In the heart of Boston's urban campus, where nearly two miles of Commonwealth Avenue pulse with the energy of 35,000 students, Boston University's dining program faces a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Paul Riel, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services, has spent six years orchestrating a dining operation that serves not just meals, but experiences - from five residential dining halls to 20 retail locations, all woven into the fabric of a dynamic urban institution. In a wide-ranging discussion with Envision Strategies' President Rob White, Riel shares how data analytics, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of the modern student experience are reshaping campus dining at one of the nation's largest private universities. 

As a consultant in higher education dining for over two decades, I've witnessed countless dining program transitions. Each brings its own unique challenges and opportunities. At NACAS C2X 2024 I had the privilege of moderating a panel featuring four remarkable leaders who recently navigated dining service transitions at their institutions. Their stories ranged from an ambitious six-week implementation during winter break to carefully orchestrated multi-month transitions.