Engage: Southern Learning Sessions
Sessions
Keynote: It’s All About Relationships: Leveling up!
Randy Fox
Through engaging stories, actionable strategies, and practical application, you'll discover how to lead with influence (and yes, regardless of title, you have the capacity to lead), communicate with impact, and improve your relationships. Not only will you be encouraged and equipped in your work, you will be inspired in your life to make a difference each and every day.
Key Takeaways
- Key concepts of leadership influence
Understand what influence really means—and how to use it to uplift and inspire those around you - How to get along with anyone – including the LADR Principle
Learn powerful interpersonal strategies to build strong, respectful relationships - Tools to work together effectively and help others WIN!
Experience the skills to collaborate, communicate, and move forward—together
Breakout session
Leading Forward: An Open Q&A on Career Growth and Leadership
In this interactive session, leadership coach and author, Randy Fox, answers your questions about advancing your career, strengthening leadership skills, and overcoming workplace obstacles. No topic is off-limits – from confidence and communication to how you show up to lead.
Creating a True College Town Downtown
For many urban universities, blending seamlessly with the surrounding city can be both a challenge and an opportunity. Georgia State University—situated in the heart of downtown Atlanta—has embraced this opportunity by reimagining what a “college town” can look like in a major metropolitan center. This session explores how GSU has strategically partnered with city stakeholders, local businesses, students, and campus dining to cultivate a vibrant, student-centric environment that feels cohesive, safe, and authentically collegiate.
Panther Dining Tour with Breakfast
Meet at registration between 9 and 9:30 a.m. before the event starts for a walking tour of Georgia State University’s Panther Dining halls. The tour will include visits to Patton Hall, Piedmont Central, and Piedmont North, offering a look at how dining supports student life across campus. Participants will enjoy breakfast at Piedmont Central along the way. This is a walking tour with time spent moving between and inside buildings, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Inside PantherDining – A Tour of GSU’s Sustainable Dining Halls
Step inside Georgia State University’s award‑winning residential dining program with a guided tour of its three 3‑Star Certified Green Restaurant dining halls: Patton Hall, Piedmont Central, and Piedmont North. Learn how GSU uses themed stations, global cuisine, wellness‑focused offerings, and sustainable operations to serve thousands daily in a vibrant urban campus environment. Attendees will explore station variety—from international “Passports” concepts to wellness‑driven vegan/vegetarian dishes—while discussing operational flow, menu flexibility, traffic patterns, and service models that support all‑day dining, student engagement, and campus community building.
Catering & Retail Innovations + Interactive Roundtable
Explore how Georgia State University’s PantherDining delivers flexible, modern food experiences through its diverse retail dining concepts and catering services. This session begins with an inside look at high‑traffic retail venues such as Chick‑fil‑A and Courtyard Kitchen’s cloud‑kitchen and locker pickup system, showcasing how technology, menu variety, and location strategy serve a fast‑paced urban campus.
Participants will then learn about GSU’s campus catering program, which provide customizable event solutions and unique action‑station offerings for a diverse university community.
Following the tour, attendees will engage in an interactive roundtable discussion with peers and GSU dining leaders. This facilitated conversation centers on the realities of operating in an urban environment—such as sustainability initiatives, labor considerations, student‑centric menu design, and the integration of ordering technologies—aligning with NACUFS Engage Southern’s emphasis on operational excellence, relevance, and student engagement.
Growing Impact: Inside Georgia State’s Hydroponic Farm and Its Support for Panther’s Pantry
Explore how Georgia State University leverages innovative urban agriculture to advance sustainability and strengthen student support systems. This guided tour takes you inside the university’s Leafy Green Machine—a fully functional hydroponic farm built inside a shipping container just behind Piedmont North. The farm grows lettuce, kale, spinach, and herbs year‑round using climate‑controlled technology, vertical grow towers, LED lighting, and a highly efficient water‑recirculation system capable of producing more than 4,500 plants while using only 10 gallons of water per day.
Attendees will learn how the hydroponic farm contributes to campus well‑being by providing fresh produce to Panther's Pantry, which supports Georgia State’s broader food‑access initiatives. Panther’s Pantry plays a vital role in addressing short‑term food insecurity by distributing food and hygiene items to students, faculty, and staff across multiple campus locations—an effort strengthened by sustainable food‑growing projects like the hydroponic farm.
Participants will leave with valuable insights into how sustainable campus dining operations can integrate with student‑support strategies, creating resilient systems that nourish both the campus community and long‑term institutional success.
Leadership Panel
Leadership Journeys: Different Paths to Success
Join NACUFS Southern Region leaders for a Leadership Panel featuring senior dining leaders who will share how they built their careers and what helped them advance along the way. Whether you’re just starting your path in collegiate dining, or looking towards your next step, this session offers practical advice, real-world perspective, and candid insights into the skills and experiences that matter most in our region. Attendees will leave inspired and better equipped to continue their own leadership journeys.
Panelists
Evan Olsen
Director of dining, Florida Tech
Evan earned his business degree from the Dedman School of Hospitality at Florida State University in 2003. As the Catering Manager for Aramark at Florida State, he coordinated large scale events including Doak Campbell Stadium skybox catering. From Tallahassee Evan moved to Macomb, Illinois as Catering Director with Sodexo at Western Illinois University leading the premier catering program in the area. Since 2011, he has directed the campus dining program at Florida Tech located on the Space Coast. He serves on the NACUFS board of trustees, and any spare time is spent on the pickleball court!
Vedda Hsu
Dining director, Oklahoma State University
Vedda Hsu is the Director of University Dining Services at Oklahoma State University, where she has served for six years, bringing 20 years of experience with the department. She holds master’s degrees in hospitality management and higher education, equipping her with a unique perspective on student needs and culinary innovation. Vedda is committed to creating inclusive and nutritious dining experiences while implementing sustainable practices.
Amanda Hough
Director of Vol Dining, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Amanda Hough built her career in operations and sales within the hospitality industry, managing operations and sales for country clubs and private event venues. She oversaw daily service and large events, focusing on high-end guest experiences and revenue growth. These roles strengthened her skills in client relations, team leadership, and operational efficiency, skills that continue to shape her work today.
At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Hough oversees Vol Dining and manages the university’s dining services contract with Aramark. As a former student-athlete, she values connection and belonging – especially through food – which she sees as a powerful way to build community.
Amanda is in the ProMBA program at the Haslam College of Business and will graduate in December 2026.