Saturday, June 21, 2025

Take a stroll (aka Pub Crawl) with colleagues through the heart of Boston, starting from the Hilton Boston Park Plaza and ending at the Bell in Hand Tavern, you'll enjoy a well-paced route with a mix of historic and lively spots.  Along the way, enjoy spirits and ales at some of Boston's famous bars and restaurants.  Please note that all attendees will be responsible for covering their own expenses.

• Start at: M.J. O’Connors
• Walk .5 mile to the Cheers Bar (you can cut right through the Public Gardens)
• Walk .7 mile to The Dubliner 
• Walk .4 mile to Sam Adams Tap Room
• Walk .2 miles to Ned Devine’s
• Walk .3 miles to Bell in Hand

Total: 2.1 miles

*Must be 21 years or older to participate in the Pub Crawl

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Topics Include: 

• Housing
• Food Services/Dining/Catering
• Bookstores
• Transportation/Parking/Fleet
• Finance

Unleashing Innovation Skills to Thrive in Times of Change

What if innovation is not the creation of shiny new things, but the building of new habits and practices across your institution? What we call an organization is simply a network of commitments between individuals and groups. These commitments are what make it possible to achieve our short and long-term goals. A transformational shift is learning how to operate as a commitment-based culture over one that is dominated by the need for consensus. In this session we will explore how to create this vital shift in how teams and departments work together and uncover what it takes to transform breakdowns into opportunities for growth.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a common language to lead and manage teams through change initiatives. 
• Learn strategies that accelerate positive cultural change 
• Explore and embody skills that enable you and your teams to innovate successfully.

Speaker: Howard Teibel

Technology is significantly transforming college campus dining in various ways, enhancing the overall experience in both the Front- and Back-of-House. What if you could expand your customer reach, extend hours of operation, or eliminate kitchen safety hazards with push-of-a-button technology? Explore automation that drives simplicity and sustainability, and hear from two prominent campus members representing both large and small urban areas, along with vendor partners, who are changing the face of campus dining from kitchen to consumer.

Panelist: Kristian Klinger, Melanie Marken, Robert Buehler, Manny Araujo, Andrew Watling, Jason Mignogna

Five generations. In one place. Attempting to move in one direction. Yes, itís possible! In the dynamic environment of campus services, you'll often find a blend of generations working together: seasoned professionals, mid-career managers, and student workers. This generational mix brings diverse perspectives and skills, but it can also lead to communication challenges and misunderstandings if not managed effectively. Vanessa Zamy, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in building cohesive teams, will guide you through this complex landscape. She'll help you understand the unique strengths and challenges of each generation within your workforce, empowering you to bridge the gaps between potential conflict and effective collaboration.

Speaker: Vanessa Zamy

This panel presentation will bring together experts from university parking and transportation operations to discuss best practices for effectively managing the complexities of guest and visitor parking on campus. Panelists include key decision-makers and industry leaders associated with the parking industry. As parking creates the first and last experience for most everyone on a campus, the parking professional must work to provide a level of service that meets the needs of customers on a daily basis. These customers include students, faculty, support staff, and visitors/guests. We will focus on this last category as panelists share insights regarding innovations like mobile payments, flexible zoning and pricing, departmental permits, and parking options for hybrid workers. Issues will include simplifying the process of helping visitors find available parking spaces on campus;improve communications with parkers, and simplifying access and revenue control for both parkers and parking operations. The customer experience is a crucial component to any organization’s success and having a positive guest/visitor experience is crucial when someone is visiting a department, on a campus tour, or attending a campus event.

Moderator:

Mark Schleyer CAPP, Account Executive, AIMS Parking/EDC Corp

Panelist:

Gabe Parker, Director of Parking & Transportation, Boston College

Victor Hill CAPP MPA, Mobility & Transportation Consultant, Walker Parking Consultants

Michael Murphy, Director of Parking, Georgia Southern University

Margarida Baganha, Director of Parking & Connect Card Office, Bridgewater State University

Jason Novsam, Director of Parking & Transportation, Tufts University

Monday, June 23, 2025

In the evolving landscape of higher education, digital marketing is a powerful tool that can transform college and university dining programs from a necessary service into an essential and engaging part of campus life. Students today expect dining services to meet them where they are online. However, many auxiliary services professionals struggle with the complexities of digital marketing and how to effectively leverage it to drive meal plan participation, engagement, and satisfaction. Join Alexandra Porter, Vice President, and Madison Porter, Sales & Marketing Associate of Porter Khouw Consulting, Inc., for an insightful session on Taking Ownership of Digital Marketing for College Dining. Together, they will share proven strategies, industry best practices, and innovative approaches to help institutions create compelling, student-focused digital campaigns that enhance the dining experience and support broader institutional goals. In this dynamic session, attendees will gain actionable insights into how to develop a strategic digital marketing plan that aligns with student expectations and institutional objectives. From crafting compelling content to leveraging data analytics, Alexandra and Madison will guide participants through practical steps to ensure their dining program remains relevant and engaging in today’s digital-first world.

