Podcasts about cocm

Today we explore the profound impact of on-campus housing on student recruitment and retention. In this episode, we sit down with Gray Bekurs, VP of Business Development at COCM, to discuss: • How on-campus housing influences a prospective student's decision to attend a particular university. • Innovative strategies COCM has implemented to make on-campus housing more appealing to new students. • The relationship between quality student housing and student retention rates. Specific features or amenities in student housing that have been shown to positively impact student retention. • COCM's approach to addressing the unique housing needs of different campuses and student populations. Gray Bekurs brings a wealth of experience and insights into how well-managed student housing can foster a supportive and thriving academic community. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge on enhancing student satisfaction and boosting retention through strategic housing solutions.

In this episode, we're chatting with Liz Toombs of PDR Interiors, about her experience in transforming student housing spaces into havens of mental well-being. Liz, a Certified Interior Decorator, has channeled her expertise into creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also promote mental health across numerous campuses. Her work, recognized by major media outlets, reflects a commitment to nurturing environments where students can thrive. Beyond her design achievements, Liz's dedication to community and empowerment, seen through her philanthropic efforts and mentorship programs, underscores the importance of supportive spaces in fostering holistic wellness. Join us as we explore how Liz Toombs crafts more than interiors; she designs sanctuaries for the mind.

I've always enjoyed the collaborative team aspect and problem-solving with clients,” - Stephanie Lachina Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future." On this episode of "Student Housing Matters," Emily Hill, COCM Corporate Accountant, and Stephanie Lachina, COCM Financial Reporting Accountant, sit down to discuss the integral role financial reporting plays in the student housing industry and how the financial services at COCM have evolved over the years.  Emily and Stephanie delve into the various types of financial reports provided to clients and owners and how the financial reporting at COCM has changed over the years in order to meet each client's specific needs. Plus, how financial reporting services, and audit assistance have helped COCM's clients. Listen in to learn about the role of financial reporting in the student housing industry and the crucial role it plays in fostering problem-solving for the site directors and owners. Topics Covered Emily and Stephanie share their career paths and how they entered the field of accounting The various types of financial reports COCM provides to clients and owners How COCM customizes reports to meet client-specific needs How the financial reporting at COCM has evolved over the years How the financial reporting services, including timely reporting, support, and audit assistance have helped COCM's clients The importance of collaboration with site directors and owners to better understand their operation needs and offer support Resources Student Housing Matters Podcast Connect with Emily Hill Emily on LinkedIn  Connect with Stephanie Lachina Stephanie on Lnkedin  Connect with COCM Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Email media@cocm.com 

This month, we invited Elizabeth Zeidler Schreiter, director of an Integrated Care program in Wisconsin, to join us to talk about her success stories in growing an integrated care service while advocating for state-wide policy change. Beth's clinic has accomplished the following in just the last year: -Helped advocate to the state to turn on CoCM codes and bill PPS rates for them -Helped turn on e-consult codes for consulting psychiatry -Hired and started a Behavioral Health Care Coordinator team to work with both CoCM and PCBH -Advocated internally for a SW fellowship and increased the pay for both the SW and PHD fellowships to be more competitive -And all the while maintaining their core PCBH program service; overall these changes will result in a net positive financial situation for their psychiatry portion of the business (PCBH is already sustainable) Please join us as we talk about how they got these wins, lessons learned, and more. Today's cohosts: Bridget Beachy, Grace Pratt, Monica Williams Harrison, Jen Thomas, Neftali Serrano

"I think that the important part is making sure that we have a variety of voices at the table... looking at what their concerns are and their perspective. That's going to be important as the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) task force moves forward," - Kern Williams Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future." College campuses are the pulse of the political landscape, and it's crucial to engage the right people in the conversations to incite change. On this episode of "Student Housing Matters," Dr. Mecca Marsh, Corporate Support Specialist for COCM sits down with Corey Reedy, Vice President of Operations, and Kern Williams Regional Vice President to introduce and discuss the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) task force at COCM. They share how the task force came to be at COCM and the significance of having a variety of voices and perspectives addressing the unique needs and experiences of ALL individuals. Listen in to learn how these professionals are navigating the complex landscape of student housing and the various means the DEI Task Force is employing to improve inclusion, celebrate differences, and create a welcoming environment within COCM. Topics Covered Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in education: How the formation of the DEI Task Force at COCM has evolved to support the holistic well-being of ALL employees Discover how the task force has adapted to include those in the LGBTQ+ community and to address a broader range of issues in the legal and social landscape The major accomplishments of the DEI Task Force over the past 3-4 years The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in highlighting the need for DEI education to address challenges in marginalized communities The role of the DEI task force in building a legacy and the future for DEI efforts at COCM How the task force is toward alignment with the school's values in a continuous mindset of improvement and forward movement How listeners can join COCM to be a part of the legacy Resources Student Housing Matters Podcast Connect with Corey Reedy Corey Reedy at COCM Corey Reedy on LinkedIn Connect with Kern Williams Kern Williams at COCM Kern on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Mecca Marsh Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Dr. Marsh on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

“Housing is a critical activity that relates directly to the status of the university, and if it's not healthy, the rest of the institution is not either,” - Doug Brown, President, COCM Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future." On this episode of "Student Housing Matters," Gray Bekurs, Vice President of Business Development sits down with Doug Brown, President of  Capstone On-Campus Management (COCM) to discuss COCM's implementation of the Student Housing Calculator for use in forecasting housing demand based on historical data and enrollment trends The conversation explores how and why the Student Housing Calculator was created, how the calculator simplifies what seems like a complex problem, and the importance of understanding the critical parameters necessary for filling housing relative to enrollment. Listen in as Doug shares interesting stories related to the use of the Student Housing Calculator, the outcomes on long-term planning, and how this innovative tool is helping institutions in the student housing industry make more informed decisions to manage housing resources more effectively. For more information on the Student Housing Calculator visit Capstone On-Campus Management or click here.  Topics Covered Doug shares how and why the Student Housing Calculator was created The critical parameters for understanding occupancy and filling housing relative to enrollment Why the first time-to-college student product is so important The key indicators and data the Student Housing Calculator uses to calculate housing occupancy and yield The biggest difference between the housing calculator and market studies in determining who to build for in the future How the Student Housing Calculator helped one struggling institution realize they could close a building for renovations without a shortage of beds Why the Student Housing Calculator is available free of charge and how it will help people in the housing industry Resources Student Housing Calculator Student Housing Matters Podcast Connect with Doug Brown Doug at COCM Doug on LinkedIn Connect with Gray Bekurs Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Gray at COCM Gray on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

"Strike up conversations with everyone you possibly can while you're at conferences, you never know what threads will come from them. Thank you, Doug, for talking with me on a bus ride, oh, so many years ago. And [to COCM] for being such engaged participants in addressing leadership issues for the fellows," - Dr. Sharon McDade Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future." On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Alton Irwin, Director, and Chief Marketing Officer at COCM, sits down with Dr. Sharon McDade to discuss her involvement with COCM and the Fellows Program of the American Council on Education (ACE). Dr. Sharon A. McDade, a seasoned higher education leader, is the senior executive leadership and search consultant with Greenwood Asher & Associates' leadership and strategic services, specializing in searches for educational leaders and organizational development. With an illustrious background, Dr. McDade's impact extends globally, encompassing diverse leadership programs, keynotes, and scholarship, making her a prominent figure in advancing leadership in higher education. The conversation explores Sharon's experiences in leadership development and higher education and her interactions with COCM, particularly her engagement in the Fellows Program case study involving Pennyfield College. Listen in as she shares stories of her collaborative relationship with COCM leaders Doug Brown and others, highlighting how their expertise and innovative ideas contributed to the Fellows Program of the American Council on Education (ACE) and the impact of her leadership development initiatives within the higher education community. Topics Covered Dr. McDade discusses the role of leadership development programs in promoting leadership positions, particularly for women and individuals of color The impact of the ACE Fellows Program The collaborative partnership between Dr. Sharon McDade and COCM (Capstone) in enhancing the Fellows Program's case study including the Pennyfield College simulation Dr. McDade's transition to Greenwood Associates and her role in facilitating strategic planning processes for various higher education institutions The far-reaching effects of leadership development initiatives in the higher education landscape Connect with Dr. Sharon McDade Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC  Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

What makes a Director of Facilities successful in leading their maintenance team? It's more than just showing up and doing the job. And it's more than just taking good care of the facility. Success comes from taking care of the students and staff as well, building relationships with them as people to make sure they have what they need to thrive. Chris Adams is Director of Facilities for The Village at the University of South Florida, Chanal Alford (better known as Al) is Director of Facilities for Millennium Hall at Towson University, and Hermond Lawson serves as Assistant Director of Facilities for Walker Avenue Apartments at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Hermond, Chris and Al join host Jeremy Steed to explain how they got their start in facilities maintenance at COCM and share their experiences working at different sites in multiple roles. Hermond, Chris and Al discuss how campus maintenance has evolved since the 2000s, describing why ongoing training is crucial for their teams and how the design of the facilities themselves have changed to benefit students. Listen in to understand how Hermond, Chris and Al build a culture of respect and transparency on their teams and learn how their genuine care for staff and students contributes to their success! Topics Covered    How Hermond, Chris & Al got their start in facilities maintenance at COCM Hermond, Chris & Al's experiences working at different COCM sites in multiple roles How facilities maintenance has evolved since the 2000s What Hermond learned from the students he was teaching to answer maintenance calls Hermond, Chris & Al's appreciation for the support they receive from COCM leadership The ongoing education and training required for maintenance teams How Hermond, Chris & Al build a culture of respect and transparency among their teams How the facilities themselves have changed over time to benefit students Connect with Hermond, Chris & Al COCM Operations & Management Connect with Jeremy  Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Jeremy on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

