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“I am thrilled to welcome the University of Illinois Chicago to the SodexoMagic family,” said Earvin “Magic” Johnson, chairman of SodexoMagic. “As a bridge builder, I see our UIC partnership as an opportunity to unite local minority, veteran, and women owned businesses with an academic environment focused on building future leaders, as a positive move. This is the role our team plays every day, and we eagerly anticipate continuing our work throughout UIC and the wider Chicago community."

UIC's selection of SodexoMagic was largely influenced by the company's dedication to supporting local and veteran-owned businesses. Throughout the decision-making process, SodexoMagic developed strategies to expand opportunities for local businesses across Illinois and actively assisted them in obtaining certification under the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and Veterans Business Program (VBP).

In addition to its support for Illinois businesses, SodexoMagic’s partnership with UIC will prioritize delivering a program tailored to the diverse needs of the campus community. Recognizing that approximately 25% of the campus population requires Halal dietary options, SodexoMagic has developed a range of offerings to meet this demand. UIC will enjoy specialized options at the two resident dining locations, convenience selections at Simply to Go, and more retail choices such as Halal Shack and Starbucks as well as other options.

“With this partnership, I am honored to introduce our “Campus” services in the city of Chicago,” said Charles Johnson, president of SodexoMagic. “Being a Chicago native, it is truly a privilege to serve the community where I was born and raised. The SodexoMagic team collectively built UIC’s program with a focus on operational excellence, delivering a varied culinary experience that represents the diversity of the campus, and creating contracting opportunities for all. I truly believe the UIC family will not only enjoy our service, but they will appreciate being served by brands and businesses that reflect the diversity of the 77 communities of Chicago.”

“We are excited to welcome SodexoMagic to UIC as our dining services partner and look forward to providing more diverse dining options on campus. This partnership represents the latest advancement of UIC’s efforts to provide students and the university community with an enhanced campus experience,” said Brian Cousins, UIC interim associate vice chancellor for student affairs, campus auxiliary services.

About UIC
Located in the heart of one of the world’s great cities, the University of Illinois Chicago is the city’s largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve nearly 34,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation, and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is the state’s principal educator of health professionals, and its academic health center is a major health care provider to underserved communities. UIC students become professionals in fields ranging from law and business to engineering to education, liberal arts and sciences, urban planning, law and social work, as well as architecture, design and the arts. UIC is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of one of the world’s greatest cities. Visit www.UIC.edu for more information.

About SodexoMagic
SodexoMagic was founded in 2006 between Sodexo and NBA Hall of Famer, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Mr. Johnson knows what it takes to motivate and create a winning team that always strives to overdeliver to our customers. SodexoMagic is committed to making communities better. With 7,000 employees (82% diverse) we serve consumers at more than 1,700 sites in corporate, healthcare, universities, K-12 schools and airline lounges. SodexoMagic is a best-in-class food and facilities management provider offering either stand alone, or integrated solutions for major corporations, and institutions, including K-12 schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For more information visit www.SodexoMagic.com.

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Heidi Bullman
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