Speakers: 

H. David Porter, CEO/President - Porter Khouw Consulting, Inc.

Madison Porter, Sales & Marketing Associate, Porter Khouw Consulting, Inc.

Alexandra Porter, Vice President, Director Management Advisory Services, Porter Khouw Consulting, Inc.

Student experience is at the heart of every auxiliary service, but how can institutions gather real-time, actionable insights to drive meaningful improvements? Lehigh University has pioneered an innovative Auxiliary Experience program, where students serve as secret shoppers across campus—from bike shares and shuttles to the campus store and dining locations. Their real-time feedback is captured through a powerful KPI dashboard and analytics platform, enabling departments to track trends, measure performance, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the campus experience.
In this session, we’ll explore how Lehigh designed and implemented this program, the impact it has had on auxiliary services, and how other institutions can adopt similar strategies to improve customer experience (CX) and operational efficiency.

Speakers: 

Monika Fritz - Director, Business Partnerships & Marketing - Lehigh University

Jennifer Wood - Vice President of Business Development, Touchwork

Print and mail services are an essential elements of college and university administration. While digital communications have replaced many traditional forms, physical documents remain important. And students may not receive letters from home, but package deliveries continue to grow.

With buy-in and engagement from senior leadership, Northeastern University has transformed how these services are provided to students, faculty and administrators. The change was made possible through a series of partnerships – internal and external.

This course will share the story of Northeastern’s journey and the roles our partners played in the process.

Speakers: 

Chris Abayasinghe, Associate VP for Finance and Business Operations, Northeastern University

Mark Fallon, President & CEO, The Berkshire Company

Sponsored by Aramark Collegiate Hospitality

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

"Facilities, Finances, and the Future: Strengthening Campus Services for Tomorrow" is an engaging panel discussion that explores how campus auxiliary and business services—including housing, dining, transportation, bookstores, and other key operations—are evolving to meet the needs of today’s students while positioning institutions for long-term success. Panelists will dive into trends, such as shifts in enrollment and the rising cost of attendance and examine how these factors are influencing demand for essential campus services. They will also discuss the financial challenges of maintaining high-quality services within budget constraints and the broader impact on the student experience. Through their personal stories and insights, the panel will share their pathways to leadership within university operations. This discussion will provide valuable perspectives on the future of campus services and the leadership skills necessary to excel in this ever-changing landscape.

Panelists:

• Kristian Klinger, Vice President of Auxiliary Services, Boston University
  
• Patricia Bando, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services, Boston College
  
• Chris Abayasinghe, Associate Vice President for Finance and Business Operations, Northeastern University
• Bill Guerrero, Vice President for Finance and Administration, University of Bridgeport

Moderator:  

Jonathan Kukta, Senior Director for Regional Campus Relations and Director of Strategic Initiatives for Finance and Business, Penn State University

Learn more about speakers under the "Speakers" tab above. 

Boston College Dining Administrative Dietitian, Christina Karalolos, will review the current status of food allergies and medical nutrition needs across college & universities and how our role as dining leadership can support this community on our campuses. Christina will review current supports in place for students and their families, navigating their medical nutrition needs away from home and in an entirely new setting. Finally, current technological advances in supporting students with medical nutrition needs will be further investigated.

Speaker: 

Christina Karalolos, MS, RD, LDN, Administrative Dietitian, Boston College Dining Services

Dining and residency options are among the top reasons for choosing a university. However, students often face challenges related to health, stress, and a sense of belonging, impacting their overall experience. Despite having numerous dining locations, a perceived lack of variety in the physical environment led to a sense of monotony and disengagement, highlighting the urgent need for a transformation. Recognizing this, RIT partnered with experts to create unique dining experiences to foster a sense of belonging. Engaging staff to lean into the brand was crucial for building a sense of community. By transforming dining locations into memorable experiences and involving staff in the process, RIT aimed to enhance the overall campus environment. The successful launch of this initiative showcases how leveraging strengths can create a thriving community and significantly improve student retention efforts through the dining experience.

