Jones College Dining by Sodexo Drives Engagement and Wellness Through Welcome Back Campaign

Jones College Dining by Sodexo launched a multi-day Welcome Back program designed to increase student engagement, strengthen family communication, and highlight dining’s role in supporting wellness and retention.

The campaign included first-day support, interactive parent and student outreach, mental health and wellness initiatives, and trend-driven dining pop-ups. Together, these events positioned Jones College Dining as a strategic partner in building community on campus.

“All the activities during Welcome Week were awesome, and I appreciated how dining took the time to explain the meal plans,” said Tanner Guthrie, Jones College Sophomore. “Now I know exactly how to get the most out of mine.”

The Aug. 18 “Don’t Be Latte” event guided students into the semester with practical support and a free coffee bar. On Aug. 19, “Night with the Bobcats” used interactive games, QR codes, and text alerts to grow digital engagement with students and parents. The campaign also featured targeted promotions, including the Commuter Meal Plan Special, offering a 20 percent bonus on all declining balance plans.

Mental health and wellness took center stage on Aug. 20 with “Bumping the Stigma of Mental Health.” Dining collaborated with Counseling and Tutoring Services to connect nutrition, stress relief, and academic support in one student-focused event. The program also promoted the Mindful dining initiative and access to campus dietitian Abbey LeBouef.

“It is important for us to make students aware of all the wellness resources available to them,” said Liz Brunet, Sodexo Area Marketing Manager. “Whether it’s nutritional guidance, emotional support, or academic help, we want students to feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.”

The series concluded Aug. 26 with Karaoke in the Union, featuring a Dirty Sodas pop-up that reflected Sodexo’s responsiveness to student requests. The high turnout underscored the demand for interactive, trend-driven dining experiences.

"Liz has been a tremendous asset to the Jones College counseling center,” said Sarah E. Jones, M.S., LPC, Director of Counseling. “We recently had Welcome Week on campus with a ‘Bump the Stigma of Mental Health’ awareness day. Liz's insightfulness and creativity was a hit with the students as they enjoyed push-pops and other giveaways on that day. It has been a pleasure working with Liz and I hope our collaboration continues for many more semesters!"

Through the Welcome Back program, Jones College Dining by Sodexo demonstrated how dining services can extend beyond meals to support institutional priorities — enhancing student engagement, addressing wellness, and strengthening parent communication.