The Board of Directors of Madison House, the independent volunteer center for students at the University of Virginia, is pleased to announce that Mary Denlinger has been named the organization’s new Executive Director. With a wealth of experience in community engagement and a passion for student development, Mary brings a dynamic vision to further enhance the impact and reach of Madison House within both the University of Virginia and the surrounding community.

Mary joins Madison House with more than 20 years of experience in volunteer management, curricular development, and leadership in higher education. She has previously served in key roles connecting students to community-engaged learning opportunities at James Madison University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, Elon University, and Gonzaga University.

Sherri Moore, Co-chair of the Board of Directors, expressed excitement for the future of Madison House under Denlinger's leadership, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Mary to Madison House. Her proven track record of developing and sustaining community partnerships that enhance student learning and address essential community needs aligns perfectly with the culture of public service at UVA and our commitment to developing lifelong citizen leaders. We look forward to seeing Madison House flourish under her guidance."

In anticipation of assuming the role, Mary shared her own excitement, saying, "I am drawn to Madison House by the impressive student leadership, compelling spirit of service, and long-standing commitment to community partnerships. I am looking forward to advancing the organization’s storied tradition of student empowerment and positive community impact."

Furthermore, Louis Nelson, UVA Vice Provost for Academic Outreach and Madison House board member, expressed enthusiasm about collaborative opportunities ahead, remarking, "Madison House has been a valuable partner to the Public Service Pathways program in our efforts to provide meaningful service and experiential learning opportunities for all UVA students. With Mary at the helm of Madison House, I am confident that our partnership will continue to grow, enabling us to expand the vibrant community of engaged student leaders committed to making a positive impact locally and globally."

Mary succeeds Interim Executive Director Wayne Cozart, former Executive Director of The Jefferson Trust and Vice President of Development at the University of Virginia Alumni Association. Denlinger will officially assume the role of Executive Director at Madison House on June 10, 2024. She looks forward to engaging with students, staff, faculty, and community partners to advance Madison House’s mission of fostering service, leadership, and civic engagement.