"The great thing about Capstone is it gives you the ability to get some skills that you wouldn't have, otherwise, for years. Especially because in housing, it's not like you're back in the office somewhere, just pushing paper; you're right there on the frontline with students," - Patrick Savolskis Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future." On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Alton Irwin, Director, and Chief Marketing Officer at COCM, sits down with Patrick Savolskis, one of the very early employees of COCM. Patrick Savolskis is the Executive Director Purchase College Association at SUNY-Purchase. He has over twenty years of success both in higher education and private industry. Patrick spent five years in the privatized student housing market managing properties and working with development teams for new construction and turning around failing properties by building a solid staff and focusing on what was important at each property. During the conversation, Patrick shares interesting stories and reminisces about the early days of COCM, where meetings took place in hotel rooms, highlighting the company's humble beginnings and expresses admiration for COCM's growth. Listen in as Patrick reflects on what he learned from his time at COCM, the valuable skills he gained, and how they've served him in his work life post COCM. Plus, he shares his advice with new employees of COCM. Topics Covered   How Patrick came to COCM and the roles he served in during his tenure COCM—the early days: small teams and humble beginnings Patrick's career post COCM The value of working at COCM, learning atypical skills, and working for a family-like organization Why leadership that helps you succeed is better Patrick's advice for new employees of COCM Connect with Patrick Patrick Savolskis - Purchase College Association Patrick on LinkedIn  Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

"I've really enjoyed working with Capstone. Capstone is truly a learning organization, and our relationship has evolved over time. I've never doubted that we had their attention. I appreciate that commitment to the project and making sure the resident life experience is where it needs to be," - George Frasier, Green River College Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future." On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Masha Sapper, SVP of Business Services at COCM, sits down with George Frasier of Green River College.  George Frasier is the Vice President for College Advancement and Executive Director of Green River College Foundation. George is a non-profit executive and development professional with 28 years of experience and is passionate about supporting the educational dreams and aspirations of Green River Community College students. George discusses his role at the Green River and the college's focus on meeting students where they are, helping them find their path, and the transformative power of education in the community college and vocational space. Listen in as George shares the significance of student housing at Green River, its integration into the college's mission, the instrumental role that COCM played in fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for students, and his personal stories and experience working with several COCM staff members. Topics Covered   George's background and his role at Green River College What didn't work, and the three partners that worked toward the integration of student housing into Green River's mission The pandemic's impact on Green River's international population and their adaptive changes The evolution and success of the management partnership with COCM and the importance of strong partnerships in ensuring student success George shares his personal stories and positive experiences working with COCM employees The transformative power of education in the community college setting Connect with George Leadership Team - Green River College George on LinkedIn  Connect with Masha Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Masha at COCM Masha on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

"It was just this juxtaposition of people from very different places with their heads down working on stuff. And I thought, you know, this is going to work, and it's going to work well. And everything that we couldn't have hoped for, and more has happened. And I'm very appreciative." - Sheri Stoll Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future." On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Alton Irwin, Director, and Chief Marketing Officer at COCM, sits down with Sheri Stoll of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, one of Capstone's esteemed long-time clients.  Sheridan (Sheri) Stollis the Vice President for Finance and CFO at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). With a background in public higher education, she previously held positions at Kent State and Northeast Ohio Medical University. With over 16 years of experience at BGSU, Sheri has played a vital role in the university's financial management and strategic decision-making processes. During the conversation, Sheri reflects on her early career in public accounting, the unexpected path that led her to BGSU, and her behind-the-scenes insight into the vibrant campus culture at BGSU and its impact on the students there. Listen in as Sheri shares the dynamic partnership between BGSU and COCM, the challenges they faced along the way, and how the reassurance of having a trusted partner paved the way for their successful long-term collaboration. Topics Covered   Sheri's early career in public accounting and pursuit of an MBA The campus culture and student experience at BGSU The housing management partnership between BGSU and COCM and the challenges they faced when getting starting The benefits of a long-term partnership and stable on-site presence brought by COCM The continuous support and resources provided by Capstone Connect with Sheri Stoll Sherideen S. Stoll, C.P.A. Sheri on LinkedIn   Connect with Alton Irwin Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

"COCM is receptive to hearing from their team. So…speak up if there's something that you need or have feedback on. Most people are really willing to listen and work with you to help create something better."— Dr. Amy Lorenz Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future." On this episode of Student Housing Matters. Alton C. Irwin, Director, and Chief Marketing Officer at COCM, sits down with Dr. Amy Lorenz, former COCM student housing professional and current Director of Residence Life at the University of North Florida. Dr. Amy Lorenz is a highly experienced professional in the field of student housing. In her current role at the University of North Florida, she oversees the residence life team, including the Assistant Directors of Residence Life and the Residence Life Coordinator of Educational Initiatives. As a valued member of the Housing and Residence Life Senior Leadership team, Amy brings a wealth of expertise to her position. During her conversation with Alton, Amy reflects on her time at COCM, the memorable traditions and the lasting connections she made with colleagues across multiple campuses, and her active participation in women's leadership. Listen in to learn more about Amy's journey with COCM, her journey from COCM to the University of North Florida her current role as the Director of Residence Life, and her valuable advice for new COCM employees. Topics Covered  Introduction to Dr. Amy Lorenz and her roles with COCM at Marshall University and Bowling Green State University Amy shares memorable experiences, traditions, and stories about women's leadership initiatives during her time at COCM The transition to the University of North Florida and Amy's current role as Director of Residence Life Amy's advice for new COCM employees  Connect with Dr. Amy Lorenz  Amy Lorenz @UNF  Connect with Alton Irwin Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

"You've got something unique here with COCM with so many different types of schools. One of the things I loved about COCM is the ability to move on within the company and grow and progress. I would really encourage people to do that as much as possible. It's really worth it,"— Erik Elordi Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "honoring the past, celebrating the present, and building the future."  On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Alton C. Irwin, Director and Chief Marketing Officer at COCM, sits down with Erik Elordi, a former COCM staff member and now the Director of Campus Services at the University of Idaho. Erik shares his journey of how he came to work with Capstone On-Campus Management (COCM), his initial hesitation in working for a third-party company, and the story of what made him decide to apply. He discusses his various roles within the company, the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how he utilized his skills in different ways to support the company. Listen in to learn about his experience at COCM and the organization's impact on student outcomes. Plus, what his current role as Director of Campus Services at the University of Idaho entails and his advice as a former COCM employee for employees new to the company.   Topics Covered  Erik's introduction and his journey to COCM Erik shares his initial hesitation about working for a third-party company and the story of what convinced him to apply The challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic Erik's role at the University of Idaho as the Director of Campus Services The impact of COCM and on-campus housing on student outcomes and graduation COCM's support for professional development and the all-around person Erik shares his advice for new employees at COCM  Connect with Erik University of Idaho Contact Housing & Residence Life  Connect with Alton Irwin Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

"I may not have direct contact with our clients and owners and residents, but when I can fix a problem, or solve an issue for someone, that's what gives me satisfaction every day," — Tamiko Thompson  Join us as we celebrate COCM's 20th anniversary with the theme "honoring the past, celebrating the present, and building the future." On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Kern Williams, COCM's Regional Vice President, sits down with Tamiko Thompson, Accounts Payable Manager, who has been with COCM since March 1997. Tamiko shares the story of her unexpected hiring at COCM and her initial impression of the company. Then she reflects on the evolution and remarkable changes she has witnessed over the years, with a focus on the transformative impact of technology on the accounts payable process. Gain valuable insights from Tamiko's extensive experience as she shares the essential role of remarkable service, the unwavering commitment to excellence in student housing management, and her anticipation for what lies ahead at COCM. Plus, discover what brings her the greatest satisfaction in her role as the Accounts Payable Manager.  Topics Covered  Tamiko shares her journey to COCM and her initial impressions of the company Tamiko's role as the Accounts Payable Manager and the daily functions of the AP process The changes Tamiko has witnessed over the years, including technological advancements and the vendor verification process How COCM has evolved over the years by embracing innovation while maintaining a strong focus on exceptional service The #1 thing that brings Tamiko satisfaction in her job The significance of remarkable service and its impact on client satisfaction Tamiko's anticipation for the future at COCM, including plans for continued growth and success How COCM's 20th-anniversary celebration reflects the company's commitment to progress and excellence in student housing management  Connect with Tamiko and Kern Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Email media@cocm.com  

In this episode of the Student Housing Matters Podcast, host Alton Irwin, Chief Marketing Officer COCM, celebrates the 20th anniversary of Capstone On-Campus Management by looking back at the company's early days. He is joined by three longtime employees of COCM:  Doug Brown is the President and Founder of COCM. Doug's passion for higher education and dedication to fostering partnerships have been instrumental in shaping COCM's success. His visionary leadership has led the company to become a leader in managing student housing, challenging industry norms, and setting new standards along the way.  Michelle Smith, the Regional Vice President at COCM, drives growth and exceeds expectations through exceptional leadership. With a talent for building strong university relationships and mentoring her team, Michelle's contributions have made a lasting impact on the student housing industry. Marsha Sapper, the Senior Vice President for Business Systems at COCM, brings extensive expertise and invaluable insights to the company. Marsha's commitment to innovation and ability to navigate complex challenges have made her an invaluable asset to COCM's success in the dynamic student housing landscape. The discussion kicks off with the guests sharing how they came to join COCM, and Doug shares a behind-the-scenes look at the events that led him to establish COCM. The conversation then delves into memorable moments from the early days of COCM and reflections on the company's growth and the importance of promoting from within. Join Alton and the guests as they reflect on the journey of COCM, from its humble beginnings to becoming a leader in managing student housing. Hear their stories, insights, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Topics Covered  Reflecting on 20 years: celebrating COCM's journey of success, innovation, and impact The journey begins: how COCM found its footing in the student housing industry Insights into the early days of hiring at COCM How COCM built strong relationships with universities Revolutionizing the approach to managing student housing programs The key to transforming troubled projects into success stories Nurturing talent and cultivating long-term employee success How COCM provides career acceleration and diverse exposure Sharing the lessons learned: wisdom and advice for new employees entering the student housing field Connect with Doug Brown Doug on LinkedIn Connect with Michelle Smith Michelle on LinkedIn  Connect with Marsha Sapper Marsha on LinkedIn  Connect with Alton Irwin Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

