UT-Austin Names New Housing/Foodservice Executive Director

The University of Texas at Austin (UT) has promoted Hemlata Jhaveri to executive director of Housing and Food Service, effective June 1. Jhaveri will oversee UT’s 11 dining and retail venues as well as its 14 on-campus residence halls and university apartments. She currently serves as director of administrative services for the department and was director of residence life for four years.

Prior to joining UT, Jhaveri was an associate director of residence life at California State University, Chico, and has also worked as an area housing coordinator at Illinois State University, where she began her career as a resident assistant.

“With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, Hemlata will be an asset in helping us provide the best and most innovative on-campus housing and food services,” says Gage E. Paine, vice president for student affairs. "She clearly understands the university’s core purpose and values, being attentive to our students’ needs while working collaboratively with campus partners and faculty."

UT's self-operated dining and retail locations handle an average of 25,000 transactions each day while the on-campus residence halls house 7,300 students. The total enrollment is around 51,000 and the dining program averages annual revenues of around $25 million.

“It is an honor to be asked to lead one of the most well respected housing programs in the country," Jhaveri says. "The department has a tradition of being student-centered, having strong academic and community partnerships and providing high-quality living environments. The Housing and Food Service staff takes pride in what they do and in serving our students. I am excited to build upon this culture of serving students and the university community.”