Spirit of Marquette Award

Jenna Santoianni, Comm ’06
Studio City, Calif.

As president of television at MRC, Jenna’s role is grounded in collaboration with some of the industry’s most revered artists and storytellers. She brings people together to tell stories that spark conversation and reveal new points of view in some of the most popular television shows. “The stories we tell need to feel relatable while also challenging perspectives,” she says. “I love the problem-solving element of my job — it often leads to better and more interesting creative outcomes.”

Jenna’s passion for community-building extends far beyond the California-based entertainment industry. It’s deeply rooted in her Marquette experience. “I did the reverse of what a lot of people do: I live on the West Coast and was also born there but went to Marquette,” she says. While she considered other schools, Marquette’s welcoming spirit won her over. “Marquette people see the world through the pillars of excellence, faith, service, and leadership — and those shared beliefs create instant community.”

When she graduated, she knew she wanted to be a resource for students aspiring to break into the industry. Her early efforts were informal, responding to student inquiries passed along by professors. She would offer practical advice on relocating and share her local expertise of the LA, Hollywood and California area. Over the years, she even opened her home to a few Marquette students who needed a place to stay as they found their West Coast footing.

Envisioning alumni support that would give students a meaningful introduction to the industry, complete with networking opportunities, mentorship, and immersive LA experiences, she teamed up with Joel Andryc (Comm ’79) to formalize the Marquette Entertainment and Communications Alumni (MECA) organization. Separately Jenna also is key in planning the Diederich Experience in Los Angeles where Jenna has hosted the program’s first-night dinner at her home for a decade, connecting with students and listening to their aspirations and also connecting students to other Los Angeles based alums and supporters of Marquette. She also returns to campus every fall to teach a seminar called “The Business of Entertainment,” it’s the highlight of her year.

Her dedication to mentorship is personal. As a student, Jenna was a recipient of the George Wensel Scholarship and wanted to express her gratitude to the donor family. She cold-emailed a contact, who happened to be an executive at Paramount. He not only responded but also invited her to the Executive Dining Room every week, becoming a mentor. That experience left a lasting impression. “I always wanted to be that alumna who was available to talk about the most basic questions, fears and dreams,” she says. “It ties back to cura personalis—we’re taught to give back.”

For Jenna, receiving the Spirit of Marquette Award is both humbling and inspiring. “I haven’t begun to repay Marquette for everything the university has given me,” she says. “When I enrolled, I had no idea of the lifetime impact it would have on me. This award is the culmination of making the core values of the university a part of my everyday life.”

Fun Facts:

• Jenna is a proud mom of two little girls and a very involved dance mom.
• If she could have dinner with anyone, she’d choose Lucille Ball. “[She was] a trailblazer, an artist, a businesswoman, one of the first female television studio chiefs, a mother, a wife, and someone who spread joy through their talent—a true icon and legend,” Jenna says.