For Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC), experiential learning opportunities are key to ensuring that students are prepared to lead and serve in the community and throughout the world.
What better complement to RCBC’s commitment to holistic education than an entirely student-run cafe designed to empower the next generation of changemakers?
Saxbys, a Certified B Corp and coffee company headquartered in Philadelphia, understands the endless opportunities for learning outside of midterms and course material. That's why Saxbys is honored to be partnering with RCBC to launch The Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform (E.L.P.) on campus.
The new cafe, opening on Tuesday, March 22 in the RCBC Student Success Center, is part of a growing network, holding residencies in institutions like Rider, Temple, and Penn State Universities. Saxbys knows it takes more than its crushable Cold Brew Collection and stacked grilled-cheese menu to become a beloved cafe on campus. It takes teamwork, a drive for community, and magnetic energy from an all-student team helping their fellow students achieve their collegiate goals--whatever and wherever they may be.
The Saxbys E.L.P. redefines what it means to be a cafe, creating a culture that empowers students to run their own impactful business to serve their community. At the cafe's steering wheel are Saxbys' Student Cafe Executive Officers (Student C.E.O.), who runs and manages all aspects of the cafe, from team development and community leadership to managing the entire profit and loss statement. Leading the cafe for RCBC will be Owen Taylor, a 3+1 Business Administration student. The 3+1 program is a premier partnership with Rowan University (also a partner of Saxbys), in which 75% of a bachelor’s degree is offered by RCBC prior to students completing their degree with Rowan University. Taylor will also be earning college credit and a salary during this time as Student C.E.O.
As a B Corp, Saxbys' mission is to Make Life Better and be leaders of cutting-edge initiatives focused on student engagement and empowerment. Taylor is doing precisely that as he aims to make Saxbys a cornerstone on RCBC’s campus.
“I see so much potential for Saxbys to become a part of RCBC life,” Taylor said. “It may simply be a cafe, but the people behind it have the ability to create strong connections to the community with the space (and coffee) that Saxbys provides. It gives us an opportunity to make mistakes, grow and learn together within a working environment.”
"As evidenced by Saxbys officially becoming a Certified B Corporation in March 2021, we are committed to transforming lives by breaking barriers and challenging conventions," said Nick Bayer, Founder & CEO of Saxbys. "As such, we are thrilled to bring our Experiential Learning Platform to our first-ever community college partner –Rowan College at Burlington County–an institution that shares those same commitments. Owen, the Inaugural Student Cafe Executive Officer, is passionate about making this cafe a cornerstone of the RCBC community. He is ambitious, talented, and sees the potential and transformative nature of this experience, and is using it to prepare him for his post-grad aspirations.”
“I’ve heard from many students, faculty and staff who cannot wait for their first cup of Saxbys coffee served up by Rowan College at Burlington County students who are honing their entrepreneurial skills,” said RCBC President Dr. Michael A. Cioce. “Congratulations to Owen Taylor who will be the first student CEO to open a cafe at a community college and providing another example of how our students make RCBC the number one community college in New Jersey.”
Join Saxbys & RCBC for the official Grand Opening Event on March 22 between noon and 1 p.m. and a rousing welcome to Owen Taylor as Saxbys' Inaugural Student Cafe Executive Officer. Saxbys is honored to be a new presence on campus, providing quality coffee, community leadership, and many study sessions to boot.
Learn more about Saxbys and find a cafe near you by visiting hellosaxbys.com.
ABOUT SAXBYS
Saxbys, a Certified B Corp, is a hospitality and coffee company and pioneer of The Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform (The Saxbys E.L.P.), a network of cafes entirely designed for and run by college students. As a B Corp, Saxbys’ mission is to Make Life Better. The Saxbys E.L.P. emboldens the next generation of changemakers by providing undergraduates with entrepreneurial opportunities complementing classroom learning with tangible experiences. Founded in 2005 by Nick Bayer and headquartered in Philadelphia, Saxbys operates twenty-three cafes across five states; fifteen of which are part of The Saxbys E.L.P. network, holding residence in institutions like Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, and Temple universities. With a menu inspired by & guided by the students that run Saxbys’ cafes, there is always a new Cold Brew or Grilled Cheese being churned out to keep guests guessing of what could be served up next. Get a taste at a Saxbys location near you and help Saxbys Make Life Better by visiting hellosaxbys.com or following @saxbys on Instagram or TikTok.
