Grad schools, jobs and study abroad among impressive next steps for Class of 2026
May 29, 2026
Their May 9 Commencement ceremony is a memory now, but the “commencement” part — the new beginning — is fully underway for members of the Class of 2026. A range of opportunities are in front of these newest alumni: Many will join the workforce, many will continue their education in graduate or professional schools, some will start internships or apprenticeships, while others are still considering offers. Many will move to other states for work or study, while a few will move to other countries.
Dr. Niklas Trzaskowski, director of the College’s Career Center, said the College is very intentional in preparing students for those next steps after graduation. Strong academic preparation combined with career preparation that is integrated into the curriculum sets students apart from their peers at other institutions — and sets them up for success, he said.
“Many of our majors require internships, which allow students to explore potential career paths,” he said. “And we take great pride in our ability to bring employers and graduate programs to campus, allowing students to connect directly with individuals who can share insight into potential opportunities.
“This past academic year alone, we hosted a combined total of more than 90 unique employers, graduate programs and other organizations through career fairs, tabling events, and other programs, with several organizations visiting our beautiful campus multiple times,” he added.
As spring semester classes ended, the Career Center surveyed seniors to learn of post-graduation plans and ask how the College had successfully prepared them. Below is a sample of responses.
“We are fully aware that these represent only a portion of the wonderful opportunities our students go into immediately following graduation,” Trzaskowski said.
Justice Breazeale
Major: Psychology
Next stop: Pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and earning a licensure for counseling.
Ultimate career goal: Working as a therapist in the recovery field, eventually becoming director of a recovery program for persons fighting addictions or opening his own practice.
Preparation at MC: “I think my coursework has given me an advantage, but I would say the main thing is networking. Being able to reach out and meet people and connect with more has led me to a lot more opportunities.”
Sam Cocchia
Majors: Exercise Science and Biology
Next stop: Pursuing a master’s degree in sports management at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Ultimate career goal: Either law school or a Ph.D. in sports management. With a law degree, he will be equipped to become a sports agent; with a Ph.D., he will be qualified for sports consulting.
Preparation at MC: “I think my internship with [Assistant Athletic Director for Communications] Jake Woods and the Athletic Department really gave me an insight into what the sports world is. And it was just a lot of fun getting to gain some experience and meet lots of cool people.”
Josh Cornell
Majors: Political Science and Environmental Studies
Next stop: Pursing a master’s degree in public policy (MPP) (concentration in agriculture and environmental policy) at the Baker School of Public Policy at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Ultimate career goal: Policy analyst in local or state government, then he’ll “see where that takes” him.
Preparation at MC: “A lot of the courses in the political science department have a good focus on public policy and public service aspects. Those were the big things that really got me interested in public policy as a career path. Through events like the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature and the student government association, I really developed a huge interest in state and local government, making that a viable career path for me in the future.”
Jordan Crain
Major: Biochemistry
Next stop: Pursuing a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Auburn University.
Ultimate career goal: To become a medicinal chemist and develop new drugs that improve human health.
Preparation at MC: “I believe that Maryville College has prepared me for my post-graduation goals by giving me valuable research and laboratory experience while also strengthening my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills and experiences were developed through courses relevant to my major, as well as through research internships and other research opportunities.”
Joe Cummings
Major: Finance/Accounting
Next stop: Work with Bugs Be Gone, a pest control company in Nashville.
Ultimate career goal: To grow the business, which belongs to his family.
Preparation at MC: “Communication and networking with others because that’s a lot of what the job requires. Many of the classes here have helped me do that.”
Andre Darko
Major: Political Science
Next stop: Studying public policy with a specialization in digital politics and governance at the University of Erfurt in Germany.
Ultimate career goal: To become a policy analyst or researcher.
Preparation at MC: “I think the two biggest things that this college provided me with are the political science courses that I’ve taken in public policy and international politics and the study abroad program. The courses helped me decide on this track. The study abroad program opened me up to different grad school opportunities outside the U.S.”
Haley Daughtery
Major: Psychology (Counseling track)
Next stop: Pursuing a master’s degree in counseling (clinical mental health counseling concentration) at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Ultimate career goal: To become a counselor or therapist.
Preparation at MC: “Both of my internships have helped a lot. I had an internship with the counseling center on campus, and then one in the neuroscience lab, which gave me more experience in the research world.”
