Saturday, September 26, 2026

Campus tours of University of Illinois Chicago and North Western.

Sunday, September 27, 2026

As Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) continues to reshape collegiate athletics, institutions have a unique opportunity to extend its impact beyond athletics into the broader campus experience. This session explores a first-of-its-kind NIL foodservice partnership between Chartwells Higher Education and the University of Pittsburgh—an innovative model that integrates student-athlete influence, performance nutrition, and campus dining engagement.
At the center of this initiative is the “Powered By” menu sponsorship program, where student-athletes align their personal brands with performance-focused dining locations and menu items, even co-creating signature dishes. This approach connects nutrition directly to the student meal plan experience while elevating awareness of fueling strategies across the entire campus community.
The campaign also includes “Fuel Like a Champion” meal plan promotions and “Fueled to Win” activations, leveraging athlete storytelling and peer influence to drive student engagement and healthier choices. By merging NIL opportunities with dining, this model not only supports student-athlete development but also enhances campus wellness, participation, and sense of community.
Attendees will gain insight into how cross-campus collaboration between dining, athletics, and marketing can unlock new value through NIL. The session will highlight real-world implementation strategies, lessons learned, and scalable frameworks that can be adapted across institutions of varying sizes.
Participants will leave with actionable ideas to reimagine dining as a platform for student engagement, brand alignment, and holistic student success in the evolving higher education landscape.

When dining performance falls short, most campuses focus first on operations: food quality, staffing, hours, pricing, participation, or communication. Often, those are the right places to start.
But across higher education, more institutions are recognizing a different dynamic: sometimes the contract itself is part of the problem.
This roundtable is designed to explore that idea in a candid, peer-to-peer setting. Many dining agreements are being asked to deliver on a broader and more complex set of expectations than when they were originally structured—balancing affordability, student experience, retail relevance, labor realities, capital investment, and financial performance. In that environment, even well-intentioned agreements can create friction, unintended incentives, or limitations that are difficult to address through operations alone.
The facilitators will briefly frame several areas where campuses are commonly seeing tension today, including:
•Expectations that have evolved faster than the agreement 
•Incentives that may not fully align with current institutional priorities 
•Service models that limit flexibility or obscure performance 
•Capital and reinvestment approaches that no longer match campus needs 
•Incremental changes over time that have made agreements harder to manage or interpret 
From there, the session will shift quickly into a guided discussion. Participants will engage with peers around questions such as:
•Where is your current agreement supporting your goals—and where is it creating constraints? 
•What has changed on your campus that your contract hasn’t kept up with? 
•How are you navigating tradeoffs between student experience, affordability, and financial performance? 
•What have you learned when extending, amending, or reconsidering your current model? 
•Where have you found ways to improve alignment without starting over? 
The goal is not to critique specific operators or contracts, but to better understand how structure influences outcomes—and how institutions are adapting in real time.
The session will conclude with a synthesis of key themes and a short list of practical next steps participants can take back to their campuses. Whether attendees are early in a contract, approaching renewal, or simply trying to make their current model work more effectively, they will leave with a more informed perspective and actionable ideas shaped by peer experience.

Speaker: 

Chet Roach Executive Director Brailsford & Dunlavey

In just six months, Florida Polytechnic University transformed a completely unfinished space—no floors, no walls—into its first self-operated campus store. Located on the ground floor of the university’s newest residence hall, the store was built from the ground up to serve as a branded retail destination for spirit wear, school supplies, and everyday essentials.

This session will take attendees behind the scenes of the full launch process—from design and construction to procurement, merchandising, staffing, and grand opening readiness. Along the way, we’ll highlight the lessons learned, including what worked well, what we would do differently, and how we adapted to challenges with creative, fast-paced problem-solving.
Key to the store’s success was intentional collaboration—internally with departments like marketing, facilities, and IT, and externally with vendors and design consultants. We’ll share how those partnerships helped align the store with campus branding, secure essential operational tools, and bring the vision to life on a compressed timeline.

Whether you’re launching a store from scratch, transitioning to a self-operated model, or exploring ways to enhance campus retail, this session offers a practical framework grounded in hands-on experience.

Speaker:

Dr. Kerri Demeri Florida Polytechnic University

Higher education auxiliaries have long operated as a collection of functional units, each solving for its own service, staffing, and operational demands. But what happens when we stop viewing auxiliaries as fragmented functions and start understanding them as a connected service ecosystem?

This session invites attendees to rethink the auxiliary model through the lens of AI, robotics, and connected services. Using examples from parking, mobility, mail and package delivery, food delivery, navigation, concierge-style support, customer service, and campus experience, the presentation will examine how emerging technologies can reshape the way campuses design, deliver, and scale service.

Rather than focusing on technology for technology’s sake, this session offers a strategic framework for understanding where AI and robotics create operational value, how auxiliary leaders can assess meaningful use cases, and what it takes to move from experimentation to intentional service design. Attendees will be challenged to think beyond pilots and consider how connected services may redefine staffing models, customer expectations, and the future role of auxiliaries in higher education.

This session is less about predicting the future and more about equipping auxiliary leaders to shape it. Participants will leave with practical insights, a new conceptual model, and ideas they can apply immediately within their own campus environment.

Speaker:

Jennifer Paiotti Xavier University

Auxiliary services are central to student success and institutional sustainability, yet their contributions are often under recognized across campus. Transforming campus commerce requires auxiliary leaders who are visible, connected, and equipped to innovate.
This session highlights LIFT (Lead, Inspire, Foster, Transform)—a structured, 12 month leadership and innovation initiative housed within an Office of Administration at the University and grounded in auxiliary services CAS standards. LIFT is designed to elevate auxiliary leadership visibility, strengthen cross campus partnerships, foster AI enabled decision making, and translate professional development into measurable institutional impact.
Participants will explore how LIFT intentionally integrates leadership storytelling, strategic networking, thought leadership, mentorship, and AI driven process improvement into a scalable model that improves campus services, supports revenue sustainability, and enhances the student experience. Through practical examples and implementation strategies, attendees will gain tools to articulate the value of auxiliary services, engage talent more effectively, and lead campus commerce differently.

