Maryville College graduates of 2023 line up impressive list of post-collegiate education and career plans
May 16, 2023
“Study everything to prepare for anything.” “Do good on the largest possible scale.”
Those are just a couple of mantras that guide the educational paths of students who attend Maryville College, and as the graduates of the Class of 2023 enter the world beyond their alma mater, they’ve accomplished the former and are preparing for the latter.
From career starts to graduate schools to internship opportunities, the latest additions to the distinguished legacy of Maryville College alumni have amassed some impressive post-graduation plans.
Robin Bannow ’23, an exercise science major from Knoxville, Tennessee, is headed to Hanover, Indiana, to enroll in Hanover College’s physical therapy program. Because it’s a hybrid program, she said, she’ll be able to learn remotely while traveling to campus to complete lab immersions and complete her doctorate in physical therapy in only two years.
“My long-term goal is to become a pediatric physical therapist,” she said. “I currently plan to return to East Tennessee when I begin working. I hope to be able to find opportunities in my professional career to provide parental education that will allow more children to receive early intervention specifically for developmental delays.”
Being back in East Tennessee, she added, will keep her closer to her alma mater, which had a defining role in her career path — both in terms of her education, and the complexities of navigating it when the COVID-19 pandemic struck during her first year.
“I knew I wanted to work with kids in the healthcare field but wasn’t completely sure which direction I wanted to go,” she said. “I worked through several ideas, but I eventually connected the dots between the volunteer work I had done and loved before college at STAR ( a local therapeutic horseback riding center) and experiences I got from classes at Maryville, including one where I helped to create and lead adaptive physical education lessons for a special education class at a local elementary school.
“These experiences led me toward pursuing pediatric physical therapy. I did my internship at Blount Memorial Total Pediatric Rehabilitation, and I fell in love with the work I was able to assist with and knew that it was the right path for me. I know my classes at Hanover are not going to be easy, but Maryville has given me the skills to be persistent in challenging coursework. Experiencing the transition into and out of the virtual and hybrid classroom format taught me to be flexible and also prepared me for the hybrid format in which I will be completing physical therapy school.”
For Anna Kate Bechman ’23, a biology major from Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, classes at Maryville College solidified her love of biology and opened her eyes to the ways in which she might find a career in inspiring others to love it as well. She’ll join the faculty of Grace Christian Academy in Franklin, Tennessee, where she’ll teach high school biology and chemistry to freshmen and sophomore students, in addition to serving as the assistant girls’ basketball coach.
“Maryville College has significantly impacted my career choice, and through my classes I learned that I had more of a passion for environmental and organismal biology,” said Bechman, who followed in the footsteps of her father, Daniel Bechman ’98, in becoming a Scot. “I thought I wanted to go to physician’s assistant school, but through my time at Maryville, I learned the importance of being able to understand the subject, and how I fell in love with biology once I began to really understand the intricacy of our world.
“My academic advisor, Dr. Dave Unger, pushed me academically and really believed in me. He fosters a classroom environment where if you really push yourself, you can and will succeed. My long-term goals are to inspire a love of science in my students and build relationships with them, and to have a happy, healthy family.”
Some graduates, such as Riley Jane Cook ’23, had to make tough decisions upon approaching the end of their Maryville College careers — simply because so many doors were opened for them. Cook, a criminal justice major from Maryville, was accepted into several law schools but ultimately chose to attend the Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law.
“After obtaining my juris doctorate, I want to join the United States military and become a judge advocate general officer,” Cook said. “I want to help our soldiers with legal issues and be able to provide advice. I would love to travel the world while helping our military personnel. The casework is diverse and unique, making me eager to join the JAG corps. I will constantly gain knowledge by cycling through 10 legal disciplines every few years.”
That ability to prepare for anything by studying everything, she pointed out, is a hallmark of her time at MC.
“While at Maryville College, I faced many obstacles that led me to change my major from biology to criminal justice,” she said. “I realized I did not want to work in healthcare, and Maryville College was very respectful regarding my choice to change majors. Once I transitioned to my new field of study, I was introduced to (the late) Dr. Regina Benedict, and she helped me decide to pursue a career in law.
