For 12th consecutive year, Maryville College recognized as a College of Distinction for its approach to education
June 30, 2023
Education, military support, career development, business: These areas of excellence have earned Maryville College recognition as a College of Distinction for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The honor marks the 12th consecutive year that Maryville College has been named a College of Distinction for being committed to engaged, hands-on education that focuses on student success and satisfaction.
For more than two decades, Colleges of Distinction has served as a unique guide for college-bound students and uses a thorough selection process more than an overview of institutional data, statistics and endowment size. The Colleges of Distinction selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with the schools, accepting only those that adhere to the “Four Distinctions” — engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. According to the organization, Maryville College has shown excellence in these areas, providing students with a well-rounded, practical education that prepares them for successful careers and lives.
“We believe that engaged students are successful students,” said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction. “And Maryville College’s dedication to experiential learning shows us that each of its students has the opportunity to play an active role in their education.”
To be named a College of Distinction, Maryville College demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education in areas such as student engagement, teaching excellence, outcomes-based learning and community involvement. MC also received special recognition for career development, business, education and military support.
Business
According to Colleges of Distinction, MC stands out for its commitment to graduating students with strong critical thinking skills and adaptability in a rapidly evolving society.
“Before granting awards, we conduct a thorough evaluation of the programs,” Schritter said. “We look for qualities such as accreditation, program breadth, advising and mentoring, integration of career services, and successful student outcomes. It’s truly remarkable to see how Maryville College exemplifies these qualities, particularly within the realm of business and management.
“Globalization and the complexities of modern business operations demand effective communication and strong problem-solving strategies. Maryville College’s programs equip future leaders with adaptability as they evolve alongside their industries.”
Maryville’s business-related programs of study include majors such as Hospitality and Regional Identity, Finance/Accounting, Human Resources Management, International Business, Marketing and Management. Colleges of Distinction evaluated these programs for “indicators of excellence,” including stability, accreditation, multidisciplinarity, practical experience, collaborative learning, business ethics, dedicated advising and counseling, high-impact practices and industry connections.
“At Maryville College, our business program is firmly grounded in the liberal arts,” said Dr. Sharon May, associate professor of economics and chair of the Division of Social Sciences at MC. “Our faculty embraces a multidisciplinary approach to preparing the next generation of business leaders. We prompt our students to consider minors in programs across campus, to study abroad, and to engage in career exploration. Within our courses, we routinely invite local businesses and nonprofits to share their real issues with our students, and to give our students the opportunity to craft strategies to address those issues. Being recognized as a top Business College of Distinction for 2023-2024 affirms our efforts to ‘prepare students for lives of citizenship and leadership,’ as we declare in our mission statement.”
“We are very pleased to receive this recognition as we strive to provide students with the skills and experiences necessary to not only successfully perform in a dynamic work environment but to also function as responsible leaders in the communities in which they serve,” added Dr. Jenifer Greene, MC professor of management.
Education
In honoring the Maryville College Division of Education, Colleges of Distinction applauded MC’s forward-thinking programs that adapt to the evolving landscape of technology, public policy, employer demands and more. In addition to recognizing the division’s stability, accreditation, multidisciplinarity, practical experience, high-impact practices and industry connections, Colleges of Distinction noted that MC education students are also prompted to pursue non-education specialization — a minor, emphasis, specialization or related credential in a subject they intend to teach professionally — and are provided with high-quality academic advising, major-specific advising and career advising specifically tailored to their major.
“Maryville College produces future educators who possess not only in-depth knowledge, but also the skills to be effective mentors, providing empathetic support and employing innovative teaching methods,” Schritter said.
“The Educator Preparation Program at MC wants each and every candidate to be prepared and excited to begin their teaching career,” added Dr. Cynthia Gardner, associate professor of education and chair of the Division of Education. “Our faculty works closely with them because we understand both the challenges, and the joy, that comes with being a teacher. So it is a wonderful and much-appreciated honor to be recognized as an Education College of Distinction. But I must stress that this honor is also possible only through the generous and continued support of our partners and alumni. They make sure our candidates have the opportunities and the guidance they need. And they are a big reason why the EPP is successful.”
Career Development
An additional recognition from Colleges of Distinction, MC has received a special accolade for its outstanding career development initiatives for undergraduate students. The Maryville College Career Center played an integral role in that honor, as Schritter noted how, in a precarious global economy, other factors beyond just a bachelor’s degree are at play in helping students launch careers about which they are passionate.
“We are very impressed with the ways that Maryville College helps students transition into post-graduation life with confidence,” he said. “The resources and unwavering support it gives students all throughout their academic journey set them up for successful, fulfilling careers in whatever field they choose.”
At MC, the Career Center promotes career success through exploration, coaching, education and connections to professionals in relevant fields. In addition, the Maryville College Works career preparation program, integrated into the curriculum, assists students in defining specific career goals and gaining hands-on practical experience that will bolster their resumes.
“Our team works diligently to prepare students for their post-graduation goals,” said Dr. Niklas Trzaskowski, assistant director of the Career Center. “Last academic year, we completed over 200 individual appointments with students and alumni and hosted career exploration and preparation events that over 900 students attended. We also got to teach several professional development courses and held guest lectures in several classrooms. While we are extremely honored to be recognized with this distinction, we understand that this would not have been possible without the consistent support we receive from the MC community and our employer and graduate school partners.”
“Maryville College integrates career readiness into the curriculum, establishing meaningful connections between students across majors and their future careers,” Schritter added. “This innovative and comprehensive approach to career preparation is what sets Maryville College’s Career Center apart and deserving of this recognition.”
Military Support
In lauding MC’s efforts to support veteran students, Colleges of Distinction noted that as more veterans pursue higher education after leaving the military, the need for personalized support and resources has become increasingly important. Veteran students, the organization notes, often demonstrate “unmatched dedication, perseverance and capability as students, yet their unique challenges can hinder their success.”
“Colleges like Maryville College prioritize the well-being of individual military students rather than just the size of their GI Bill package,” Schritter said. “These institutions ensure comprehensive support for military students.”
In acknowledging MC’s support for veteran students, Colleges of Distinction recognized its dedication to helping veterans navigate financial aid hurdles in order to maximize benefits; partnerships with community veterans’ organizations; the MC Military Student Center as a veteran-centric space to gather and take advantage of resources; and more.
“Institutions recognized for Military Support are acutely aware of the distinctive challenges faced by military students on college campuses,” Schritter added. “Maryville College takes great pride in nurturing the skills these students bring to the classroom while helping them achieve their personal and professional aspirations.”
Tennessee
In addition to an overall ranking as a College of Distinction and recognition of excellence in four specific areas, Maryville College was noted as a College of Distinction in Tennessee as well, one of only 12 chosen for 2023-24.
The Colleges of Distinction evaluation process differs from those of other college rankings publications, which often grade institutions based on such factors as faculty salaries, endowment size, and peer opinion.
“We don’t rank our schools,” Schritter said. “Every student has individual needs and flourishes in a specific environment. We prefer to focus on the innovative ways that colleges all around the country are providing an enriching undergraduate experience.”
Maryville College’s inclusion as a College of Distinction, he added, is a testament to the way it caters to its own students’ potential and goals, helping them achieve success in unique ways that cannot be ranked against others.
“We are deeply inspired by how Maryville College immerses students in their academic pursuits, fostering a welcoming community that provides unwavering support throughout their college years and beyond,” he added.
———-
About Colleges of Distinction
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been 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. Its website provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information, and to learn how to become a College of Distinction, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.