A new academic year brings fresh energy to campuses nationwide and Aramark Collegiate Hospitality helped set the tone with It’s Great to See You: Welcome Home celebrations, part of the All for You series designed to engage students and to highlight each campus’ unique community and spirit.
More than 240 campuses hosted It’s Great to See You events in late August and early September, creating warm, inviting spaces filled with raffles, snacks, drinks, games, and dining activities—all to show students, faculty, and staff how much Aramark values being part of campus life.
Here is just a taste of the Welcome Home activities that took place on campuses nationwide.
Florida State University
Seminole Dining welcomed students back with a Munch and Mingle event on the Union Green—with tie-dye T-shirts, snow cones, popcorn, ice-cold beverages, and opportunities to learn more about campus meal plans and other community resources.
Grand Canyon University
The GCU Dining team welcomed students and families to campus with activities throughout the first week of class, including opportunities to learn about dining options and meal plans. A welcome tent featuring giveaways, visits from Thunder the mascot, and balloon art by Dan the Balloon Man created fun opportunities for connection—and a special Welcome Back BBQ featured a special menu to kick off the new academic year.
Slippery Rock University
Students kicked off the semester with energy and excitement at a Rock Dining Welcome Back event called “The Zest Is Yet to Come!” Students had the opportunity to connect with the dining team, sample products, and learn about what's ahead this year to generate fun and excitement for another great semester of dining.
Southern Arkansas University
Students returning to campus were met with give-a-ways, a scavenger hunt in partnership with SAU housing, and, of course, delicious food—including a campus favorite, Chicken Wednesday. They learned how to use their meal plans, were given free dining merchandise, and got to take pictures with the SAU Mule mascot.
University of Central Florida
To kick off the semester with excitement and support, a Welcome Back BBQ featured great food including regionally inspired food favorites, live music, interactive stations (e.g., cowboy hat and bandana “bedazzling”), product samples, a photo op with Knightro the school mascot, and opportunities to learn more about meal plans, mobile ordering, and nutrition resources.
Sam Houston State University
Students joined Sammy’s Welcome Back Cookout as a fun and festive way to kick off campus dining for the new year. During the cookout, the Dining Team had fun additions like a cartoonist, live music from a local DJ, and balloon art, making this event a memorable way to start the fall 2026 semester.
Connection All Year Long
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality’s It’s Great to See You: Welcome Home events are part of the broader All for You engagement series created to foster connection, belonging, and memorable culinary experiences throughout the academic year.
From Friendsgiving celebrations and Exam Cram support to Valentine’s Day activities and It’s Sweet to Serve You customer appreciation events, All for You brings meaningful moments to campuses and reinforces Aramark’s commitment to supporting students every step of the way.
Mark This! Podcast: It’s Sweet to Serve You
Learn how Aramark Collegiate Hospitality uses its All For You guest engagement event calendar—highlighted by the nationwide It’s Sweet to Serve You celebration—to build connection and belonging for college students beyond the dining hall.
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