For Maria Saad, of the COCM team providing guidance and making a positive impact on students' lives is not just a job—it's a passion. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Maria sits down to share her insights on the student housing industry. As someone who believes that 'it's more of a learning experience for the students,' Maria shares why she ‘is passionate about providing guidance and making a positive impact on student's lives and why, for her, 'it's all about the experience' and 'making that connection' with students. In this episode, Maria takes us on a journey through her experiences from her multifamily background to her current role at CSCM. We discuss the challenges facing the industry today and Maria shares her wisdom on how to create a successful student housing experience that goes beyond the classroom and the importance of providing guidance and teaching moments for students who are living on their own for the first time. Maria also shares her experience attending Lease Con and the profound impact it had on her approach to creating a positive living experience for students. She shares several strategies for personifying the brand and becoming the experience, which is the biggest focus for her and her team in driving growth and making a connection with students. Listen in to hear Maria's unique perspective on the importance of creating a positive living experience for students and the impact it can have on their lives. Topics Covered  Maria shares her background in multifamily housing and transition to student housing The importance of providing guidance and teaching moments for students The impact attending Lease Con had on Maria The importance of transparency in student housing How Maria and her team approach creating a positive living experience for students Key strategies for becoming the experience and personifying the brand in student housing The impact that Maria hopes to leave on the student housing industry. Connect with Brittany Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Brittany on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

“It's been an interesting, interesting time since early spring of 2020. And I think what we have learned are some lessons about how we can better provide service for both our students and our employees… Those folks on the front line really are the key to our success. We know that, and we're going to work really hard to make sure they understand that we understand that.” —Jeremy Biddy Jeremy Biddy is the new Executive Vice President of Operations at COCM. He began his professional career working to prevent shoplifting at Kmart before transitioning to an opportunity in student housing at Spring Hill College in July of 2002. In 2008, Jeremy joined the team at COCM, where he has served as Site Director, Regional Manager, Regional Vice President and Senior Vice President of Operations. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Jeremy joins host Alton Irwin to share his journey from Kmart to COCM, discussing some of his mentors in student housing and what they taught him about putting students and staff first. Jeremy describes what he is most looking forward to in his new role, sharing his goals around applying best practices across the COCM portfolio and leveraging technology to work smarter, not harder. Listen in to understand Jeremy's commitment to delivering top-notch service and learn how he plans to support students and staff as COCM's new EVP of Operations! Topics Covered  Jeremy's first job out of undergrad as District Loss Prevention Manager for Kmart What inspired Jeremy to pursue an opportunity in the Housing Department at Spring Hill College Jeremy's many roles at COCM since he joined the team in July 2008 Some of Jeremy's mentors in student housing and what he learned from them about putting students and staff first What Jeremy is most looking forward to in his new role as EVP of Operations at COCM Jeremy's goals to apply best practices across the COCM portfolio and leverage technology to work smarter, not harder Jeremy's commitment to support sites in delivering top-notch service Connect with Jeremy Jeremy on LinkedIn Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

"I think I'm the proudest of how much growth we've had. By expanding, we got to get on so many different diverse campuses. And we get to meet so many different administrators in the business of student housing, and that gives you the opportunity to provide jobs for folks, which gave me all the interactions I've had with the incredible employees we've had through the years." — Sandy Hill Sandy Hill  began her career in student housing as a desk attendant in 1979 and has served as the Executive Vice President of Operations at COCM since 2003. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Sandy joins host Alton Irwin to discuss how she came to COCM. We'll discuss her years with student housing, beginning as a desk attendant to the famous student she acted as a residence assistant for and her transition to COCM in 2003. Sandy will share the highlights of her career and the most memorable figures she met along the way. Listen in as she reflects on her years in student housing, her more memorable mentors along the way, what's next for her in her journey, and her parting advice for everyone at COCM. Topics Covered  How Sandy was introduced to student housing What brought Sandy to COCM What Sandy is most proud of from her years at COCM The surprising FAMOUS person Sandy served as a residence assistant for The most influential people in Sandy's on-campus housing career journey The two people who taught her the most in her career The story of difficult but necessary growth The priceless lessons she learned along the way in her career Coming full circle: What's next for her in her journey Where Sandy will be moving to for her retirement Sandy's #1 piece of advice for everyone at COCM Connect with Sandy Sandy on LinkedIn Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

Sexism, racism, and economic and educational inequality are just some of the significant challenges and barriers women face today. There are gender injustices everywhere, and women often struggle to make their voices heard. So, what can student housing organizations do to make gender equality a priority? Hannah Mountford serves as the Director of Facilities and Operations at Roundtree commons. As a hard-working team player, she takes great pride in her master's degree focused on Counseling Education with an emphasis on Student Affairs from Mississippi State University. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Hannah joins host Brittany Pieper to discuss why she chose COCM, the importance behind her position within the Women's Alliance, and the impact the Women's Alliance has on the student housing industry. Hannah shares several examples of how the Women's Alliance is creating a safe space for members of COCM to share concerns, network, and champion one another. Listen in for Hannah's insight on how the Women's Alliance advocates for women by bringing people together and helping them feel valued and recognized, giving them a voice so the critical conversations that need to happen for more equality can happen. Topics Covered  How she came to be the Director of Facilities at COCM in Plattville, Wisconsin Why COCM was the right choice for her at this point in her career What the Women's Alliance at COCM is Why Hannah wanted to become involved in the COCM Women's Alliance How the Women's Alliance helps create a safe space for members of COCM to champion for one another The impact Hannah hopes to make with her involvement with the Women's Alliance How cultivating connections in a safe space can help vital gender equality conversations take place Why transparency is critical in student housing Hannah shares her goals for the Women's Alliance and COCM Connect with Hannah Hannah on LinkedIn Connect with Brittany Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Brittany on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

What is the Collaborative Care Model? How does it  address the mental health access crisis? What effect will it have on burnout? What barriers remain in its wide scale implementation? In this special episode, Psych Hub Clinical Director Paul Deger, and Neuroflow Senior Director of Clinical Operations Matt Miclette explore the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) with help from clips from Psych Hub's CoCM course.   If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to follow or subscribe wherever you are listening, and share the show with your colleagues and friends. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel here, https://www.youtube.com/c/PsychHub.   Future Of Mental Health is a Psych Hub Podcast and is for educational purposes only. Visit https://psychhub.com to dig deeper and access the world's most comprehensive platform for behavioral health education.   Follow us on Social Media Twitter: https://twitter.com/FOMHshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychhubeducation  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PsychHub 

It's important for students to feel valued in the place where they live. And emotional intelligence is key in giving Gen Zers that sense of belonging and connection.  So, what can student housing organizations do to make EQ a priority? How can we create a culture where students feel seen, heard and understood? Natalya Cook is one of the newest team members at COCM. She serves as Marketing Coordinator for THE MARQ, a unique collection of student housing communities on the campus of Marquette University.  Natalya is also a published author, versatile creative and passionate activist on a mission to inspire others and make them feel valued. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Natalya joins host Brittany Pieper to define emotional intelligence and discuss how she applies it in her current position at THE MARQ. Natalya shares several strategies organizations can use to market in an emotionally intelligent way, describing how Gen Z's demand for authenticity is playing out in the student housing space. Listen in for Natalya's insight on getting into the mind of a student to plan community events and learn how to reach Gen Z by creating a healthy environment based on transparency, vulnerability and trust. Topics Covered  How Natalya defines emotional intelligence and why it's essential in student housing Why emotional intelligence is overlooked in our personal and professional lives How Natalya sees Gen Z's demand for authenticity playing out in the student housing space How Natalya applies emotional intelligence in her current position as Marketing Coordinator at THE MARQ The alignment between what COCM stands for and Natalya's purpose to inspire others Why it's crucial for Gen Z students to have a sense of home and feel like they belong What strategies organizations can use to market to Gen Z in an emotionally intelligent way How to get into the mind of a Gen Z student for the purpose of planning community events  How to reach Gen Z by creating a culture where students feel seen, heard and valued Connect with Natalya THE MARQ Natalya on LinkedIn Connect with Brittany Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Brittany on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com   Resources No Studios

How do you achieve 100% occupancy in a new student housing community—during a pandemic? RaNesha Martin is the Director of Affiliated Housing at Bowie State University's Christa McAuliffe Residential Community and Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community (ELLC), a new development designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs and other business-minded students with the resources and space for collaboration, creativity and innovation. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, RaNesha joins host Brittany Pieper to discuss Bowie State President Dr. Amita Breaux's vision for the ELLC, explaining what differentiates it from apartment-style campus communities.  RaNesha reflects on COCM's role in matching Dr. Breaux's vision with student needs and describes how student involvement in the ELLC project contributed to its success.  Listen in for insight on how RaNesha's team achieved 100% occupancy of the Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community in its first year—during a pandemic! Topics Covered  Bowie State University's history as the oldest HBCU in Maryland RaNesha's role as Director of Affiliated Housing at the Christa McAuliffe Residential Community and Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community Dr. Aminta Breaux's vision for the new ELLC community How the ELLC provides a space for creativity and innovation What differentiates the ELLC from apartment-style campus communities COCM's role in matching Dr. Breaux's vision with student needs How RaNesha's team achieved 100% occupancy of the ELLC in its first year (during a pandemic) How student involvement in the ELLC project contributed to its success Connect with RaNesha Bowie State University Christa McAuliffe Residential Community Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community ELLC on Instagram Connect with Brittany Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Brittany on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