Ella Haney
Major: Exercise Science
Next stop: Pursuing a doctorate of physical therapy at Samford University in Alabama.
Ultimate career goal: To become a physical therapist in either in pediatrics or sports.
Preparation at MC: “I think my major in Exercise Science helped me get all my pre-requisites, and faculty were so willing to write letters of recommendations. I had a lot of patient hours myself as an athlete in physical therapy, but my internship at High Hopes Development Center last summer really solidified that this is what I want to do. There, I was a therapy tech at a pediatric clinic and really got immersed in it all – PT, OT, speech therapy, feeding therapy.”
Mariam Jaber
Major: Sociology
Next stop: Pursuing a dual master of science in social work and master of legal studies (MSSW/MLS) degree at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Ultimate career goal: To work with children and families facing trauma and hardship.
Preparation at MC: “The Bonner Scholars program gave me the opportunity to serve children and families, and then also my child trauma and resilience courses through the minor that I completed (Psychology) prepared me.”
Aryssa Kelsey
Major: Psychology
Next stop: Pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Tennessee Tech.
Ultimate career goal: To become a licensed therapist.
Preparation at MC: “Maryville College’s Graduate School and Continuing Education Fair really opened my eyes to all the possibilities at Tennessee Tech that I could pursue. And then all the coursework and related assignments really prepared me for what I’m going to be doing at Tech, and they also really built me up as a person.”
Bonnie Lauderback
Major: Health and Wellness Promotion
Next stop: Pursuing a master’s degree in clinical health psychology and well-being at Middlesex University in London, England.
Ultimate career goal: To become a sports psychologist and help athletes return to play.
Preparation at MC: “My advisor, Dr. [Jennifer] Oody, has really helped me understand the correct trajectory and role I wanted to go in. I came to Maryville for nursing and then switched to more psychology based off my thesis, which was on sports psychology and the effects of injury on athletes’ return to play and the mental status of it. The thesis really helped propel me into the correct field.”
Jorge Estrada Martinez
Majors: Mathematics and Computer Science
Next stop: Studying mechanical materials engineering at Queens University in Ontario, Canada.
Ultimate career goal: To make affordable prosthetic devices for people who have limited resources.
Preparation at MC: “I feel like the coding classes I’ve taken in special algorithms is going to help me program the robotic prosthetics that I want to develop. And for the Math Department, I feel like differential equations have helped me develop my math skills.”
Audrey Rivera
Major: Writing Communication
Next stop: 10th grade English Teacher at Nurses Middle College in Nashville, Tennessee, through Teach for America; also earning provisional teaching licensure and master’s degree of education at Lipscomb University (funded through AmeriCorps).
Ultimate career goal: A career of writing or teaching others to write, or a combination of both. Audrey wants to use her voice to help others develop their voices, “especially for people whose voices are generally unheard,” so that they can advocate for themselves propel themselves forward.
Preparation at MC: “I was consistently exposed to intensive environments for writing practice and advanced types of materials to read and respond to, and different courses where critical thinking was required in my writing. I think that this foundation helped me become someone who can read deeply and write well with the voice that I’ve developed across the different classes that I’ve had. Also, something that’s been really major for me is my relationship with different professors, faculty and staff, as well as my involvement in the Bonner program. I have been able to connect with a wide range of voices, and I feel equipped to connect with anybody I teach or come across in my writing career. Another thing that has contributed to the development of my writing is my time on the campus newspaper, the Highland Echo.”
Owen Sacks
Majors: Finance/Accounting
Next stop: Pursuing an MBA at Samford University in Alabama and playing football there in the summer.
Ultimate career goal: To get into accounting and possibly earn a CPA certification.
Preparation at MC: “I think Maryville College has done a really good job of preparing me mentally and helped me with my communication skills, as I’ve taken a lot of core courses, as well as specialized classes in accounting.”
Kylie Wilhelmi
Major: Finance/Accounting
Next Stop: Internship in auditing with Cherry Bekaert in Nashville.
Ultimate career goal: To advance in her career and continue learning and growing.
Preparation at MC: “With the liberal arts education, I’ve become educated about so many different parts of life that I would not have ever known about, and the College grows you as a person and not just as a student, especially being a part of a volleyball program and having work-study in the Career Center. I’ve had so many outlets to continue to learn and grow and add to my skills other than just being an athlete and a student.”
