May 6, 2025 — Seven months after its grand opening, the student-run Saxbys cafe in the Dyson Center has become a bustling campus destination and a record-breaking success story in addition to a unique experiential learning opportunity.

The dedicated team at Saxbys Marist has played a key role in making the cafe a campus favorite among students, seeing a record-breaking day this semester following the University’s Accepted Students Day events.

"The incredible success of our student-run cafe is a testament to the hard work, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit of our students," said Professor Heather Hallenbeck, Director of Experiential Learning in the School of Management. "Their dedication to exceptional service and operational excellence has driven remarkable results."

Serving Up Experiential Learning
The cafe’s performance demonstrates the power of Marist's commitment to experiential learning, where students apply classroom knowledge to real-world business challenges.

This semester's Student CEO Liana Perez '26 sits in Saxbys cafe. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist University.

Under the guidance of current Student CEO Liana Perez '26, a psychology major with a cognitive science minor, the team has significantly improved operational efficiency. It now takes the team an average of just 40 seconds to complete each order, down from one minute.

This has allowed the cafe to handle an extraordinary volume, including reaching nearly 1,000 orders in a single day this semester. 

"The experience itself has been incredibly rewarding and is something I could not do anywhere else," Liana said. "One of the keys to success has been my strong team, without whom Saxbys would not be the welcoming environment it is."

The 45-member student team has complete responsibility for the operations of the cafe, managing everything from inventory and scheduling to customer service, providing real-world experience as part of their academic journey at Marist.

New Student CEO Announced
As Saxbys prepares for the next academic year, Connor Finn '27 has been selected as the next Student CEO for the Fall 2025 semester, the first student from the School of Management to hold the role.

Fall 2025 Student CEO Connor Finn '27. Photo courtesy of Jay Pantaleo, School of Management.

"I'm excited to lead operations of what has become a popular and meaningful place for Marist students," said Connor, a business administration major with a concentration in marketing. "I will have a very unique opportunity to learn from real-time feedback and to truly understand all aspects of what it takes to run a business."

"Liana's outstanding leadership has helped the team thrive, and we are excited to welcome Connor Finn as the next Student CEO, continuing the impact of our experiential learning programs," Hallenbeck said.

The selection process for Student CEOs is competitive, seeking candidates who demonstrate strong leadership potential and commitment to the program's values. The position offers unparalleled professional development that extends beyond a typical internship or campus job.

Saxbys on opening day in Fall 2024. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist University.

About Saxbys at Marist
The Dyson Center location was the first Saxbys cafe to open in New York State. It has quickly become one of the most popular spots on campus, where students and community members gather to collaborate, study, and socialize.

It is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, and starting in the fall will have new hours on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Orders can be placed in person or via the Grubhub app, with meal exchange options available for students.

Students interested in joining the Saxbys team can apply for positions each semester, with opportunities available across various operational areas regardless of their major or school affiliation.