Dr. Messa is the architect of LIFT (Lead, Inspire, Foster, Transform), an internal leadership initiative designed to elevate visibility, expand strategic networks, and prepare auxiliary leaders to navigate the future of campus commerce. Dr. Messa is deeply engaged in NACAS and is committed to developing people centered, future ready approaches that strengthen institutional effectiveness while enhancing the student experience.

Speaker:

Dr. Emily Messa University of Houston System

As institutions face increasing pressure to demonstrate career readiness and return on investment, student success is no longer confined to the classroom or career services office. National data shows widespread implementation of career readiness frameworks, but the question remains: how can auxiliary services meaningfully contribute to those outcomes while still delivering on their core financial responsibilities?

This panel brings together two university business leaders from Northeastern University and Temple University, alongside leaders from Follett Higher Education, the nation’s leading campus store operator, and Saxbys, the pioneering education company, that transforms campus operations into student-led businesses and high-impact learning environments. Together, they will discuss how auxiliary operations can be designed not only to deliver reliable financial performance, but also to contribute meaningfully to student success outcomes.

The conversation centers on the Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform® (ELP) that Northeastern University and Temple University leveraged to transform several retail operations on each of their campuses — cafes and campus stores — into structured, student-led businesses.  In these operations, students earn both wages and academic credit while gaining career-ready experience by managing P&L statements, developing teams of their peers, and building community.  The results speak for themselves: 100% of students on the Experiential Learning Platform® graduate on time and advance into leadership positions 7x faster than the average college graduate, while institutions see measurable gains in both student engagement and retail financial performance.

Attendees will leave with a concrete framework for evaluating their own auxiliary operations and a clear picture of how those operations are positioned to deliver both financial performance and measurable student outcomes.

Panelist:

Chris Abayasinghe Associate Vice President Finance & Business Ops Northeastern University
Kevin Renshaw Follett Higher Education
Jonathan Reiter Temple University Nick Bayer Saxbys Coffee

Swag Solutions, along with Georgia State University, will present a case study on how GSU evaluated its promotional products offering and how and why it chose Swag Solutions for its outsourced while label Virtual Superstore to enable the school to offer merch to its employees for the purposes of marketing and brand recognition.  When approached by Swag Solutions, the print shop had tried to offer this service but found the world of promo products to be a “swag wilderness” of disreputable companies who overpromised and underperformed, changed staff continually, and where the level of quality was all over the map, not to mention misuse of the brand.  As such, they had barely scratched the surface and were doing under $5,000 annually in promo.  As of the most recent 12 months, they just crossed the $400,000 mark.  With Swag Solutions profit sharing program, they were able to earn over $40,000 that can be put back into the school, or in this case, into the print shop budget.  There is the ability to add a higher profit-share percentage, and for partners who exceed $500,000 annually in revenue, an additional percentage applies.  The final bracket for the largest schools is over $1,500,000 annually.   This allows GSU to continue to grow, add more incremental revenue and keep costs down by not having to add staff.  For some of our partners, they have been able to move staff to more productive areas or in some cases, have cut staff.  All aspects of brand guide compliance, royalty reporting and transaction reporting will be covered in the business case study.  Customers include OU, GSU, UT, Texas State, Cal State Northridge, Penn State, Nebraska and the Universities of Alabama and Florida, among many others.

Speaker: 

Lou Manitzas PrintGlobe, LLC dba Swag Solutions

Campus dining and retail programs play a critical role in shaping student experience, building community, and fostering a strong employee culture. This session highlights how Georgia Tech Dining has leveraged a wide range of engagement strategies to elevate its impact across campus. Designed as a rapid-fire session, attendees will be introduced to a high volume of practical, proven ideas that can be adapted to a variety of campus environments. Examples include large-scale signature events like Taste of Tech Square, sustainability-driven initiatives such as Green Goodbyes, and interactive programs centered around Georgia Tech’s community garden, where free educational events bring students together to learn about cooking, gardening, and food systems. The session will also showcase creative in-unit activations including themed dining nights, menu competitions, pop-up vendors, food trucks, and restaurant proceeds nights. In addition, participants will learn about internal engagement strategies that strengthen employee communication, recognition, and overall workplace culture. Attendees will leave with a toolkit of actionable ideas—ranging from simple, low-cost initiatives to larger signature programs—that can be implemented immediately to enhance engagement, increase participation, and align dining and retail operations with broader campus goals.

Speakers:

Ryan Greene Executive Director of Dining & Retail Georgia Tech
Julie Birchfield Georgia Tech

As campuses rethink the role of physical space in student success, Northwestern University’s Cohen Lawn project offers a compelling case study in how Student Affaies can lead transformative change. This session explores the conception, fundraising strategy, design philosophy, and first-year impact of Cohen Lawn—a reimagined campus third space that includes the Kahn Pavilion and Luna’s Pub & Grill as integrated elements within a broader ecosystem of connection and engagement.

Grounded in research on belonging, mental health, and informal gathering spaces … and informed by the growing body of evidence on the benefits of green and blue space … the project reframes campus infrastructure not as a capital expense, but as a strategic investment in student well-being. Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan, Cohen Lawn intentionally leverages its natural environment to foster restoration, reflection, and connection. Attendees will walk away with practical insights on aligning donors, operations, and design around a unified vision; activating space to drive engagement; and measuring impact beyond traditional metrics. In the end, this work is not about building and infrastructure … it is about shaping environments where connection thrives and every student has a place to belong.

