Student-led idea brings Kuppa Joy coffee partnership to Fresno Pacific University

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- For college students, a reliable cup of coffee can make all the difference during long days of studying.

At Fresno Pacific University, one student's idea helped turn that daily ritual into a new campus partnership with a local coffee business.

Before graduating, Madison Kennedy stopped by Charlotte's Coffee Corner on campus to grab a drink while preparing for finals.

This year, however, the coffee experience looked different with drinks now served under a partnership with Kuppa Joy.

The collaboration began after Kennedy overheard campus administrators discussing the expiration of the university's coffee contract with its previous supplier.

At the time, she had just started working at a local Kuppa Joy coffee shop and saw an opportunity.

"I said, 'Hey, like, I work at Kuppa Joy. Have you ever thought about combining a coffee shop that is Christian based and has the same faith values as us in a Christian college?'" Kennedy said. "And the staff was like - they loved it."

Kennedy then took the idea to her manager and reached out directly to Kuppa Joy founder Zack Follett to pitch a potential partnership.

"I just shot him a text and I was like 'Hey Zack, this is my idea. Do you think this would work?' and he got back to me that same day and said 'Let's make it happen,'" she said.

From there, Fresno Pacific University Vice President of Student Development Jake Gilbertson connected with Follett. He said it quickly became clear that the university and the coffee company shared similar values and goals.

"He was really kind in pushing that forward and saying, 'Yeah, I want that too. This is something that would benefit all of us,'" Gilbertson said.

Within about a month, campus staff were trained to recreate the Kuppa Joy experience from learning how to prepare the drinks to serving coffee in the brand's signature cups.

Gilbertson said the partnership has added to the campus environment.

"Students are here. They're studying. They're laughing, joking, having really intentional conversations," he said. "And so for Kuppa Joy to help provide that setting that's so central to the FPU experience, it's just a great partnership, and really cool to see the way it's come together."

Kennedy, who has since graduated, said she is grateful students, staff and the surrounding community will continue to benefit from the collaboration.

"I can't believe that it's transformed into what it is today," she said. "To think that I played a small part in that is very, very surreal and it makes my heart very happy."

University officials said they hope the partnership continues to expand.

Kennedy says even though she won't be there, she hopes more signature drinks will be added to the menu along with food items from Kuppa Joy.

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