The University of Houston’s advisory committees serve as key forums for informing decisions that shape the campus experience. Within the Office of Administration, two such committees — the Food Service Advisory Committee and the Bookstore Advisory Committee — have long included student members who provide valuable insight from a student perspective.
Over the years, these students have offered instrumental feedback that has helped enhance services for students, faculty, and staff across campus.
Student Representation in Food Service Decisions
Food Service Advisory Committee (FSAC) members provide recommendations on all aspects
of campus food service, including residential and retail dining programs. Student
involvement is a critical component of the committee’s work.
DaNesha Allen, Interim Executive Director of Auxiliary Services and an FSAC member,
shared that student input has directly influenced multiple policy and operational
changes. These include implementing a no‑plastic‑bag policy at on‑campus retail locations,
transitioning dining and retail operations to cashless systems, and contributing to
the development and programming of university dining spaces such as the RAD Center.
Students’ Impactful Role
“The role that students play is absolutely critical to the entire process,” Allen
said. “They’ve helped us make decisions all the way down to selecting furniture that
goes into our spaces.”
One of the eight student representatives on FSAC is Strategic Communication senior Yhoalibeth Guerrero Becerril, who has served on the committee for a year. She has seen firsthand how student voices lead to tangible change.
Guerrero Becerril, who also served as Residential Hall Association president, recalled receiving feedback from residents who wanted more perishable food options in the Cougar Village I and II markets.
“We brought it up to the FSAC, and we saw the change within two weeks,” Guerrero Becerril said. “Milk, bread, more fresh fruit, and water cases were added — and it all started with listening to students and bringing their concerns to the committee.”
Student Voices Shape the Campus Bookstore
The Bookstore Advisory Committee (BAC) includes three representatives and provides
equally meaningful perspectives on Campus Store services and programs.
“It’s really valuable,” said Matt Oltremari, Director of Auxiliary Services and BAC member. “Students bring a different perspective because they think as students, not as staff. Without their feedback, it’s hard to steer the campus bookstore in the right direction.”
One of BAC’s student members is Sammy Tawakkol, a third‑year PhD candidate in computer science. Tawakkol has served on the committee for two years and held the roles of vice chair and interim chair during his first year.
During his time on BAC, Tawakkol gathered student feedback through social media groups he created, using the input to identify merchandise students wanted to see in the Campus Store. He also recommended reorganizing store layouts to highlight affordable items — changes that ultimately helped increase sales.
“I think in our roles as student committee members, we’re able to represent different scopes of campus life,” Tawakkol said.
Building Skills Beyond the Classroom
In addition to shaping campus services, students on advisory committees gain professional
skills that extend beyond their academic programs.
“I’m a strategic communication major, but my classes don’t always teach me how to speak with professionals,” Guerrero Becerril said. “On the FSAC, I’m having conversations with the Director of Auxiliary Services and other university leaders. That experience has been huge for me.”
For Tawakkol, serving on the BAC offered insight into the administrative side of higher education and how it influences student life. While he envisions a future in academia, he said the experience has sparked interest in higher education administration as a career path.
Centering Students in Decision Making
University leaders emphasize that sustained student involvement remains a priority.
“We want to know—and be assured—that our students have buy-in and that the work we’re doing is truly for them,” Allen said. “If we want students to be successful, the only way to do that is by continuously engaging them.”