Speakers:

Dr. Jeremy Schenk Associate Vice President for Ops and Services Northwestern University
Corbin Smyth Northwestern University

In an increasingly digital-first campus environment, effective social media strategy is essential for Business Auxiliary Services seeking to connect meaningfully with students and the broader university community. From dining and meal plans to one cards, bookstores, parking, transportation, printing, and mail services, auxiliary operations touch nearly every aspect of campus life—yet many struggle to communicate value, drive engagement, and respond quickly to evolving student needs.

This presentation explores best practices for leveraging social media as a strategic communication and marketing tool across a diverse portfolio of auxiliary services. Attendees will learn how data-informed decision-making can strengthen content planning, platform selection, and campaign performance, ensuring efforts align with both institutional goals and student behavior. The session will highlight how analytics, audience insights, and engagement metrics can guide messaging and help teams move from intuition-driven posting to intentional, results-focused strategy.

In addition, the presentation will examine how timely use of popular culture, social media trends, and real-time moments can amplify reach and relevance—while maintaining brand consistency and institutional trust. Real-world examples and practical frameworks will demonstrate how auxiliary teams of all sizes can maximize impact, foster stronger campus connections, and build a cohesive digital presence that resonates with today’s students.

Speakers:

Megan Allred Director of Business Services University of North Carolina Wilmington
Shelby Carroll University of North Carolina Wilmington
Cailey Allison University of North Carolina Wilmington

Reuse has a reputation problem. For years, campus reuse programs meant manual tracking, honor-system returns, and unsustainable operational changes. These were well-intentioned initiatives that quietly disappeared after a semester or two. That version of reuse is over.

Today's reuse systems look nothing like their predecessors. Powered by smart hardware, tap-to-borrow technology, and real-time data, modern reuse programs integrate seamlessly into existing campus card infrastructure, no new apps, no deposits, no behavior change required from students or staff. And through innovative smart media and sponsorship models, they're increasingly self-funding and even revenue-positive for the institutions that run them.

This panel brings together the people building and operating these systems right now. Jason Hawkins, CEO of Reusables.com, is joined by sustainability and dining leaders from Pomona College, UCLA, and Food Service Partners/Vendors to share what modern reuse looks like in practice and where it's headed. From launch to scale, cost recovery to carbon reporting, this is a front-row look at the future of zero-waste campus dining.

Speakers: 

Michele Muth Director, Campus Recreation CENTERS at Marshall University
William "Tootie" Carter Marshall University

Monday, September 28, 2026

Even the most well-planned campus events encounter last-minute challenges, from AV and IT hiccups to unexpected catering needs. For institutions managing hundreds or thousands of events each year, the ability to respond quickly, coordinate across teams, and maintain visibility in real time can make or break the experience for planners, staff, and attendees.

In this session, Purdue University shares how they strengthened event support by implementing a real-time request and response approach supported by more centralized, technology-enabled workflows. Attendees will hear firsthand how Purdue is improving responsiveness, reducing stress for event organizers, and delivering more consistent, high-quality event experiences across campus.

We will explore practical strategies for modernizing event support operations, breaking down silos between departments, and leveraging real-time data to make better decisions during live events. Whether you are overseeing student centers, conference services, or campus-wide event operations, you will leave with scalable approaches that enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, and elevate the student and guest experience, regardless of institution size or resources.

Speaker:

Travis Peters Director, Auxiliary Services Purdue University

As Total Access programs mature, institutions are beginning to shift focus from implementation to long-term impact. What started as a solution to reduce cost and improve access is now becoming a strategic opportunity to support broader institutional goals. 

In this conversation, leaders from UC Davis and Lone Star College System will share how their programs have strengthened over time, including how they are actively managing performance while adapting to meet changing institutional needs. Panelists will discuss how they are navigating cost pressures, expanding cross-campus partnerships, and leveraging program data to inform decision-making and further support student success. 

Through a guided discussion, speakers will reflect on real scenarios, share practical insights, and explore how their approach has evolved as their programs have matured. Attendees will gain insight into how Total Access can move beyond access to drive measurable institutional value.

Speakers:

Kristi Runser Sr. Marketing Manager Vital Source
Kelly Tilstra Vital Source
Jason Lorgan UC Davis
Kristy Vienne Lone Star College

This session explores practical, people-centered strategies for leading meaningful and sustainable change within auxiliary and campus service operations. Designed for professionals at all career levels, the presentation blends foundational change management concepts with real-world application through a case study of Tufts University’s implementation of a new parking management system in January 2025.

Participants will engage in interactive activities and discussion to examine how successful change initiatives are built through trust, inclusion, and data-informed decision-making. 

First, attendees will explore techniques for building trust and creating alignment across departments, with a focus on stakeholder analysis, intentional committee structures, and ensuring all voices are represented in shaping institutional transformation. 

Second, the session will highlight how inclusive practices, such as transparent, multi-modal communication and active stakeholder engagement, can increase community buy-in, reduce resistance, and ensure change initiatives reflect the diverse needs of the campus.

Finally, participants will learn how to leverage institutional data to define problems, guide strategic decisions, and measure effectiveness. Using examples from the Tufts case, the session will demonstrate how aligning qualitative and quantitative data with clear goals and key performance indicators can strengthen implementation and sustain long-term adoption.

Attendees will leave with a practical toolkit of strategies and approaches for creating a project charter that can be applied immediately within their own institutions to lead effective, inclusive, and sustainable change.

Speaker:

Nicholas Piscitello Senior Director of Auxiliary Services Tufts University

Ancillary operations generate a steady stream of data, yet too often those numbers remain buried in spreadsheets, static reports, or disconnected systems. The result? Teams spend more time searching for answers than acting on them.

What if your ancillary data could provide a skyline view of your business? We’ll share how building our own dashboards helped transform our reporting from static snapshots into real-time decision tools. By consolidating data and visualizing key operational metrics, our team shifted from reactive reporting to proactive management across Housing, Dining, and our Campus Bookstore.

