Lodge”
Because of the College’s relationship with Blackberry Farm, Tony was able to secure a position at the luxury resort after graduation, managing various roles in guest services and learning how hospitality can be part of every situation. Although a Physical Education major at MC (the HRI major wasn’t offered until 2022), he was exposed to multiple disciplines and developed relevant skills through the liberal arts curriculum. In nearly a decade with Blackberry, he was promoted multiple times.
Today, as the guest services manager for Clayton Homes’ corporate retreat facility, Tony utilizes his education and experiences to build long-lasting relationships with his fellow colleagues while also getting to know Clayton’s executive team on a much deeper level. “Hospitality is about every single, little interaction you have with someone,” he said. “The way you interact can make a lasting impact.”
