CAMPUS SPARK PROMOTIONS MAGAZINE 2026-2027

igniting a vibrant student experience

The Feed Effect: How Social Media Rewrites Student Marketing

Welcome

This might date me, but there’s a soundtrack to my high school graduation year and first year of college. All my Xennial colleagues, please stand up and join me in singing Vitamin C’s “Graduation (Friends Forever)” and Semisonic’s “Closing Time.” Play the first few guitar chords of “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day, and I’m instantly transported back to a time in my life when I stood on the line between childhood and adulthood, ready for what was next.

Music has a remarkable power to carry you back to faces and places from long ago — and taste can do the same, often just as vividly. Food is memory, food is experience, food is love if we let it be. Food takes us back to our childhood dinner table, back to a shared late-night snack with college roommates, back to heartbreak with a pint of Häagen-Dazs® and a box of tissues.

The reason we take student experiences so seriously is because we are helping to build positive memories around whimsical events, balanced choices, and indulgent moments of discovery in our dining spaces. Sometimes putting your phone down and decorating a cookie with friends hits differently after a long week of midterms. Years from now, someone might pick up a package of frosted cookies in the grocery store and remember the Valentine’s Day celebration from freshman year. With that in mind, I can’t wait to see the programs and promotions come to life across campuses this year — supporting your students in their college journey — and locking in a few core memories. Cheers to a successful academic year!

Julie Pfeifer VP Growth & Consumer

Experience Marketing Sodexo Campus

The Feed Effect: How Social Media Rewrites Student Marketing

Not long ago, college marketing meant glossy brochures, postcards in the mail, and campus viewbooks stacked high at college fairs. Now, the most powerful recruitment tool may fit in a student’s pocket — and the journey often begins with a scroll.

Prospective students are exploring campuses through Instagram posts, TikTok videos, and YouTube vlogs that capture real moments of student life. From dorm tours and dining hall favorites, to late-night study sessions and campus traditions, social media has become a new window into the college experience.1

Organic social media has become one of the most powerful ways to engage the next generation of students.2

Social media has become the new student tour. Every post, video, and interaction shapes perception and builds community. This article explores how campuses are:

Engaging the scroll generation

Crafting platform personalities

Empowering students as storytellers

Turning followers into engaged communities

Keeping content real, authentic, and relatable

Showing that even simple strategies can make a big impact

Student Life, No Filter

For Gen Z, the most persuasive campus marketing isn’t always polished — it’s real. Organic social media marketing focuses on sharing content without paid promotion while highlighting authentic experiences that bring the campus experience to life. This can include student success stories, club activities and campus traditions, favorite dining experiences, day-in-the-life videos, and behind-the-scenes campus moments. These posts feel less like marketing and more like storytelling — and that authenticity reflects exactly what today’s students value most.

56% of potential college students are scrolling and watching before picking up a campus brochure or visiting

The Scroll Generation

Gen Z has grown up in a world where digital content is constant. Highly visual, socially connected, and quick to spot anything overly produced or promotional, this generation values authenticity, inclusivity, transparency, and visually engaging storytelling. That’s why content created by students themselves — like dorm tours, campus event recaps, and everyday routines — often perform best. These authentic glimpses of student life help prospective students picture themselves as part of the campus community.

Platform Voice And Personality

Successful social media strategies recognize that every platform has its own vibe. TikTok thrives on fast-paced, personality-driven videos and trend participation, while Instagram focuses on strong visuals, interactive Stories, and community engagement. YouTube, on the other hand, is ideal for longer-form storytelling, campus tours, and student vlogs. The goal isn’t simply to post everywhere — it’s to create the right kind of content for the right platform.4

Students As Storytellers

One of the biggest shifts in campus marketing is the rise of student-generated content. Student ambassadors and campus creators offer a window into real life on campus, giving prospective students an authentic glimpse of what daily life is really like. From dorm and apartment tours to study routines, campus events, favorite dining spots, and everyday-life videos, these posts bring credibility, personality, and energy that traditional marketing simply can’t match.

Social media in action >>>

Students Shape Campus Dining

Sodexo’s campus partners at Austin Peay State University regularly ask students to pick the menu with “You Choose Mondays.” By tagging @govsdining with favorite dishes — from pho to hibachi — students help shape what’s served. Every Wednesday, a spinning wheel is live streamed on Instagram to reveal the winning Monday lunch.

The result? Higher engagement, happier diners, and a menu as diverse and creative as the Govs community. It’s a fun, interactive way to boost student satisfaction — and a social media story that shows prospective students exactly what makes campus life exciting.

Sources: 3. 2025 E-Expectations Trend Report, Examining the online experiences, expectations, and behaviors of college-bound high school students. E-Expectations Trend Report 2. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://learn.ruffalonl.com/rs/395-EOG-977/images/2025_E-Expectations_Report.pdf?version=0 | 4. CollegeHub. (2025, July 24). From TikTok to graduation: How students use social media for college decisions. CollegeHub. https://collegehub.info/blog/from-tiktok-to-graduation-how-students-are-finding-their-online-college-path 5. Sodexo (2026). Social media-savvy meals at Austin Peay University. Craft Magazine, Volume 12, pg. 16. https://issuu.com/sodexogoe/docs/ craft_magazine_volume_12?fr=sODNmYjkwMjcyMTU

From Followers To Community: Keeping It Real

Social media isn’t just about posting — it’s about connecting. Campuses that engage with their audiences by responding to comments, answering questions, and joining conversations turn followers into a genuine community where prospective students feel welcomed and valued before they even step on campus.

