At Maryville, we know students’ success is shaped by the educational experiences that begin well before college. As part of our commitment to students’ lifelong learning journeys, the University builds partnerships with numerous community organizations to expand access and opportunity for all.
A longtime partner is the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. Maryville has brought the University’s successful life coaching model into the K-12 space through its work with Club members and staff. Maryville’s life coaching team hosts half-day professional development workshops where Club staff use learning diagnostic tools to assess their strengths and explore how they can best apply those attributes when working with students.
Members of Maryville’s life coaching team also host workshops for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade Club members at Southeast Middle School in Hazelwood, Missouri. Each workshop includes identifying and discussing the students’ strengths and introducing careers in emerging technologies like data science, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Additionally, Club members who are approaching their junior and senior years and who are interested in attending college after high school graduation participate in an overnight college immersion experience. The program is held on the Maryville campus and includes activities that resemble those offered during the school year such as participation in a mock University Seminary course and sessions about time management and study skills.
“We appreciate Maryville University’s ongoing partnership and commitment to our youth members,” said Flint W. Fowler, PhD, president of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. “The University is helping to equip our children and teens with the skills needed to flourish in the areas of technology and STEM, while prepping them for life after high school. On-campus and club-site experiences like robotics, college immersion programs and life coaching have transformed our post-secondary readiness efforts. We are also grateful for the scholarship opportunities and tuition support made available to our graduating seniors. We look forward to continuing to work together in order to build great futures for students.”
In honor of our growing partnership, Maryville announced that Fowler will join the University’s board of trustees later this year. His strategic leadership will help Maryville continue to lead a revolution in higher education.