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TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Texas State Dining — powered by Chartwells Higher Education — is forging connections with first-year students through a unique program, First-Year Eats. This program, designed to help students acclimate to life on campus, offers insights into Texas State Dining Services, access to exclusive programs, and, most importantly, a special relationship with the school that will bring them back next year.
“Our primary goal with the First-Year Eats program is to enhance student retention,” said Whitney Villareal, director of marketing and guest experience at Chartwells. “We aim to reduce the one out of four students who don’t return after their first year. By introducing them to our chefs and dietitians and providing guidance on meal plans and special dietary needs, we empower them to make informed choices about their dining experience.”
Since the start of the semester, first-year students have been treated to a diverse range of events, from a welcome- back barbecue to a vendor fair, a series of Teaching Kitchens, and a retail food tour. Villarreal and Senior Executive Chef Alberto Trujillo led the tour of first-year students to dining spots they might not usually visit in favor of more familiar fare. They could sample the food, discover new flavors, and meet the chefs, creating an engaging experience.
At the vendor fair, for instance, students discovered the convenience of using Grubhub to order on-campus food ahead of time.
“We want to eliminate the need to wait in line,” Villarreal said.
The app, which was downloaded over 250 times during the event, offers a convenient solution for students to order and receive their meals without the hassle of queuing up.
Texas State Dining has had other fun events, like DJ nights with signature mocktails. The team chose to host these on Fridays so students living on campus had something fun to do. They also hosted their first-ever Trivia Night, which was a huge success, and all the spots were filled within two days. The Jeopardy-style trivia game included snacks, drinks and prizes. Topics included Texas State facts, food, sports and much more. In October, a Harry Potter-themed mystery dinner was held, with menu items inspired by the Potterverse. This event was so popular that Texas State Dining saw a 49% increase in guest count from an average meal period.
Texas State University has witnessed a significant increase in the international student population from India and Nepal in the last two years. This increase prompted a focus on the international student experience. Texas State Dining hosted a Diwali event, created in partnership with the campus’ international student associates, to celebrate the culture by creating a diverse and authentic menu. The event enhanced the dining experience by bringing joy and cuisine students love to their campus home away from home. Participation increased by 32% over the same Friday evening the prior year.
“We’re not just providing food, we’re creating a community,” Villarreal said. “We’re trying to engage with the first-year students and give them all the necessary resources. It helps us build our relationships, and it helps our partners because they’re also making connections. We’re creating that sense of community around dining and helping students feel acclimated at Texas State during their first year and beyond.”
Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality and guest service at over 320 colleges and universities in the United States. Chartwells is reinventing the on-campus dining experience by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring students and people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. The company’s excellence in culinary, nutrition, technology and sustainability bring truly unique dining experiences to every campus. Learn more about how Chartwells is creating joy in campus dining and preparing students for success at ChartwellsHigherEd. com and DineonCampus. com.
