What does it really take to modernize campus dining for today’s students?
In this debut episode of Outside the Box, host Ashley McNamara sits down with Vedda Hsu, Director of University Dining Services at Oklahoma State University, to explore the strategy, innovation, and operational transformation behind creating a modern campus dining experience.
Drawing on more than two decades of industry experience, Vedda shares insights from the redesign of OSU’s Central Marketplace and discusses how student expectations are reshaping foodservice across higher education. From increasing demand for choice, convenience, and personalization to the complex staffing, production, and forecasting systems working behind the scenes, this conversation uncovers what it takes to deliver a seamless dining experience at scale.
You’ll learn how universities are adapting to evolving student lifestyles, why operational flexibility matters more than ever, and what leaders should consider when planning the future of campus dining. Whether you’re a foodservice operator, university leader, or industry professional, this episode offers practical insights and a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of modernizing dining operations.
Watch more episodes of Outside the Box for expert conversations on the future of foodservice and be sure to subscribe to the Apex Order Pickup Solutions YouTube channel so you never miss an episode.