Our guest this week, Matt Miclette, is military veteran and a psychiatric and mental health board certified registered nurse. He is the Senior Director of Clinical Operations at NeuroFlow – a digital health company that provides an industry-leading solution for Technology-Enabled Psychiatric Collaborative Care.  Matt is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of a nonprofit organization called Action Tank.  As a recipient of the prestigious Pat Tillman military scholarship, Matt is living with the passion that Pat Tillman spoke of, “Passion is what makes life interesting, what ignites our soul, fuels our love and carries our friendships, stimulates our intellect, and pushes our limits … A passion for life is contagious and uplifting.” Matt's passion is bright and shines through in his service for people with mental health needs. In value-based care, it is clear that primary care is at the tip of the spear in dealing with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions like CHF, COPD, and diabetes that drive up costs. In that model for managing chronic disease, the position of primary care providers being upstream to specialists allows them to curb 80-90% of healthcare costs by preventing unnecessary specialist visits and avoidable inpatient stays and ED visits.  With behavior health, it is a little bit different though.  Behavioral health conditions (for the most part) can't be addressed by specialists because there aren't any access points for them to even be seen! Although 70% of primary care appointments include problems with significant psychosocial issues, less than half of those receive any mental health treatment at all, because there is a such a shortage of specialists. To put this in context, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that by 2025, the U.S. will have a shortage of over 15k psychiatrists and 26k mental health counselors! Research shows that a Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) is an effective and efficient way of delivering integrated care for more complex patient behavioral health needs – CoCM is a model that enhances “usual” primary care by adding two key services: care management support for patients receiving behavioral health treatment and regular psychiatric inter-specialty consultation to the primary care team. Join us as we consider this and other important solutions with Matt in this week's race to value! Episode Bookmarks: 04:45 “Passion is what makes life interesting, what ignites our soul, fuels our love and carries our friendships, stimulates our intellect, and pushes our limits.” – Pat Tillman 05:40 Matt discusses the inspiration of Pat Tillman and his passion into lifelong learning 06:00 How caring for wounded warriors recovering from combat trauma drove Matt's future work in treating the “indivisible injuries” impacting behavior health 07:00 Realizing the stigma associated with behavior health from his time leading a military psych unit in Fort Hood 07:50 Making an impact through facility-level hospital policy, e.g. 75% reduction in restraint use 08:10 Matt discusses his experience working in public health policy related to substance use disorder 08:30 A shared passion for “changing the world” with Christopher Molaro, CEO/Co-Founder of Neuroflow 09:30 Alarming stats about behavioral health and SUD in our country! 11:10 Matt on the recent CDC report showing that the U.S. hit the highest level of annual overdose deaths ever recorded (93,000) – a 30% increase from prior year! 11:45 “The shortage of mental health providers is most acutely seen in rural communities. Over 50% of the counties in the U.S. don't have a single psychiatrist.” 12:05 Understanding the population and identifying which individuals have the most acute behavioral health needs through upfront screening and measurement-based care 13:00 Matt explains how we can more effectively use primary care and interdisciplinary teams to treat behavior health...

Conference service programs have been in survival mode through the pandemic, adapting to challenging circumstances one day at a time. But in-person events are starting to come back, and it’s time for colleges and universities with summer programs to get prepared for the 2022 season. Erik Elordi is the National Director of Conference Services at COCM, a program that both supports our current institutions and provides program evaluation and standalone management of summer conference services to campuses outside the Capstone network. Erik began his career with COCM in 2015, serving as Director of Residential Facilities and Director of Housing and Residential Life at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington, before transitioning to his current role in March of 2020. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Erik joins host Alton Irwin to discuss COCM’s new resource, ‘3 Things You Should Be Doing Now for 2022 Summer Conferences Recovery.’ Erik explains what inspired him to create the recovery guide, challenging conference staffs to start preparing NOW for Summer 2022. Listen in for Erik’s insight on using the COCM guide—not just to get back where you were pre-pandemic but to exceed your 2019 benchmarks and come back better than before! Topics Covered  How Erik was introduced to COCM through Lauren Pigott and his 6 years with the organization Erik’s role as National Director for Conference Services How his previous work at a COCM site serves Erik in his current role The 3 main components of the COCM Conference Services program What inspired Erik to create the 2022 Summer Conferences Recovery Guide How the recovery guide provides an opportunity for campuses to exceed their 2019 benchmarks Erik’s advice on using the guide to prepare NOW for Summer 2022 Connect with Erik COCM Conference Services Erik on LinkedIn Erik on Twitter Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

Corey Reedy doesn’t do what he does for the recognition. He truly cares about the student housing professionals he works with, and that inspires him to meet people where they are and pour into them as much as possible. But Corey does appreciate being recognized with the Excel Award because it lets him know he’s doing something right! Corey Reedy is Regional Vice President at Capstone On-Campus Management. Prior to working with the corporate staff, he served as COCM General Manager at Bowling Green State University from 2010 through 2014. Corey has 20-plus years of experience as a student housing professional, and he was the recipient of the 2019 COCM Excel Award. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Corey joins guest host Alton Irwin for the next installment of our Excel Award Interview Series to describe how he serves as a resource for the staff and students he manages at COCM. Corey explains how site diversity makes the scope of his responsibilities unique and reflects on what his colleagues said about his ability to provide individualized support. Listen in for insight on what made Corey successful through the pandemic and learn how seeing his COCM colleagues succeed gives him the greatest satisfaction in his job. Topics Covered  How Corey serves as a resource in his role as Regional Vice President at the COCM home office What made Corey successful through the pandemic and how his role changed How the diversity of the schools Corey manages makes the scope of his responsibilities unique How meeting COCM staff at a student affairs placement exchange (and a perfect summer day at Bowling Green) inspired Corey to take a job with Capstone What tipped Corey off that he was receiving the 2019 COCM Excel Award What Corey’s colleagues had to say about his core values of meeting people where they are and providing customized support How helping to develop COCM staff and students and seeing them succeed gives Corey the greatest satisfaction in his job  Connect with Corey Reedy Corey at COCM Corey on LinkedIn Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

“The [COCM Excel] Award is given to one person, but it’s really comprised of everybody on the team. It just happens to be that one person who received it because everybody pushes you to be better and do better. You always see the head coach gets all the kudos, but it’s really the folks that are behind the scenes working day in and day out—they’re truly deserving of it as well.” —Michelle Smith Michelle Smith currently serves as Regional Vice President at Capstone On-Campus Management. Prior to working at the COCM home office, Michelle was Director of Campus Housing at Florida Atlantic University, where she earned the 2013 COCM Excel Award. Michelle was also part of the Capstone founding team, and she has been with the company for the last 17 years. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Michelle joins guest host Alton Irwin for the next installment of our Excel Award Interview Series to explain why she considered the award a win for her entire team at Florida Atlantic. Michelle reflects on her time at FAU and reacts to what her colleagues said about the impact she had there. Listen in for insight on COCM’s ability to promote from within and why it’s so rewarding for Michelle to see that level of growth at every level of the company. Topics Covered  What’s unique about Michelle’s role as Regional Vice President of COCM How meeting Sandy Hill at a retreat early in her student housing career led Michelle to work for COCM Why it was special for Michelle to receive the Excel Award from Sandy Hill How Michelle saw the Excel Award as a win for her whole team at Florida Atlantic University What Michelle’s colleagues had to say about the impact she had at FAU How Michelle thinks about her time at FAU and as the campus partner, Residence Life team and COCM staff worked toward a common goal The sense of satisfaction Michelle feels in nominating COCM staff for the Excel Award Why being able to promote from within is so important to Michelle Connect with Michelle Smith Michelle at COCM Michelle on LinkedIn Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

