Maryville College named a 2020-21 College of Distinction

May 29, 2020 

For the ninth consecutive year, Maryville College has been named a 2020-21 College of Distinction for its innovative, high-impact approach to education that focuses on student success and satisfaction.

Colleges of Distinction, a college guide now in its 20th year, advocates for schools whose undergraduate experiences are grounded in a philosophy of well-rounded, individualized engagement. It annually recognizes colleges and universities that exhibit excellence in four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes.

Maryville College earned its recognition for excellence exhibited in the classroom, incorporating high-impact practices throughout every student’s undergraduate education. Such student-centered programs include undergraduate research, study abroad programs, internships, first-year seminars, community-based learning programs, service-learning programs and interdisciplinary programs.

The College also received special recognition for career development, business, education and military support.

These additional accolades were borne out of a need for college curricula that are comprehensive not only in course material, but also in practical- and soft-skills development, and Maryville College “has met these needs with a blend of liberal arts education, program-specific training and abundant opportunities for real-world application,” according to Colleges of Distinction.

Maryville College’s field of study/program recognitions (and corresponding badges) represent a curriculum that invests in students’ innovative, critical thinking, said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction.

“We complete a thorough review of the programs before granting the honors,” Schritter explained. “We’re looking for qualities such as accreditation, breadth of program, advising and mentoring, integration of career services, and successful outcomes for students. It’s wonderful to see how Maryville College really exemplifies these qualities.”

Colleges of Distinction offered the following reasons for recognizing these four MC programs and student support initiatives:

  • Education: Maryville College is proud to graduate future educators who are not only knowledgeable, but also efficient mentors who provide empathetic support and novel teaching methods. In addition to child development and learning with teacher licensure, Maryville College’s Education programs include 18 teacher licensure tracks across grade levels.
  • Business: Globalization and the intricacies of modern business operations require effective communication and apt problem-solving strategies. Maryville College’s programs in finance/accounting, human resource management, international business, marketing and management keep future leaders adaptable as they grow alongside their industry.
  • Career Development: Few questions are going to be on students’ minds more often than some version of “What am I going to do after graduation?” Conveniently, schools awarded the Career Development badge have shown that they are well equipped to help their students graduate with confidence. Offering such resources as the Maryville College Career Center and Maryville College Works (a career preparation program integrated into the curriculum), Maryville College provides unparalleled support throughout every stage of career exploration, development and application.
  • Military Support: As the number of veterans pursuing higher education increases, so too does the demand for their personal and academic support. Veterans can be some of the most dedicated, hard-working and capable students on a college campus, but the unique challenges they face can impede their success. Maryville College has been selected as a stand-out institution dedicated to helping veterans overcome their obstacles and achieve success. The Military Support Colleges of Distinction badge demonstrates that Maryville College ensures that military students are supported through comprehensive education benefits, a committed military and veterans affairs team, flexible options, trained faculty, and dedicated campus activities and community support. 

To view Maryville College’s profile or to find more information about the innovative learning experiences it offers, visit https://collegesofdistinction.com/school/maryville-college/

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About Colleges of Distinction

Now in its 20th year, Colleges of Distinction is committed to honoring schools throughout the U.S. for true excellence in higher education. The member schools within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. For more information, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.

Written by Chloe Kennedy, Assistant Director of Communications

Maryville College is a nationally-ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders, to study everything, so that they are prepared for anything — to address any problem, engage with any audience and launch successful careers right away. Located in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, Maryville College offers nearly 1,200  students from around the world both the beauty of a rural setting and the advantages of an urban center, as well as more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs and career preparation from their first day on campus to their last. Today, our 10,000 alumni are living life strong of mind and brave of heart and are prepared, in the words of our Presbyterian founder, to “do good on the largest possible scale.”