Maryville College gives back: An MC community health class spends fall semester partnering with Blount County to meet the area’s needs
Nov. 25, 2025
In partnership with the Blount County Community Action Agency (BCCAA), Maryville College students enrolled in a community health course this semester have spent the last three months dedicating themselves to giving back to the Blount County community.
In just a semester-long course, the class — PRH (Professional in Human Resources)-336, a community health class for students of junior and senior standing — has provided food, mobility assistance and bridged numerous gaps between Maryville College and the Blount County community.
“The overarching goal of this course is to understand the practical application of health and wellness at the community level,” Savanna Evans Gregory ’20, visiting lecturer of Health and Wellness Promotion and instructor of the class, said. “This course covers topics from understanding what services communities need to improve well-being, all the way to program planning, implementation and evaluation.”
Gregory’s class has partnered with numerous Blount County community members and organizations, including Tammye Pirie, the executive director of the BCCAA; Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee; and the Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless.
“When partnerships such as these are established, both sides benefit,” Gregory said. “The students gain applicable experiences and knowledge while also contributing to the organization that they are working within.”
As part of the partnership with BCCAA, Pirie spent several days talking to the students about the BCCAA, covering topics such as the organization’s structure, governance and funding, in addition to how administrators identify community needs and offer programs in response, as well as the strengths of those responses and the challenges faced in meeting overwhelming demand.
Students also had the opportunity to spend time within the organization, learning about the nutrition services offered through the Smoky Mountain Meals on Wheels program.
Earlier this month, the class assisted in preparing 525 Thanksgiving meals for seniors within Blount County, and they also assisted with the facilitation of the Scots Support Scots Food Drive on campus, according to Gregory.
“This class introduced me to the idea of becoming a registered dietitian for a nonprofit,” Aili King ‘26, said. “It never occurred to me that some nonprofits that distribute food or make meals have dieticians on staff, but I was told about it in this class. I have met various incredible community health leaders and have made some incredible connections that I know will help me in my professional career down the road.
“This class has also given me the opportunity to get involved in the community around me, which has been so special because I am not from here.”
Apart from providing Blount County with food, PHR-336 students also have plans to build a wheelchair ramp for those in need.
“The wheelchair ramp will be the final project for this class,” Gregory said. “This is part of the SAFER Homes program through the BCCAA. We will be working with a contractor on this project, and it will be built at a residential home within the community.”
This course — as well as the good it’s doing for underserved members of the Blount County community — will continue next year.
“Next fall, when this course is offered again, it will be revamped so that students engage in a semester-long partnership with a community organization, such as the BCCAA,” Gregory said. “This partnership will conclude with students assisting in the planning and facilitation of an event within the organization. So big things to come next year!”
The students involved have gained a love for community service, and through their connection with BCCAA, an outlet to help make a change in Blount County.
“Community-engaged courses are great for so many reasons,” Gregory said. “They offer students the opportunity to have practical application of the coursework and enhance learning by translating their skills and knowledge from class discussions to application within an organization. This elicits a level of understanding that cannot be achieved from a classroom setting alone.”
Even after just one semester, the students have already gained knowledge about the Blount County community and built connections that will last a lifetime.
“I love helping others,” King said. “I love getting to know new people, and I have been blessed in my life, so I enjoy giving my time to help others. Maryville College tells us to ‘do good on the largest possible scale,’ and I believe helping in the community fulfills that call.”
— Written by McKenna Marr ’28