At the same time, authenticity is key. Students can instantly spot content that feels forced or overly promotional. The most successful colleges and universities strike a balance between staying on top of trends and sharing real, relatable stories that reflect their campus culture. When that balance is right, content feels natural, resonates deeply, and strengthens the connection between students and campus life.

Stacy Bowman-Hade Vice President of Growth Marketing & Communications for Sodexo Campus

Small Moves, Big Impact

Even simple strategies can make a big splash on social media. Posting consistently builds trust, while regularly reviewing analytics can help define what truly clicks with students. Campus stories come alive through student takeovers, faculty highlights, classroom moments — and yes, mouthwatering dining experiences that make everyone hungry for more. Mixing up formats like Reels, Stories, live streams, and carousels keep feeds dynamic, while personal stories from students, alumni, and faculty turn casual followers into a community that feels connected and inspired.

Leadership Spotlight

“Each semester, it becomes increasingly clear that the rules of marketing to students have been rewritten. Attention is earned in the feed, trust is built through authentic voices, and influence no longer resides with a single source. To capture today’s student audience and prompt them to take action, they must be inspired by or feel part of something bigger than what you are selling.”

Sodexo’s Social Strategy

Finding a community where students can thrive.

The New Campus Tour

For today’s students, choosing a college is about more than academics — it’s about finding a community where they can thrive. Social media lets campuses highlight their community every day through student voices, authentic experiences, the unleashing of student potential, and the creation of meaningful moments of belonging. In many ways, the campus tour of the future is already here, happening with one post, one story, and one scroll at a time.6

Sources: 6. Hanover Research. (n.d.). 9 tips to attract Generation Z students Hanover Research. https://www.hanoverresearch.com/reports-and-briefs/ higher-education/9-tips-to-attract-generation-z-students/?

Katie Bragaw Senior Communications Manager Sodexo Campus

Organic growth on social media doesn’t happen overnight. That’s why Sodexo Campus has spent the past several years building a data-driven strategy that better tells the campus dining story and positions dining as a meaningful part of campus culture.

Impressions are up 61% in the last year.

At the center of this approach is robust technology that allows us to manage, analyze, and continuously refine our social media presence. By leveraging advanced tools like Sprout Social to track engagement, monitor conversations, and glean real-time insights, we’re able to understand what resonates most with students — and respond with content that feels timely, relevant, and authentic while remaining grounded in the three pillars of our intentional content strategy to Educate, Inspire, and Entertain

Rather than relying on assumptions, this data-fueled, technology-enabled approach allows Sodexo Campus to stay agile, adapt quickly to emerging trends, and meet students where they already are — within their daily social media feeds — while building stronger, more meaningful engagement over time.

Creating Spaces Where Students Feel Well — and Welcome

For today’s college students, wellness means much more than eating in a healthy way or going to the gym. It represents a holistic blend of mental health, nourishing food, meaningful relationships, emotional resilience, and a powerful sense of connection and belonging on campus. Students are seeking environments that help them recharge, stay focused, and feel supported amid the demands of academic and social life. From the spaces where they gather to the food they enjoy and the communities they form, well-being has become an essential part of the college experience, shaping how students live, learn, and thrive.

Sodexo Campus has partnered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing for a first-of-its-kind partnership to bring Mental Health First Aid resources and training to dining teams at 300+ colleges and universities. Training commenced over the summer, with the program launching this fall. Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health challenges until professional care is available.

Sodexo takes a targeted, thoughtful approach to developing new materials and programs that address students’ current needs and challenges, ensuring our programs remain relevant and impactful.

Our Mindful initiatives support student wellness by bringing intention and balance to everyday campus life. Through nourishing meals that engage the senses and encourage eating with awareness, students can connect more deeply with their food and their bodies.

Dining programs like One & All further this mission by fostering inclusive, engaging food experiences and dining spaces that promote connection and enjoyment.

The Mindful program also emphasizes self-care practices and strategies to help students reduce stress, build resilience, and find calm while juggling a busy academic schedule. By blending mindful eating, stress management, sensory awareness, and community-focused dining, Sodexo creates experiences that support healthier habits, greater focus, and a stronger sense of overall health and wellness.

Sodexo’s newly refreshed, on-trend Mindful campaign encourages students to bring purpose and mindfulness to every part of their day. From thoughtful meals and quiet celebrations of personal wins, to savoring small moments and easing the pace of busy days, our Mindful program makes wellness feel natural, meaningful, and achievable. By integrating conscious living into everyday experiences, our Mindful program helps students pause, reflect, and flourish — both on campus and beyond.

4 Unveiling Four New Mindful Strategies for Healthier Students

Balance in Every Bite

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The first of our new Mindful strategies, Fresh, Flavorful, and Focused on You demonstrates how campus dining can actively support students’ overall health. This core Mindful tenet serves as a practical guide for promoting daily health and balance, featuring bold flavors and real ingredients alongside small, intentional steps that foster overall wellness. By offering dishes thoughtfully crafted by chefs and dietitians, the initiative shows how dining services can fuel students, enhance their campus experience, and reinforce your college or university’s commitment to nurturing both body and mind.