“After Dr. Benedict passed away, I was concerned that the criminal justice department would dissipate. The following academic year, Dr. Rachel Ponder became the new professor of criminal justice and changed my life.”
Ponder, like a number of MC faculty members, approached academia with a passion for experiential learning and personal connection, and that made all the difference, Cook said.
“Dr. Ponder always teaches every viewpoint of a subject and not just her personal opinions,” she said. “I think of her as a friend and want to thank her for everything she has done for me. She is the true definition of what a professor should be.”
One of the hallmarks of a Maryville College education is that it opens students’ eyes to possibilities beyond what they thought possible when they first enrolled. Jace Brittain ’23 is one example: The business analytics major from Cherryville, North Carolina, came to MC as a football player and originally intended to work as a business analyst for a sports organization. While that’s still a possibility, landing a job with DENSO Manufacturing in Maryville has given him an alternative path, he said.
“I will be working as a business planning specialist for DENSO, and I will be involved with financial planning and analysis as part of the Business Planning division,” he said. “I had an idea of wanting to pursue a statistics or analytics degree, but I wasn’t sure about it until I took my Introduction to Statistics course. This course solidified my passion for statistics. Other courses in my degree also helped me to realize that I wanted to make this my career.”
From classroom instruction to internships to the football field, Maryville College provided him with a well-rounded experience that has set him up for future success, he added.
“Through internships, classes and everyday communication, Maryville College has helped me to grow as a person,” he said. “Through football, I have learned how to be a leader and how to handle high-pressure situations, and they have helped me develop into someone who is ready to take on the professional world.”
Not only that, but Maryville College introduced him to his future bride: Brittain and Kalli Knight ’23, a health and wellness promotion major from Maryville, will marry in September, and one month later, Knight will enroll in the Physician Assistant program at Lincoln Memorial University, where she’ll earn a master’s degree and certification as a surgical PA, she said.
“Maryville College is the reason why I have decided to pursue a career as a physician assistant,” she said. “I learned about LMU’s program through a Career Fair hosted by Maryville College. MC helped guide me in preparing for these plans by helping me get all of the credits I needed. There were a lot of requirements for PA school that did not line up with the classes I needed to graduate.
“My amazing advisor, Dr. Traci Haydu, sat down with me and helped me create my schedule every year to make sure I had all of the classes that I needed in order to apply for the program.”
Her specialty, she added, will be orthopedics. And while she and Brittain plan to remain in East Tennessee to stay close to family, she knows that wherever she goes, there’s a family of Scots with whom she shares an orange-and-garnet bond.
“I am so grateful for this school! I have formed lifelong friendships and was able to accomplish so many things during my time here,” she said. “I will always be proud to say that I’m a Maryville College alum! Go Scots!”
Abby Garrett ’23, a psychology (counseling track) major from Powell, Tennessee, is another Scot headed to graduate school. After she decided to enroll in East Tennessee State University’s clinical mental health counseling program, she celebrated with the staff of the Maryville College Career Center.
“This program is CACREP (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accredited, meaning that once I finish the program and pass the required exams to be licensed, I can become a licensed professional counselor in many states,” she said. “I plan to continue my career path of counseling and work primarily with youth and young adults in counseling settings. My long-term career plan/goal is to be an LPC (License Professional Counselor) and work as a counselor in my own practice someday.”
Maryville College, she added, fostered a love of learning that will serve her well in a counseling role where listening is a required skill set. Through the acquisition of knowledge at MC, she feels well-prepared for both graduate school and a subsequent career.
“I have learned a variety of lessons that I will carry with me throughout my lifetime,” she said. “Maryville College has given me an experience I will always cherish. I could not imagine going to a better college for me. A liberal arts institution is one of the highest quality educations anyone would be lucky to receive. I went into Maryville knowing I wanted to become a counselor, but I’m coming out more confident in myself and that decision because of the supportive professors, family, friends and staff. Maryville College is a place to learn, grow, and thrive when you have the right people by your side.”
