Amidst the many changes happening around Goshen College this fall, The Record caught up with Garrett Tyk, the new resident director of AVI Fresh, for a Q&A session.

Tyk grew up in Rolling Meadows, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, and moved to Fort Wayne when he was 13, where he has lived ever since. He received his B.A. in accounting from Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne and his master’s degree in business administration. Prior to his move to Goshen College, Tyk was the director of operations for AVI at St. Francis University. Before that, he worked with Lincoln Financial Group.

Q: What is your role at AVI?

A: Generally speaking, I manage the day-to-day operations, look for ways to create efficiency and create a positive experience for students, faculty and staff. Not just the food, but the environment itself.

Q: What brought you to Goshen College?

A: Well, it’s a step up, so it was a promotion from the University of St. Francis to my spot here at Goshen. It was a good time for me to move on to a new challenge and take the next step forward with my career. The opportunity became available at this account here at Goshen, which was great timing for me because it is still close enough so it isn’t a giant move.

Q: How do you hope to contribute to the campus community?

A: I’d like for all current and future food venues to be a destination where all students, faculty and staff are excited to go. In addition, I’d like to help promote the many wellness initiatives already in place here on campus.

Q: Now the fun one. What is your favorite food?

A: Oh, now that could take awhile… I’m not really picky. I’ll have to go with my mom’s homemade lasagna.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share while you have the opportunity?

A: I’d really welcome and encourage communication as far as suggestions that folks might have to better accommodate the needs and wants of the campus community.

Students can reach Garrett at gtyk@goshen.edu.