After receiving a scholarship toward her degree and career goals in foreign affairs, MTSU sophomore Hannah Solima of Smyrna, Tennessee, was even more convinced of the benefit’s of the University’s MT Engage curriculum program.

“The outside classroom experience really does help with your education, and how you learn and overall growth as a person,” said Solima, a University Honors College triple major who’s had multiple study abroad experiences in pursuit of degrees in French, International Relations, and Criminal Justice with a Homeland Security concentration as well as a minor in German.

MT Engage, the university’s latest Quality Enhancement Plan now finishing its third year, announced Solima as the overall winner as well several other winners of its scholarships at the second annual spring reception held April 4 in the Student Union Ballroom.

Scholarship applicants were required to create an e-Portfolio presentation to submit with their application. The e-Portfolio serves as an electronic record, created by students throughout their academic journey, that helps reflect on their learning experiences while also marketing them toward a career path or graduate degree.

“I put a lot of work into that e-Portfolio, a lot of hours,” said Solima, who wants to eventually become a foreign service officer with the U.S. government or perhaps become a professional with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. “It feels incredible to be recognized for all of the hard work I’ve put in.”

Launched in fall 2016, the goals of MT Engage include fostering a culture of engaged learning and integrative thinking, enhancing student satisfaction with that learning, and increasing student retention and graduation rates.

Since the program started, it has attracted almost 21,000 students in MT Engage classes, with a current enrollment of close 9,400 students this academic year across 474 course sections.

Students sign in before receiving free T-shirts April during the 2019 Spring MT Engage Reception in the Student Union Ballroom. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Other scholarship winners included:

• Alaa Mohammed and Gabriella Morin from the College of Basic and Applied Sciences.

• Alyssa Poythress and Rachel Woeltje from the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

• Keturah Smith from the College of Education.

• Meredith Craig and Ella Denney from the College of Liberal Arts.

• Briann McGriff and Samantha Stafford from the College of Media and Entertainment.

• Kaushal Patel and Quintonique Poitier from the Jones College of Business.

To be eligible, scholarship winners had to have passed two or more MT Engage courses, attended an e-Portfolio training, have minimum GPA of 2.75, completed 60 hours of coursework and be current students in good academic standing. The scholarships are valued at $6,000 over four semesters.

Also showcased at the reception were displays created by students in MTSU’s Reading History Initiative, a signature university program that links reading and U.S. history courses for incoming freshmen who need additional literacy skills. Becky McIntyre, associate research professor in the Department of History, coordinates the program.

University Provost Mark Byrnes, left, congratulates Jones College of Business student Kaushal Patel for winning a scholarship during the 2019 Spring MT Engage Reception held April 4 in the Student Union Ballroom. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, is a requirement by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACSCOC, the regional accreditation body for higher education institutions in the South.

MT Engage Director Mary Hoffschwelle applauded all of the students who participate in the program, which focuses on integrative learning.

Dr. Mary S. Hoffschwelle

“We are so pleased with how MT Engage is progressing. The involvement of faculty and students has been outstanding, beyond our expectations,” Hoffschwelle said.

“When we see the work these students do in these courses, it is a great reminder … of how much our students can do if we give them a chance to become involved in their own learning process, a chance to reflect on that learning process, and then make connections between the different learning experiences.”

Students attending the reception received a free MT Engage T-shirt. The event also featured displays from MT Engage students participating in the Reading History Initiative, an MTSU program that links reading and U.S. history courses for college freshman who require additional literacy skills.

Featured speaker for the event was last year’s overall winner, Caroline Parker, a senior majoring in history with a double minor in English and Russian. Also addressing students at the reception were Hoffschwelle, Provost Mark Byrnes and Faye Johnson, assistant to the university provost for special initiatives. Academic college deans or representatives also attended.

The MT Engage staff includes Hoffschwelle, Assistant Director Lexy Denton and Assessment Coordinator Scott McDaniel.

The office is located in the James Union Building, Room 306. Call 615-898-2761 or 615-904-8281 for more information or go to www.mtsu.edu/mtengage.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)

Scholarship winners announced at the 2019 Spring MT Engage Reception, held April 4 in the Student Union Ballroom, pose for a photo. Pictured front row are, from left, Ayssa Poythress, Samantha Stafford, overall winner Hannah Solima, Gabriella Morin, Quintonique Poitier and Ella Denney. On the back row are, from left, Kaushal Patel, Meredith Craig, Briann McGriff, Keturah Smith and Alaa Mohammed. Not pictured is winner Rachel Woeltje. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Students participating in the Reading History Initiative showcase= their displays April 4 during the 2019 Spring MT Engage Reception in the Student Union Ballroom. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)