And even though the journey has been rigorous, she added, the support was unwavering.
“Even though this type of education pushed us to limits we have never experienced before, we know that we are cared about,” she said. “Although any college could make improvements, I have felt safe, cared for and accommodated by many people that are the definition of the Maryville College community. We all strive to be better, and I believe I have seen so much growth in myself and my peers.”
Personal growth is a hallmark of the Maryville College undergraduate experience, and that held true for Craig Harville ’23, an elementary education major from Maryville, as well. As a legacy student — his mother, Karen Sidebottom Harville ’83, and brother, Kurtis Harville ’12 both graduated from MC — he thought he knew what to expect, but he was unprepared for the potential that awaited him.
“Coming into Maryville, I was very young in my faith and I had no idea how to grow it or what I was called to do,” he said. “I came into college pursuing a degree in music performance, but after about a year, I changed my mind. Through the Maryville College alumni network, I was able to get involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) which helped me grow and truly find myself. I was then mentored and given opportunities that helped me get to where I am today.”
As an elementary education major, he learned discipline for himself and how to instill it in others. His next step will be as a member of the Knoxville Fellows Program at Johnson University, where he’ll pursue a master’s degree in ethics and public leadership while working four days a week with city leaders and serving as a care coordinator at Knox Area Rescue Ministries.
“As a care coordinator, I will provide the relationships needed to ensure that our guests continue to move forward,” he said. “My duties will include assessing needs, creating a safe environment where God is at the center, and coordinating resources and referrals, all while helping them move toward sustainable independence. I am not entirely sure (of his long-term goals), but I have found a love for international ministry, specifically in church planting, so I am hoping to pursue a career in international ministries at some point. I also am starting the early stages of a clothing line and making a podcast on different perspectives of disciple-makers across the globe.”
Eden Hensley ’23, a psychology (counseling track) major from Knoxville, is another Scot graduate destined for more higher education: She’ll work toward a master’s of science in clinical social work (with a concentration in forensic work) at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where she’ll also work as part of a graduate assistantship in the university library.
“My long-term career goal is to become a counselor and work with adults who have experienced trauma or have been through the court system in any capacity,” she said. “I have a huge calling to help those who have been through hardships in their lives and support survivors of violence.”
Developmental psychology and counseling courses at Maryville College, as well as the faculty members who guided her along the way, played a huge role in shaping those career plans, she added.
“As a first-generation graduate, I was so unsure of what I wanted to do after I left MC,” she said. “Maryville College has provided a safe space to let me explore my options with professors, academic coaches and peers. If it wasn’t for the faculty, staff and my peers giving advice and different perspectives, I don’t think I would be where I am today. I am very grateful for the people who work so hard on this campus. I believe the most important thing about Maryville College is you have space to grow as an individual even through the hard classes and experiences.”
For Will Hubbell ’23, a finance/accounting major from Powder Springs, Georgia, those experiences came in many forms: the baseball field, where he played as a member of the College’s team; the classroom; and events like the annual Career Fair, organized by the MC Career Center.
“This is where I secured my internship with (accounting firm) Rodefer Moss during my junior year and now it will be my full-time job after graduation,” he said. “I will be working as an audit associate, (and) I will be performing such tasks as assisting in drafting reports and initiating tests of financial activity, providing insight of account balances, and managing internal audit functions and procedures.”
Eventually, he added, he wants to go on to obtain his master’s degree in accounting and work as a certified public accountant.
“Maryville College has influenced my career choice because of the friends that I have made,” he said. “I have made friends that have similar career goals like myself, and I will also be working at Rodefer Moss with another Maryville College alumnus.”
Others, like Shelby Isbill ’23 — a developmental psychology (child trauma and resilience track) major from Vonore, Tennessee — relied on the guidance and encouragement of faculty members that helped her discover her path. When she first came to MC, she said, she started out as a biochemistry major.
