New student life team aims to improve student experience
- Emily Carroll
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
By Emily Carroll
In the past year, RCU’s Center for Student Life has experienced personnel changes and developed a new approach as they work to give students an experience that feels inclusive, exciting and fulfilling.
In a press conference with Shield Media in September, the Center for Student Life staff discussed their goals and services for students. They are:
Scott Samuels, vice president of student life
Dr. Katelyn Brackney, assistant dean of students, intercultural and spiritual life
Peighton Douglas, student activities coordinator and hall director
Katie Kilpatrick, student services coordinator
The Student Life team said their goals center around student well-being, building community on campus and offering a helpful chapel environment.
New approach to wellness
The world changed dramatically after the pandemic, and so did the needs of college students. In response, the university redesigned the student services role to focus on one-on-one support and to connect students with off-campus resources.
Samuels said he and his team want to better understand the unique needs of students. “The transition from the way the position was structured previously is really a response to our perception of what the students need,” he said.
Katie Kilpatrick, who took over as student service coordinator this fall after several years working in RCU’s advising office, has reshaped the way student life approaches student well-being.
Her role addresses challenges that many students face, such as financial strain, family issues and health concerns. She wants to offer direct support to ensure students have fewer barriers to success.
In addition to on-campus assistance, Kilpatrick, a long-time social worker, is helping students receive assistance through off-campus partnerships. Kilpatrick connects students with resources for mental and physical health and academic support.
She also promotes an open-door policy. “Students are welcome to come in and talk to me about anything,” she said. “Some students need support with food, some just need someone to talk to, some might be dealing with a crisis. I assist whoever comes through my door.”
Building community
This fall, the Student Life team has ramped up efforts to engage students with campus events.
Samuels is experimenting with a series of meetings with student groups and employees to better understand what students want from their college experience. “You’re going to get
classroom instruction, but we want the college experience to be more than what happens in the classroom,” he said. His goal is to create an environment where students feel that their voices are valued, and he wants to deliver an experience that reflects students' aspirations.
Campus events, such as Homecoming, showcase RCU’s commitment to engaging student life, Samuels said. Oakland University, a Division 1 university, came to campus to play the RCU men’s and women’s basketball teams for Homecoming. The university hosted several events around Homecoming for student engagement. Events like these, along with theater productions and capstone projects, unite the community and contribute to an experience students can cherish, he said.
Brackney said she loves seeing students connect with each other, and these interactions are “a sign of life and goodness.” Whether students are hanging out at events, chatting at chapel
or just meeting new friends, RCU is focused on creating a campus where real friendships can grow.
Fostering resilience & support
One of RCU’s greatest strengths lies in the support students show for each other. Kilpatrick said, “I have seen so much resilience, so much support for one another… it helps us to do a better job because we see that in you.” RCU aims to reflect this resilience back to students, embodying a spirit of mutual support, she said.
CL+W: Changing perspectives
At RCU, the chapel requirements and Community Life + Worship programs are changing to make the student experience better and more meaningful, Brackney said. Instead of only earning CL+W points by going to chapel, students can earn points for worship, community and life.
Brackney said this change is meant to help students grow in different areas, from their relationship with God to how they connect with others and prepare for life beyond college.
Chapel services and spiritual formation activities count under “worship,” helping students learn more about God and their faith. Community events, include activities such as Warriors Serve, where students get involved in helping out in the local community. The “life” category is new, and it’s about learning practical skills, such as personal finance workshops. Brackney said with these changes, CL+W is less about just attending events and more about building a balanced life.
An inclusive chapel
Brackney said she also works to make chapel feel inclusive for students from different Christian backgrounds. “Chapel isn’t supposed to feel like a regular church service; it’s a space where we can explore faith from a range of perspectives without saying one way is the only right way.”
The Student Life team is always looking for guest speakers from different Christian traditions, and they listen to what students want to learn about too.
The goal for CL+W, Brackney said, is for it to be something students actually look forward to, rather than a requirement. Overall, the staff is putting effort into making CL+W points feel valuable, so they’re working on this balance between encouraging participation and making it feel meaningful to students.
Students still face a financial penalty if they miss the required number of CL+W points, but after hearing from Nilla Kanjoma, student body president, the school reduced the fee from $25 per point missed to $10 per point missed. The funds collected from chapel fees help support other student life activities.
Moving forward
By investing in health and wellness resources, providing opportunities for student input and celebrating campus traditions, RCU strives to build a college experience that is both supportive and enriching.
The university’s emphasis on student input highlights the administration’s commitment to a collaborative approach. Samuels said, “I want to hear from the students, and I want to know what it is you want for your experience, and I’m going to do everything that I can to
deliver.”
By focusing on health, community and resilience, RCU is creating an environment where students not only learn but also thrive. The university’s mission to enrich student life speaks to its dedication to nurturing the next generation—both academically and personally—so that students leave with lifelong skills, strong relationships and cherished memories of their time at RCU.