Maryville College selects Slingshot as new campus store partner
July 9, 2025
Administrators recently announced that Slingshot has been selected as the new Maryville College campus store partner, course material provider and mailroom operator. The ed tech company took over operations in the Bartlett Hall space of the campus store (colloquially known as the Maryville College bookstore) on June 4.
“The decision to partner with Slingshot follows months of discussions with several companies, but we were convinced Slingshot was the right partner for us because of its commitment to student success – best explained by the company’s slogan of ‘every single student, every single course material, by the first day of class, at an affordable price,’” said Kelly Leonard, vice president for finance, and John K. Berry, chief operations officer, in a joint statement to the campus.
Based in Marion, Indiana, Slingshot services small colleges and universities all over the country, including Lipscomb University and Trevecca Nazarene University, both in Tennessee. At Lipscomb, Slingshot was voted best student service by its student body, which gave its course materials program high marks for being streamlined, inclusive, and affordable.
All students opted in
Slingshot offers an innovative approach for giving students access to essential course materials — textbooks, lab kits, etc. — prior to classes, allowing them to dive into their studies without delay. All Maryville College students are opted in to Slingshot’s program, meaning that after they enroll in classes, their specific faculty-selected course materials can be provided without them lifting a finger. Students are automatically set to receive physical rentals if they do nothing, but Slingshot’s Choice Program allows students to go into a student portal to change the rental default if they would like to buy a new book, buy digital access, or totally opt out of the program. All items are billed to students’ individual accounts so that payments can be consolidated and qualifying financial aid can be applied.
“Cost-effective, used rental items will be provided whenever possible, but students can customize their experience anytime, anywhere,” Slingshot stated in an announcement of the partnership. “Convenience is at the core of Slingshot’s mission, ensuring that students’ educational experience is both enjoyable and efficient.”
On-campus residents will have their materials delivered to their residence hall rooms before move-in. Commuter students can have their materials shipped to home for an extra cost or pick them up at the Maryville College campus store inside Bartlett Hall for no additional cost. Shipping preferences can also be changed through the student portal. Students opting for digital course materials can expect to receive access codes before the start of classes.
Purchasing individual textbooks through Slingshot is an option for students who opt out of the program, but delivery may not happen in time for the first day of class. Unlike in previous years, books will not be stocked in the campus store.
Students wishing to opt out of the Slingshot program or needing to make changes to their preferences should do so by Friday, July 25, to give Slingshot time for fulfillment.
Course materials billed mid-August
Billing for course materials will begin around Aug. 7, with a deadline to pay or make arrangements for payment by mid-September, according to Melanie Croft, Maryville College bursar. Students should check their college email and Highlander Hub accounts throughout the summer for updates.
Students have up to seven days after the start of classes to return course materials they do not need and receive a full refund. Rentals used for the entire semester can be returned to the campus store or by prepaid shipping labels.
Campus store refreshed
“The campus store is also powered by Slingshot, and the Maryville College community can look forward to a refreshed space with new lines of merchandise in the campus store, and Slingshot Logistics, the package software and notification system that sends email communication when students have books to pick up,” the Slingshot announcement reads.
Slingshot Logistics will also send notifications of delivery of packages to faculty and staff. Pickup is at the service counter in the Maryville College campus store, although the mailroom window will also be available during peak times such as the beginning of the semester.
Ryan Lilly, previous employee of Follett Higher Education and Maryville College bookstore manager, has been hired by Slingshot to continue management of the new campus store.