Chartwells Forms Partnership with Landmark College to Enhance Dining for Neurodivergent Students
In an innovative move towards promoting inclusivity on college campuses, Chartwells Higher Education has announced its partnership with Landmark College, focusing on creating dining spaces that better serve neurodivergent students. This collaboration is designed to recognize and accommodate the diverse sensory and social needs of students, particularly as the number of individuals identifying as neurodivergent continues to rise.
According to Eva Wojtalewski, CEO of Chartwells Higher Education, approximately 53% of Gen Z considers themselves neurodivergent, a number that is expected to increase among Gen Alpha. With this growing demographic, Chartwells is committed to evolving its approach to campus dining, understanding that a one-size-fits-all solution is inadequate. The initiative seeks to foster a more welcoming and supportive dining environment, ultimately empowering students to succeed in their academic endeavors.
A key aspect of this partnership involves the incorporation of direct feedback from students, highlighted in the Chartwells’ 2025 Campus Dining Index. The findings revealed that a significant number of students expressed a desire for neurodivergent-friendly sensory spaces and options that promote social interactions. The new approach addresses these needs through deliberate design choices, ensuring that students have access to environments tailored to their preferences.
The collaboration with Landmark College—a pioneering institution dedicated to serving students who learn differently—ensures that insights from experts in neurodiversity are woven into the dining experience. According to Dr. Adam Lalor, Vice President of Neurodiversity Research and Innovation at Landmark College, creating environments where neurodivergent students can thrive is crucial, especially in dining spaces that can often be challenging for those with sensory sensitivities.
The features of this initiative are both innovative and thoughtful. Flexible seating arrangements cater to various social preferences, including solo seating, communal tables, and small groups. To promote social interactions, table cards will be introduced, allowing students to signal whether they are open to chatting or prefer solitude. This enables them to navigate social situations at their own pace.
Additionally, the sensory-friendly design aims to create controlled sensory environments. This includes the use of color patterns to aid in navigation, sound-absorbing materials like acoustic panels, and a variety of textures that create comforting atmospheres. By introducing distinct ‘zones’ such as quiet areas for focused meals, lively social spaces, and even zones designed for culinary exploration, students can select their dining experience based on their daily comfort levels.
The new program will ensure that familiar and ‘safe’ food options remain consistently available, catering to students’ needs for reliability. Educational signage will encourage students to experiment with new items by highlighting seasonal produce and explaining different flavors and textures.
To support neurodivergent students further, Chartwells is expanding its grab-and-go offerings, providing various food packaging options that help keep items separate. This flexibility allows students to eat in an environment where they feel most comfortable, whether that is in a dining hall or another location on campus.
Chartwells is also committed to working closely with universities on various initiatives, including promoting existing support services, such as tutoring or test accommodations, that contribute to an inclusive environment. Comprehensive training programs for staff will focus on better supporting neurodiverse guests through specialized food preparation techniques and familiarization with dining spaces and resources.
In essence, the partnership between Chartwells and Landmark College reflects a profound understanding of inclusivity in dining for neurodivergent students, setting a new standard that prioritizes empathy and awareness on college campuses. The initiative promises a transformative effect on the student experience, ensuring that everyone, regardless of how they learn or interact, feels welcomed and supported in their dining environments.
According to Eva Wojtalewski, CEO of Chartwells Higher Education, approximately 53% of Gen Z considers themselves neurodivergent, a number that is expected to increase among Gen Alpha. With this growing demographic, Chartwells is committed to evolving its approach to campus dining, understanding that a one-size-fits-all solution is inadequate. The initiative seeks to foster a more welcoming and supportive dining environment, ultimately empowering students to succeed in their academic endeavors.
A key aspect of this partnership involves the incorporation of direct feedback from students, highlighted in the Chartwells’ 2025 Campus Dining Index. The findings revealed that a significant number of students expressed a desire for neurodivergent-friendly sensory spaces and options that promote social interactions. The new approach addresses these needs through deliberate design choices, ensuring that students have access to environments tailored to their preferences.
The collaboration with Landmark College—a pioneering institution dedicated to serving students who learn differently—ensures that insights from experts in neurodiversity are woven into the dining experience. According to Dr. Adam Lalor, Vice President of Neurodiversity Research and Innovation at Landmark College, creating environments where neurodivergent students can thrive is crucial, especially in dining spaces that can often be challenging for those with sensory sensitivities.
The features of this initiative are both innovative and thoughtful. Flexible seating arrangements cater to various social preferences, including solo seating, communal tables, and small groups. To promote social interactions, table cards will be introduced, allowing students to signal whether they are open to chatting or prefer solitude. This enables them to navigate social situations at their own pace.
Additionally, the sensory-friendly design aims to create controlled sensory environments. This includes the use of color patterns to aid in navigation, sound-absorbing materials like acoustic panels, and a variety of textures that create comforting atmospheres. By introducing distinct ‘zones’ such as quiet areas for focused meals, lively social spaces, and even zones designed for culinary exploration, students can select their dining experience based on their daily comfort levels.
The new program will ensure that familiar and ‘safe’ food options remain consistently available, catering to students’ needs for reliability. Educational signage will encourage students to experiment with new items by highlighting seasonal produce and explaining different flavors and textures.
To support neurodivergent students further, Chartwells is expanding its grab-and-go offerings, providing various food packaging options that help keep items separate. This flexibility allows students to eat in an environment where they feel most comfortable, whether that is in a dining hall or another location on campus.
Chartwells is also committed to working closely with universities on various initiatives, including promoting existing support services, such as tutoring or test accommodations, that contribute to an inclusive environment. Comprehensive training programs for staff will focus on better supporting neurodiverse guests through specialized food preparation techniques and familiarization with dining spaces and resources.
In essence, the partnership between Chartwells and Landmark College reflects a profound understanding of inclusivity in dining for neurodivergent students, setting a new standard that prioritizes empathy and awareness on college campuses. The initiative promises a transformative effect on the student experience, ensuring that everyone, regardless of how they learn or interact, feels welcomed and supported in their dining environments.
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