University students are enjoying a completely reimagined dining experience on campus this spring semester thanks to several new initiatives implemented by Chartwells Higher Education, Nevada Dining’s food service partner and a recognized leader in contract food service management. From innovative, sustainable cooking methods to enhanced community partnerships and expanded autonomous delivery, Chartwells and the University are bringing customized and enriched dining experiences to students.
“The voice of our students is an important part of our program, and we use every opportunity we have to infuse their feedback and individual needs into our strategic dining vision,” says Kylene Ott, District Manager for Chartwells Higher Education. “Monthly Dining Committee Meetings, email and website feedback as well as our annual Voice to Vision surveys are regularly assessed to identify opportunity patterns that we can quickly bring to life.”
In response to evolving cuisine trends and continuous student feedback, the University and Chartwells are introducing new dining initiatives to students this semester:
Reimagined “Create” dining experience. Create offers a newer approach to made-to-order salads and wraps featuring increased protein portions and house made dressings and sauces added right into each order. This location in the Pennington Student Achievement Center now showcases a line of quick grab & go salads and wraps featuring campus favorites for guests that want to skip the line.
New Middle Eastern street food location, Halal Shack. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2022 there’s been a 68% increase in international student college and university applications this year. Halal Shack comes to the University of Nevada, Reno offering a build-your-own Middle Eastern street food experience where guests can pick favorite fillings like falafel and chickpea korma, fresh toppings, and house made sauces, all loaded into your choice of vessel from naanritos to zoodle bowls.
Expanded MealTrade offerings. To increase the flexibility and portability of meal plans, Chartwells added new locations that offer MealTrade to any meal plan holder. This includes the new Halal Shack, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, El Chavo’s, and Las Trojes at Student Choice.
Pack Place enhancements. Pack Place is the center of the Nevada Dining experience with 12 unique stations that offer a rotating variety of flavors and cuisine styles. Pack Place has shifted stations to improve accessibility and line flow, and added new menu offerings at 500 Degrees, pasta at Hot Top, and made-to-order mobile ordering options for a convenient and customizable experience.
Thrive – featuring foods made without the top 9 allergens. The culinary team is dedicated to offering a safe variety of rotating dishes featuring lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy snacks. Guests can enjoy meals like chimichurri meatballs, house-made vegetable and beef pho, and cajun chicken with okra and tomatoes, to name a few.
Dining and Cooking