3 college students holding T-shirts
News | Collegiate Hospitality

Welcome Home: Fun, Food, and Hospitality Greet Students and Staff Back to Campus

September 26, 2025

   

A new academic year brings excitement and the promise of a new beginning for everyone returning to college and university campuses. To set the tone for the semester, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality teams organized Welcome Home celebrations to connect and engage students and to celebrate each campus’ unique character and vibrant community.

Welcome Home!

More than 240 campuses took part in It’s Great to See You celebrations in late August and early September that demonstrated to students, faculty, and staff how much Aramark Collegiate Hospitality values being part of their campus life. 

Teams worked to create a warm, welcoming environment that included fun activities such as raffles, snacks, drinks, and games.

It’s Great to See You events also served as a gateway for students to discover a Taste of Campus through a Dining Tour activity game. It’s a flavorful introduction to the various dining options available on each campus where students explore locations, learn about the benefits of meal plans, and feel confident navigating their culinary choices.

Celebrating Campus Community

Get a taste of the It’s Great to See You celebrations that took place at the beginning of the fall semester this year.

welcome home graphic
3 students holding potted plants

Western Kentucky University

Students at WKU learned about food offerings and meal plans, entered for a chance to win a premium cooler, and, as part of a TAKE15 activity, painted pots of succulents to add a welcoming touch to their rooms. 


staff members at an info booth

Temple University

At Philadelphia’s Temple University, staff members educated guests with information about meals, food allergies, and other dining program amenities.


2 students with food

California State University - Sacramento

At Sac State, students enjoyed complimentary Taste of Campus food samples at an outdoor Welcome Home fair.


staff members passed out snacks and guidance

Samford University

Team members at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, greeted guests and offered guidance—and snacks—to returning students.


students holding food

James Madison University

JMU students were treated to giveaways and the hospitality of a southern barbecue.


Smokey the UT mascot with an Aramark chef

University of Tennessee

Even chefs and the UT mascot Smokey took part in the It’s Great to See You celebrations.


Bringing the Fun Through the Year

It’s Great to See You is just one example of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality’s All for You consumer engagement series. Designed to foster a sense of connection and belonging, All for You works to make students feel valued and supported in the campus environment throughout the year—and to provide culinary experiences that build community and spark conversations over a shared meal.  

Other All for You events have included Thankful for You: Friendsgiving, You Got This: Exam Cram support during finals, Valentine’s Day love and kindness activities, and It’s Sweet to Serve You customer appreciation day celebrations across the campuses Aramark Collegiate Hospitality serves.

Want to see more like this?

Subscribe to get the latest Aramark News & Events