Speakers: 

Shauna Cross, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Rochester Institute of Technology

Dustin Peterson, Director of Operations, Rochester Institute of Technology Dining

• Menu accuracy, transparency with detailed nutritional/ allergen data, and culinary creativity, working together with dietitians at the Sargent College of Health Sciences
• Accommodation of religious dietary restrictions
• Digital menu innovation to promote student organization engagement and cultural programing in dining halls
• Chef-led learning workshops with the Universityís Food & Wine program
• Advancement of the university's broader sustainability goals via aligned dining practices
• ESL training that improves job-specific language skills for the Universityís diverse dining staff through an award-winning partnership with the Center for English Language & Orientation.

Together with its campus partners, Boston University Dining has driven innovation, enabled inclusive dining experiences, expanded educational opportunities, and strengthened student engagement across the campus community. Presenters will share key lessons learned and best practices for successful collaboration between dining services and various campus departments to create a stronger, more connected community.

Speakers: 

Stacey A. Zawacki, DrPH, RDN, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University’s College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College; Director, Programs in Nutrition; and Director, Boston University Sargent Choice Nutrition Center

Jon Webster, Executive Director, Boston University Dining

Chef Christopher Bee, Campus Culinary Director, Boston University (BU Dining)

• Premium dining amenities
• New food concepts like kosher, vegan, ghost kitchen, pub, and just walk-out retail
• State-of-the-art equipment with increased technology use
• Visually stunning design and decor
• Engaging social spaces to build community
• Accessibility, affordability, flexibility, and sustainability

Utilizing data from Envisionís 2019 Dining Facilities Master Plan, the project aimed to better integrate Student Services staff and spaces, fostering collaboration between dining and student life. The design shifted from a single service point in an All You Care to Eat dining room to various dispersed retail spaces throughout the building. This approach not only enhances the dining experience but also encourages students to explore different areas of the CUC.

Lessons from the pandemic were incorporated, including GrubHubís mobile ordering system to reduce lines and congestion, while providing ample space for students to dine within the building. This integration of technology ensures a seamless and efficient dining experience, catering to the needs of a diverse student body.

The forward-thinking design serves Lehighís diverse student body inclusively, creating a more free-flowing student life experience where any student can dine or meet, regardless of their engagement with dining and student life. The new Clayton University Center stands as a testament to the university's commitment to providing a dynamic and inclusive environment for all students, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Speakers: 

Amanda Vigneau, IIDA, Director, Shepley Bulfinch

Katie Chambers, AIA, Director, Shepley Bulfinch

Erin Foertsch, Marketing Manager, Sodexo, Lehigh University

Ann Roebuck, Vice President Envision Strategies

It's no surprise that quiet quitting (employees fulfilling only minimum job requirements) threatens colleges and universities by diminishing productivity, innovation, and overall morale. This trend reflects a broader workplace issue;recent Gallup polls reveal only 32% of U.S. employees are engaged at work, highlighting widespread disengagement.

However, prioritizing professional development offers a powerful countermeasure. By strategically investing in the personal growth of faculty and staff, institutions demonstrate commitment to their employees, fostering a sense of value and appreciation. This, in turn, boosts engagement, motivation, and dedication, directly combating quiet quitting and cultivating a more dynamic and thriving culture across campus. This session will explore practical strategies and resources to re-energize the heart and soul of your institution: your people!

Speaker: Taryll Connolly

Leading change is challenging. One of the rewards is discovering new opportunities to serve and engage your communities. Just in time for Generation Alpha’s arrival on campus, a digital-first mindset for course materials creates new opportunities, along with new pressures for revenue growth. Engaging campus leaders and committees, your local community of business owners, creatives, emerging entrepreneurs, and alumni can reveal innovative experiential retail opportunities and new ways to localize your offerings. Our panel will share stories of creating and re-imagining stores and retail experiences to connect with students and your wider communities. We will share examples of engaging students, alumni, and community members to transform their campus store experience and make it uniquely their own. Then participants and panelists will share their entrepreneurial spirit and ideas, challenges, and approaches to innovation. Leave with tactics that can work to create collegiate experiences that strengthen your brand and deliver ROI.

Speakers: 

Ralph Johnson, Executive Director of Campus Operations, Morehouse College

Kevin Renshaw, Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Follett 

Meet in Lobby by 3:00PM

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

*Schedule subject to change