In this interactive session, we’ll construct in real-time a dashboard in Microsoft Power BI using data and metrics from campus dining operations. Participants will see the full process unfold, from data import and visual creation, to design best practices and publishing - so you can create your own dashboards to use on your campus.

Think of it as building an operational control tower where leaders can quickly see what’s working, what needs attention, and where opportunities are emerging. Along the way, we’ll share practical lessons learned: how we used the data to determine dining promotions and limited time offers, decide which concepts needing refreshing, what metrics actually matter, and future dashboard opportunities that we have planned. 

In a city famous for its skyline, it’s the perfect place to explore how better dashboards can help ancillary insights rise above the noise.

Speakers:

Derek Worden Senior Advisor, Strategic Initiatives Western University
Chris Alleyne Western University

Campus dining leaders are constantly balancing three major goals: Keeping diner satisfaction high, remaining cost-effective, and meeting institutional targets. The secret to achieving all three simultaneously isn't restricting the menu—it's redesigning the choice architecture.

This session highlights how strategic partnerships with Greener by Default (GBD) through the NACAS Plant-Rich Program are driving real-world results. Jim Dwyer (WashU) will present a case study on the NACAS Central event hosted at WashU in April 2026, sharing how consulting with GBD on catering menus delivered a highly successful, cost-effective, plant-rich experience for attendees.

Expanding from catered events to everyday dining, Jeffrey Weissinger (Vanderbilt) will detail how Vanderbilt’s own collaboration with GBD successfully scaled these exact behavioral shifts across its massive residential and retail dining operations. Attendees will hear how both institutions leveraged simple "nudges" to drive high satisfaction, protect the bottom line, and seamlessly hit environmental goals without making diners feel restricted.

Speakers: 

Elizabeth Riede Executive Director of Campus Dining Appalachian State University
Jeffrey Weissinger Vanderbilt University
Adam Bailey Topanga
Page Schult Topanga

Campus retail has experienced significant changes in recent years, and one evolving trend has been insourcing of campus store management.  This interactive session will Start with a basic overview of campus store management models, examine the accelerating insourcing trend and the potential motivations to change, and share management transition tools and resources.

Using an informal interview format, Jeff Nelson from NACS will interview Andy Dunn from Grand Canyon University who orchestrated the insourcing transition on behalf of GCU.  The session will include case studies and best practices from GCU and other institutions, the important transition of course materials management, and impact on students success with frequent audience interaction using the NACS audience polling and response tool.

Speakers: 

Jeff Nelson VP, Industry Collaboration & Development NACS
Andy Dunn Grand Canyon University

Florida International University has a large inventory of event spaces across its three campuses. Institutional leadership recognized an opportunity to generate additional earned income through rental of the event spaces, but acknowledged marketing, availability, the sales process, and standard operating procedures were different across the many departments that owned the spaces. FIU retained JGL Consultants to develop a strategic framework for activating the spaces. 

Join JGL and FIU to learn about the process to evaluate the spaces, identify key booking opportunities, address marketing requirements and develop a set of standard policies to encourage outside bookings. JGL and FIU will share key recommendations and takeaways and provide an in-process report on challenges and progress to date.

Speakers:

Tracy Lawler President JGL Consultants
Hollie Altman JGL Consultants
Vanessa Vazquez FIU 

Campus dining is no longer just a service, it is a strategic asset that impacts student experience, institutional brand, and auxiliary financial performance. As universities navigate labor challenges, sustainability goals, and evolving student expectations, the ability to deliver high-performing dining programs has become a critical leadership priority. 

This session presents a two-phase case study from University of Michigan, demonstrating how a coordinated, data-informed approach can transform dining into a measurable business driver. 

Phase 1 introduced a 830-seat, all-you-care-to-eat residential dining facility designed as a fully electric operation, integrating high-volume service with exhibition cooking and retail. The team focused on throughput, peak demand, and energy strategy while using labor modeling to align staffing with service expectations and financial targets. 

Phase 2 expands the model into a food hall anchored by a new home for the Campus Bakeshop and a coffee/bakery storefront, creating new revenue streams while supporting campus-wide production. This phase required rethinking production, cross-utilization of labor, and the role of dining within the broader auxiliary portfolio. 

Presented as a panel featuring the Dining Director, foodservice planner (Envision Strategies), and foodservice designer (Ricca), this session will walk through key decisions, trade-offs, and outcomes across both phases—from early planning through implementation. Attendees will leave with practical frameworks to evaluate capital investments, optimize labor and production, and lead cross-functional teams through complex change, enabling dining programs that are financially sustainable, operationally efficient, and aligned with institutional goals.

Speakers: 

Steve Giardini Senior Director, Dining University of Michigan
Tarah Schroeder Ricca Design Studios
Sojo Alex Envision Strategies

Last year’s Project Gen Alpha session at C3X in Las Vegas explored a bold idea: reimagining auxiliary services as connected, digital-first experiences designed for the next generation of students.

This session shares what happened next.

At Cal Poly, that vision has evolved into the active development of a campus-wide Marketplace platform—designed to bring dining, grocery, retail and campus engagement into one seamless, AI-supported experience. 

Currently in the process of selecting a development partner, this initiative is moving into discovery and user research, with a phased MVP planned for completion in Spring 2027. The Marketplace is designed to deliver immediate value through core services like meal ordering and grocery delivery, while laying the foundation for long-term growth and personalization.

This session will provide an inside look at how the concept has been shaped through student input, rapid prototyping and applied AI. Attendees will see how generative AI supported early-stage research synthesis, ideation and feature development—including concepts like an AI-powered meal planning coach, personalized navigation and budgeting tools.

Presenters will share the structure of the MVP, including:
A unified platform for ordering, payments and service access,
AI-supported navigation and decision-making
Scalable phases from core functionality to a fully integrated campus ecosystem.

