Faces OF SODEXO
Service With Heart
Meeting with my leadership team at University of Cincinnati
PEOPLE FIRST. Period.
When it comes to service with heart, choosing the right people for the job makes all the difference. Whether they’re sweeping the floor or managing your campus operations, they’re an integral part of your campus community. They are the key to transforming the student experience from “I like Betty the cashier” to “I’m inviting Betty to my graduation.”
I believe that when we put our people first, everything else becomes possible. They aren’t just faces behind the counter. From day one, they’re empowered with a foundation of training, development, and mentorship. And it shows. From every meal to every interaction, down to the smallest detail, our well-supported teams deliver exceptional results. That’s why your students can count on us to offer them the best every day.
Meeting our exceptional team at University of Denver
Our “best” goes way beyond just food. It’s what makes your campus feel like home, helping you build a welcoming culture that’s centered around connection, belonging, and community.
Meet the incredible people of Sodexo who are committed to making every day on your campus extraordinary, inspiring students to be positive change-makers, start fulfilling careers, discover who they are, and have some fun. In a word: flourish.
Michael Svagdis
Michael Svagdis Chief Executive Officer Sodexo Campus & Government
SERVICE With Heart
They see your students more than anyone else on campus.
They’re the difference between “home away from home” and “home sweet home.” And their contagious personalities shape the atmosphere on campus, igniting student potential.
Who are they? Meet the faces of Sodexo.
After five decades at Sodexo, Arthur has learned that his team’s attitude can make or break the student experience. He leads by example, bringing his “A game” to SCSU every day. “Service with heart means being passionate every day about what you do to create a great experience for clients and customers,” he says.
“Relationships are what matter most,” says Jatinder Singh. “That was true when I started my career as a Dishwasher in 1977. It was true in 1981 when I married my wife, Paramjit. And it was most definitely true when we welcomed our two daughters, Reetu and Binu. They stuck with me from New York to Nebraska as I worked my way up at Sodexo.”
“As a GM, I tell my staff, ‘Build relationships by showing kindness and respect. Listen to people. Really listen. Then you can help them feel seen and appreciated.’ I try to bring this attitude with me wherever I go. When a tsunami hit India, all students wanted to do was help. So, I led a group of 20 there for disaster relief. When Katrina left her mark on New Orleans, I led 75 students there so they could make a difference. And now, I’m proud to take this attitude home to my two little grandkids, Harshaan and Ameera.”
“‘Service with heart’ is like Texas Hold’em,” says Paul Belski. “You need to be ‘all in.’” After nearly 50 years at Sodexo, Paul’s proud to pass down his recipe for success.
“It’s a huge honor to be looked at as a leader” , he tells the young managers he mentors.
“Along with that comes the responsibility of living up to that title. I try to do that through the way I conduct myself in front of my staff and customers — it’s important to me that they know they can count on me.”
To Janice Gordon, keeping it simple is the key to unlocking exceptional customer experiences. “Greet people as soon as they come in the Rathskeller” she says. , remember everyone’s name.” She developed this people-first philosophy over 50 years at Sodexo, and it has earned her a reputation on campus for being firm, funny, and full of heart.
“If you’re looking for the face of service with heart, here it is: Mary DeGeorge,” says RPI Operations Manager Mark Banner. “When an extra helping hand is needed on campus, Mary is someone you can always count She can fill any position for any dining hall. She’s been our saving grace on campus for 51 years. She’s a very special person
Known at Trojan Café as “Ms. Brenda,” Brenda Lloyd credits the simple things with her popularity among students, faculty, and “Service with heart means being kind and always ready to lend a she says. “A simple smile can go a
When asked about staff members who go above and beyond to make Sodexo synonymous with caring and considerate service, Tuskegee University General Manager Myron Bridges immediately thinks of Diane. “Over the past 60 years,” he says, “everyone has the same thing to say: Diane made them better, led by example, and did it all with heart.”
My family asks,
‘Do you have any favorite teachers?’
The number one person I think of is Aunty
Eloise.
Camryn Yoshida, UH Mānoa student — “ ”
Did you know Mrs. Claus has a first name? It’s Sharon. At Christmas, she skips through the dining hall, handing out candy canes. At Thanksgiving, she’s a pilgrim. At Halloween, a friendly witch. “I want every student to feel at home, especially around the holidays,” she says from her allergy-friendly station. “That means listening to them and making new recipes based on what they need.”
She brought happy couples together. Made countless students laugh. Inspired everyone with her insatiable zest for life, love of dancing, and spunky fashion sense. “I was born to bring happiness to others,” Eloise Luzader told KHON Channel 2 News last year. At 95, Aunty Eloise retired after nearly 30 years as the heart of UH Mānoa (and Head Cashier).
“My family asks, ‘Do you have any favorite teachers?’” UH Mānoa student Camryn Yoshida told KHON. “The number one person I think of is her.”
When Aunty Eloise passed away earlier this year, UH Mānoa joined her family in honoring her memory. Through her stories and photos, she continues to bring happiness to the community that loves her.