Celebrate Yourself Daily

Be Your Own VIP. Self-Care Isn’t Selfish is our strategy that goes beyond the plate to emphasize the importance of supporting students’ balance and resilience. In addition to encouraging students to choose meals that truly fuel their bodies, this approach goes one step further by urging them to take intentional moments to rest and set boundaries that protect their energy — reminding them that their health and balance matter. It’s critical to remind students that they are worth celebrating and, by prioritizing self-care, they are better equipped to engage fully in academics, campus life, and community. At the same time, this strategy helps your campus clearly demonstrate a commitment to nurturing resilience, focus, and overall student success.

Taste the Moment

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Another central strategy, Eat With All Your Senses, encourages students to be fully present and grounded in the moment during mealtime. By noticing colors, textures, and aromas, and by slowing down to breathe and savor each bite, students can reconnect with their bodies and recognize what they truly need to feel good. This Mindful approach not only enhances enjoyment and reduces stress but also creates memorable mealtime moments that support overall well-being. Through programs like this, your campus helps students develop habits that nourish both body and mind, turning everyday meals into experiences of presence, reflection, and balance.

Brian Bowser Senior Director, Operational Excellence Training Governance / Health & Wellness Campus & Government, North America

Simplify, Celebrate, and Enjoy

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Another principal element of our refreshed Mindful initiative, Minimalist and Merry: Holidays That Skip the Stress, helps students navigate the often-overwhelming demands of the winter holiday season. Between gift-buying, social gatherings, travel, and final exams, the holidays can quickly feel chaotic. This approach encourages students to set priorities, simplify their plans, and take time to recharge, creating space for moments of true joy and connection. By fostering balance and mindfulness during the holiday season, your campus supports students’ efforts to show up fully, ready to enjoy meaningful moments and experiences without unnecessary stress.

Leadership Spotlight

“Today’s students see wellness as holistic and personal, so I’m most excited about bringing approachable, everyday wellness to campus. By combining craveable, balanced, and culturally inclusive cuisine, our new Mindful strategies support mental health, stress management, and connection to help students feel well and like they truly belong.”

Expert Voices Dietitian Insights for Campus Wellness

As part of our exploration of Mindful initiatives on campus, we spoke with two of Sodexo’s registered dietitians to share their expertise on supporting student well-being. Their guidance highlights practical strategies for fostering mindful eating, balanced routines, and overall wellness to help students thrive — both in and out of the dining hall.

Kelsey Rosenbaum, MS, RD, LDN, PMP

Senior Area Dietitian - West Sodexo Campus

Mindful represents a holistic approach to supporting student well-being. It brings together nutrition, physical activity, and mental health in a way that feels accessible and relevant to college life. It shows up in the dining hall by helping students make informed, better-for-you choices; through engaging Mindful events that encourage learning and participation; and in digital spaces where students already connect, like social media. Mindful events are especially powerful because they meet students where they are and help them feel supported throughout their college journey. By partnering with campus organizations such as student counseling centers or campus recreation centers, Mindful not only reinforces a culture of well-being, but also connects students to trusted campus resources, extending the impact far beyond the dining hall.

Our collaboration always starts with a focus on the student experience. We work closely with dining, wellness, and student life teams to ensure that Mindful recipes and programming are not only rooted in science, but also enticing, relevant, and reflective of what students actually want. If food isn’t delicious, or programming doesn’t resonate, it won’t engage students — and we know that engagement is where impact begins.

To stay student-centered, we rely on a combination of culinary and wellness trends, student insights, and ongoing conversations with campus partners. By collaborating with other wellness teams — as well as with staff members in the student life, counseling, and recreation departments — we align Mindful programming with the real challenges and opportunities campuses are seeing. During the last several years, that need has been around stress management, mental well-being, and building healthy, balanced routines.

Cristina Caro, MBA, RDN, LDN, CAT Senior Area Dietitian - East Sodexo Campus

As a dietitian, I integrate Sodexo’s Mindful strategies to help students make informed decisions about diet and lifestyle choices so they can achieve their personal wellness goals. This includes education about balanced meals and nutrition breaks, positive relationships with food, and how choices affect mood, sleep, mental and physical performance, and resiliency.

I collaborate with campus wellness partners and dining services to activate wellness pop-ups, group nutrition talks, dining tours, and social media campaigns. Additionally, I participate in campus wellness fairs and health panels, and serve as a guest speaker for Mindful classes, workshops, and meetings.

I seek to promote self-awareness and help students clarify their wellness values to achieve and maintain a state of well-being in campus life and beyond.

Student needs and emerging trends are shaping the way we design these programs. We see increasing interest in preventive self-care and social well-being initiatives that prioritize emotional health, quality sleep, and social connectedness. Students are gravitating toward experiential

educational opportunities that lead to actionable steps toward achieving these goals.

Our wellness activities include small-group interactions such as cooking classes, sip-and-paint sessions, and other hands-on opportunities where students can make social connections and increase life skills through shared interests. We construct our wellness programming around holistic, science-based, and inclusive student experiences to nourish the body, mind, and community.

Local Impact, Lasting Change

At Sodexo, giving back isn’t a side initiative — it’s a driving force behind everything we do. Rooted in local, grassroots efforts, our commitment to fighting food insecurity, advancing sustainability, and uplifting communities sparks meaningful action where it matters most. From campus dining halls to neighborhood partnerships, we focus on creating real solutions today that shape a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable tomorrow. These philanthropic efforts don’t just meet immediate needs — they build momentum, turning small acts of service into lasting impact for the future.

