Ali named ISU Dining director

AMES, Iowa -- Mohamed Ali, auxiliaries operations director at Ohio University, Athens, has been named ISU Dining director effective Jan. 11.

Ali has worked 24 years in the food industry. His experience includes senior leadership positions in 17 retail dining locations and four regional dining facilities, as well as catering, vending and surplus operations. He earned a bachelor's degree in business management at Skidmore College (2007).

Ali will oversee operations of Iowa State's campus dining system, which includes four dining centers, 17 retail operations, catering, vending operations, central food stores and technical support systems and services.

"I am pleased that Mohamed will continue to build on this operation's success," said acting Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Hill. "I know that the staff and the division are looking forward to his leadership and the tremendous experience of successful dining operations that he brings with him."

Hill emphasized the importance of dining for the university. "ISU Dining is a crucial component to student life -- not only for its diversity and quality of services and programs, but also because we employ over 1,700 students. That's huge when it comes to employment opportunities at Iowa State."

Hill has served as the interim director of ISU Dining since Jan. 2, 2015, when former director Nancy Keller announced her retirement.