Why study Outdoor Studies and Tourism at MC?
With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the east, Music City in the center, Graceland in the west and numerous historical and recreational sites in between, Tennessee enjoys a tourism industry that adds several billion dollars to its economy annually. As the tourism and hospitality sector grows, so too does its intersection with issues of sustainability. Managing travel and adventure with their impacts on the environment is an increasingly important skill in the modern economy.
Maryville College’s Outdoor Studies and Tourism major will uniquely prepare you for careers that emphasize the importance of the natural environment, how humans can respectfully enjoy and interact with nature, and the value of active, safe, outdoor experiences. The curriculum equips you with the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to create, manage and evaluate effective outdoor experiences and sustainable tourism programs.
Our Fit.Green.Happy.® initiative provides strong connections between our Mountain Challenge program, our curriculum and our location, giving you numerous opportunities for relevant experiences and research.
ON CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES
Founded on the MC campus in 1987 by alumnus Bruce Guillaume ’76, Mountain Challenge, LLC, is an outdoor adventure and teambuilding program serving students and businesses that strives “to provide high-quality, safe outdoor experiences designed to change the world for the better, one person at a time.” Mountain Challenge activities are incorporated into Orientation classes and, year-round, students can sign up for off-campus trips to canoe, hike, raft, bike, rock climb and cave.
Meet a Current Scot
Lauren Huffstetler
Hometown: Maryville, Tennessee
Growing up hiking, biking and exploring the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Lauren says, “choosing to attend Maryville College allowed me to study Outdoor Studies and Tourism right in my backyard, deepening my knowledge and passion for this remarkable region.” Her major affords her the opportunity to immerse herself in the environment she aims to understand and protect.
A triple major in OST, Hospitality and Design, Lauren intends to fuse her education in these areas to lead and promote outdoor experiences that are “accessible, sustainable and mindful of the surrounding landscape.”
In addition to being a Mountain Challenge Fellow and President (and founder) of Maryville Women Outside, Lauren recently completed an internship with Blount Partnership as a Marketing and Tourism Development Intern which utilized all three of her majors.
Meet a Recent Grad
Matt Quizi ’23
Currently: Wildlife Keeper at Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Area in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Coming from Canada to Maryville College, Matt found his love for the outdoors through campus, athletics (he played on the Scots’ Golf Team) and Mountain Challenge events.
Following graduation, he was hired as a wildlife keeper at Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Area in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which prepared him for his current role with Earth Rangers. With this Canadian charity dedicated to empowering children to protect animals and the environment, he takes care of birds of prey, mammals and reptiles and speaks to the importance of conservation to schools, community groups and the media.
“Maryville College allowed me to realize what aspects of life I found most important and then showed me how to get myself into an environment that reflects those values,” he said.