By empowering our teams and partners to take action at the community level, we create opportunities for innovation, connection, and purpose-driven work. Whether it’s reducing food waste, redistributing surplus food, supporting local organizations, or engaging students in service, each initiative helps build a culture of care that extends far beyond the plate. Together, these efforts form a powerful network of local impact, where sustainability and community support go hand in hand, proving that when passion meets shared purpose, the result is lasting change that continues to grow and inspire.

From local partnerships to large-scale, national initiatives, the following are a few standout examples of how Sodexo is showing up, taking action, and making an impact.

Giving Tuesday

In December 2025, Sodexo’s Stop Hunger initiative once again reimagined Giving Tuesday by taking the focus off fundraising, doubling-down on truly giving, and awarding a total of $240,000 in grants to 236 community organizations across the United States. This included $90,000 in community grants, with 36 awards going to organizations nominated by Sodexo employees who understand the unique needs of their local communities and who support giving where they live.

Through its partnership with the Congressional Hunger Center, Stop Hunger also distributed $131,000 in K–12 Backpack Grants, supporting 131 programs that help ensure children have access to nutritious food outside of school. Additionally, in collaboration with Swipe Out Hunger, Sodexo awarded $200,000 in campus pantry grants to 69 nutrition programs, helping to ensure that college students don’t have to choose between paying for tuition and accessing meals.

Move Out Food Drive Highlights

• 36 campuses participated in the annual Servathon Move Out Food Drive in spring 2025.

• More than 14,026 pounds of food were collected and donated to on-campus food pantries and other local, community-based, food aid organizations.

• Sodexo’s Move Out Food Drive continued to grow nationwide, reaching more than 60 participating campuses in spring 2026.

Leadership Spotlight

Jessica Synkoski Vice President, Sustainability & CSR - North America, and Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation - US

“There is nothing more powerful for building social awareness than participating in real-life experiences. Students can come away with a lasting sense of community or even a life-changing moment, knowing that their actions made a true difference.”

Stop Hunger Games at University of Cincinnati, Ohio

In August 2025, the University of Cincinnati hosted the Stop Hunger Games, combining team-building events, relay races, and a community service initiative in support of Bearcats Pantry through Last Mile Food Rescue. During the Unleashing Your Potential Leadership meeting, four representatives from each of Sodexo’s SVP teams competed in four playful relay challenges: Cookie Face, Egg-in-Spoon Sprint, Chopstick Moves, and the Last Mile T-Shirt Run, with the winning team taking home a two-tier Stop Hunger Games trophy and medals. While the games were underway, attendees assembled 250 boxed lunches with PB&J sandwiches, chips, an apple, a cookie, and a handwritten uplifting note for each recipient. The lunches were donated to Last Mile Food Rescue and then distributed to local soup kitchens, Our Daily Bread, and Joseph House in Cincinnati, providing nutritious meals to individuals experiencing food insecurity and homelessness.

The Big Soup Event at Morgan State University, Maryland

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2026, a collaborative effort between Morgan State University, Stop Hunger, SodexoMagic, and Nestlé Professionals resulted in the preparation and donation of 150 gallons of soup to the MSU Food Resource Center. Building on a legacy of service, this initiative not only provided immediate support to those experiencing food insecurity, but also reinforced a culture of giving that continues today and lays the foundation for future community impact. By bringing together students, dining teams, and industry professionals, the project honored Dr. King’s vision while creating lasting, meaningful change.

Stop Hunger’s First Community Rebuilding Project at Warren Wilson College, North Carolina

Warren Wilson College students and Sodexo staff united to demonstrate resilience and provide community support during challenging times.

Community recovery after disasters can be long and isolating. In September 2025, the Stop Hunger team and its board of directors evaluated how the foundation could best support communities in need. While immediate disaster relief is handled by specialized organizations, Stop Hunger saw a critical gap. Months after the headlines faded, many communities were still struggling to regain stability. After Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, the team learned that Manna Food Bank in Asheville had been destroyed, with rebuilding expected to take three years and $112 million. Manna was a primary source of nutrition for 16 counties, and many children relied on its summer meal programs for essential nutrition.

To address these needs, Stop Hunger fully funded Manna’s summer children’s meal program, while 11 Sodexo partners supplied the food bank with meals, snacks, beverages, and essential supplies. In September 2025, more than 40 leaders from 12 organizations gathered at Warren Wilson College for a think tank on disaster recovery, then volunteered with

Manna Food Bank and a community mobile market to provide direct food assistance to high-need areas. In honor of Hunger Action Month, and the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, Stop Hunger mobilized its full network of partners to support long-term recovery. Asheville, NC

Thanks to the generosity of the foundation and its partners, more than 300,000 meals were donated, ensuring children and families had access to nutritious food while strengthening the community’s resilience for the future.

Better Tomorrow: Real-World Sustainability in

Action

At Sodexo, sustainability comes to life every day, with all teams and locations taking tangible action to make a difference for the planet. Since our founding in 1966, we have embedded sustainability in everything we do to ensure our operations drive measurable, meaningful results for clients, consumers, and communities — a commitment we call business sustainability. Our Better Tomorrow 2028 (BT28) roadmap sets the course for the future and builds on the successes of Better Tomorrow 2025, which turned ambition into results across every Sodexo site and every plate. During the next three years, BT28 will enable us to go further and faster, advancing food systems, reducing waste, strengthening communities, and creating a lasting impact for generations to come.

