MURFREESBORO, N.C. — October 22, 2025 — Chowan University is pleased to announce Amber Ellis as its new Food Service Director, overseeing dining operations, campus catering, menu development, and the overall student dining experience.

Ellis joins Chowan with a strong background in hospitality and higher education, having previously served with Hilton Garden Inn in Suffolk, Virginia, and Norfolk State University. She brings with her a proven commitment to guest-centered service, team leadership, and operational excellence.

“Amber’s combination of hotel-standard hospitality and campus dining know-how is exactly what our community needs,” said Sami Elmaasarani, District Manager for Pioneer College Caterers. “We’re excited for the creativity, quality, and consistency she will bring to our student dining experience.”

Ellis shared that her vision for dining at Chowan is to elevate mealtime from a routine stop in the day to a shared experience. “I want campus dining to feel like home—warm, welcoming, and fun,” she said. “We’re bringing excitement to the everyday with seasonal décor, comfort-forward menus, and moments that feel like the holidays—together—no matter what you’re eating.”

This fall, Ellis is already putting her plans into action. She is refreshing menus to feature more of students’ favorite dishes, such as cooked-to-order omelets and Biscuits ’n’ Gravy at breakfast, while reintroducing popular themed experiences like Hibachi Night. The salad and breakfast bars will now include rotating fresh-cut fruit salads and new whole-fruit options, including pears, Granny Smith apples, and assorted grapes. The dining team is also reviewing the four-week menu cycle to retire less popular items and test new offerings based on student preferences.

Dinner service will feature comforting entrées and themed nights with dishes like strombolis, “Marry Me” chicken, and pot roast, complemented by expanded side options for greater variety and balance. Throughout every meal, the emphasis remains on hospitality that feels like home, with continued training in food safety, sanitation, quality, and guest-first service.

Through Ellis’s leadership, Chowan University continues to make meaningful strides toward providing an excellent student experience—where every meal, interaction, and moment on campus reflects the university’s commitment to care, community, and quality.