Saxbys Coffee Shop Brings ‘For Students, By Students’ Concept to SUNY Plattsburgh

When SUNY Plattsburgh students, faculty and staff return this fall, they’ll find a new type of café on the north end of campus.

Saxbys, a gourmet coffee and sandwich shop, will fill the space formerly occupied by Einstein Bros. Bagels in Hawkins Hall. The fare will be similar, but that’s about where the similarities end, according to Catherine Keleher, executive director of College Auxiliary Services.

“Hands-on learning is an essential part of our college curriculum, and Saxbys provides a unique opportunity for students looking for experience in leadership, management, marketing, hospitality, finance and more,” Keleher said.

She said they chose Saxby’s for the Hawkins Hall dining location “because its experiential learning model aligns seamlessly with SUNY Plattsburgh’s commitment to preparing students through hands-on educational experiences.”

Renovations began at the end of the spring 2026 semester.

Experiential Learning

The Philadelphia-based chain operates about 30 cafes at colleges and universities in nearly a dozen states, including Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and Georgia.

“Our student staff members will create delicious tea, coffee and espresso custom beverages along with breakfast sandwiches and handcrafted grilled cheese sandwiches,” she said. The company whose mantra is, “For students, by students,” supports an experiential learning environment where students gain professional experience by operating the business.

“It’s an exciting addition to campus that enhances both the student experience and career preparation,” Keleher said. The café “will function as a living classroom where students gain meaningful, real-world experience while earning both academic credit and compensation.”

Student team members, including a student café executive officer, are mentored and supported by the Saxbys team, Keleher said. Saxbys will work with Cardinal Way Culinary & Co., SUNY Plattsburgh’s dining service partner through Sodexo, on responsibilities that will include ordering supplies, managing inventory and more, Keleher said.

Day-to-day Business Operations

“Students from the School of Business and Economics and the School of Arts and Sciences were invited to apply for positions. They will receive course credit, while also getting paid,” she said. “In addition to gaining experience in day-to-day business operations, students will develop leadership, customer service, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills that employers consistently value.”

Part of the company’s business model includes hiring a student café executive officer, or SCEO, who according to Saxbys “completely runs the shop through its Experiential Learning Platform. They take on full operational, financial, and team leadership responsibility.”

The SCEO is responsible for hiring, training and managing a team of student staff members, coaching peer employees and promoting top team members into leadership tracks, working shifts behind the counter alongside their co-workers. They also oversee day-to-day business operations and serve as the public face of Saxbys on campus.

Student CEO Camp

Training is taking place this week at Student CEO Camp at Saxbys headquarters in Philadelphia, where Ashlee Morris, junior entrepreneurship and business administration major and self-described aspiring business owner, is learning the ropes as SUNY Plattsburgh’s inaugural SCEO.

In a statement shared on LinkedIn, Morris said how excited she is to step into the role and how she’s “always dreamed of owning (her) own coffee shop one day.”

“Having the chance to lead a café while I’m still in college is an incredible opportunity,” she said. “I’m looking forward to applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to a real business while developing my skills in financial management, team development and community leadership.”

Saxbys plans a grand opening in early September. For more information, contact Keleher at 518-564-2033 or email [email protected].

— Story by Associate Director of Communications Gerianne Downs with Photos by Hannah Downs, graphic designer and brand strategist