As students return to campus and establish their new routines, certain professional staff members are also paving their way in new positions. Courtney Crudden and Marques Shoulders have been named as director and assistant director of Lasell Dining Services.
Since the Chartwells company is a contracted partner of Lasell, the hiring process was not under the school’s control.
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Andrew Maylor was a key element in coordinating with Chartwells to search for new staff members. Maylor discussed the needs of Lasell’s students with Chartwells in order to hire the most capable and engaged candidates.
“It was mutually agreed that having someone with significant experience in higher education was a requirement and specific experience working at Lasell was a strong preference,” Maylor said.
Maylor continues “We were fortunate that last year Chartwells had anticipated [the previous director’s retirement] and brought Courtney Crudden to campus as the assistant director. During her time on campus, Courtney has demonstrated the skills and experience needed to take on this very challenging and important role.”
As the new director of Dining Services, Crudden is connected to all aspects of dining on campus, including retail, catering, vending, and resident dining. With twelve years of campus dining experience and having previously worked as assistant director since January 2024, Crudden understands Lasell students’ primary concerns with their food options.
“My main goal is to find new and creative ways to drive the food program on campus,” said Crudden. “We will be working with the [Student Government Association] and Food Committee to connect with students and their needs.”
Now serving as assistant director of Dining Services, Marques Shoulders now oversees the operations of 1851 in Arnow Campus Center, Starbucks in the Michael B. Alexander Science and Technology Center (STC), and all catering services. Coming from Stonehill College, where he served as a supervisor and retail manager for eight years, Shoulders is arriving at Lasell with a priority of increasing student engagement.
“My goal is to enhance the dining experience for students, faculty, staff, and the community through innovative dining options,” said Shoulders. The new assistant director also expressed interest in planning pop-up events to more directly serve and connect with students.
Crudden also spoke to the innovation and accessibility of new food options across campus: “We are moving towards 24/7 dining options. We added the Costa Coffee machine in Arnow, and Farmer’s Fridge in [the Glow Lounge].”
In the STC, new “Take 3” options have appeared, and pastries are now available for sale alongside Starbucks coffees and refreshers. Within Valentine Dining Hall, a new pasta station, noodle bowl station, and “old standby” station have been established, and a Tractor Beverage dispenser has been installed.
The dining hall’s hours have also been updated; on weekdays students can scan in from 7:30 a.m.- 8 p.m., as Valentine Dining Hall is now open consecutively, and the doors will not be locked during these hours.
In terms of more updates to come, the team behind Lasell’s Dining Services are already in motion toward the next best meal on campus. “The University’s goal as it relates to dining is continuous improvement in the student dining experience,” said Vice President Maylor.
“Adding new food options, new locations, upgrading current venues and menus are part of regular conversations between University staff and Chartwells.”
Part of this conversation has centered around the revitalization of an empty section of Arnow Campus Center. What once was a 24-hour self-serve market is now under construction, leaving students guessing as to what could take its place.
Maylor has confirmed that the newest addition to on-campus dining options will come in the form of more food and drinks available at all times of the day, as well as “bistro style” seating next to the vending area.
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