January 21, 2025 — Following an incredible first semester of operations at Marist, Saxbys will welcome a new Student Cafe Executive Officer (Student CEO) for the spring. Liana Perez '26, a psychology major with a cognitive science minor, will oversee the completely student-run cafe in the Dyson Center for the entire spring semester. Liana has been working at Saxbys as a barista since its grand opening in September and was recently promoted to team lead.

“I was drawn to apply to the Student CEO position because I feel that I have the knowledge and the work ethic to perform well in the position,” Liana said. “I look forward to going through the Student CEO position and learning more about the business aspect of Saxbys.”

Liana first started working at Saxbys to become more involved on campus.

“I thought Saxbys would be the perfect way to be connected with other Marist students and the Marist community,” Liana said. “I’m looking forward to working with my amazing team members and continuing to create a community within Saxbys!”

“I am really excited to see all Liana and her team accomplish this spring semester!” said Michele Williams, Director of Student & Alumni Engagement. “They are a dynamic group, and run the cafe with such joy and dedication, embodying Marist's qualities of service to others. I love their energy each day!”

Liana Perez '26, second from right at the opening of Saxbys. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist College.

Since its opening, the cafe has quickly emerged as a top performer across all Saxbys locations across the country. Just two weeks after opening, it ranked among the top locations in sales, with daily orders soaring. Throughout the semester, the cafe consistently exceeded expectations, doubling sales goals and setting a standard for operational excellence. Beyond its business success, the cafe has provided Marist students with invaluable hands-on learning experiences, fostering collaboration and leadership among team members.

Want to be part of the Saxbys team? Click here to apply.

"The cafe is more than just a business — it's a vibrant learning lab where students gain real-world experience in leadership, teamwork, and business management," said Heather Hallenbeck, director of Experiential Learning. "It's inspiring to see their hard work translate into tangible success. Saxbys is proof that when students take charge, learning becomes transformative and impactful.”

Mabel Aronson '25, the Marist Saxbys Student CEO, will stay on the team through the next semester as Student Vice President of Finance to ensure a smooth transition. In this role, Mabel will track, analyze, and report on the cafe’s financial and operational performance to help meet business goals.

“It can be daunting to step into the Student CEO role, especially since the cafe has only been open for less than three months, but Liana has strong leadership abilities,” said Mabel. “I have full confidence that she will be able to continue developing the team and grow the success of the cafe.”

Team members huddle before the grand opening of Saxbys in the Fall. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist College.

The Saxbys team has grown to over 50 Student Team Members, Saxbys term for its employees. It has become a close-knit community on campus. The team is connected through “Saxbys Sundays,” where team members prepare for the week, participate in community-building activities, and have an opportunity to get to know each other.

"Saxbys has become a rewarding and relaxing escape for me," said Jose Lino Reyes '27, Saxbys Student Team Member. "The quality of work our team does is always top-notch. As someone with a highly structured major and mindset, it is refreshing to collaborate with others who share the same drive. Together, we tackle business with genuine laughter and smiles along the way!"