“I started at Maryville lost about what I would do for the future,” she said. “Through professors like Dr. Karen Beale and Dr. Ariane Schratter, I found that I wanted to work with kids and their families. It was in Dr. Schratter’s class that I found Family Promise, and knew I wanted to at least intern with them.”
Family Promise of Blount County, part of a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to ending family homelessness, gave her an internship opportunity during her senior year, and she plans to stay on with the organization after graduation.
“Family Promise works with families on getting resources such as food, shelter, clothing, etc. as well as helping them budget, fill out job applications and more until they can get back on their feet,” she said. “I don’t know what my true long-term goals are, but I hope to grow in the Family Promise organization. As long as I am helping people, I will be happy with it.”
A great many MC graduates develop hearts for service during their time on campus, and that service can take many forms. For Mackenzie Lamb ’23, a chemistry major from Powell, long-term career goals are still murky, but a lifelong love of learning where chemistry is concerned has led her thoughts to a couple of options, she said.
“The first is working as an organic chemist within a drug discovery company, where I would develop new drugs and optimize current ones to have better biological and environmental impacts,” she said. “The second path is teaching at the undergraduate level. Depending on the size and rank of the institution, I would be able to continue research, which is something I never want to give up, while also teaching the upcoming generation of scientists. I served as a supplemental instruction leader for organic chemistry at Maryville College, and I found that I really enjoyed teaching.”
Whichever path she chooses, it will lead through Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where she’ll work toward a Ph.D. in organic chemistry. She chose the school because of its emphasis on structural chemistry and chemical biology in the program.
“As a student aspiring to be an organic chemist with interests in total synthesis, natural products and drug discovery, programs and research groups focused on the interface of organic and medicinal chemistry are ideal for me,” she said. “Maryville College has been a great undergraduate institution that has provided me with a very well-rounded education and invaluable experiences that have allowed me to discover my specific interests and career goals in the field of chemistry.
“Within the chemistry department at Maryville College, I have taken on very rigorous courses, worked on independent research projects, one of which serves as my undergraduate senior thesis (Bioconversion of Terpenes by Yeast During Fermentation, awarded Exemplary Senior Study); written a grant proposal to the Appalachian College Association to fund my research; and have been trained to use proton NMR, carbon NMR, gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, as well as many laboratory skills centered around analytical technique, separatory methods, and organic synthesis.
“I fully believe that the experiences and successes I have had at Maryville College not only separate me from other undergraduates, but have also extensively prepared me for graduate studies at Vanderbilt,” she added.
Lamb is just one example of a Maryville College graduate with an impressive undergraduate pedigree. Haylee Marsh ’23, a developmental psychology (child trauma and resilience track), began her internship with the United States Secret Service during her time as a Scot, and she’ll continue it as she enrolls at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee, to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling.
“Dr. Kathie Shiba helped me find the opportunity in the spring of 2022 and I have been working there since then,” she said. “Through my studies, I have found that my counseling classes were always my favorite. I noticed that I was doing overly well in those specific classes, and it made me realize that I should pursue it deeper.”
Given Carson-Newman’s proximity to East Tennessee, she’ll be able to remain in her hometown and serve as a cheerleading coach in the Alcoa community. Thanks to her time at Maryville College, she said, the possibilities are endless.
“I hope that I can take my coaching skills to a higher level one day, while also pursuing counseling,” she said. “Maryville College has given me insight into the many diverse populations, cultures and lifestyles that people encounter on a daily basis. I have a deeper understanding of ethics and what reality really is like due to our practical learning experiences. I feel well-equipped to tackle what my future has for me.”
The connection between Maryville College and the natural wonders of East Tennessee will lead other graduates to stick around the area after graduation. Although he came to MC from Canada, outdoor studies and tourism major Matthew Quizi ’23 has thrown himself into the College’s mission to produce graduates “of and for the region.”
