Saxbys Partners with Bowie State to Open Student-run Cafe on the Campus

BSU Location Marks First Saxbys Experiential Learning Cafe at an HBCU

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Damita Chambers (Bowie State University), dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile
Gia Vecchio (Saxbys), gia@foxglovecommunications.com, 917-280-5043 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – Coffee and social impact company Saxbys and Bowie State University have partnered to bring Saxbys’ Experiential Learning Program (ELP) to the university with an exclusively student-run cafe on campus. The new cafe opens today, November 19, 2019, at 8 a.m.

Saxbys first introduced its ELP initiative in 2015 at Drexel University to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, providing undergraduate students with tangible experiences as a supplement to traditional classroom learning and furthering the brand’s core mission to “Make Life Better” in the communities it serves.

This location marks Saxbys’ first ELP outside of Pennsylvania and the organization’s first partnership with a historically black college or university (HBCU). Bowie State University, Maryland’s first HBCU, strives to empower its diverse student body by providing both innovative academic programs and transformational experiences as they prepare for their careers. The introduction of Saxbys’ pioneering ELP to campus is a natural extension of the university’s ongoing pursuit of this mission.

“The Saxbys Experiential Learning Program provides a unique educational opportunity that incorporates hands-on learning and the development of an entrepreneurial mindset, which is critical for success in today’s workforce,” said Bowie State University President Aminta H. Breaux. “Students can easily access experiential learning on the campus with a partnership model like this one. Building partnerships is an important part of the Racing to Excellence Strategic Plan as the university promotes academic excellence through innovative teaching and co-curricular experiences.”

The inaugural Student Café Executive Officer (SCEO) of Saxbys Bowie State University is Devin Gallion, a 21-year-old business administration major, who oversees a team of 45 of his peers. A first-generation college student from Baltimore, Maryland, Gallion dreams of a career in food service or hospitality. He someday wants to open his own restaurant.

“This opportunity is going to jumpstart my career. The Saxbys Experiential Learning Program is the perfect first step for success,” said Gallion. “I didn’t always want to be an entrepreneur. However, I would like to be an entrepreneur now because I see how fun it can be.”

Each Saxbys ELP cafe is exclusively student-run and led by a Student Café Executive Officer (SCEO) who is empowered to develop fellow team members into leaders, ideate and implement creative marketing initiatives, strengthen relationships with community organizations and implement change with meaningful social impact outreach. Simultaneously, SCEOs manage their peers, oversee all cafe operations, and present profit and loss statements monthly to Saxbys’ executive team.

All SCEOs in the program receive ongoing mentorship and training, wages, and bonus opportunities, plus, full academic credit for the semester — but those are just some of the quantifiable, surface-level benefits of the program. Saxbys ELP is instilling a deep sense of entrepreneurship in undergrads guided by the organization’s defining three pillars: Team Development, Community Leadership, and Financial Management.

The 700 square-foot cafe will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The contemporary cafe is designed to foster a sense of community among guests and strives to create a convivial atmosphere with playful design elements including a custom neon sign, which reads “Make Life Better,” Saxbys’ mission statement.

Saxbys’ BSU offers extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Breakfast highlights include signature bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches, alongside freshly baked pastries and a range of housemade toasts. Lunch and dinner will serve up hearty sandwiches like a Tuscan Roast Beef comprised of Di Bruno Bros. roasted garlic & herb cheese spread, roast beef, roasted red pepper and baby kale on ciabatta.

The cafe’s beverage menu will feature Saxbys signature coffee program including the Pep Talk medium roast, Liquid Courage Dark Roast, Go-Getter Espresso, No Strings decaf, and the Cold Brew Collection on tap along with all-natural smoothies and seasonal drinks. Saxbys Bowie State will feature an exclusive Saxbys Sweet Tea. The cafe will accept meal exchange for combinations exclusive to Bowie State University students. In addition, students can use Flex Dollars, and Bulldog Bucks.

“Aminta Breaux [President of Bowie State University] was one of the first supporters of Saxbys Experiential Learning Program,” said Nick Bayer, Founder and CEO of Saxbys. “It is an honor to partner with her and the immensely talented team at BSU for Saxbys first expansion of this program outside of Pennsylvania. Both BSU and Saxbys share a mission to enrich lives by supplementing traditional classroom learning with unparalleled, tangible experiences and we’re looking forward to furthering that vision at one of the country’s most historic, diverse campuses.” Breaux was previously the Vice President of Millersville University, another institution with a bustling Saxbys ELP location on campus.

Learn more about Saxbys and find a cafe near you by visiting HelloSaxbys.com. 

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.

About Saxbys
Founded in 2005 by Nick Bayer, Saxbys is more than just coffee (though it is pretty damn good). Each cafe is an uplifting environment filled with friendly faces, delicious drinks and exceptional food to fuel the day’s possibilities. With a core mission to “Make Life Better,” Saxbys brews real change in the communities it serves, while nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in team members who aspire to be make an impactful difference. In 2015, Saxbys launched its pioneering Experiential Learning Program to introduce exclusively student-run cafes to university campuses, complementing classroom learning with tangible experiences. Currently, eight Experiential Learning Program locations exist across nine campuses with partners including Drexel University, Millersville University, Temple University, Saint Joseph’s University,  La Salle University, West Chester University, Penn State University, and Bowie State University. Get to know Saxbys by visiting HelloSaxbys.com or joining us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.