ReusePass, Sodexo’s preferred reusable container program, has helped eliminate more than 647,000 single-use containers from landfills across 18 campuses to date. The program continues to expand with additional schools launching the initiative this fall.

GOALympics Goes for Gold — Five Years Strong

GOALympics is a Sodexo national competition that gamifies reducing food waste and implementing environmentally friendly dining practices on our campuses. What started as a bold idea in 2022 has become a powerful movement — demonstrating the impact of collective action.

Food waste reduction remains a cornerstone of Sodexo’s sustainability strategy and Better Tomorrow commitments, making GOALympics a powerful driver of real and long-term impact. In celebration of this milestone, GOALympics unveiled the Hall of Flame and Hall of Flame Legacy Wall this year, recognizing Sodexo’s gold medal winners and the visionary sustainability leaders whose dedication and innovation have shaped the program’s success.

FIVE YEARS OF IMPACT

GOALympics 2022-2026

Cumulative Sustainability Achievements

National Sweepstakes Students Win, Sodexo Gives Back

Since 2017, Sodexo has incorporated its National Sweepstakes into our resident dining promotions to engage and reward students for their continued loyalty. These sweepstakes not only encourage students to interact more with the dining program, but also provide meaningful opportunities for them to support charitable organizations and community initiatives focused on fighting food insecurity. These promotions create a positive cycle — students enjoy the chance to win, the dining program strengthens its connection with the campus community, and critical hunger-relief efforts benefit from their involvement. It’s a thoughtful approach that delivers value for students, the campus, and the wider community alike.

2026 & 2027 Sweepstakes

In the spirit of giving, during both the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters, ten lucky students will win a $575 Visa® gift card, and Sodexo will donate $1,250 on their behalf to their campus food pantry or another food-related charity of their choice.

Since its inception, Sodexo’s partner campuses have donated $185,000 206 local charities across the United

Beyond Dining Serving Up Student Success Through Connection and Opportunity

Student success is about more than academic achievement — it’s about the joy, growth, and fulfillment that comes from fully engaging with campus life. It’s in the laughter shared over meals with friends, the pride felt in participating in campus traditions, and the confidence gained through hands-on experiences that prepare students for the future. From the everyday connections made in campus dining halls to the leadership skills built through internships and professional development programs, our students are thriving socially, personally, and professionally.

Reflecting on the experiences that make our campuses thrive, we’ve highlighted four key areas where student life comes alive. Campus Pride showcases the spirit, traditions, and moments that create connection and enjoyment on campus. Celebrations capture the events, milestones, and memorable experiences that make campus life vibrant and exciting. Culinary Adventures dive into the exciting dining experiences and flavors that bring students together. And Professional Opportunities feature internships, leadership programs, and hands-on experiences that equip students with the skills, confidence, and purpose to succeed beyond graduation.

We’re proud to share how our campuses inspire opportunities, encourage involvement, and celebrate the moments that define student success.

Campus Pride

Students at Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, came together for a lively Meet the Mascot event, where campus spirit was on full display. The highlight of the day was time spent with Otus the Owl, as students lined up for photos, shared laughs, and embraced the fun, welcoming energy of the moment. The event created a sense of connection and pride, capturing the kind of everyday experiences that make campus life memorable.

Celebrations

Whether looking for a romantic evening or a memorable night out with friends, an exclusive Valentine’s Day dinner at Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA, was the place to be. With only 30 reservations available across two seatings, students had to act fast to secure their spots. Campus Executive Chefs Patrick Nascimento and Daniel DiBona crafted an upscale menu full of delicious, beautifully presented dishes, paired with mocktails to set the perfect mood. Guests were welcomed by General Manager Jason King and led to candlelit tables where they enjoyed a warm ambiance in the familiar dining hall. Compliments to the chefs poured in. With returning guests from last year, and new students eager for the next event, this Valentine’s Day dinner proved to be a sweet success.

At Augusta University, Augusta, GA, students and staff regularly celebrate Sodexo’s Magical Month of Birthdays on the first Thursday of every month. It’s a festive way to recognize all students with birthdays occurring that month and make them feel truly special. Students create their own gift bags filled with snacks and treats, while the in-house pastry chef whips up a beautifully decorated birthday cake for everyone to enjoy. These monthly celebrations are all about bringing smiles, treats, and a little extra magic to campus life.

Culinary Adventures

At Boston University Fenway Campus in Boston, MA, students explored the art of pickled cranberries and cured salmon during engaging Kitchen Academy sessions in October and November 2025. Chef Brandon kept students fully engaged and entertained at both events, blending fun with meaningful learning. Passionate about connection, he shared the history behind each technique, turning each session into a truly educational experience. Kitchen Academy carried its momentum into the spring semester, with February’s sushi-rolling session reaching full capacity in record time.

Professional Opportunities

The Sodexo Campus Internship Program gives students hands-on experience in marketing, event planning, social media, and special projects, helping them sharpen skills in communication, organization, and leadership. Through Sodexo’s experiential learning program, interns gain valuable knowledge from mentors and practical experience that prepares them for success in their future careers — many even transition from their internship into full-time roles with Sodexo.

And because our frontline employees are at the heart of everything we do, student interns have the opportunity to participate in our award-winning Experiences Matter customer service training and staff appreciation program. This innovative initiative provides impactful training sessions that inspire and empower our teams to make a difference every day, while consistently showing our appreciation for team members who embody service excellence.

