New flavor comes to UHV campus coffee shop
As students were away from campus enjoying their Spring Break, the University of Houston-Victoria spent the week brewing something new in its coffee shop.
Jaguar Java inside UHV University Commons, 3006 N. Ben Wilson St., will now serve coffee from Victoria Coffee Roasters, replacing the previously served Starbucks coffee. The switch came after students expressed a desire for more drink options and a different taste, prompting UHV’s student leadership to approach the university about finding a local provider.
“One of the more common things we heard from students was a desire for a change in the coffee shop,” said Jonese Cherry, a UHV senior and speaker for the senate in the Student Government Association. “We talked with the administration about exploring some local options because our students enjoy supporting local businesses. Now that we have more options, we’re looking forward to seeing how others like it.”
The process of bringing in a new vendor for the coffee shop was a quick one and was met with excitement from the university’s leadership, said Erick Meland, director of dining services for UHV. The university chose to make the transition over Spring Break to allow the Jaguar Java employees to adjust and learn the new drink options. Jaguar Java is operated by Chartwells Higher Education, which is the university’s partner for dining and food services. In addition to coffee, the café will also offer a variety of fresh fruit smoothies with the option of adding protein powder. There also will be an agua fresca drink. Jaguar Java is open to the public.
“The new coffee from Victoria Coffee Roasters has a smooth taste, and the students who have tried it seem to enjoy the new flavor,” Meland said. “It feels good to know that we are able to work with students to meet their needs and bring in a local business to coordinate with the university.”
Victoria Coffee Roasters was founded in 2007 by John Valdivia. The company has a long history of partnering with UHV. Just a year after its founding, the university reached out to Valdivia to ask for a custom blend for the university. That became the Jaguar Blend, which can still be purchased today. He has also created a special blend for the university’s 50th anniversary.
In addition to roasting coffee, Valdivia also owns The Box Coffee Bar locations in downtown Victoria and at Airline Drive and Laurent Street. He also provides coffee for several locally owned coffee shops in Victoria and the surrounding communities.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with UHV again and provide coffee for students,” Valdivia said. “I’ve enjoyed working with the university in the past, and many of the baristas in my coffee shops have been UHV students. I love working with the university, and I hope the students enjoy the new options they have at Jaguar Java.”
About Chartwells Higher Education
Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality, and guest service in over 300 campuses in the United States. Chartwells is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience by investing in feel-good, food-infused social spaces that bring students and people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. The company's excellence in culinary, nutrition, technology, and sustainability brings truly unique dining experiences to every campus Chartwells partners with. Learn more about how Chartwells is creating joy in campus dining and preparing students for success at www.ChartwellsHigherEd.com, www.DineonCampus.com.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.