In this conversation, Marcus Van Vleet, Executive Director of Dining & Hospitality Services at the University of California, Riverside, shares how his experience in both theme park and university foodservice informs his approach to building scalable hospitality frameworks in a public university setting. He explains how core operational systems can transfer across industries while adapting to the unique needs of higher education, highlighting projects like the phased reopening of The Barn to illustrate modular, growth-ready strategies.

Van Vleet discusses his focus on transparency and staff empowerment, from designing organizational cultures that evolve with operational scale to identifying and mentoring frontline employees with leadership potential, using culinary showcases and open Q&A sessions to boost morale and spark innovation.

He also explores how campus dining integrates with student life, wellness, and events, showing how venues like The Den and The Barn serve as cultural and social hubs and even host concerts to enhance the campus experience economy. Looking ahead, he shares insights on emerging technologies and key non-negotiable pillars for future dining systems, while challenging conventional thinking about hospitality leadership in higher education.