Inspired by a favorite poem, “If—” by Rudyard Kipling, Rahul Shrivastav, chairman-elect of the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS), has made it an aim in life to “meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same.”
The executive director of dining & hospitality at Indiana University has met with both, practicing an awareness that it is the journey, not the destination, that matters most. A recognized leader in the hospitality industry, Shrivastav has worked at top hotels in Syndey, Australia; Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Ann Arbor, Michigan. He attributes his success to his focus on learning, rather than success or failure.
He was born in northeastern India just south of Nepal in the city of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, to his mother, Dr. Manju Prasad Shrivastav, and father, Dr. Nagendra Prasad Shrivastav. Rahul attended a private boarding school for boys called St. Paul’s School. One of the oldest public schools in Asia, it is located in Darjeeling, India, nestled in the eastern Himalayas with a view of the third tallest mountain in the world.
Shrivastav went on to culinary school, earning a diploma from the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology in Bhopal, India, before earning his Bachelor of Business in hospitality and tourism from Southern Cross University in Sydney, Australia.
Shrivastav now lives in Bloomington, Indiana with his wife, Sara, and their two children. He said the most significant challenge he has overcome was immigrating to America and settling down here, but, as he reflected, “Life is full of challenges – I appreciate being challenged.”
Shrivastav said raising his daughter, Mira, and son, Raj, has been his greatest accomplishment, noting, “I am proud of my children and who they are growing up to be.”
He has worked in his role at Indiana University since 2017, previously serving as manager of food operations at Pennsylvania State University and director of catering at the University of Michigan.
At NACUFS, he served as the chairman of the marketing and communications committee from 2017 to 2018, a trustee at-large since 2021, and he presented educational sessions in 2015 and 2022. He was voted chairman-elect in 2023 and will become chairman in 2024-25.
Reflecting on what he has learned in his career, Shrivastav said, “Listening is one of the most disregarded leadership skills. Give time to listen and learn to talk less.”
Shrivastav’s greatest value in foodservice is sustainable dining, including healthy eating and healthy living through food. His student-centric approach at IU means that he not only advances educational programming and student feedback, but he also emphasizes training and professional development among his staff. Shrivastav values farm-to-table meals and supporting local vendors whenever possible to promote both the health of students and the wider community.
“I love working in university hospitality and food & beverage,” Shrivastav said. “I love the energy, the people, and how it builds community.”