Beyond the product itself, this session will explore what it takes to move from vision to execution—aligning stakeholders, selecting partners and preparing for responsible AI integration in a student-facing environment.

Participants will leave with a clear, practical understanding of how to begin building more connected, student-centered service ecosystems on their own campuses.

Speakers:

Ellen Curtis AED, Marketing and Communications Cal Poly Partners Cody Van Dron Cal Poly Partners

This session explores how campuses can implement plant-rich goals into both formal agreements and the systems that shape dining outcomes at scale. Featuring leaders from Compass Group, Bon Appetit, Chartwells and Culinart, alongside Foodbuy, Upgrade Dining, and fsStrategy Consultants, this panel will provide an inside look at how contracted dining models can evolve to better align with sustainability and plant-forward priorities. Speakers will discuss how plant-based revenue targets, procurement language, and performance expectations can be integrated into contracts, while also highlighting the operational levers that ultimately determine success. These include managed order guides, distributor partnerships, menu engineering, product placement, and sourcing strategies that influence both back-of-house purchasing and front-of-house consumer choice. The session will also explore how procurement platforms like Foodbuy enable scale by standardizing products, pricing, and supplier access across accounts, creating new opportunities to accelerate adoption of plant-rich offerings. Panelists will share real-world examples of how these systems are being used—and where gaps still exist—to drive measurable change. Attendees will leave with practical frameworks for strengthening operator partnerships, aligning incentives across stakeholders, and using both contracts and operational systems to deliver plant-rich dining outcomes in contracted environments.

Speakers:

Navin Durbhakula CEO Upgrade Dining
Jared Ceja Conterra
Terri Brownlee Bon Appetit Mgmt Company
Gwyneth Rampton Compass Group
Heidi Link Chartwells
Travis Traini fsSTRATEGY

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

As institutions face declining enrollment and increasing financial pressure, maximizing existing campus assets has become a critical strategy for auxiliary leaders. Academic breaks, particularly summer, represent one of the most significant opportunities to generate revenue. Activating these periods requires strategic decision-making around competing priorities, resource constraints, and institutional goals. 

This panel brings together leaders from Moraine Valley Community College, DePaul University, and the University of Illinois Chicago to share how they are activating campus facilities during summer, winter, and spring breaks through a mix of youth programs, rentals, conferences, and strategic partnerships. While DePaul and UIC operate in dense urban environments with strong external demand, their approaches differ based on facility access, partnerships, and operational constraints. Moraine Valley adds a complementary perspective through cross-department collaboration and internally driven programming models. 

The discussion will go beyond success stories to address the realities that impact revenue potential, including construction disruptions, unavailable or offline spaces, lack of indoor backup facilities, and transportation constraints between venues. Panelists will share candid insights into what has worked, what has not worked, and how institutional context shapes leadership decisions and investment priorities. 

Moderated by Kim Martin, Vice President of Business Development at CENTERS, with experience helping institutions maximize campus assets and revenue performance, this session will provide practical approaches to increasing utilization, diversifying revenue streams, and aligning break-period programming with institutional priorities.

Speakers: 

Jennifer Smith Director of Marketing CENTERS, LLC
Kim Martin CENTERS, LLC

From Print Shop to Strategic Service: Reimagining Document Solutions Through Event Design

Many auxiliary service units across higher education are confronting the same reality: declining core demand, rising competition, and unclear strategic identity. This session presents a real-world business case from Document Solutions at the University of Texas at Austin, where a legacy print-centered operation faced structural decline driven by digital transformation, decentralized competition, high fixed costs, and internal operational friction.

Participants will be guided through the full transformation journey using the Event Design Methodology as a strategic framework, not just for events, but for rethinking business models. The session will demonstrate how the methodology was applied to:
•Identify and map key stakeholders and their evolving needs 
•Diagnose value gaps in customer experience and service delivery 
•Reframe the organization’s role from “print provider” to “enterprise service platform” 
•Prototype new service offerings across marketing, logistics, and campus communications 
•Align internal operations with a clearer, future-focused value proposition 

Attendees will see how tools such as the Event Canvas helped translate complex operational challenges into human-centered insights, enabling leadership to prioritize services, streamline workflows, and make informed decisions about space, staffing, and technology.

The session concludes with actionable strategies for transforming auxiliary units under similar pressures: turning declining demand into an opportunity for innovation, repositioning, and long-term sustainability.

Participants will leave with a replicable approach to navigating disruption, improving customer relevance, and building resilient service models within higher education.

Speakers: 

Nick Bonora Sr. Director Purdue University
Zane Reif University of Texas at Austin

This presentation explores the conception, design, and delivery of one of the first mass timber buildings in Houston—the Retail Auxiliary Dining Center at the University of Houston. As a pioneering project in both structure and student-focused design, the facility represents a significant step forward in sustainable campus development while redefining the dining experience.

The University of Houston Retail Auxiliary Dining Center project was driven by a vision to create a dynamic, student-centered hub through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. From the outset, stakeholders—including students, designers, and university leadership—worked together to ensure the space reflected real campus needs.

The construction process emphasized integrated planning, flexible and modern design, and the use of smart technologies to enhance efficiency and user experience. Sustainability was central, with energy-efficient systems, responsible material selection, and strategies to improve indoor environmental quality. Within the first year of operation, the "RAD Center showed an eighty-four percent reduction in predicted energy usage." (Innovation Map, 2025)

Careful project management and phased construction minimized campus disruption while maintaining schedule and budget goals.

The result is more than a dining facility—it’s a vibrant, multi-use environment where students can eat, study, and connect. The center fosters community, supports well-being, and creates a welcoming atmosphere that students genuinely enjoy, fulfilling the goal of building a space where they can thrive.

