Maryville University is connecting with prospective students through a new app, ZeeMee. Current students like Cici Rindy serve as influencers, posting regularly to show what life is like as a Maryville Saint.

BY NANCY FOWLER

Plenty of Maryville students enjoy social media, and Cici Rindy is no exception. But Rindy devotes an unusual amount of time to these platforms — not in her personal life, but in her part-time job for Maryville. As Digital Engagement Specialist in the Office of Admissions, she oversees accounts such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

Rindy got the job through Maryville’s new apprenticeship program. Following a rigorous application and interview process, she was one of six students selected in 2021. Through the program, students earn academic credit, financial compensation and real-world experience without leaving campus. Apprenticeships are available in various University departments and, since its launch, the program has doubled in size.

For Rindy, who’s pursuing a bachelor’s in communications with an emphasis in strategic communication, the apprenticeship is a perfect fit. Most importantly, the position works well with her commitments as a member of the women’s basketball team.

“I never thought it would be possible to be able to have a job while being a student-athlete,” Rindy said. “But with this job, I can work from anywhere, and as long as I get it done, that’s what matters.”

One of Rindy’s accomplishments for the Office of Admissions is implementing a new social media platform called ZeeMee. It’s a virtual gathering place with a casual vibe for high-schoolers and other prospective students. Some participants join ZeeMee as early as eighth grade when they are first beginning their college search process. “There’s nothing else like it,” Rindy said. “It really gives them a sense of what it’s like to be a student here.”

On ZeeMee, prospective students create profiles that can include photos and videos along with information such as their sports and other activities. The platform connects these students to each other while also connecting them with the University.

The platform provides several chats including a general chat for students only. A handful of Maryville students — Rindy and four others — contribute to the University’s ZeeMee account as influencers. They create and share a variety of content such as videos about topics ranging from choosing a major to getting along with roommates.

Connecting prospective students with potential roommates is an important feature of ZeeMee. “Someone may post, ‘I’m an easygoing person’ or ‘I like to go to bed early’ or ‘I like to keep my room tidy,’” Rindy said. “And someone will then come back with, ‘Hey, I think we could be a really great match, here’s my Snapchat and my phone number.’”

By the time ZeeMee followers arrive on the Maryville campus, they’ll already have friends and an established community. That’s perhaps even more important during a pandemic when it may be more difficult to meet people. “And if you come to Maryville even knowing just one person, you’re more likely to go to a game or some other event,” Rindy said.

ZeeMee benefits not only students but also the University. The platform allows Maryville admissions professionals to see more sides of a prospective student than an application can provide. It could also help with student retention, Rindy said. She explained a chief reason students leave college is that it’s not what they expected. Getting to know a school through ZeeMee, “means a lot fewer surprises,” she said.

Since September, Maryville has garnered more than 2,200 ZeeMee followers. The platform is yet another way the University pays attention to each and every applicant, Rindy said. “Our admissions counselors genuinely want to get to know prospective students and their families and find out what they want in a school to make sure it’s a good match,” Rindy said.

Rindy “dove headfirst” into her job, according to Assistant Director for Campus Visit Experiences Lacey Norman. She said Rindy has an infectious enthusiasm. One chilly day in January, the Wisconsin native coaxed Norman and other staff members outside to dance for TikTok videos. “We were all cracking up,” Norman said.

Even when not on campus, Rindy is often on the job, according to Norman. “She’ll clock in for an hour to edit content while she’s riding a bus to her basketball game,” Norman said. “She’s very committed.”

Rindy graduated in May and plans to pursue a master’s degree. But first she wants to take advantage of opportunities offered by an open job market. “I want to get that real-world experience that will help me narrow down exactly what I want to get my master’s in,” Rindy said. “No matter what, I want to have a job where I can switch things up, not sit in an office doing the same thing every day.”

Wherever she ends up, Norman is betting on Rindy to do great things. “She definitely has the drive and the initiative to get things done and plan things out,” Norman said. “She’ll be successful at whatever she does.”