Our talented campus interns share their thoughts and reflections on what a Sodexo intern experience meant to them.

Prudhvi Raju Mulapaka College of Aviation

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Daytona Beach, FL

“At Sodexo, my internship involves promoting Sodexo initiatives while systematically collecting and analyzing student input to drive continuous improvement. I engage directly with students to gather actionable feedback on dining preferences and requirements, ensuring our services align with campus needs.”

Brooklyn Gossett

College of Business

Embry Riddle

Aeronautical University

Daytona Beach, FL

“My experience as a Sodexo marketing intern has been incredibly valuable. I had the opportunity to work on real campaigns, collaborate with a supportive team, and see firsthand how creative marketing strategies can enhance the customer experience. It has given me the opportunity to combine creativity with strategy in a fast-paced environment. I’ve learned how thoughtful marketing can shape experiences, build community, and create real impact for the people we serve every day.”

Empress Williams

“Discipline is louder than motivation.” Ari Carey

“Progress over perfection.”

East Texas A&M Intern Insights

MaKayla Williams

University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL

“This internship helped me see my future and career goals more clearly. It’s shown me what a career in this field looks like and has confirmed that it’s something I’m passionate about. I’ve been able to build real-world connections and skills in communication, working in fast-paced environments, and managing deadlines, all of which I’ll carry with me into my career. Most importantly, this experience has given me a new level of confidence. I feel ready to take on new challenges and step into future opportunities knowing I have the skills and experience to succeed.”

Words That Inspire

At East Texas A&M University in Commerce, TX, our campus interns don’t just gain hands-on experience — they bring their own energy, creativity, and personal philosophies to everything they do. From guiding principles to everyday mantras, these students share the genuine principles they live by, offering a glimpse into the values and mindset that drive their growth on campus and beyond.

Client Perspective Spotlight

“Sodexo interns bring an infectious energy that infuses our campus engagements with the kind of spirit that can be easy to lose sight of in the day-to-day. Whether they are helping take pictures for content creation or working at a particular event, their approach to the tasks at hand set the tone for other students’ excitement and enjoyment on campus.”

Catherine S. Stoutner Director of Dining and Partnership Development

University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL

Creating Memorable Experiences, Not Just Meals

The Benefits of Thoughtful Resident Dining Promotions

Serving and satisfying today’s students is no longer just about the food. It involves using creativity and vision to develop appealing cuisine and creating an experience that shapes the feel of the meal. Meeting the preferences and expectations of Gen Z can be a challenge. However, when done in a thoughtful, student-driven way, it can provide remarkable results in campus recruiting efforts, retention rates, and campus marketing initiatives, as well as provide a boost to the overall well-being of everyone in your campus community.

These vital campus and student benefits fuel Sodexo’s motivation to develop on-trend, foundational promotions and complementary activities each academic year. Powered by our Spark Strategy, cutting-edge student insights, the hottest dining trends, and culinary innovations, we develop unique promotions and events that offer nutritious, delicious, and interactive dining experiences that enhance students’ time enjoying food, friends, and memorable moments.

VP Growth & Consumer Experience Marketing

Campus

“Let’s be real ... food is memory. Tell me as an adult that ice cream sundaes don’t take you right back to pruned fingers poolside, mosquito bites on sunburned skin, the boardwalk on the annual family vacation, that one special first date. Food is the vehicle. Experiences are the fuel.” Leadership

FALL Promotions

Our foundational promotions encourage and celebrate inclusion through activities intended to attract students from all walks of life and make everyone feel welcome.

Our contemporary promotions are designed to foster relationship-building, belonging, and socialization on campus, leading to increased student satisfaction and resilience

The 2026 fall promotions offer a variety of activities to create entertaining, food-related experiences that will have students making memories during mealtimes.

Behind the Velvet Rope offers secret venues with exclusive menus, where students step into the world behind the velvet rope — where access to mystery, fun, and flavor is everything.

It’s Time to Touch Grass encourages students to unplug, recharge, and savor wholesome, plant-forward meals while finding balance between screen time and green time.

For all four promotions, Sodexo offers a range of creative, easy-to-use tools and resources that streamline execution and maximize campus staff time.

Our promotions help showcase the versatility of your campus dining service and the benefits of selecting a voluntary meal plan.

Spring It On! invites students to recharge with refreshing tastes, seasonal produce, and chef-crafted dishes that celebrate wellness and sustainability. Spring isn’t just a season. It’s a whole mood, and we’re celebrating it with good vibes, fresh flavors, and new beginnings.

Our Byte 2 Bite promotion is where innovation meets appetite, bringing together culinary creativity and digital connection — so students can shape their own experience through tech, taste, and engagement.

SPRING Promotions

AI-Curated Chefs’ Fare Showcase Smart Prompts. Real Flavor.

This exciting culinary competition is where innovative Sodexo chefs become the human version of ChatGPT — armed not with code, but with ingredients, knives, spices, and serious kitchen skills. This interactive event is prompt-powered creativity — where real food and real chefs combine with student imagination.

This year, we joined forces with Sodexo’s marketing professionals nationwide to launch a Campus Promotions Council. The council brought together top leaders and on-site marketing specialists in one creative space, allowing us to tap into their close student connections and firsthand perspectives to capture on-trend insights and the vital energy of their campuses. By collaborating this way, we spotted trends faster, generated fresh ideas, and fine-tuned promotions that truly resonate and are aligned with current student interests.

