SESSION OVERVIEW
Partnering with Shopify Plus for Digital Success
In 2023, RMIT Student Life identified the need for a modern digital platform to support its clubs, programs, and merchandise. Our existing systems couldn’t keep pace with thousands of students engaging across multiple campuses. Partnering with Shopify Plus and a specialised Shopify agency, we launched the new RMIT Store – a centralised, mobile-friendly hub for memberships, event tickets, programs, and official merchandise.
The platform has transformed the student experience with single sign-on, streamlined purchasing, and a user-friendly back end for club leaders. Outcomes have been significant: club memberships up 29%, online sessions up 176% year-on-year, and conversion rates jumping from 1.8% to 8.7%.
This initiative demonstrates how a future-focused digital strategy can strengthen belonging, drive engagement, and deliver measurable value to students, staff, and the University.
I Built My Own Coordinator: ChaGPT
What started as “just playing around” with ChatGPT turned into building a custom AI assistant tailored for the busy world of student clubs. In this interactive session, Matthew Haywood from ActivateUTS shares the early journey of creating a GPT that acts like a Clubs Coordinator — answering policy questions, generating event ideas, drafting communications, and making admin work faster and easier. You’ll see live demos of what it can (and can’t) do, learn how it was built, and explore simple steps to start experimenting with your own AI assistant — no big budget or technical team required.
PRESENTERS
Jack Arnold, RMIT Student Life, Club & Societies Program Coordinator
Jack manages the Sport and Creative clubs at RMIT Student Life ensuring compliance, good governance and strong student experiences. Passionate about student engagement and community building, Jack fosters inclusive, sustainable clubs which help students thrive.
Prior to RMIT, Jack has worked with the World Masters Games, corporate fitness and the AFL in South Africa and the Northern Territory.
Matthew Haywood is the Manager, Student Life (Clubs & Partnerships) at ActivateUTS, where he works with over 180 student-led clubs and societies to create inclusive, vibrant, and memorable university experiences. Passionate about student leadership, wellbeing, and community, Matthew combines a data-driven approach with a people-first mindset to help students connect, grow, and thrive.