Kibo Corner transforms to become Dessert Oasis

By Hannah Traczynski

Kibo Corner, RCU’s coffee shop in the Student Center, is undergoing renovation this semester as it transitions to being a part of Dessert Oasis Coffee, a locally run chain with locations in Rochester, Detroit, Royal Oak and Ferndale.

Larry Norman, a former RCU business professor, started Kibo Corner in 2011 to serve Ugandan coffee while donating 100% of its profits to Kibo Group International, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering communities in Uganda’s Busoga region.

Norman managed the shop’s operations, and he would travel to Uganda to bring back coffee beans for the shop. Norman retired from Kibo last year. Peighton Douglas, student activities coordinator, was assigned to continue the operation of Kibo Corner. She reached out to Dessert Oasis to see if it would be the new bean supplier. This evolved into a full partnership to revamp the entire Kibo Corner area, she said.

Challenges in transition

To make the transition from Kibo to Dessert Oasis, the east corner of the Student Center is undergoing renovations with new flooring, sinks, equipment, ceiling tiles and painting.

While the process hasn’t necessarily been difficult, it has been tedious, Douglas said. Ensuring that all materials and equipment met health department standards required careful research and substantial communication with the City of Rochester Hills.

Douglas said Cami McClure, the new café manager and a 2010 RCU alumnus, has been putting in “serious effort to get everything fixed up. To keep costs down, she’s handling most of the work herself, with help from some RCU staff.

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Continuing Kibo’s Legacy

Despite the changes, Kibo’s mission will still be part of the café’s operation. “The plan is to recoup the funds spent on renovation costs,” Douglas said. “Once we've earned back our initial investment, we’ll resume sending profits to Kibo Group International.” Dessert Oasis will still rely on student workers and offer training on new equipment and processes.

Students like coffee & hanging out

Kibo Corner is not just a place to grab coffee but it also serves as a much-needed space to unwind and recharge between classes, homework and extracurriculars. Dessert Oasis will continue being a natural meeting spot on campus, whether for group projects, casual hangouts, or simply bumping into classmates and friends.

“Everyone who worked at Kibo was always super friendly,” said Macayla Lane, a sophomore psychology major. “I’m not super keen on change, but I’m sure the name changing won’t change what Kibo brought to the community.”

Many students cherish memories of the café as a space for connection. “Kibo was

always a fun and lively spot,” said Jericho Crawford, a senior sport management

Major. “My favorite memory from Kibo would have to be the late-night Kibo events. It was awesome to hang out with friends there, and Kibo got me into drinking more coffee.”

For some, the change feels bittersweet. Caroline Martinez, a second-year psychology major, said she isn’t a big fan of the name change. “I’m sure it’ll be just as good as Kibo though.”

What’s new on the menu?

Dessert Oasis Coffee will introduce an American-Italian fusion menu similar to a craft coffee shop, featuring espresso,macchiatos, cortados, cappuccinos and lattes, while keeping fan-favorite drinks with a twist.

A legacy of connection

For Douglas, balancing her work as student activities coordinator and resident director with managing the café has been challenging but rewarding. “There were a lot of late nights and early mornings. It has been exciting to be a part of the revamp and continuing something that has been offered on campus for over 10 years,” she said. “Kibo was very special to me and many others in the past, so it has been great taking on some of the responsibility for the past year and a half.”

Now, with McClure set to manage day-to-day operations, Douglas looks forward to seeing the legacy of Kibo continue through the new Dessert Oasis partnership.

This transformation of the coffee corner will bring a fresh new look and a renewed mission to the space. On its website, Dessert Oasis said its aim is to serve great coffee while also creating community-centered spaces where people can connect. This new location on campus fits in well with these aspirations. 

Douglas said the hours of operation will be 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.