Strengthening Community Ties for College Campuses

The last few years have reminded us how vital it is to feel connected to our communities. For college students, that may mean joining campus clubs, sharing a meal with friends in the dining hall or tailgating on game days. However, opportunities to experience and engage with the community shouldn’t be confined to campus grounds. Many students are naturally curious and adventurous, eager to explore the world around them. How can college campuses encourage students to experience local culture while also strengthening the surrounding community?

Bridging gaps between college campuses and local communities requires new approaches that are beneficial to students, colleges, local residents and area businesses. The latest chapter of the President to President thought leadership series examines this topic. In “Higher Educational Relevancy: Aligning Programs, Economic Development, and Outreach to Community Needs and Aspirations,” University of Missouri–St. Louis Chancellor Kristin Sobolik, Ph.D., shares a few of the ways her campus works with local leaders to strengthen communities by identifying short- and long-term needs and collaborating on solutions. She explores the idea that higher education institutions are a vital part of the local region and are uniquely equipped to help address social issues, drive economic development and ensure that students, alumni and communities thrive.

When many students choose a college, they are also selecting a new place to reside for at least a few years, creating an opportunity to learn about the region and its people. There is perhaps no better way to experience local culture than through food. Whether it’s a lobster roll in Maine, a “garbage plate” in Rochester, a muffuletta in New Orleans or deep-dish pizza in Chicago, sampling regional favorites is a great way to truly experience the flavors of the area.

Small local restaurants often serve authentic regional dishes that aptly reflect the community. Some now-ubiquitous dishes can even be traced back to a small local eatery, such as the famous origins of Buffalo chicken wings. In addition, local restaurants are an essential part of the region’s economy, directly employing hundreds of area residents and indirectly supporting the jobs of countless others.

Bringing Local Restaurants to Campus

According to Sodexo’s 2022-2023 Student Lifestyle Survey, nearly half of all students are accustomed to using a campus dining app. Sodexo recognized an opportunity to use this technology to support local restaurants while also offering greater variety to students.

Partnering with selective campus clients and communities, Sodexo has developed an expanded affiliate model and partnerships with third-party delivery providers to enable students to seamlessly order food from local and national restaurants off campus. Students at select campuses can order food from area eateries via Sodexo’s mobile dining app and have it delivered to their location on campus. 

This unique operating model highlights the importance of encouraging students to experience the surrounding region and demonstrates how colleges can help local businesses succeed by driving consumer traffic.