Meet Sodexo’s Promotions Council

Fresh Thinking Starts Here

Marlee Hebda

Senior Marketing Specialist

Colorado School of Mines

“It was truly an honor to help shape our FY27 promotions. As on-site teams, we work closely with students and customers every day. So having the opportunity to bring forward the trends and feedback we see firsthand not only strengthens national campaigns but also empowers managers to feel involved and invested in the promotions they help create.”

Wyatt Cannon

Unit Marketing Manager

Southern Connecticut State University

“Being in the unit daily and having a seat at the table for planning on a national scale is a unique opportunity. I can effect change and hopefully bring a fresh perspective to these discussions from my experiences in a boots-on-the-ground position. Opportunities like this are one of the reasons I love the culture at Sodexo. No matter your title, hard work and dedication will open doors for you to sit at the table with senior leadership to weigh in on widespread decisions.”

Corrine Khamphoukeo

Field Marketing Specialist II

Vaillette District: Providence College, Rivier University, and Hampshire College

“Being involved in the ideation process behind Sodexo’s core promotions was an opportunity like no other, as it allowed me to feel truly heard by the company while seeing firsthand how Sodexo supports the growth and development of its marketers. Since many of us work directly on campus and understand our demographic well, it was a great opportunity to use the feedback we’ve received, alongside our own creativity, to help design these new concepts.”

Bianca Gilfour

District Marketing Manager

Cook District: Louisiana & Missouri

“It was really fun to be on the other side of this process and collaborate with such a talented group of marketers, creatives, and leaders. Even though we started building these programs well before kickoff, they were

Jacob Smith

Senior Marketing Specialist South Dakota District

“Working with marketers across the country to develop the FY27 foundational promotions, sweepstakes, and Chefs’ Fare Showcase was a truly inspiring experience. Bringing together a broad range of perspectives, from East Coast to West Coast, small to large accounts, and on-site to district to regional marketing managers, led to a surge of creative, practical, and valuable ideas for our field marketing teams.”

Leveling Up Campus Life Through Strategic Collaboration

At Sodexo, we take a comprehensive, student-focused approach to elevating the campus dining experience. By leveraging data-driven insights and direct student feedback, our programs energize on-site teams, increase student satisfaction, expand healthier options, and deliver innovation and convenience — all while maintaining quality and variety.

Our marketing professionals stay ahead of trends by collaborating closely with campus leadership, staff, student groups, and influencers, fostering authentic engagement, building trust, and strengthening connections across campus. This integrated approach ensures flexible, tailored programs that meet the unique needs of each campus community while creating lasting impact.

Key highlights from our targeted initiatives

Elevating Connections & Cuisine

Perfect Palates is a blind-folded taste test where students have the opportunity to sample delicious dishes, guess the ingredients, discover bold flavors, and enjoy a hands-on culinary adventure.

Campus holidays combine tradition, fun, and community with themed menus, vibrant décor, and interactive activities that boost school spirit and create memorable dining experiences.

During exams, Late-Night Breakfast events let students relax and recharge with comforting, breakfast-inspired favorites in an enjoyable, stress-free setting.

Simple Servings is a dedicated dining station offering fresh, flavorful hot meals free from the most common allergens that cause 90% of food allergy reactions.

Enriching Community & Culture

By focusing on cutting waste, sourcing products responsibly, and encouraging environmental stewardship, Sodexo’s Better Tomorrow sustainability efforts reinforce our commitment to a healthier future for students and the planet.

Hosting a Good Vibe Food Drive empowers students to support their peers and their community through grassroots outreach events, awareness efforts, and community-driven engagement that helps combat food insecurity.

National Sweepstakes

Students love Sodexo’s National Sweepstakes because they can win big while supporting meaningful food-related charities. Our campus partners love the sweepstakes because it drives student engagement and makes a positive impact on surrounding communities.

Key highlights from our targeted initiatives

Engaging Students & Staff

Chef Celebration Week

This campus-wide celebration recognizes the culinary teams who power student success every day. A week of themed events celebrates service, shares gratitude, boosts team morale, and culminates on International Chefs Day, October 20.

We celebrate National Employee Appreciation Day by bringing the entire campus together to honor the hardworking dining teams who make every meal, event, and campus experience memorable. This day highlights teamwork, fosters connection, and recognizes the people who keep campus dining running smoothly while making student life better.

Peer-to-peer engagement is one of the most powerful tools on campus. Our Street Team program brings together campus interns, student ambassadors, and student influencers to help connect dining with the student community. Campus interns support marketing efforts, assist with events, and create engaging content while gaining valuable career experience. Student ambassadors help execute events, staff tabling opportunities, support move-in activities, and promote voluntary meal plans to their peers. Student influencers partner with marketing teams to share authentic dining experiences through social media and campus appearances.

Together, these paid student roles keep dining connected to campus culture while driving engagement and participation.

Enhancing Value & Interest

Sparking Sales is a frontline team training program that equips staff with the skills to utilize three proven suggestive selling techniques — upselling, cross-selling, and bundling — to increase sales while enhancing the customer experience. By recommending premium items, complementary products, or value-packed combinations, they create more satisfying and memorable dining moments for students.

Mystery Shopper utilizes undercover shoppers to provide feedback on quality, variety, and service — helping improve operations, recognize top team members, and boost student satisfaction.