Some student housing professionals are only inclined to perform the duties listed in their job description. And others are team players, willing to get their hands dirty to keep things running smoothly. Kerissa Hobstetter falls into the second category, doing whatever needs to be done to provide the best possible experience for her residents. Kerissa is COCM’s Assistant Director of Operations at Fayette Square on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Kerissa began her career with Capstone in 2011, serving freshman at Marshall University before transitioning to the graduate campus at UMB where she earned the 2015 COCM Excel Award. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Kerissa joins guest host Alton Irwin for the fourth in a series of conversations with Excel Award winners to discuss the diversity of the graduate student population that makes UMB unique. Kerissa describes how her interest in student affairs grew over time, explaining how the opportunity to interact with students gives her the greatest satisfaction in what she does every day. Listen in for insight around the impact of facilities on student satisfaction and learn how being a team player earned Kerissa the respect of her colleagues—and the COCM Excel Award! Topics Covered The small, graduate-level campus Kerissa serves at the University of Maryland, Baltimore What surprised Kerissa about serving graduate students The diversity of the student population that makes UMB unique What Kerissa has learned about communicating with students from all over the world How Kerissa’s interest in student affairs grew over time Why Kerissa was shocked to receive the COCM Excel Award What Kerissa’s colleagues had to say about her willingness to go beyond her job title and get her hands dirty How interactions with residents give Kerissa the greatest satisfaction in what she does The impact of facilities on student satisfaction and retention Connect with Kerissa Hobstetter Kerissa on LinkedIn Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. And lucky for COCM, Scott Schatzer loves to serve others. Scott is the Talent Recruitment and Wellness Coordinator at the Capstone corporate offices, assisting the operations team in the recruitment, hiring and onboarding of field staff and managing COCM’s Learning Management System and Employee Retention and Wellness Program. Scott formerly served as the Director of Housing Operations for the first-year community on the campus of Marshall University, where he earned the prestigious COCM Excel Award. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Scott joins guest host Alton Irwin for the third in a series of conversations with Excel Award winners to discuss the respect for the past and community support unique to Marshall University. Scott reflects on what his colleagues at Marshall said about his passion to help others, sharing how he approaches each day as a servant leader. Listen in to understand the satisfaction Scott gets from recruiting the best employees possible and supporting COCM’s current employees—so they can better serve our residents, campus partners and each other. Topics Covered Scott’s former role as Director of Housing for the first-year community on the campus of Marshall University The respect for the past and community support unique to Marshall University What Scott is responsible for in his new role as Talent Recruitment and Wellness Coordinator at COCM How visiting other sites helps Scott better serve his colleagues at COCM How connecting with a mentor at COCM led Scott to work for the organization Scott’s appreciation for the opportunity to grow as a student housing professional through COCM What Scott’s colleagues have to say about his passion to help others, leadership ability and work ethic How Scott approaches each day with the intention to be a servant leader The satisfaction Scott gets from recruiting the best employees possible and supporting COCM’s current employees—so they can best serve our residents, campus partners and owners Connect with Scott Scott on LinkedIn Scott on Twitter Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

Western University of Health Sciences takes a whole-student approach to educating future healthcare professionals. And that complements the way COCM’s Meera Ramsoondar-Cuevas serves her team and the students she works with, connecting with people through the lens of their individual experience. Meera is the Director of Housing Operations at The Daumier at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. She has been with Capstone On-Campus Management for six years, serving as Associate Director of Residence Life at City College of New York before taking on her current role in October of 2018. Meera earned the COCM Excel Award in February of 2020. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Meera joins guest host Alton Irwin for the first of a series of conversations with Excel Award winners to discuss what it’s like to serve graduate students in the healthcare space. She describes the humanistic approach unique to the community and campus at WesternU and shares the benefit of having pet-friendly floors on her site. Listen in to understand how the Excel Award reflects the excellence of the people Meera’s worked with and find out what her students have taught her about cultivating compassion and seeing the world through a different lens. Topics Covered  Meera’s role as Director of Housing Operations at The Daumier at Western University The graduate degree programs in health sciences offered at WesternU The humanistic approach unique to the community and campus at WesternU How a student population of future health professionals navigated the COVID pandemic The benefit of having two pet-friendly floors at The Daumier Why Meera loved working 1:1 with students in her first role in residence life with COCM How Meera sees her Excel Award as a reflection of the great teachers she’s worked with What Meera has learned from her students about compassion and seeing the world through a different lens Why it’s the small interactions with students that bring Meera the most satisfaction Connect with Meera The Daumier at Western University The Daumier on Instagram Meera on LinkedIn Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

As you rise through the ranks of a career in student housing, you face more and more complex problems. Imagine, for example, taking on a site that has occupancy concerns, building issues AND staffing challenges. So, what do successful leaders do to avoid overwhelm and focus their energy on finding solutions? Kern Williams serves as Regional Manager and Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force at COCM. In his 15 years in student housing, Kern has worked at a variety of institutions and been an active contributor to the profession at large, giving national webinars and conference presentations on undocumented students, access to higher education, team dynamics and staff motivation. On this episode, Kern joins Leigh Anne to share his unique shift from insurance to student housing and discuss how having the right mentor influenced him to pursue a career in higher education. Kern describes both the challenge and reward of managing from a distance, offering advice on breaking down big problems and turning worry into action. Listen in for Kern’s insight on asking the right questions, serving as a mentor and a mentee, and developing the wide range of skills required to be a leader in the student housing space! Topics Covered How Kern transitioned from the insurance industry to student housing Kern’s insight on the unique range of skills you develop as a student housing professional How having a mentor who looked like him influenced Kern to make a career of student housing Realizing you’re in the right place when colleagues start coming to you for advice Kern’s ability to manage people, process and product effectively How Kern navigates the challenge of managing from a distance The opportunity for growth that comes from managing a variety of staff and locations remotely How Kern learned to overcome overwhelm by breaking down big problems Why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions (even in a leadership role) The value in finding a mentor and serving as a mentor yourself Kern’s advice for aspiring student housing professionals on turning worry into action Connect with Kern Williams Kern on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

How do you design a marketing plan that attracts residents to a particular student housing community? What if you’re responsible for promoting 35 different sites, each with their own unique culture and set of amenities? Brittany Pieper is the Site Marketing Coordinator for COCM, where she works with our 35-plus partner institutions and their onsite team members to ensure that each of our student housing communities is properly positioned in the market. A rockstar when it comes to marketing and leasing in the student housing world, Brittany is committed to achieving maximum demand and occupancy at each site. On this episode, Brittany joins Leigh Anne to share her journey from multifamily marketing and leasing to student housing, explaining what she learned from her first property manager and how she designs creative initiatives to attract and retain residents. Brittany discusses how having an entrepreneurial spirit has helped her develop a business mind around sales and walks us through the AHA moment that inspired her to pursue a leadership role in the marketing space. Listen in for Brittany’s insight on customizing solutions to individual sites and get her top five tips for ambitious student housing professionals. Topics Covered Brittany’s early interest and experience in marketing and sales Brittany’s journey from multifamily marketing and leasing to student housing Designing creative ways to attract and retain residents How Brittany’s first property manager trained her to do things the right way, take ownership of her mistakes and strive for her goals How an entrepreneurial spirit helped Brittany develop a business mind around sales and marketing What inspired Brittany to pursue a leadership role in marketing and leasing The challenge Brittany faces in customizing solutions to work at individual COCM sites Brittany’s top lessons learned around adapting to change and working with diverse personalities Brittany’s top five tips for aspiring student housing professionals Connect with Brittany Pieper Brittany at COCM Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

Student housing professionals have faced one challenge after another in 2020. When it comes to residence life, this has not been an ideal year, as the pandemic has kept us from doing most of our traditional programming. So, how are housing directors building community in the COVID era? Katherine Warren is COCM’s Assistant Director of Residence Life Campus Housing at Illinois Central College. She earned her BA in Communications and Media Arts from Bethany College and her master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State University. Katherine chose a career in student affairs because she loves working with college students as they begin to carve out their own niche. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Katherine joins Leigh Anne to discuss the recent roundtable she led with COCM housing directors across the country and share the team’s commitment to maintaining a positive attitude as we adapt to changing circumstances. She describes the challenges housing directors face in preparing for 2021 and explains what our colleagues are doing to maintain their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing through this challenging time. Listen in for Katherine’s insight on how COCM housing directors are innovating around residence life to build community (within social distancing guidelines) and facilitate student interaction online. Topics Covered Katherine’s approach to the recent roundtable discussion she led with COCM housing directors across the country The COCM team’s commitment to maintaining a positive attitude as we adapt to changing circumstances How housing directors are building community through pop-up events and DIY programming The challenges housing directors face in preparing for 2021 (i.e.: RA interviews, room selection, etc.) How housing directors are using Discord and social media platforms to promote community and interact with students What our COCM colleagues are doing to maintain their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing How COVID is teaching Katherine to be more intentional about making time to do the things she loves Connect with Katherine Warren Katherine on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

Conferences and summer programs offer institutions an opportunity to generate revenue that can reduce the financial burden placed on students during the academic year. And it’s not just housing – a strong, efficient summer program brings revenue to other campus entities as well, including dining services, athletics, facilities, and even academic departments. Developing these programs to really work for your campus takes creativity, research, and planning. Erik Elordi is the Director of National Conference Services for COCM. He specializes in reviewing campuses’ summer programs and providing support, direction and management of the implementation of a tailored plan via a management partnership. His passion for approaching campus revenue with an entrepreneurial mindset drives him to help campuses solve the problem of generating revenue over the summer months. While the summer of 2020 brought a set of unique challenges, Erik is looking to summer of 2021 opportunities and currently building a small library of resources for student housing professionals to learn how to leverage the campus amenities during summer months. For universities and colleges that do not have a management agreement with COCM, our corporate team can help by taking our Fresh Eyes Consulting approach and focusing specifically on conference and summer programming. Our team provides for those interested in knowing how much more they could be making off of the summer months outcomes, reports and implementation plans to help put conference services together or help grow and build on the ones that the campus may already have in place. Why do so many campuses miss out on the opportunities that the summer months provide for revenue? For a lot of institutions, conferences are a secondary thought – which makes sense. It often falls to the student housing department, and that task often falls behind because during the academic year the student housing department is so focused on making the student experience great for the students. Then, summer becomes a scramble. By having Erik as a dedicated person, he is able to help campuses think about these opportunities all year round and leverage those summer months as much as possible. COCM encourages campuses to put in the time to prepare for the summer months so they don’t leave money on the table by not using all of their campus assets during all twelve months.     Topics Covered Erik’s background experience in housing in Oregon and Washington Why he takes an entrepreneurial approach to summer months and why that excites him Seeing summer housing as opportunity to keep rates lower for students during the regular year How his team at Cornish College of the Arts built and developed a conference program from the ground up How summer programming also helps with recruitment and a pipeline into the college into the future The story behind Erik’s entrepreneurial approach to building summer revenue Why building resources for others looking to develop similar programs is so important to Erik How COCM can take a look at your own campus housing through the Fresh Eyes Process providing recommendations on how to grow that Why a lot of campuses are missing out on these opportunities and the questions they have about the potential Why COCM takes the approach of thinking about potential summer revenue opportunities year round How any campus can connect with COCM to get their questions answered and talk about the opportunities for conferences and summer programs Connect with Erik COCM’s Conference Services Erik on Linkedin Erik on Twitter   Connect with Leigh Anne & COCM Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