On Christmas Day, a fire swallowed her apartment whole. Still, Starr Shover found a way to start each day with a smile at Harris Millis Dining, where she’s worked for 32 years. “My kids are my first priority,” she told WCAX Channel 3 News. By her kids, she meant students like Duncan Starkenburg, a computer science major at UVM. To Duncan, Starr wasn’t just a dining hall employee. She was a community member — and a friend — in need.
He started a fundraiser. Within an hour, students had raised $500. That quickly grew to over $12,000. “I cried,” Starr told WCAX. “It’s an amazing thing to have your kids care for you.”
As a born and bred Southerner, Robert Sims takes providing exceptional hospitality very seriously. “It makes me feel good when I cook food and see the students happy,” he says. “It makes me feel like I have done something important.”
“Everyone loves him here,” says Erin Awai, the current General Manager at MPI. “Not only for his hard-working nature, but also because he genuinely cares.” After retiring as General Manager five years ago, Vance returned as a Senior Cook to reconnect with friends and help out. “He’s deeply dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those around him.”
“Keep the area clear!” It all happened in an instant. A student was choking in the dining hall. Addie Cheramie comforted him, made space, kept onlookers calm. Quick and skillful, Krystal Campbell swept in and performed the Heimlich. A deep breath. Tears of joy. A life saved.
Heartbeats SERVICE WITH HEART BY THE NUMBERS
What does “service with heart” mean? Keeping people at the heart of everything we do. We’re not just the faces your students see every day. We’re an integral part of your campus community. We’re the organizers behind students’ meaningful moments of belonging. And we’re hard at work behind the scenes, helping empower your students to unleash their potential. Here’s how our smiles brought smiles to your campus this year.
Bentley University sipped
462,000 strawberry banana smoothies
this year, but it was the people behind the blenders who made breakfasts bright.
"I'm graduating." says supply chain management major Edgardo Guzman. "I want to celebrate with the people at the dining hall. They've played such an important part in my life."
242
Friendsgiving celebrations
brought the holidays to campus communities across the country, creating meaningful moments of belonging for students who were away from their families.
4,775 dining employees launched One & All,
our new brand at 92 colleges that says, “Come as you are.”
“It’s transformed our dining hall into a ‘home away from home’ for our students,” says Dr. Chisty Johnson, Ed.D., Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Eastern New Mexico University.
255 sessions of Cram Jam brought student stress levels down with pancakes and PJs, dirty sodas and DJs And So. Much. Dancing.
Dining teams and students across the country teamed up to serve their communities by giving $25,000 in donations to local food banks.
146 Student Culinary Councils,
led by Sodexo managers and chefs, gave 909 students a voice by creating a monthly forum for field-testing new dishes, operationalizing compostables, discussing how to combat food waste, and uncovering new food trends.
Binghamton’s SCC shares, “We partnered with the student-run transit service to fund free busing to the local farmer’s market.”
110 tons of noodles
splashed into shimmering ramen bowls on World Noodle Day. That’s as heavy as one blue whale!
144 award-winning dining hall stations
from Simple Servings made flavor-forward meals accessible to all.
Every day, meals are prepared with designated kitchen gear and without top allergens — so everyone can enjoy healthy and inclusive dining.
Sodexo chefs and marketing staff members teamed up to bring
126
Spark events
to students, including the incredibly popular FRESHtival spring mixer.
Students discovered new seasonal dishes and plant-based delights like salad sliders, yogurt-dipped fruit kabobs, and jackfruit barbecue sammies, all while meeting new friends and making lifelong connections.
50 campus dietitians
empowered students to confidently navigate holistic wellness, build delicious and healthy meals, and find balance between growth and rest for a more mindful life.
Discover more about how we keep people at the heart of everything we do: https://us.sodexo.com/inspired-thinking/higher-education/blogs/people-centered-culture
FACE to FACE
WITH KENNY LANGSTON, GRILL COOK
Husband. Dad. Grandfather. Caregiver for his mom. Beloved Grill Cook at University of New Haven. If there’s anyone who knows what service with heart means, it’s Kenny.
“You never know what someone is going through,” he says in a reel posted on Instagram by @UNewHavenDining. “So you can make sure, whatever their situation, they will feel comfortable knowing they have someone to talk to.”
Someone like Kenny, who greets each student like family. It’s a positive feedback loop that has made him a star on campus and a social media sensation.
Students from all over the country show up in virtual droves for Kenny’s contagious kindness, leaving one of his reels with more than 142,000 likes. “Schools need to have more people like Kenny. This man is so full of positivity and love.” Instagram user Jonat0mic commented.
sincerelyarii
I love that every so often Sodexo hires someone who is the heart of dining. I can feel the vibes through the screen. Keep it up, Kenny! akahinataa the best cook ever love ya kenny!!! ��
It’s not every day you go viral on Instagram. But Kenny isn’t one to get a big head. “Service with heart means loving what you do,” he says. For him, it’s still all about making students feel at home. “This means going beyond what people expect to help them see that they are more than just someone we feed.” Kenny says he particularly focuses on making freshmen feel welcome because “it’s their first time away from home.”
