Learn how Maryville University’s Department of Residential Life helps develop student
leaders and engage their entire campus using RLC’s unique communication feature.

With a focus on technology, a growing Gen Z student population and a constant goal to engage students in innovative ways, it’s easy to see why Maryville University sought out a streaming platform for its residents. But like everything they offer students, the service needed to go beyond entertainment and offer true value. “When I first became a director, one of the things we look at on campus – and with residential life – is how to best reach our students,” said Maryville Director of Residence Life Ryan McDonnell. “With video streaming becoming more prevalent, what Swank offers is exactly what we were looking for: a way to get into our students’ lives that’s not typical. There is a lot of media coming at students in different directions and Swank allows us to customize our approach to what students need and meet them where they are at.”

After McDonnell brought RLC to Maryville, he ensured the entire program was utilized – not just the films. One feature, in particular, provided great value to housing leaders and the campus as a whole by helping them connect to students: Campus Clips. Short videos or slides that play before content on the streaming site, Campus Clips allow the school to broadcast important messages to students in a way that’s relevant to them. Residential Life Coordinator Jennifer Susnic appreciates the fact the clips can be personalized depending on what you’re trying to relay to your audience. “We like to assign the clips to a category of films,” shared Susnic. “So for Black History Month, we’ll add films featuring black casts, about black right issues, etc. and then add clips to play before those films related to Black History Month in order to tie everything together.”

In terms of their creation, the housing leaders decided RAs should be the ones to spearhead the clips’ conception and execution. “I – being in a professional role – am not quite sure what’s most intriguing for the students, whereas the RA’s are living and breathing that,” said Susnic. “So I typically give them a topic or a category they need to capture and let them take it from there.” Not only does letting the RAs take the lead ensure the clips are relevant, McDonnell believes it also helps residents connect with their RAs. “RAs have different roles,” said McDonnell. “Sometimes they’re the community builder and oftentimes they have to be the one to enforce various policies. This [feature] allows all students to see RAs in a natural setting.”

Plus, through the process, RAs are empowered in their student leadership and develop new skills. “Our RAs are very prideful of the content they make,” expressed Susnic. “In the midst of them creating a clip, you see the spark come alive in them as they start using their imaginations and start creating things they wouldn’t get a chance to create otherwise.” Susnic tends to make RAs in the school’s art program the point people on projects in order to help them build their technology skills and portfolios. But there are also RAs like Jennifer Messmer – an aspiring teacher – who helped create a clip promoting on-campus housing that said it was simply “fun to promote something I’m passionate about.” Plus, she believes having ads play before movies is important for residents that typically stay inside their rooms and might not hear about certain events, news or organizations otherwise. “We empower our residents by creating opportunities they can take advantage of,” shared McDonnell. “You throw the net out and see what you get back each time. Swank gives us a different way to throw the net out.”

If you’d like to learn more about bringing Swank Residence Life Cinema to your campus, check out our
products and packages, browse available movies and TV shows or contact us with any questions.