“I’ll be continuing my role at Ober Mountain as a wildlife keeper,” said Quizi, referring to the mountainside amusement park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. “Some of the things that I will be doing is performing daily husbandry duties for a collection of native wildlife including American black bears, river otters, bobcats, fox, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, snakes, turtles and raptors. I’ll also be providing education to guests on general biology and ecology of Smoky Mountain wildlife and developing methods for animal enrichment and education programs.”
Working with critters is a far cry from his original career goal, working as a physiotherapist. Maryville College, he added, “opened his eyes” to the ways that studying everything truly prepared him for anything.
“Being involved in campus events and taking courses in a wide variety of topics allowed me to explore and discover my true passions,” he said. “Every day at Maryville College has been a learning experience for me. From organizing classes to managing my social life, my time at Maryville College has taught me life skills that gave me the confidence to take on anything I set out to do.
“As of right now, I don’t have any long-term career goals. I really enjoy where I am at and the direction that my career is going, but I’m taking everything one step at a time and I know if I capitalize on opportunities and put as much passion into what I do as possible, I’ll be looking back with a smile. As an international student and athlete, I’ve never felt like I’ve been provided more resources and support groups to succeed and become the best possible version of myself.”
Sarah Rackley ’23, a sociology major from Forest, Virginia, echoes those sentiments. The more she got involved in campus activities and programs, she said, the more she began to realize that working in higher education is her career goal. She plans to enroll in the College Student Personnel Master’s Program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, serving as the graduate assistant for the UTK Pride Center during her two years there.
“My long-term career goals are in student affairs, specifically in programming and leadership development in students and in student organizations,” she said. “Maryville College is the entire reason for this choice in career paths. I have been involved in the Student Programming Board (SPB) — and served as president this past academic year — for the past three years as well as being a (resident advisor) and involved in the Student Government Association.
“SPB specifically, and the staff with whom I got to work in all of these areas, showed me the importance of these programs and the staff who run them. SPB gave me a purpose and a place at Maryville and I hope to make that experience true for other students in the future.”
Danielle Ransom ’23, a neuroscience major from Saint Cloud, Florida, will return to the Sunshine State to accept a full-time medical assistant position with OBGYN Associates of Central Florida, where she’ll work while also attending nursing school at Rasmussen University in North Orlando. Working with physicians to schedule appointments and interact with patients will be good preparation, she said, for the accelerated secondary bachelor’s program at Rasmussen where she’ll pursue a nursing degree.
“My career goals are to stay working in the healthcare industry,” she said. “I have fallen in love with obstetrics and gynecology. My hopes are to become a labor and delivery nurse or to work in either a pediatric ICU or neonatal ICU. I have a deep love of working with children and hope to continue my career helping them.
“Maryville College helped to guide my career path with the courses that were offered to me while doing my minor, which is health and wellness.
“A lot of my courses were nutrition-based or covered anatomy and physiology, and I even took a pediatric physiology course that really strengthened my love of children. Before coming to MC, I had a rough idea of the field I wanted to go into, but these specific courses and professors opened my eyes to the right path.”
And, she added, she’s found her voice — literally. Public speaking once terrified her, but her undergraduate experience taught her to face her fears, overcome them with encouragement and embrace them as strengths.
“Maryville College has helped shape the student and the adult that I am today, and I am forever grateful for the time I have spent here,” she said.
“Doing good on the largest possible scale” often involves encouraging undergraduates to explore ways to assist the marginalized and helpless, children being one example. Like Ransom, Laura Grace Russell ’23 — an American Sign Language-Deaf Studies and psychology double major from Liberty Township, Ohio — has a passion for working with kids, and she’ll be headed to Cincinnati, Ohio, to work as a full-time caseworker with Warren County Child Protective Services.
“I will work with children in the community who have faced great life challenges such as abuse, neglect and things of that nature,” she said. “My long-term goals are to be a light in the community and to be a voice for the children who may not be able to speak up and speak out. I want to be the change in the world I want to see, and Maryville College has certainly influenced that.
“The psychology department completely changed my view, in particular Dr. Schratter’s classes. Maryville College has prepared me in many ways, and I have gained a well-rounded education from this institution that I am very proud to be graduating from.”