Back in the dining hall, it’s a cold December day in Connecticut. A film crew arrives, and Kenny faces a clapping crowd. “If it wasn’t for my coworkers, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” he tells them as he accepts a national employee appreciation award. With gusto, the District Manager reads positive quotes from students. “Kenny is just amazing.” one student writes. “From day one, he treated me with so much kindness and made every day better. He’s a complete burst of energy, no matter the day. I love that he’s always supportive of me and my teammates.”
emma.crawford TEAM CHADDLE FOREVER Julia Dunkin doesn’t hit the same without Chad
lilianabbenedict chad i’m your biggest fan alexisb.ostick i <3 chad ���� katrinajaay Iconic! I graduated last year and Chad always made my day
_anklebiterz just met chad from dunkin, solidified my choice in going here
gianna CHAD
������������
WITH CHAD WATKINS, RETAIL CASHIER
At Binghamton University, students happily head over to the Dunkin’ counter, even if the line is long. And it’s not because of the coffee (or even the Boston cream donuts). They’re all there for Chad.
“How’s your day going?” Chad Watkins’ friendly voice rings out from behind the register. He remembers your name, knows your order, and has just the donut in mind to complement your coffee. Have weekend plans? A tough class? Chad wants to hear about it.
“My friends and I used to order coffee just to see him,” says Instagram user irakli_chagelishvili. “Freshman year, he was my inspiration to keep going.”
So, it was no surprise that Chad broke Binghamton’s corner of the internet when @bingcampusfood featured him on IG and TikTok. Quickly, his TikTok post swept up more than 10,400 views. And his Instagram posts followed suit with thousands of likes, and comment after comment proclaiming the “worst part about graduating is that I will miss Chad forever.”
Student engagement on social media echoes Chad’s important, inperson role in the Binghamton community. Students are yearning for connection and belonging. They’re looking for a familiar touchstone, a sense of home, someone with heart. And that’s why Chad’s line at Dunkin’ is always the longest.
Igniting Tomorrow: HOW SODEXO INTERNS SPARK THE NEXT GENERATION
People are the main ingredient in Sodexo’s success. They are the reason students aren’t just served delicious, healthy food but are given opportunities to engage, grow, and unleash their potential.
How do we do that? By investing in people. With Sodexo internships on campuses around the world, students launch fulfilling careers that align with their majors. Our people-first mentality ensures that they feel valued and — with a strong foundation based on Sodexo’s training and experience — they feel empowered to provide service with heart each day.
Here are just a few of the messages from students who started their career journey with Sodexo and are inspiring the next generation of exceptional team members.
Natalie Rubi, Global Intern Northumbria University Intern, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
“This experience has helped me become a more well-rounded, culturally educated individual…I was able to learn about global business, industry accounts and segments, market analysis, retail, and branding. Overall, these learned skills will help me excel in my future as a global marketer.”
Curtis Schriner, Global Intern Northumbria University Intern, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
“The Global Internship Program was a great step in getting comfortable working and living in a new culture. I learned things about the way business is conducted that I otherwise wouldn’t have working in the U.S. The internship has also allowed me to practice hard skills such as market research, marketing campaign creation, graphic design, business analytics, and content creation; all of which I believe will be pertinent in my future career.”
Anne Ocampo, Campus Intern Alumni
Lewis University Marketing Specialist, Sodexo Campus
“You never know what someone might be going through, and sometimes the best part of their day could be a simple smile or a warm, ‘how are you?’ I try to be that light in everyone’s lives. Every day is a gift, and I strive to spread positivity wherever I go, hoping to make even a small difference in someone’s day.”
“I’m truly proud to be part of a company that values people and the heart behind the service.”
Anne Ocampo, Campus Intern Alumni, Current Lewis University Marketing Specialist, Sodexo Campus
Zachary Volante, Campus Intern Alumni
Central Connecticut State University Marketing Manager, Sodexo Campus
“Service with heart brings out the best in marketing with Sodexo. I’m passionate about what I do, and I strive to provide the best experience possible for our students, faculty, and staff. My goal is to create an environment where students can have fun and feel included through engaging, thoughtful events.”
Georgia Richards, Campus Intern Alumni
Ouachita Baptist University Marketing Specialist, Sodexo Campus
“I always try to serve others with humility, compassion, and genuine joy. Service isn’t limited to moments when people are watching. At Sodexo, service is not just an action but a mindset and lifestyle.”
When interns start a career with Sodexo, they carry on our mission to provide service with heart. From dietetics to psychology to marketing and more, interns who become employees help inspire the next generation of students in their communities.
“This program really helped my confidence,” says Elizabeth Van Dick, psychology major and Global Internship Ireland alumni. “I realized I’m capable of more than I thought.”
Learn more about Sodexo internships at: https://sostudents.sodexomyway.com/en-us/ campus-interns/about
https://us.sodexo.com/inspiredthinking/higher-education/ publications