This program also offers a meaningful opportunity to support students experiencing food insecurity by engaging them as Mystery Shoppers. Participants receive funds on their student ID, enabling them to dine at retail and residential locations alongside their peers. This approach provides discreet support while preserving student privacy and dignity.

Dave Trombetta Director, Growth & Consumer Experience Marketing Sodexo Campus

Leadership Spotlight

“Campus events aren’t just something students attend — they’re where everything starts. That’s where they meet their people, shake off that awkward ‘new kid’ feeling, and start to feel like they belong. And honestly, campus dining is just as clutch — it’s the spot where students hang, talk, laugh, and turn quick hellos into real friendships. That’s the stuff that makes college feel like more than just classes.”

BBQ Fun Pop-Up

College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL

The College of DuPage brought the heat with a BBQ Fun pop-up that brought serious flavor to campus. Students enjoyed delicious barbecue bites while making memories full of fun, friendship, and sizzling good times.

in Action

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Troy, NY

RPI turned up the flavor and let the beads fly with a Mardi Gras-style takeover. Students voted, and Big-City Bites New Orleans was the winner and brought the Big Easy straight to Russell Sage Dining Hall — serving up bold featured specials and serious NOLA vibes.

DejaNEW

York College of Pennsylvania

York, PA

We wanted students to feel like kids again! Mission accomplished at York College as we brought all the nostalgic vibes to the dining hall with grilled cheese favorites, throwback candy, and childhood toys to take home. Students posted their favorite childhood snacks, movies, and songs on the faves board and even voted on “Déjávu” vs. DejaNEW versions of their favorites!

Mardi Gras Party with Big-City Bites

Harper College

Palatine, IL

Harper College went the extra mile with the ultimate guac bar. Students dug into fresh, creamy guacamole and all the tasty fixings while celebrating Sodexo’s That’s So Extra promotion — because life is better with a little extra flavor!

Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU)

Natchitoches, LA

Providence College (PC)

Providence, RI

To celebrate this year’s NEAD in style, PC teams delivered custom t-shirts and ice cream novelty items to dining staff while also staging a super fun DIY photobooth. Marketing interns also surprised dining staff with a NEAD banner signed by the campus community, along with personalized thank you notes and a video that allowed students to send shout-outs to their favorite employees.

NSU combined its All That Jazz celebration with its Southern Food Day. Students enjoyed authentic southern Louisiana food staples including gumbo, po’boys, boudin balls, and jambalaya — and of course, you can’t forget the king cake! The Creole Heritage Center spoke to students on the intersectionality of food, culture, and the history of the great state of Louisiana. The Thomisee Quartet played soulful jazz tunes to bring the vibe to life and help the good times roll.

Navigating Campus Engagement Challenges: Unlocking Opportunities With Spark

Events

With our Spark Strategy, Sodexo champions student well-being, creates opportunities for campus and community connection, strengthens school spirit, and helps students thrive in all aspects of campus life.

CHALLENGE

Uniting students to celebrate school pride and spirit

Meet Our Mascot hypes your student body!

Meet Our Mascot is an easy way to bring students together for an informal campus dining mixer where your school’s fun-loving mascot is the guest of honor. These lovable, over-the-top characters maintain a larger-than-life presence at many school functions and naturally unite the entire campus community. This event allows everyone to meet, greet, mingle, and munch with your school’s colorful character — up close and personal.

CHALLENGE

iends iends iends

Highlighting the importance of the connections that students form during their college years

Forever Friends lets the stories come alive!

Forever Friends celebrates the significant value of friendships. It celebrates friends who have just met, as well as long-lasting relationships in which campus dining played an important role. The overall idea is to highlight the variety of wonderful relationships formed at your school and provide students with a forum to happily and thankfully declare, “It all started here on campus.”

CHALLENGE

Bringing like-minded students together to enjoy common hobbies and interests

Pastime Pursuit puts it on the board!

Pastime Pursuit offers an easy avenue to bring like-minded students together for food, adventure, and friendship.

The Common Bonds Bulletin Board is an interactive part of this initiative that helps connect students with others who share similar hobbies and pastimes.

CHALLENGE

Connecting students to strengthen and improve their community

Be the Spark makes it fun to help those in need!

Be the Spark is a fun, friendly, and socially responsible promotion designed to unite students in support of various causes and charities dedicated to improving life on campus and within the community.

CHALLENGE

Fostering a sense of community among students from diverse backgrounds

Community Table has got you covered!

Community Table is designed to offer a unique, inviting, and comfortable dining space that welcomes students from all walks of life to come together, meet new people, and forge new friendships during mealtimes. The concept is simple: Come as strangers, leave as friends!

CHALLENGE

Encouraging students to adopt healthy lifestyles and nutritious habits

FRESHtival brings the colors of health to life!

Think of FRESHtival as a spring farmer’s market with a festival feel. Showcase your dining program’s emphasis on using fresh ingredients creatively to maximize student appeal. This inviting meet-and-greet mixer will allow students to sample seasonally inspired items, fresh menu creations, and some flavorful plant-based options while making new friends in a casual and relaxing environment.

SETTING THE STAGE For Every Student Experience WITH INSPIRING SPACES

Sodexo’s higher education facilities management solutions keep campuses running at their best — creating safe, beautiful, and high-performing environments where students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

From pristine high-traffic spaces and well-maintained grounds to expertly managed building systems and strategic capital planning, every detail supports the campus experience and long-term success.

Explore Our Facilities Management Solutions