As an award-winning dining facility, the Retail Auxiliary Dining Center demonstrates how innovation, sustainability, and collaboration can converge to create a landmark space that elevates both campus infrastructure and the student experience.

Speakers:

DaNesha Allen Sr. Director, Aux Services University of Houston
Diana Davis Perkin & Will
Dennid Wittry
Walter P. Moore 

Auxiliary Services portfolios are increasingly complex, often encompassing multiple business units, mixed internal and vendor-operated services, and competing operational priorities. While individual units may demonstrate excellence, siloed operations can limit integrated effectiveness and prevent the development of a cohesive organizational culture.
This interactive session equips auxiliary leaders with a practical, values-driven framework to move from siloed excellence to cohesive, integrated auxiliary operations. Centered on shared vision and values, the session demonstrates how multiple mechanisms—including leadership speaker series, cross-unit learning, team-building, and community engagement—can be intentionally aligned to reinforce common purpose and organizational effectiveness. Rather than focusing on a single program, this session highlights how integrated reinforcement across initiatives strengthens collaboration, leadership clarity, and staff engagement.
Participants will engage in structured breakout discussions and guided reflection to examine alignment challenges within their own auxiliary organizations, assess how vision and values are currently operationalized, and identify practical strategies to strengthen cohesion and integration across units. Strategies shared are adaptable across institution size, governance models, and auxiliary portfolio structures. Attendees will leave with actionable tools, reflection prompts, and implementation ideas they can immediately apply.

Speakers: 

Caroline Ryan Assistant Vice President for Aux Services Elon University
Ryan Moore Elon University/HTCG
Chad Conville Elon University

Auxiliary leaders are facing a perfect storm: food costs are climbing across the board, fuel and distribution surcharges are squeezing already-thin margins, and inflationary pressure shows no signs of easing. Beef prices have risen by as much as 40% since 2021, chicken by approximately 27%, and dairy and egg costs have seen dramatic spikes driven by disease outbreaks and supply shocks. Looking ahead, prices are likely to remain high or continue rising due to market concentration, price fixing, and profiteering by major processors. Meanwhile, fuel price volatility directly inflates the delivered cost of virtually everything on campus.

This session moves beyond protein pricing alone to tackle the full cost picture — and to ask a harder question: what concrete strategies can campus dining leaders deploy right now to protect margins without sacrificing quality, student satisfaction, or nutrition?

Featuring two university auxiliary leaders, Brandon Hendricks, Senior Associate Director, Virginia Tech, and James Nasipak, Director of Auxiliary Services, Antelope Valley College, alongside Jared Ceja, National VP of Partner Development at Conterra, and additional food service sector voices, this open dialogue session will surface real-world tactics, honest trade-offs, and practical frameworks. We will weave in live Mentimeter polling and AI-assisted data moments to keep the conversation grounded in what attendees are experiencing on their own campuses — and punctuate the session with pop quiz questions to test assumptions and surface surprises.

Speakers: 

Sid Mehta Founder Greenworks, Inc
Brandon Hendricks Virginia Tech
James Nasipak Antelope Valley College
Jared Ceja Conterra

Think you’ve seen every parking challenge there is? Think again. In this fast-paced and interactive session, six of the most experienced and respected university parking directors take the stage to tackle your toughest questions. From permit strategies and technology integrations to enforcement dilemmas, campus growth, and customer service challenges—nothing is off limits.

Attendees are invited to “stump the experts” by submitting real-world scenarios, tricky operational issues, and complex policy questions drawn from their own campuses. Our panelists will share practical solutions, lessons learned, and candid insights gained from decades of managing some of the most dynamic university parking systems.

Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, validation of your current approach, or creative strategies you haven’t considered, this session delivers a unique opportunity to learn directly from leaders who have seen (almost) everything.

Bring your toughest problems—and see if you can stump the experts! 🚗

Panelist:

Mark Schleyer Account Rep AIMS Parking & 5 Institutions
JC Porter ASU
Kendra Violet Stony Brook University
Joe Russo University of Pennsylvania
Doug Lape UNC Charlotte
Amanda Scala University of Maryland College Park
David Lieb Walker Parking Consultants
Kristi Bryant AIMS Parking

The way consumers and event planners discover, vet, and choose a venue is undergoing a massive shift. The traditional search engine is being rapidly replaced by a multi-channel approach. No longer are consumers sticking to search engines, they’re now relying on more sources of information to help initiate and impact their decision-making process. If your venue isn't reacting to these trends, you may be losing business without knowing it.

This session will provide collegiate conference and event professionals with a vital look into how consumers are finding information, and how you can take part in their multi-channel approach.

Speaker: 

Corey Salem Director of Sales and Client Success Unique Venues

College stores are constantly finding new and innovative ways to serve their campus customers and their institutions, while also growing revenue.

This session will provide a variety of examples and mini case studies of how creative problem-solving and a strong commitment to service from engaged stores are generating exciting and valuable success stories. From new products to new services...from ways to support campus groups to ways to support the campus strategic plan...from money-saving promotions to ways college stores can give back in meaningful ways.

What's even better is that these ideas often do not require much in the way of human or financial resources to implement, and they can be adapted to work on campuses of all types and sizes.

You'll leave this session energized and inspired...with a number of ideas and concepts that may work well on your campus!

Speakers: 

Jon Bibo CEO ICBA
Brian Wright University of Tennessee - Knoxville

As demand for plant-based meals continues to grow, college and university dining programs are uniquely positioned to lead meaningful, scalable changes that benefit students, operations, and sustainability goals.

This session will explore proven strategies for increasing the adoption and success of plant-based meals in higher education dining. Drawing on real-world examples from colleges and universities across the country, Humane World for Animals’ Chef Tracy Burgio and Kory Samuels, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services, Rochester Institute of Technology, will share how food service teams have successfully incorporated elevated plant-based dishes that appeal to all diners—not just those seeking plant-based options.