Serving university students who live off-campus puts Kristen Franklin in a unique position. Yes, she works closely with the highly regarded research institution her residents attend. But her team also has the freedom to individualize their services and work independently. So, what are the pros and cons of this arrangement when a global pandemic closes the campus and takes classes virtual? Kristen is COCM’s Director of Operations at Nine East 33rd, a high-end apartment complex that houses students from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to her work with Capstone, Kristen served as Associated Director of Housing at The George Washington University and Community Director at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She has 10-plus years of experience in higher education and student affairs, and Kristen holds a Master’s in Educational Policy & Leadership from Marquette University. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Kristen joins guest host Alton Irwin to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted her residents at Nine East 33rd. She describes the property’s unique position as off-campus housing for Johns Hopkins students and discusses the university’s thoughtful response to the crisis and role as a trusted resource for up-to-date information. Listen in to understand how Kristen’s day-to-day looks different working from home (with two kids!) and learn what her team is doing to maintain contact both with residents who are staying at Nine East 33rd and those who are sheltering elsewhere. Topics Covered Kristen’s background in student housing + current role as Director of Operations at COCM The unique position of Nine East 33rd as off-campus student housing Johns Hopkins’ thoughtful response to the Coronavirus pandemic How Johns Hopkins is supporting Maryland’s response to COVID-19 What Kristen’s team is doing to ensure the health and safety of residents at Nine East 33rd The gift baskets and door hangers Kristen is using to maintain regular contact with residents How the Nine East 33rd staff is communicating with residents who are sheltering elsewhere How Kristen’s day looks different working from home with two children Kristen’s message for Nine East 33rd residents and campus partners at Johns Hopkins Connect with Kristen Kristen on LinkedIn Nine East 33rd Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 Info & Resources Connect with Leigh Anne & Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com

COCM understands the importance of motivating a team and driving engagement during a time of isolation and unfamiliar work environments. In order to determine how residential faculty working on campus and remotely at Marshall University are adapting to conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic we interviewed Heather Smith, Assistant Director of Operations of the First Year Residence Halls at Marshall. Connect with Us Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Email media@cocm.com Subscribe on iTunes

It’s well known that a career in higher education leaves you with many transferable skills. Are those skills useful outside of your workplace? How can we use what we’ve learned working with students to better ourselves and our communities?  In 2009, Nicole Terrell joined COCM as a first-time Assistant Director in a brand-new residence hall at Marshall University. In Nicole’s role at COCM she developed a resident handbook and worked to guide first years struggling to transition to university life. After COCM, Nicole went on to work in loss prevention at Target. Today, she is raising a family, serving on community boards, and teaching cross-fit to kids. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Nicole joins guest host Tara Wilkinson to reminisce about her time as an AD. Nicole shares how building a sense of community in a first year residence hall relates to supporting members of the community she now lives in. She also weighs in on how working in higher ed pushed her outside of her comfort zone and taught her how to deal with tough situations. Listen in for Nicoles’s insight on how her experience with CCOM continues to influence the way she approaches supporting others in her local community and what ‘paying it forward’ really means. Topics Covered How Nicole got involved with COCM Nicole’s experience working with first years in a new residence hall How Nicole’s role as an Assistant Director prepared her for future positions The importance of reaching out to others in your community Nicole’s lasting relationships with former COCM colleagues How COCM helped Nicole push past her boundaries Connect with Tara Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Tara on LinkedIn

Rafael Cordwell believes that you don’t choose your profession, your profession chooses you. And in the beginning, Raf resisted a career in student affairs—despite encouragement from more than one of his supervisors at Southern Connecticut State. But higher education had other plans for Raf, and today, he aspires to impact campus culture and policy for the better as a senior leader in the field. Raf currently serves as COCM’s Director of University Affiliated Housing at Towson University in Towson, Maryland, and the Director of Leadership and Business Development at Driven2Inspire, a professional training and keynote speaking firm. Raf was selected to be a part of the inaugural cohort of the Ujima Institute, a prestigious program offered by NASPA, the Association for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Raf earned his BA in English and Master’s in Women’s Studies at Southern Connecticut State University and is currently pursuing his PhD in Higher Education Administration at Morgan State. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Raf joins me to share his experience at the Ujima Institute, explaining its purpose in supporting higher education and student affairs professionals of color who aspire to senior-level and faculty positions. Raf describes the incredible level of energy among attendees as they shared their lived experiences and walks us through the values exercise he learned at Ujima that had the most profound impact on him as a leader. Listen in for Raf’s advice to young professionals considering a career in student housing and learn how residence life chose Raf to be a leader in college administration. Topics Covered How Raf was encouraged by his early supervisors to pursue a career in higher education How the opportunity to impact campus culture and policy inspired Raf’s decision The role Raf’s academic background in gender studies plays in his work in residence life Why working with different types of people is both the most challenging and rewarding part of Raf’s job How Raf helps students and their parents through the transition to college life The Ujima Institute’s aim in supporting higher ed professionals of color who aspire to senior-level positions The high level of energy among Ujima Institute attendees in sharing their lived experiences Why Raf would encourage others to apply for the Ujima Institute The values exercise Raf learned at the program that had a profound impact on him as a leader Raf’s advice for young professionals considering a career in student affairs Connect with Raf Raf on LinkedIn NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Ujima Institute Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com Subscribe on iTunes

During her tenure at COCM, Mellissa Taylor quickly became known among students as The Housing Lady. So, what did she learn as the face and voice of student housing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham? How have those lessons around communicating with students carried over to her current role in higher ed? Mellissa serves as the Assistant Director of Honors Advising and Retention at UAB. But her first role out of graduate school was that of Assistant General Manager of Marketing and Resident Services with Capstone, where she was responsible for community engagement for UAB student housing. Mellissa earned her graduate degree in Student Affairs at Florida State University. On this episode of the Alumni Series, Mellissa joins Tara Wilkinson to explain how she connected with COCM through contacts at UAB, her undergraduate campus. She weighs in on the most effective ways of communicating with students, describing the challenges of TLDR in email communications and the value of social channels like Instagram and Snapchat. Listen in for Mellissa’s insight on the enduring relationships she built at COCM and learn how her Capstone colleagues helped her grow a thick skin early in her professional career! Topics Covered How Mellissa connected with COCM through contacts at UAB Mellissa’s responsibilities as Marketing Manager with COCM Representative at recruitment, admission events All housing assignments Mellissa’s insight on communicating with students via email Using channels like Snapchat, Instagram and text messaging Mellissa’s enduring relationships with colleagues at COCM The lesson Mellissa learned at COCM on growing a thick skin Connect with Mellissa Mellissa on Facebook Connect with Tara Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Tara on LinkedIn

“Build the bridge as you walk across it. Just find something and try it out and define it. And then over time, it becomes the normal that everybody’s used to—an efficiently run process.”  In her ten-year career with COCM, Tricia Wells played a major role in developing the infrastructure we use today, creating several of the programs, initiatives and systems that make our jobs easier. Because she was willing to raise her hand when a need came up, Tricia left a lasting impression, and her influence lives on at Capstone. Today, Tricia is the Assistant Vice Provost for Administration and Finance in the Division of Professional Studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Prior to joining UMBC in 2014, she rose through the ranks at COCM, taking on roles as General Manager, Regional Manager, and eventually Regional Vice President for the organization. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Tricia joins guest host Tara Wilkinson to discuss the instant connection she felt when she joined the team at COCM, explaining how the organization aligned with her professional values and career goals. She describes how the understanding of financial systems she learned at Capstone serves her in her current role and why relationships are key to success in higher education. Listen in for Tricia’s insight on transitioning from a private company to a public institution and learn how she helped design several of the programs and initiatives that define COCM’s current infrastructure. Topics Covered Tricia’s instant connection with COCM’s executive leadership How COCM aligned with Tricia’s professional values + career goals How Tricia’s responsibilities grew in her 10 years with Capstone Tricia’s willingness to jump in and assist wherever the gap was Transforming a troubled site into a place students want to live Tricia’s involvement in creating the current infrastructure at COCM How understanding financial systems serves Tricia in her new role Tricia’s advice on transitioning from COCM to a public institution Articulate alignment of values Recognize difference in flexibility Build professional network Why Tricia credits her success in higher ed to relationships Connect with Tricia Tricia on LinkedIn Connect with Tara Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Tara on LinkedIn

At times, student affairs professionals are hesitant to pursue a role with COCM, thinking that the transition back to a university setting will be challenging. And yet, a number of former Capstone employees have made the successful move to public institutions. What have they done to make the transition as seamless as possible? And how do they go about getting connected on a new campus? Amy Lorenz is the Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life at the University of North Florida. Prior to joining the team at UNF in March of 2018, she spent nearly four years as Director of Operations at Bowling Green State University through COCM. Amy’s resume also includes roles with Marshall University and Miami University in the realm of academic initiatives and first year experience. On this episode of the podcast, Amy joins guest host Tara Wilkinson to explain her intentional decision to join COCM to learn about facilities and operations, sharing her responsibilities at BGSU and what she learned about remaining calm in a crisis. She discusses her work in the area of social wellness and describes how she came to appreciate the perspective of the maintenance and custodial staff during her time at COCM. Listen in for Amy’s insight around making connections on a new campus and easing the transition from Capstone back to a college setting! Topics Covered Why Amy joined COCM to learn about facilities and operations Amy’s responsibilities as Director of Operations at BGSU Day-to-day maintenance + emergencies Marketing and occupancy management Amy’s work with social wellness during her time at Capstone Amy’s experience attending the Women’s Leadership Institute The top skills Amy learned in her time working at COCM Remain calm in crisis Listen to ALL constituents Appreciate perspective of maintenance, custodial staff Taking initiative to meet + listen to people in a new setting Why Amy recommends finding friends outside of work Amy’s advice on the transition from COCM to a university Stay connected to people, professional organizations Continue to invest in professional development Amy’s insight around being a mom in the student housing space Connect with Amy Amy on LinkedIn Connect with Tara Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Tara on LinkedIn

