The Student Government at The College of New Jersey has collaborated with Dining Services on multiple projects and events throughout the recent years. We've partnered for Constitution Day to host the "Constitution Day Cookout" as well as for our Student Government Elections to encourage students to vote. Dining Services also hosts a committee in which Student Government participates in order to provide feedback on the different dining options and products available to students. Many ideas and student suggestions have made their way onto menus and plans which is in thanks to the receptiveness of the Dining Services team.

Dining Services is proud to support and collaborate with the Office of Anti-Violence Initiatives (AVI) in fostering a safer, more informed campus community. Since 2018, this meaningful partnership has brought the Green Dot Bystander Intervention Initiative to life in creative and engaging ways. With the enthusiastic support of our Dining Services team, AVI has hosted multiple Green Dot tabling events in The Atrium at Eickhoff during key awareness months, including Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), Stalking Awareness Month (February at TCNJ), and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April). These events featured custom-designed Green Dot cupcakes, baked with care by the Bliss Bakery team, and invited students to learn how they can safely intervene to prevent power-based personal violence. In addition to these tablings, Dining Services proudly co-sponsored AVI’s annual Day to End Rape Culture, reinforcing our shared commitment to prevention and education. As this partnership continues to grow, AVI expanded its outreach in the 2024–2025 academic year by hosting additional tablings in the Brower Student Center. Dining Services contributed once again—this time with specially themed teal, purple, and gray cupcakes to honor the cause. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to support AVI’s mission and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to promote a culture of safety and respect at TCNJ.

In Spring 2019, the Black Student Union (BSU), in collaboration with the Division of Inclusive Excellence, proudly partnered with Dining Services to host a vibrant and meaningful Black History Month Dinner. This event, held in The Atrium at Eickhoff, was more than just a meal—it was a celebration of the rich and diverse cultures within the Black community. From the beginning, the Dining Services team demonstrated a genuine commitment to inclusion by actively seeking input from our planning committee and the wider student body. Every idea, suggestion, and critique was welcomed with open minds and a collaborative spirit. Throughout the process, we felt truly heard and supported. Planning this dinner was not only an exciting journey, but also an opportunity to highlight the complexity and beauty of Black identity through food. The Dining Services team remained flexible, creative, and dedicated to bringing our shared vision to life. The experience was not only productive, but it was also fun, uplifting, and a powerful example of what can happen when students and staff work together toward a common goal. Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 academic year, Dining Services remains committed to this meaningful collaboration. In the weeks leading up to the Black History Month Lunch, the team will once again work closely with members of the Division of Inclusive Excellence to thoughtfully plan a menu that reflects the cultural depth and authenticity of the celebration. Proposed dishes are carefully reviewed and discussed in partnership, ensuring that the final selections honor the rich traditions and stories they represent. This ongoing collaboration is a testament to the shared dedication to celebrating Black culture with respect, intentionality, and pride.

Since 2009, Union Latina has proudly partnered with Dining Services to launch Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant and culturally rich celebration in the Atrium at Eickhoff. Held within the first two weeks of the month, this annual event has grown into a beloved tradition at The College of New Jersey. Dining Services consistently demonstrates a deep respect for our input, working alongside us to shape every aspect of the event—from the thoughtfully crafted menu to the music, graphic design, and overall experience. Our cultural insights are embraced throughout the planning process, making this collaboration both meaningful and empowering. Together, we’ve built an engaging and authentic celebration that highlights the diversity and beauty of Hispanic culture on campus. Each year, the event continues to grow in energy, significance, and student involvement. We’re deeply grateful for the continued partnership with Dining Services and look forward to creating even more memorable experiences in the years ahead.

Arab American Heritage Month April 15, 2025 marked a meaningful milestone as Dining Services hosted its first Arab American Heritage Month celebration with a festive and flavorful lunch event in the Atrium at Eickhoff Dining Hall. This special occasion was made possible through a new partnership between Dining Services and the student organization MENAA (Middle East North Africa Association). The event was a collaborative effort led by dining services team members and TCNJ Division of Inclusive Excellence team to ensure the event was both authentic and inclusive. Planning meetings covered every detail—from curated menu options and themed decorations to educational fact boards available in both printed and digital formats. The menu celebrated traditional and beloved Arab dishes, with highlights including Beef Shawarma, Falafel, Baba Ghanoush with Naan, Tzatziki & Hummus Wraps, Moroccan Vegetable Kabobs, Lebanese Moussaka, Beef Kofta, Tabbouleh Salad, and Baklava. The diverse offerings introduced students to the depth and flavor of Arab cuisine in a festive, welcoming atmosphere. During the event, members from MENAA tabled to enlighten students on Arab culture and recruit new members into the organization, further enhancing the educational and community-focused aspects of the celebration. The event offered students a delicious introduction to the richness and variety of Arab cuisine, all set within a festive, welcoming atmosphere that honored cultural heritage and unity.

Lunar New YearOn February 22, 2024, Dining Services had the honor of hosting its first-ever Lunar New Year Lunch in the Atrium at Eickhoff Dining Hall. This festive event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Dining Services team members, Director of Intercultural Affairs Jordan Shyi, and the Chinese Student Association (CSA). The goal was to showcase a delicious and diverse menu that represented a range of Asian cultures. To create an immersive atmosphere, the dining hall was adorned in vibrant red décor, symbolizing luck and prosperity. In celebration of the Year of the Dragon, colorful dragon decorations floated above the food stations, adding an extra layer of cultural significance and festive spirit. Highlighted menu items included Grilled Huli Huli Chicken, General Tso’s Cauliflower Stir Fry, Korean Steak, Kimchi, Udon Noodles, and Julienne Toasted Nori—offering students a flavorful introduction to a variety of Asian cuisines. CSA members contributed fun and educational cultural fact boards, which were displayed both digitally and on poster boards throughout the space. They also hosted a tabling activity where students could engage in traditional Chinese calligraphy, making the event both interactive and informative. For the 2025 celebration, CSA partnered with the TCNJ DragonFlies Dance Team to expand the experience even further. Together, they hosted a fan dancing workshop where students could learn the graceful movements of this traditional art form using large, decorative fans provided at the table.

Since 2014, Dining Services has proudly partnered with the Indian Student Association (ISA) to host the annual Diwali Dinner, a vibrant celebration of the Festival of Lights. Each year, the Atrium at Eickhoff is transformed into a festive and welcoming space, with tables adorned in luminary bags lit by flameless candles to set a warm, celebratory atmosphere. ISA students contribute beautifully designed infographics that are displayed throughout the dining hall, helping to educate the campus community about the cultural and historical significance of Diwali. The event features a menu full of student favorites, including Pork Vindaloo, Alu Matar, Biryani Chicken, Baingan Bharta, Vegetable Samosas, Roasted Sesame Ginger Tofu Tikka Masala, and Aam Ki Kheer—a sweet mango rice pudding. In 2023, members of ISA shared their appreciation on social media, posting a joyful Instagram Story of themselves enjoying the dinner and highlighting how much they loved the samosas, along with a heartfelt shoutout to TCNJ Dining. It was a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of community, culture, and connection that defines this annual celebration.