Through an interview-style conversation, participants will learn how to make plant-based food the star of the menu by focusing on flavor, presentation, and confidence behind the line. The session will highlight practical approaches to staff training, recipe development, culinary competitions, and hands-on education that empower teams to work comfortably with plant-based proteins. Attendees will also see examples of successful trainings, webinars, and campus partnerships that led to high participation and strong student engagement.

In addition, Christine Coughlin will share how campuses can access available resources, trainings, and technical support, including how to engage with the organization’s menu of services, goal-setting opportunities, and ongoing support for dining teams.

Attendees will leave with concrete ideas, real examples, and actionable strategies they can immediately apply to strengthen plant-based dining on their campuses.

Speakers:

Chef Tracy Burgio Humane World for Animals
Christine Coughlin Humane World for Animals
Kory Samuels Rochester Institute of Technology

While our campuses are responding the changing needs for Gen Z, many of the dining centers, student unions, and residence halls we are renovating or building right now will open their doors to Generation Alpha when complete. That reality demands strategic foresight.

We imagine the focus of our time together to be simple: how will we continue serving the students on our campuses today while intentionally designing for the students who will inherit them tomorrow.

Panelist:

Jonathan Overocker Associate vice Chancellor for Student Life University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Jeremy Schenk Northwestern University
Paige Rohman University of Minnesota

Deep partnerships are important between the auxiliary units and our career readiness units on campus. Oftentimes auxiliaries are the larges subset of student-employees on campus; at Carnegie Mellon, we have taken this to the next level. Partnering with our Career and Professional Development center has allowed students to realize how important their on-campus jobs are to their future post-graduate employment opportunities. At Capital Grains, our student-run campus restaurant, we teach our student employees numerous business skills including: P&L responsibilities, inventory, HR processes, ordering, scheduling... and many other facets of the food service industry. Then, our students are able to demonstrate those skills with our interview center, and internship placements.

Speakers: 

Joe Beaman Director of Dining Carnegie Mellon University
Sean McGowan Director of Employer Relations Carnegie Mellon University

Dining and community spaces are not simply campus amenities—they are powerful drivers of student connection, engagement, satisfaction, and success. The Princeton Review and Sodexo partnered to conduct a comprehensive study that examines how dining programs, student services, and physical environments contribute to students’ sense of belonging on campus and support long-term institutional success. This joint research initiative was designed to help campus leaders better understand the key levers of the student experience and determine how campus dining can influence—and promote—satisfaction, engagement and ultimately student retention in higher education.
By combining The Princeton Review’s trusted insights on the student voice including longitudinal research through their “Best of” lists with Sodexo’s expertise in creating innovative dining programs and people-centered campus environments, this collaboration advances the understanding of how everyday experiences—like where and how student eat, gather, and connect—can shape immediate and long-term outcomes. 
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of college administrators nationwide, collecting data on dozens of topics, including campus dining facility spaces and designs, food service operations, menu planning, and sustainability practices. Campus administrators also reported on their systems for dining service feedback, student support, engagement outreach, and more.
The project brought together a cross-functional group of higher-education leaders and data experts to guide analysis, derive insights, and raise awareness of the critical role belonging plays in student outcomes—both during college and long after graduation.
Presenters will share findings and insights, illustrating how universities can create inclusive, engaging environments that support students throughout their academic journey and beyond. Attendees will learn strategies for ensuring campus dining maximizes its potential to serve as a catalyst for community building, student engagement, retention, and long-term institutional success. Join us for a lively discussion as we delve into the future of foodservice and student experience design in higher education.

Panelist:

Stacy Bowmn-Hade VP, Segment Growth Marketing and Communications Sodexo Campus
Jim Dwyer WashU
Jude Kiah TCU
Rob Franek The Princeton Review 

For self-operated dining programs, RFPs can serve as powerful tools for advancing sustainability, shaping vendor relationships, and aligning purchasing decisions with institutional values. This session explores how colleges and universities can use the procurement process—throughout ongoing vendor partnerships—to drive measurable progress on student satisfaction, environmental goals, and supply chain accountability.
Featuring leaders from Michigan Dining, University of Minnesota Duluth, Upgrade Dining, and fsStrategy Consultants, the session will highlight how self-operated institutions are embedding sustainability into procurement systems through contract language, supplier scorecards, certification standards, and vendor collaboration. Michigan Dining’s sustainable procurement research—including work on RFP language, certifications, and supplier evaluation frameworks—will provide a foundation for discussion, alongside practical examples from both institutions’ vendor relationships and purchasing strategies .
Speakers will walk through tangible tools such as sustainable procurement language, protein purchasing targets, sourcing transparency requirements, animal welfare standards, ESG scoring frameworks, and reporting expectations. The conversation will also examine opportunities beyond the formal RFP process, including vendor reviews, performance dashboards, managed purchasing practices, and collaborative improvement plans with suppliers.
Attendees will leave with adaptable templates, measurement systems, and implementation strategies that can strengthen their next procurement cycle while building longer-term accountability across dining supply chains.

Speakers: 

Kenzie Winslow Sustainability Program Manager University of Michigan Dining
Navin Durbhakula Upgrade Dining
Betsy Helgesen University of Minnesota Duluth
Travis Traini fsStrategy

Institutions of higher education are under increasing pressure to balance access, affordability, sustainability, and safety while supporting growing and evolving campus populations. At large urban universities, traditional parking-centric approaches are no longer sufficient to meet these demands. This session examines how Parking and Transportation Services at The University of Texas at Austin is reframing mobility by integrating parking operations with multimodal transportation, demand management strategies, and customer-centered planning.
Using the UT Austin campus as a case study, this presentation explores how data-driven decision-making, flexible permit structures, transit partnerships, technology-enabled services, and targeted incentives are being used to shift travel behavior while maintaining financial stability. Participants will learn how UT Austin aligns parking policies with broader institutional goals—such as sustainability, space optimization, and campus experience—while responding to peak demand created by academic schedules, events, and major athletic venues.
The session will highlight lessons learned from implementing demand-based pricing, promoting alternative transportation options, managing curbside and event-related congestion, and communicating change to a diverse campus community. Attendees will gain practical takeaways on how parking and transportation departments can serve as strategic partners in campus mobility planning rather than transactional service providers.
This presentation is designed for campus leaders, auxiliary services professionals, and transportation practitioners seeking scalable strategies to modernize mobility programs, enhance the user experience, and support institutional priorities through integrated transportation planning.

