Lauren Antoni

Pronouns: 

She/Her

Department:

Culinary Services

How did you end up going into your current role or field and what do you enjoy most about the work you do?

Early in my hospitality career, I discovered the joy of bringing people happiness through delicious food—and I knew I wanted more of it. Food has a power to connect people, bridging continents and cultures to create a sense of belonging no matter where you are. I enjoy the creativity this job grants me to create programs and initiatives that engage students, staff and guests. My favorite ‘holiday’ of the year is The Kitchens’ annual Chili Cook Off, where our culinary team members enter their own recipes and guests can vote to select a winner. It’s fun and entertaining, and who doesn’t love a little competition?!

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Sonoma State community?

The connections I’ve made with our campus partners and community have been the most rewarding part of my time here. Whether it’s contributing to campus clubs in their fundraising efforts, partnering with Athletics for a fanfest event or, teaming up with Facilities to tackle a large project, the trust we’ve built only deepens our strength as a community. 

What do you find most fulfilling about working in higher education?

The impact we make and the relationships we build with students. In Culinary Services, we have a unique opportunity to do this every day. Guiding and supporting our student staff has been an incredibly fulfilling experience, watching them grow both personally and professionally. I also love connecting with our meal plan holders—the students we have the privilege of serving each day. These daily interactions make our work so much more than just food; they create a sense of community, belonging, and home. 

In what ways does your work make an impact on students, the campus or the broader campus community?

Many times our student employees have never had a job or been away from home before. We embrace the challenge to not only train new employees, but help them build foundational skills that can be applied to whatever future jobs they may have. We intentionally plan and create cocurricular moments in our organization to further student success on campus and beyond. Being part of these formative years in students’ lives is an incredible privilege, and we take pride in creating moments of warmth, support, and connection every day.