Haly Scott ’23, a sociology major from Cookeville, Tennessee, had an opportunity to join Lamb at Vanderbilt University, but she ultimately chose the other clinical mental health counseling master’s program that offered her a slot, and she’ll begin her studies at the University of Tennessee in June.
“It’s a two-year program, including coursework, a semester internship and a year-long practicum in the counseling field,” she said. “After completing my master’s program, I plan to work in the mental health field, likely within a nonprofit organization, until I finish the clinical supervision hours that are needed to sit for the licensure exam.
“Once I become a licensed professional counselor, I hope to gain more experience in the field and eventually open a private practice and/or non-profit organization. My goal is to work with families and children from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly low-income and poverty-level communities. I want to be a mental health and child advocate; I hope to break the mental health stigma and be a voice for vulnerable children.”
Her desire to do so, she added, stems from her personal experiences. As a first-generation college student and a McGill Scholar, she entered MC determined to eventually earn a Ph.D. Faculty and staff members, she said, helped her see that it’s possible and set her up on a path to do so — while also encouraging her to embrace self-care as well. All of those things, she said, led to her career path.
“MC has taught me how to ask important questions, have challenging conversations, and ask for help,” she said. “I would not be where I am if I did not know what questions to ask or who to ask them to. I was not afraid to say I needed help reaching my goals, and luckily, MC has great people who are willing to go out of their way to help you when you ask for it.”
Asking for help, she added, is necessary for both college survival and personal wellness. And providing help, other students came to understand during their time at MC, can be equally beneficial. Angela Stolpe ’23, a sociology major from Knoxville, plans to continue working as the affordable housing coordinator for United Way of Blount County after graduation. With a heart for nonprofit work who came to MC as a nontraditional student, what she discovered were ways to better serve others in a rewarding career, she said.
“I honestly didn’t know what to expect other than getting my degree while I was here,” she said. “Instead, I developed friendships and resources through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and Certified Nonprofit Professional program that I could not have predicted. I developed new leadership competencies and confidence in my skills that I hadn’t found before.
“Through the sociology department, Center for Community Engagement, and TRIO program, I developed a new appreciation for the mentorship and advising that have supported and guided me throughout my time at Maryville College and I have no doubt will continue after graduation.”
Her role with United Way of Blount County, she added, will involve helping coordinate with government, businesses, investors and other nonprofits to create a 10-year plan that supports the needs of Blount County residents and addresses the affordable housing crisis locally. She plans to enroll at Furman University for the fall 2024 in order to take part in the school’s graduate program in equity and advocacy, she added.
“I would like to continue to do public policy and advocacy work,” she said. “I also hope to find myself teaching at the community college level to support accessible education. If I were to give a piece of advice to other nontraditional students coming into a more traditional college experience: say YES to all of the opportunities. And then be willing to do the work that that opportunity affords you. Don’t disqualify yourself before you’ve had an opportunity to experience everything that a campus like Maryville College has to offer.”
Lily Winebarger ’23, a psychology (counseling track) major from Brentwood, Tennessee, is yet another Scot preparing to leap into another educational track. Beginning in June, she’ll begin the clinical mental health master’s program at the University of Tennessee.
“My long-term career goal is to get my license to become a therapist for LGBTQ+ youth and for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” she said. “I didn’t think I wanted to be a counselor until I took theories of counseling with Dr. Nikki Hilton (former professor of psychology). She asked me why I wasn’t already doing the counseling track at Maryville and after thinking about it, I realized it’s something I actually really love and came naturally to me.
“She encouraged me, and that made me more confident in my skills to be able to get into a master’s program and pursue counseling as a career. I was lucky enough to have the option of taking counseling courses during my time as an undergraduate, which not everyone has the chance to do. So I am walking into the master’s program with confidence in my ability to do the work well, thanks to senior thesis and comprehensive exams that prepared me for anything they could possibly throw at me in my graduate coursework.”