We talk a lot about wellness and work-life balance, but most of us in the world of student housing are just not very good at it. So, how can we learn to prioritize our emotional and spiritual health? How can we develop the courage to ask what’s really important to us and align our choices accordingly? And if that means choosing a new path, how can we apply the skills we learn in student housing to other roles? Jen Oliver is the former Director of Facilities and Conference Services with COCM at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and current Membership Recruitment Specialist for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. Prior to joining the Girl Scouts team in 2018, she spent two years at home with her young daughters, serving her family and getting involved in the local community. On this edition of the Student Housing Matters Alumni Series, Jen sits down with Tara Wilkinson to discuss how her role with COCM at MassArt rounded out her experience in student housing, exposing her to the facilities side of the space. She shares her gratitude for the relationships she developed with partners, vendors, COCM colleagues as well as the MassArt team. Listen in to understand Jen’s decision to step away from her career at Capstone and prioritize her family and community—and learn how she is applying the skills she honed in student housing to other roles that fit her lifestyle and align with her values! Topics Covered How Jen’s role with COCM rounded out her student housing experience Jen’s responsibilities as Director of Facilities and Conference Services The trust Jen had to build with her team at MassArt in Boston The relationships Jen valued with vendors, partners and colleagues Jen’s decision to prioritize her wellness through family + community Having the courage to search for work that truly aligns with your values Jen’s advice around making the decision to step away from your career How wellness is encouraged among the employees at Capstone Articulating how skills in student housing apply to other kinds of work Jen’s insight around the concerns people have with privatized housing Connect with Jen Jen on LinkedIn Connect with Tara Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Tara on LinkedIn

If you’re looking to make a big change or pursue an extraordinary venture, the first step is to share your intentions and then accept help when it’s offered. This can be challenging for those of us in higher ed, as we’re used to providing a support system rather than tapping into one ourselves. But seeking out someone (or multiple someones) willing to champion you is often just what you need to gain the courage to move forward. Jes Lassiter currently serves as a Financial Analyst with JB Hunt Transport, but prior to earning her graduate degree in economics and finance in 2017, she spent three years as an Assistant General Manager with Capstone On-Campus Management. In Jes’ role with COCM, she supported students at Walker Avenue Apartments and served as a liaison with the University of Maryland—Baltimore County. Jes was an active participant in the Women’s Leadership Initiative at Capstone and continues to work in the space through JB Hunt’s Growing & Retaining Outstanding Women program. Today, Jes joins guest host Tara Wilkinson to share her responsibilities around student accounts and financial reports as Assistant General Manager with COCM, discussing how she improved processes to help students fulfill their financial obligations. She also reflects on how her time at COCM and the support she received from colleagues there inspired her to pursue a master’s from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics. Listen in to understand how Jes is applying what she learned at COCM in her current role and learn why Jes encourages you to find people who will champion you in taking the next step—and accept help when it’s offered! Topics Covered How Jes transitioned to COCM from one of its campus partners Jes’ responsibilities around student accounts + financial reports How Jes helped improve a process to benefit students at Walker Why Jes values the operations experience she gained at COCM Jes’ master’s from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics How the skills Jes learned at COCM translate to her current role How COCM’s Women’s Leadership Initiative influenced Jes Jes’ advice on finding someone to champion you + accepting help Why it’s crucial to recognize and take advantage of opportunities Connect with Jes Jes on LinkedIn Connect with Tara Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Tara on LinkedIn

As with most things, the amount of effort, dedication and heart you put into a career in student housing is directly correlated with what you get back. And Jeremy Thompson contends that if you go in with an open mind and really give it a shot, the profession may surprise you. Jeremy is the Regional Vice President of Capstone On-Campus Management. In his ten years at COCM, Jeremy served as a Site Director, Site Operations Specialist and Regional Manager before taking on his current role in 2016. Today, Jeremy joins us as a continuation of the ‘How I Got into Student Housing’ series. He explains how being a commuter student led him to understand the importance of building relationships with peers on campus and describes how the community development aspect of being an RA attracted him to the position. Jeremy discusses how supporting the development of a team as a Graduate Hall Director inspired his career in student housing—and continues to be the most rewarding part of his job as Regional VP. Listen in to understand why navigating several different sites and competing responsibilities is the most challenging part of Jeremy’s current role and get his advice on approaching the profession with an open mind and willingness to give! Topics Covered How being a commuter student led Jeremy to understand the importance of community Why the community development aspect of being an RA attracted Jeremy to the position How serving a team as a Graduate Hall Director inspired Jeremy’s student housing career The challenges Jeremy faces in navigating several different sites as Regional VP of COCM Why supporting the development of his team is the most rewarding part of Jeremy’s role The top lessons Jeremy has learned throughout his career in student housing Take care of students Use ‘newspaper test’ Document everything Follow-up is key Jeremy’s advice on going into student housing with an open mind + willingness to give Connect with Jeremy Jeremy on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com Subscribe on iTunes

How do you find your unicorn job? Heather O’Leary-Agosta argues that rather than getting caught up in titles, it’s more important to consider what you love about your current role and make decisions that facilitate more of THAT. Though she was hesitant to make a career move that seemed like a step back, Heather focused on the quality of her work and the impact she made on the students she served, and that led to an ideal role that fits her passion and education. Heather found her unicorn job as Resident Services Manager at Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture, a study abroad campus for a university based in Tokyo. In her role, Heather supports the international students who comprise 100% of the student population, familiarizing them with American culture, creating a culturally-sensitive environment, and working with facilities and food services to meet student expectations. Prior to Showa, Heather served as Property Manager for the YWCA in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and General Manager of two residence halls at MassArt for COCM. Today, Heather joins Tara to reminisce about their time together at MassArt, sharing her responsibilities with COCM and the value in helping plan new construction on campus. Heather describes the deep support and diverse perspectives she valued at COCM and explains how she fostered lasting connections with colleagues who continue to be resources. Listen in for Heather’s advice around making strategic career moves and learn how her passion for supporting international students led to her current role at Showa. Topics Covered Heather’s responsibilities working for COCM at MassArt The value in being involved in planning new construction The support + diverse perspectives Heather valued at COCM Heather’s career transition to property managing a YWCA How working with international students led Heather to Showa Heather’s role as Resident Services Manager at Showa Boston Heather’s advice around making strategic career moves Heather’s appreciation for lasting connections from COCM Connect with Heather Showa Boston Heather on LinkedIn Connect with Tara Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Tara on LinkedIn

  Every year COCM hosts an Annual Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. In February, COCM’s Assistant Directors fly in from over 40 different sites for a week of learning, listening, sharing, and building community amongst fellow student housing professionals.   Being an Assistant Director of Housing can mean many things. Depending on the particular site, AD’s have a variety of roles, responsibilities, and challenges in facilities, maintenance, operations and res life. During one session at the 2019 Annual Meeting we sat down with four of our assistant directors to discuss their experiences and perspective from what they have learned at their own site.   Our panelists are from very different sites with different students – and with that we get some great insight from their unique perspectives. Learn about all that goes into running on-campus housing and the creative ways these individuals have approached their everyday work to create an environment for student success.   The Panel Participants:   Omar Mahmoud, Assistant Director for Operations at The Heights at Montclair State University Chris Adams, Associate Director of Maintenance Operations at South Campus Commons at Univ. of Maryland Lupita “Pete” Morales, Assistant Director for Housing Business Operations at Green River College Ryan Rosevelt, Assistant Director of Residence Life, First Year Residence Halls at Marshall University   Topics Covered How you explain what you do in your role as an assistant director to your friends and family Perspectives on both operations responsibilities as well as facilities responsibilities What issues they see most often in their site-specific role, and how they manage that issue The importance of walking alongside students on their individual journey Working with international students who are adapting to being away from home Educating residence on how to use appliances as well as how to deal with maintenance issues Looking at new things like technology that student are interested in having in their residence hall Lessons learned through their years of experience How to grow in your career through these lessons learned How being valued as an employee changed perspective on worth How student housing is so much more than just putting students in rooms   Connect with Leigh Anne and COCM   Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

