Working with a dedicated team that strives to make each event memorable for each client and their guests. Developing associates and taking part in their natural abilities to show their creativity on events. Earning the respect and trust of new clients and maintaining a long and lasting relationship.

Pelotonia Cancer Fundraiser. Pelotonia is a two day bike ride to raise funds for cancer research. My team and I orchestrated a farm to table buffet for eight thousand participants and guests on opening night, two buffets for the riders on their 25 and 50 mile stop and another farm to table buffet for five thousand at the 100 mile stop to complete the first day. The second day we provided a farm to table lunch for the three thousand participants that completed the 150 mile ride. Pelotonia has been the most rewarding event I’ve been a part of thus far. The months of planning, organizing, and working side by side with creative Chef’s and a team of people that provided an outstanding menu and visual feast for a wonderful event that raised twenty-one million dollars.

We have an amazing team of Chef’s, Directors, Managers and Associates that work seamlessly together to make each experience memorable. We truly enjoy each other’s company and make the work environment a place you want to be a part of. We have a fantastic relationship with the UIC (as a new manager for a new account said… “I can’t believe how nice everyone is to each other” when he shadowed recently) community. We enjoy what we do at UIC and appreciate the leader of our team and the people we work with.

By caring about who I’m working with. I work at a very diverse campus – from our students to our managers – so for me, it’s important to take the time to be involved with their lives to learn more about them and their backgrounds.

Most of what I learned about food, I learned from them – my great-grandma, dad, mom and grandmother. A lot of our family recipes weren’t written down, but I’ve taken the time to write them down, test them out and share them with my teams. It makes me proud to know that I can share that part of my family’s culture with my co-workers.

I’ve experienced a lot of growth in the three years that I’ve been at Compass. I got to open a few locations for the company, including cafés at the University of Northwestern and the University of Memphis, and I’ve been able to use my skills to support other universities.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint one thing as a favorite, I would have to say having the opportunity to impact college student’s lives through healthier dining, educational opportunities while building our programs on student feedback would be number one.

Growing our internship program from one marketing intern to 14 interns, including; wellness, management, marketing, sustainability, human resources and finance. To watch these students grow and learn has been amazing.

Two years ago we brought a Leafy Green Machine (up-cycled shipping container) to campus to grow lettuce and arugula. We have sustainability interns manage the farm and have developed a made-to-order salad concept, “Where the Wild Greens AR” using the produce grown right here on campus. We’ve also been involved in a composting pilot project with the City of Fayetteville that takes disposed of food from our locations for rapid composting processes.

We never stand still, we’re always looking for fresh ideas and new, more efficient ways of doing things. Our relationship with the campus is a true partnership and the opportunities to engage with students are endless. We have a diverse team of associates who have a voice in our daily business and most importantly, we focus on what “can be” not “what can’t”.

From drop off continental breakfasts to high end catered meals for 1000, from convenient stores to National and Internal Brand Retail, residential dining and developing great people skills, there is no better place to learn the Higher Education Dining.

One of the best aspects of my role is the dynamic nature of the job. The marketing landscape has indeed evolved with the emergence of social media, the metaverse, and other technological advancements, but the enduring importance of storytelling remains a constant. This role allows me to combine my many interests and challenges me to see things from multiple perspectives simultaneously. Whether it’s creating a marketing narrative or developing edutainment content, the job offers a unique blend of creativity and strategy.

Our marketing campaign for the Starship’s autonomous delivery robots deployed on our campus. We introduced the late-night Niners ghost kitchen, catering to students’ late-night cravings from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., all powered by these innovative robots. We conducted thorough student survey research, created a menu tailored to their preferences, developed branding from scratch, and executed a strategic marketing plan with enticing incentives for the launch. This project was a unique fusion of technology and marketing, pushing the boundaries beyond traditional marketing and social media. It allowed us to pioneer unexplored territory in the marketing field, making it a highly satisfying and innovative experience.

First and foremost, you’ll have the chance to work alongside some of the most forward-thinking thought leaders of our time. This exposure allows you to learn from the best, extract unique insights, and apply them to your work. Chartwells encourages a culture of knowledge sharing, where team members learn from one another and collectively grow.

Another reason to choose Chartwells is the emphasis on continuous learning and creativity. You’re encouraged to try new things and be creative in your approach. Even if an idea doesn’t pan out as expected, you’re supported in learning valuable lessons, getting back on your feet, and trying again. This environment fosters personal and professional growth, making it an exciting place to work.

I’d like to emphasize that working in a dynamic company like Chartwells Higher Ed, is an opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and creativity. Embrace the evolution of marketing and technology, keep storytelling at the core, and enjoy the journey of creating unique and impactful experiences.