Saxbys and Siena University Will Partner to Launch a Student-Led Experiential Learning Cafe

Siena University will partner with Saxbys, an education company that transforms campus operations into student-led businesses and high-impact learning environments, to open a new student-led experiential learning cafe on campus in September.

Philadelphia-based Saxby's will work with Siena and its current vendor AVI Foodsystems, to open the café in Casey's Lounge in the Sarazen Student Union. More than just a new place to grab coffee, the Siena-Saxbys partnership will support the University's commitment to experiential learning as an integral part of the student journey, as well as its position as the #1 university in New York for getting a job.

Through Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform®, a competitively selected student CEO and team of student vice presidents of recruiting, marketing, and finance take full responsibility for operating the business each semester. In these paid leadership roles, students build and develop teams, navigate operational complexity, and serve thousands of guests - all while carrying real business responsibility and earning academic credit.

All Siena undergraduate students can apply for the credited CEO role or apply to join as a Saxbys team member.

The Siena community will be invited to celebrate the grand opening on September 17 with giveaways and opening-day surprises.

President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D., has made Siena's commitment to experiential learning clear, ensuring every student participates in a meaningful experiential learning opportunity as a stated strategic priority.

"Our partnership with Saxbys reflects two of our core values, innovation and a person-centered approach to education, to build on our expanded emphasis on experiential learning across Siena. Saxbys creates an experience where students take full ownership of a business and engage in every aspect of running it, from daily operations to leadership and long-term success. This is exactly the kind of hands-on, real-world learning that defines a Siena education.

"Experiences like this are why our outcomes remain so strong." Seifert added. "Our students graduate with the confidence, skills, and perspective that come from doing the work, not just studying it. This prepares them to succeed and lead in a rapidly changing world."

Senior Vice President and Provost Margaret Madden, Ph.D., shared, "At the heart of Siena's academic mission is a commitment to teaching that transcends the classroom.

"Providing these professional immersion opportunities on campus does more than just fulfill a new degree requirement," she said. "It democratizes access to career-critical experiences, ensuring that every student, regardless of their external circumstances, has an equitable foundation for post-graduate success."

Siena's School of Business is already piloting a formal experiential learning graduation requirement with a campus-wide rollout on the horizon.

"Student success is a key priority for Siena and for the School of Business," said Dean Rashmi Assudani, Ph.D. "Experiential learning opportunities such as our partnership with Saxbys will bolster our efforts to ensure student success. I am thrilled that our students will have an opportunity to intern and work on campus. This kind of on-campus access to work and internship opportunities promotes equity among our students. With the new School of Business requirement for students to gain experiential learning, opportunities with Saxbys open additional doors for them."

Siena brought together a broad group of key campus partners spanning student success and academic operations to lay the groundwork for the partnership with Saxbys. That level of cross-campus alignment at the start of an implementation process reflects how Siena approaches experiential learning integration as an institutional directive, according to Adam Casler, interim vice president for student life.

"Our existing partnership with AVI Foodsystems as Siena's dining provider allowed us to bring their knowledge and experience into the planning process to strengthen the overall dining program and student experience. At the same time, this effort reflects the strong collaboration across our campus, with the Siena Student Senate playing a critical role as the voice of our students," Casler said. "Their advocacy, thoughtful questions, and ideas helped shape the plan and ensure this expansion meets the needs of our community. It also reflects the kind of innovation and hands-on learning we are developing across Siena, creating new opportunities for students to engage, lead, and grow through real world experience.

"That input, combined with the work of partners across the institution, made this a true Siena effort."

Ahead of the official March 31 announcement, Saxbys met directly with the Siena Student Senate, an early and deliberate step to ensure student voices shaped the launch and operations. The conversation was substantive: students asked about credit pathways, leadership continuity, meal plan integration, and campus impact.

"Experiential learning at Siena is not just a top-down mandate; it's a shared commitment between leadership and the students they serve," said Nick Bayer, Founder and CEO of Saxbys. "Siena proved from day one that their commitment to Make Life Better for their students is as central to who they are as it is to who we are. We're proud to help support the university's vision in providing transformative journeys and developing exceptional student leaders."

The cafe aligns operational stewardship with academic opportunity, in partnership with AVI Foodsystems, ensuring that student leadership development and business performance advance together in the same space.

Guests can enjoy Saxbys signature Cold Brew and Matcha Collections, all-day breakfast, made-to-order grilled cheeses, protein-packed Fit Frolattes, and more. Students eager to lead are encouraged to learn more and apply at saxbyscoffee.com.