Jan 14, 2025
Good nutrition plays a vital role in a college student’s academic success. Eating well not only impacts physical health but enhances cognitive performance and emotional well-being.
The importance of good nutrition is something food services company Chartwells knows as well as anyone. Providing healthy food options has been a priority for Chartwells in their partnership with Langara College since 1999.
And now, Chartwells is giving back by donating $125,000 to fund several initiatives at the Langara. The projects include hiring peer tutors at the Academic Success Centre (ASC), expanding student facing offerings through the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion office, and launching a new mentorship initiative in the Nutrition and Food Servies Management program.
Members of the Chartwells team including Kevin Booth, Denis Salle, and Mebs Lalani, were on hand to present a cheque to the college before joining the Langara faculty and students for lunch. The Chartwells team shared their hope that the donation will help empower students and provide support needed to help them achieve their goals.
The contribution is not just about dollars. It is about investing in the future and ensuring that students have the resources to succeed.
– Denis Salle, Chartwells
Building a community of support.
Dr. Paula Burns, President and CEO of Langara College, accepted the donation on behalf of the institution, emphasizing the importance of creating an exceptional student experience and fostering a supportive community for both students and faculty.
At Langara College, we are all about promoting student success. This donation will help support our student experience, both inside and outside the classroom.
– Dr. Paula Burns, President and CEO Langara College
Along with providing funding for hiring more peer tutors at the ASC, the donation will go towards creating spaces to promote diversity and inclusion through the EDI department at Langara. The spaces will include cultural events, celebrations, and workshops that provide enriching connections across Langara’s diverse student body and campuses. Langara student, Nneka Mimi Brown Osundu, credits the college’s EDI team with helping to boost her confidence and self-esteem when she was a new student in Canada.
In Langara, I found community, I found acceptance, I found my voice, and I found a space where I was seen, heard, and valued for who I am, regardless of how I look.
– Nneka Mimi Brown Osondu, International PDD Student of Business Administration
Empowering future nutrition leaders.
The donation will also support a mentorship and networking initiative within the Nutrition and Food Services Management program. These funds will help create opportunities for students to connect with the wider nutrition management community and build mentorship relationships that enhance their learning experience.
I realized that, to grow my career, become a well-rounded leader, and give back to my community, I needed to expand my skills beyond the kitchen.
– Adriana Purdie, Nutrition and Food Services Management Student
Nutrition and Food Services Management student Adriana Purdie says her time at Langara has empowered her to build on her previous experience as a chef and advance her career in the food services industry. Through the new mentorship program, students like Purdie will be able to make connections that open doors to new career opportunities and individual development.
Looking ahead.
Chartwells’ generous contribution reflects their commitment to empowering Langara students and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. From peer tutoring and EDI programming to mentorship initiatives, these funds will have a lasting impact on the student experience at Langara.
For more information on how you can support student success at Langara, reach out to the Langara College Foundation.
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