Mary Denlinger stepped into the role of Executive Director this past June, bringing not only 20+ years of experience, but also a friendly face and passion for service to Madison House. When she’s not in the office or with community partners, Mary can be found trying local restaurants, hiking and camping in the woods, or spending time with family and friends. Now that Mary has been in the position for a few months, already making a lasting impact on students and the organization, we caught up with her for a quick Q&A to learn more about her.

Where are you from? What did you do before working here?

I am from West Virginia, so I am happiest around mountains! I had many adventures in this field before coming to Madison House. I started out at JMU as a graduate student receiving my Master of Education in College Student Personnel Administration. I had an amazing assistantship experience at JMU’s Community Engagement & Volunteer Center that solidified my career path. After graduating, I went out west to Gonzaga’s Center for Community Engagement for three years before heading to Elon University’s Kernodle Center for Civic Life for another three years. Next was Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and then George Mason’s Arlington Fellows Program. In 2019, we moved back to the area and I returned to JMU to support community-engaged faculty the past 5 years.

I learned so much from each center, and I wouldn't be here without the incredible supervisors, students, and colleagues I've worked with along the way. I'm standing on the shoulders of several trailblazers in the field who have mentored me, colleagues who've become dear friends, and a family who has always supported me. I'm only 5 feet, 2 inches tall, so their boost makes all the difference!

What has been your favorite city or town so far?

I did a national search for my first job after graduate school and ended up in Spokane, Washington at Gonzaga University. I moved across the country in my VW Beetle with belongings and books packed in every crevice, Tetris style. I was homesick, but I loved the Pacific Northwest!

Our current home in Crozet, Virginia, is also a favorite. We are surrounded by mountains, orchards, and hiking trails and can be on the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive in less than 15 minutes.

What drew you to the public service field?

I grew up in a service-oriented family and volunteered throughout my early years. During undergrad, I worked with an international nonprofit focused on cross-sector solutions for sustainable development. As an International Studies major, I was also able to participate in two study abroad programs. I was awestruck by the power of experiential education and how much it enhanced what I was learning in the classroom. I wanted to facilitate similar experiences for other college students. In graduate school I changed my focus from global to local, and the rest is history.

What brought you to Madison House?

I was drawn to Madison House by the storied tradition of student leadership and positive community impact. It’s an incredible history spanning more than 50 years. I’ve been impressed by the scope of programming, the wide range of opportunities, and the sheer number of students involved. Our student leaders are by far Madison House’s biggest asset.

Can you describe your role here?

The Executive Director role gives me the opportunity to interact with all Madison House stakeholders - students, community partners, board members, donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and University administration. I work with our phenomenal staff and board to operationalize our vision and ensure that students have the skills and resources they need to bring our mission to life in the community.

So, speaking of vision, what is your vision for the future?

My top priority is securing a sustainable future for Madison House, so we can be a cornerstone of the UVA experience and Charlottesville community for another 50 years. Looking forward, we envision a thriving culture of community engagement at UVA that amplifies community voices, advances community strengths, and prepares our graduates to co-create a more just and sustainable world.

I’m excited to collaborate with other UVA units working toward this shared vision. With Public Service Pathways now located at Madison House, we have a great opportunity to work together and build synergy.

At Madison House, we are focused on enhancing our student leader training and refining the volunteer placement process. Additionally, we are working towards a more comprehensive needs assessment and evaluation process for our community partners, enabling us to better understand their priorities and measure our impact in addressing them.

What do you see Madison House’s role at UVA/in Cville to be?

Our role has two key dimensions of equal importance. First, we cultivate partnerships between students and community organizations to address community-identified priorities. Second, we enrich the educational experience of UVA students and prepare citizen leaders to make a lifelong commitment to their communities. It is this combination of community impact and experiential learning that transforms the lives of students and empowers them to use their skills and disciplines for the greater good.

What’s your favorite Charlottesville restaurant?

How many can I name?! Continental Divide, Tavola, Lampo, and The Local. Thyme and Co. reminds me of my Grandpa's Lebanese cooking. I also love El Tio Restaurant y Tienda for Salvadoran food.

By Cecilia Murphy