Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services

Senior send-offs are often the last hurrah before graduation. 🎊 Every campus has its own traditions, its own pressure points, and its own version of what makes students feel ingrained in campus life. This year, the team at GW Dining brought a graduation tradition to life. They gathered graduating students in a fun celebration of food, community, and achievement before they turned in their tassels. Local Maryland blue crab, seafood boils with all the fixings, a live student-DJ set, and engaging entertainment all came together to bring an unforgettable experience for these graduating seniors. Creating moments of joy through food has always been our mission, and we’re proud to be part of the journey that shapes their future.

Big Blue Nation, we’re excited for what’s ahead. As part of Compass Group's new partnership with the University of Kentucky, our Chartwells team is proud to be part of a new model that brings together food, hospitality, facilities and healthcare support services to create more connected experiences across the UK community. We look forward to delivering great food, warm hospitality and moments that bring Wildcats together. #GoBigBlue 💙

As graduation approaches, students begin to look ahead, and experiences that connect them to what’s next take on new meaning. At St. John Fisher University, the Fisher Flight Program helps bring that transition to life. During a recent visit to Charlotte, students stepped into Compass Group’s corporate offices, engaging in thoughtful conversations with leaders and gaining a clearer view of the paths ahead. In those moments, career paths felt less abstract, shaped by real stories, practical insight, and a better sense of how their own experiences could translate beyond campus. The experience concluded with a Teaching Kitchen led by Fisher’s Resident District Manager, where students gathered, participated, and stayed a little longer, building on the connections made throughout the day. By the time they returned to campus, the next step felt closer and more tangible, shaped by moments that turn curiosity into confidence. 

🌟 It’s a proud moment for our team 🌟    Chartwells Higher Education has been recognized by the Hermes Creative Awards for the ideas and experiences that shape how students connect through dining.    This year’s winning work reflects what we think about every day – the role dining plays in creating spaces where students feel welcome, connected, and excited to come back to.     🏆 Platinum  • Supper Club  • Social House  🥇 Gold  • At the Table  • Performance Circle  ⭐ Honorable Mention  • Experience Syllabus    Huge congratulations to the teams behind these concepts. This recognition is a reflection of thoughtful strategy, creativity, and a deep understanding of the student experience.  🔗 https://lnkd.in/e46BJvkb 

The best campus dining experiences are built through partnership. At the NACAS South Conference at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, our Chartwells team was proud to join our UNC Charlotte partners in showcasing the creativity, collaboration, and innovation that define their campus dining program. Together, the teams brought local storytelling to life through a Carolina-inspired culinary experience, interactive stations, and live culinary moments that celebrated regional flavor and created a meaningful connection to place. Attendees also saw first-hand how innovation shows up every day, from house-made honey BBQ sauce made with honey sourced directly from the campus beehive to creative programming that engages students in memorable and meaningful ways. We’re grateful to the UNC Charlotte team for their partnership and to the NACAS South community for the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share what’s possible when great teams work together. 

Finals season can be intense, so we created a different kind of study break: one with coffee, music, creativity, and community. ☕️✨ Coffee Rave was designed to help students pause, recharge, and reconnect during one of the most stressful times of the year. 🎧 At our first-ever Coffee Rave at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, the dining hall transformed into a space featuring chill house beats, DIY coffee and pastry bars, and creative outlets like bookmark making, coloring, and a highly favored “blind date with a book”. 🪩 A silent disco café came to life at Louisiana State University, creating a space for students to step away from academic pressures and focus on connection and self-care. With support from campus and community partners, students enjoyed global coffee experiences, smoothies, and energy teas, all complemented by a dynamic, music-filled atmosphere. Nearly half of college students say that dining programs help them build friendships and community, and Coffee Rave brings that insight to life by giving students the energy to finish strong and a space to feel supported along the way.

At the heart of every great campus are the people who make it all work. The Labombarda family’s story is a powerful reminder that service often starts long before a job title, and that the lessons learned early can shape a lifetime of impact. For Joe Labombarda, now Senior Vice President of Culinary, decades in professional kitchens taught him values he still lives by today: the importance of preparation, consistency, and taking care of the people beside you. At home, those same values lived every day. Through early mornings, long hours, and shared commitment, Joe modeled what it means to take pride in your work and stand by your responsibilities. His son, John, carried those lessons forward, choosing a different path but guided by the same compass. Today, John works for SSC Servies for Education, supporting campus operations through his work in maintenance and ensuring that the systems students rely on run safely and smoothly behind the scenes.  Their journeys may look different, but the foundation is the same: show up, do the work the right way, and take care of the people who depend on you. This Services Appreciation Week, we celebrate the support services professionals who go above and beyond every day to create safe, clean, and welcoming environments where people can learn, work, and thrive. We’re proud to partner with SSC Services For Education, whose associates bring this same dedication, craft, and care to campuses every day. Their work creates environments where learning can happen, and communities can thrive. Today, we recognize the service professionals who take care of our campuses just like they would at home. Your commitment leaves a lasting mark—and we’re thankful for your partnership.  Happy Services Appreciation Week! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/epj_P4KR

A new chapter in campus dining is coming to St. Catherine University.     Beginning this month, the St. Kate’s community can expect a new dining experience that supports how students gather, connect, and live on campus. We’re refreshing spaces, creating flexible options, and introducing technology to offer personalized experiences that elevate everyday dining with details that create a welcoming, convenient, and student-centered service.    We look forward to creating impactful moments centered around the campus dining experience. Go Wildcats! 

Five years of creating moments of joy, making an impact, and spreading kindness. 🩵 As we wrap up our final JoyFul events, we’re reflecting on the moments and memories we’ve made along the way. To everyone who participated in and hosted JoyFul, we thank YOU for helping create something lasting, inspiring, and deeply rooted in connection.

Innovation in campus dining doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a direct result of partnership, collaboration, and listening closely to students. Through a data-driven and experiential approach, we’re applying insights that enhance the student experience.💭 Industry-first initiatives across sustainability, student engagement, and athletic nutrition are helping reshape the collegiate dining experience nationwide. Our focus remains on progress that’s practical, measurable, and grounded in the student experience. By creating more opportunities for students to share their voices in these conversations, we gain meaningful insights that tell us how we can support them throughout their college journey.  🔗  Take a look at how we’re building on a legacy of industry firsts: https://lnkd.in/et_umEy5