Speaker:

Blanca Gamez Director University of Texas at Austin

Today’s students expect a campus experience that is seamless, supportive, and personalized—extending far beyond the classroom. 

The campus store is uniquely positioned to help institutions meet these expectations, by becoming an integrated solution provider in services that support the academic journey, residential living and campus engagement. 

This session explores practical examples of how BNC campus stores can support the student journey across three key areas:

•Dorm Room – Move-In Simplified: Reducing the stress of move-in through a customized digital experience where students can purchase dorm essentials —such as bedding, storage, desk supplies, and appliances online —with direct delivery to residential housing or store pickup. 

•Classroom – Affordable Access Programs: Innovative programs that ensure students are better prepared for academic success, while removing financial barriers from higher education. 

•Campus Retail – The Store as a Student Resource Hub: Expanding the role of the campus store to a solution-oriented service center that connects students to essential resources. Examples include customized campus store gift card programs that can provide immediate access to supplies and services through digital delivery. 

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how BNC campus stores are evolving into a central, service-driven campus partner, supporting affordability, convenience, and student success from the classroom to the dorm room.

Speakers: 

Gene King Director, Stores BNC
Shannon Hurt Old Dominion

For auxiliary services, success is no longer defined by efficiency alone. Today’s students expect experiences that feel intentional, personal, and memorable.

This session explores how The University of Texas at San Antonio reimagined its approach to campus services by shifting from a transactional mindset to a hospitality-driven model. Inspired by principles from Unreasonable Hospitality, our team embarked on a cultural transformation that redefined how services are delivered across dining, housing, campus store, transportation, and parking.

Rather than focusing solely on processes and tasks, we introduced a unified service philosophy that empowers frontline staff, prioritizes meaningful interactions, and embeds continuous improvement into daily operations. This included rethinking hiring practices, establishing clear service expectations, creating recognition systems for exceptional service, and implementing real-time feedback loops to identify and close service gaps.

Attendees will gain practical strategies for translating hospitality concepts into scalable operational practices across auxiliary units. The session will provide tangible tools, examples, and implementation approaches that can be adapted to any institution.

Participants will leave with a clear roadmap for elevating their own services, strengthening team engagement, and creating campus environments where every interaction contributes to a more connected and positive student experience.

Speaker:

Carrie Charley Associate Vice President University of Texas At San Antonio

Cumberland Food Hall reflects a data-first approach to auxiliary strategy, where analytics informed not only operations, but also location, design, and long-term campus impact.
Analysis of geographic gaps, transactions and meal plan usage revealed upperclassmen and off-campus students were underutilizing traditional dining due to distance and convenience, while core facilities faced peak congestion. This reframed the challenge as an issue of access and distribution.
Using this insight, the university identified Cumberland Avenue as a high-opportunity location based on student density and foot traffic. Demand forecasting and behavioral data guided the size, layout, and concept mix, resulting in a flexible, multi-concept food hall designed around speed, variety, and evolving preferences. Shared back-of-house infrastructure allows concepts to adapt over time using performance data.
Success is measured beyond revenue. Key indicators include increased participation from off campus students, redistribution of customer flow, and reduced peak congestion in core dining locations. The food hall functions as a system-level solution—expanding access, improving efficiency, and enhancing the overall student experience.
Data also strengthened financial outcomes. Demonstrated demand and traffic projections supported negotiations with a private developer, resulting in a shared investment model and favorable lease terms.
Cumberland Food Hall illustrates how data can move beyond reporting to drive decision-making, shape partnerships, and tell a broader story of impact—aligning auxiliary services with student behavior, institutional strategy, and long-term value.

Speakers:

Amanda Hough Director of Vol Dining University of Tennessee
Pulkit Vigg Aramark

Technology is reshaping campus dining and auxiliary services at a pace that often outstrips our ability to thoughtfully integrate it. From AI-driven forecasting to frictionless retail and predictive staffing models, higher education leaders are being asked to move faster, do more with less, and deliver increasingly personalized experiences—all at once. But in the race toward innovation, one critical question remains:

Are we designing systems that serve people or asking people to adapt to systems?

This panel brings together campus operations leaders and technology founders to explore what it truly means to build human-forward technology in higher education. Grounded in real-world implementation, the conversation will examine how campus dining teams and industry partners can move beyond transactional vendor relationships to create intentional, values-driven partnerships.

Together, panelists will unpack:

-How to co-design technology solutions that enhance, not replace, the human experience
-Where AI and automation can unlock space for deeper connection, not just efficiency
-The operational realities of implementation: change management, staff adoption, and trust
-How to align business goals, student expectations, and institutional mission in tech decisions
-What it looks like to treat vendors as long-term partners in building an ecosystem, not just delivering a product

Through candid discussion and practical examples, this session will offer attendees a framework for evaluating and implementing technology that is both operationally strong and deeply human-centered.

Because at the end of the day, even the most advanced system can’t replace what happens at the counter when someone feels seen, heard, and cared for.

Speakers:

Elizabeth Riede Executive Director of Campus Dining Appalachian State University
Jeffrey Weissinger Vanderbilt University
Adam Bailey Topanga
Page Schult Topanga

Wednesday, September 30, 2026