Brian served as the IT Coordinator at COCM for 10 years. In 2018, he left COCM to join the BL Harbert Team as an IT Manager for the US Group. In today’s episode, Tara Wilkinson catches up with Brian to ask him about all that he learned from working with COCM and how it is impacting his new position. Brian joined Capstone Development Group over a decade ago in a different role than where he ended up – as IT Coordinator. Soon after he started to work at Capstone, Brian noticed areas where some help might be needed, so he jumped in to help. Slowly, picking up more and more projects in IT, Brian was later asked to be the IT Coordinator for COCM in 2012. In this role, he managed a wide range of responsibilities. There was a home office structure, but then each individual site managed by COCM also needed IT support. Every site having an independent IT set-up, depending on the owner or campus, required Brian to build strong relationships with people to ensure everything stayed up and running. Brian also was able to join the Marketing team in the home office to work on website building, podcasting and other audio/video projects – allowing him to get creative within the company as well. It is very clear through this interview with Brian that a “can-do” attitude leads to an immense amount of learning opportunities and growth. Brian credits the relational side of the roles that he has filled to the joy and rewards of his time working with COCM. The ability to work with the people who are on the “front lines” of student housing at the site level, has shaped his core values to always recognize all of the people it takes to make student housing successful. Brian’s decision to leave COCM was a very difficult one. Having worked with such great people, he truly still misses the community of Student Housing Professionals. His decision to move, albeit tough, has allowed him to stretch himself by stepping into a new field. Brian explains why he needed this shift and encourages others at COCM that it doesn’t mean leaving the company to find ways to stretch yourself – he suggests to his former colleagues to engage in opportunities that are outside of your defined roles, and see what you learn. You never know where it will take you – whether to another site, a new role within COCM, or even toward a career shift that may take you elsewhere. The big takeaway? Always push yourself, and you will continue to have an exciting life journey. Topics Covered The value of stepping into roles that are outside your job description Serving others through relationships – and how that impacts your work success Learning the skill of working with all different types of people – and finding joy in the process   Connect with Brian Brian on LinkedIn   Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

Every year COCM hosts an Annual Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. In January, site directors from over fly in from over 40 different sites for a week of learning, listening, sharing, and building community amongst fellow student housing professionals. Being a Director of Housing at any university comes with a variety of roles, responsibilities, and challenges. During one session at the 2019 Annual Meeting we sat down with four directors to discuss all of these things. Our panelists are from very different sites with different students – and with that we get some great insight from their unique perspectives.  Learn about all that goes into running on-campus housing and the creative ways these individuals have approached their everyday work to create an environment for student success.   The Panel Participants: Rafael Cordwell, Director of University Affiliated Housing at Millennium Hall, Paca & Tubman Houses at Towson University April Yost, Director of Housing at Glen Oaks Community College Scott Schatzer, Director of Operations at First Year Residence Halls at Marshall University Alexis Ireland, Director housing Operations at Claremont Graduate University   Topics Covered What it means to be a “Student Housing Professional” The many roles involved in serving students through student housing Diversity of different universities and how needs may look different than others The importance of communication and adapting to the needs of the campus Challenges that come with new housing on a campus How collaboration is key and being unified as a team on campus allows people to thrive Identifying the basic needs of students Understanding the partnerships that affect you as a site director and your students Perspectives on students today compared to when they were students Parent involvement in their student’s college experience How technology plays into the student experience and accountability for staff How working for a third-party manager has impacted the panel participants’ careers The variety of experiences given to a student housing professional through COCM Opportunities to grow within student housing with a holistic approach How working for a private company in student housing has opened doors for learning Understanding the “why” behind everything done on campus and at the site   Connect with the Panelists Rafael Cordwell on LinkedIn Rafael at Millennium Hall April at Glen Oaks Scott Schatzer at Marshall University Alexis at Claremont   Connect with Leigh Anne and COCM  Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

Opening a brand-new residence hall, on a campus that is not used to serving its students 24/7, is quite an undertaking. How do you manage the expectations of a diverse student population? How do you initiate support services after traditional hours? How do you build the foundation for a successful community—without the luxury of established policies and procedures? Rob Olson is the Director of Facilities and Capital Projects at Green River College, and Greg Houghton is the Director of Finance and Operations at Northeastern University. But prior to their current roles, both Rob and Greg worked with guest host Tara Wilkinson at COCM. In fact, the trio was part of the pioneering leadership team that established Green River College’s first on-campus student housing program. Today, Rob and Greg join Tara to reconnect and reflect on their experience as part of the startup leadership team at Green River. They discuss the challenges of opening a brand-new residence hall and fostering a successful community—in a community college setting. Greg explains why he values the diversity of opportunity COCM provided, and Rob describes the supportive feeling of community he experienced working with the Capstone Family.  Listen in for insight around the rewards of building something from nothing and learn how their background at Capstone helped Rob and Greg grow into their current roles in higher education. Topics Covered Rob’s transition from the construction industry to student housing How Greg discovered student affairs as a profession as an RA Rob, Greg and Tara’s experience on the startup team at Green River The leadership team’s challenges in opening a new residence hall The rewards associated with ‘building something out of nothing’ How the COCM Team at Green River forged lasting relationships How COCM supported Rob in advancing his career Why Greg values the diversity of experience he gleaned at COCM The significance of building relationships with on-campus partners How to capitalize on the multitude of opportunities in higher ed Connect with Rob & Greg Rob on LinkedIn Greg on LinkedIn Connect with Tara Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Tara on LinkedIn

Close your eyes and picture a community college. Did you envision student housing? You may be surprised to hear that many campuses DO have housing, and just like any four-year school, living on campus has an impact on student success. The catch is, student housing cannot be just a building on campus; it must provide an experience that engages the students who live there. Tracy Morris has 17 years of experience as a community college administrator. Most recently, she served as Vice President for Student Services at Illinois Central College, where she leveraged her doctoral research on community college student housing and a relationship with COCM to transform the ICC student housing experience. In October, Tracy took on a new role as Compliance Officer with Joliet Junior College. She believes in the power of higher education to transform people’s lives. Today, Tracy joins me to share her take on the role of student services in supporting the social and emotional needs of students. She discusses her path from high school teacher to community college administrator, offering insight around how her own experience as a community college student ignited her love of learning. Tracy also explains why there is no such thing as a typical community college student, how involvement can help adult students get their confidence back, and how COCM went about transforming the student housing experience on her campus.  Listen in to understand the importance of a flexible floor plan in the design of student housing and learn about the connection between engagement and the success of student housing on a community college campus! Topics Covered Tracy’s take on the power of higher education to transform lives The role of student services in facilitating student learning Tracy’s path from HS teacher to community college administrator Tracy’s experience advising adult students who had lost their jobs Why there is no such thing as a typical community college student How involvement helps adult students get their confidence back Tracy’s personal experience as a community college student Tracy’s doctoral research on community college student housing The link between engagement and the success of student housing How COCM transformed the student housing experience at ICC The tangible change in dynamic when staff knows the residents How student housing can be detrimental if there’s no connection The significance of a flexible student housing building plan The value in a holistic support model with tech-guided self-service Why the student debt crisis makes community colleges crucial Connect with Tracy Tracy on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

To be a successful leader in the student housing space, you need buy-in from all of the players involved. But how do you determine what’s driving each stakeholder and make decisions accordingly? Brian Kraft argues that learning to listen is the most critical skill for leaders in student housing. Brian is the Regional Vice President at COCM. He is responsible for supporting the directors of six properties on the east coast and serving as a liaison among institutional partners, owners and the home office. Brian has 19 years of experience in student housing, serving at large public institutions and small private campuses all over the country before joining Capstone in 2009. His background in mathematics and data analysis informs the way Brian assists site staffs in performing more efficiently and improving their ability to forecast issues.    Today, Brian joins me to discuss his path from undergrad RA to Regional VP. He explains the competition he faced to become a Resident Assistant and the reasons he was drawn to the position. Brian shares the deans who mentored him as an undergrad, his decision to pursue grad school, and how his assistantship integrated his background in math. He also offers insight around his student-centered approach and his current challenge in prioritizing the needs of diverse stakeholders. Listen in to understand the most rewarding part of Brian’s role at COCM and learn how to leverage listening to have a successful career in student housing! Topics Covered The competition to be an RA in Brian’s undergrad experience Why Brian was drawn to the RA’s duty to connect with residents The deans who mentored Brian when he was an undergrad RA Brian’s decision to pursue grad school rather than teach math How Brian’s assistantship merged student housing and teaching Brian’s student housing roles in Florida, California and Ohio Brian’s transition from the university setting to COCM Brian’s student-centered approach to student housing Brian’s challenge in prioritizing the needs of all stakeholders Brian’s responsibilities as Regional Vice President at COCM Why Brian enjoys sharing what he’s learned with colleagues How communication and listening are key to success Brian’s advice around challenging yourself to try new things Connect with Brian Brian at COCM Brian on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

What are the key differences in working as a student housing professional for COCM versus a public institution? How does working within the confines of a bureaucracy for a university contrast with serving a housing-focused private company? And how can the two work together for the good of the students they serve? Gray Bekurs is the Vice President for Business Development at COCM, working with the marketing team to pursue new management and consulting opportunities. Gray began his career in student housing as Hall Director at Mississippi State, and he had ten years of experience as a residence life professional before joining the COCM team for the first time in 2004. Gray transitioned to the public sector in 2014, serving as Director of Auxiliary Real Estate Operations at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His background in the public and private sectors gives Gray a unique understanding of holistic nature of student housing. Today, Gray sits down with COCM CMO Alton Irwin to discuss his positive experience with student housing as a college freshman and explain the shift in his career focus from music education to housing. He shares his belief in student housing as an important element of access to higher education and describes his initial interest in COCM as an opportunity to learn the business side of operations. Gray addresses the differences between his work in the public and private sectors, offering insight around his experience dealing with related departments like parking and dining. Listen in to understand Gray’s goals as VP of Business Development at COCM and learn how the organization can serve struggling institutions through management or consulting services. Topics Covered Gray’s positive experience with student housing as a college freshman Why Gray shifted his career focus from music education to housing How housing affords students access to higher education Gray’s interest in COCM as an opportunity to learn fiscal responsibility The contrast between working in the public and private sector How Gray learned about related aspects of housing like parking and dining The importance of integrating with other departments Gray’s goals as VP for Business Development with COCM Gray’s intention to explore untapped markets and promote COCM How COCM can serve struggling institutions via consulting or management Connect with Gray Gray at COCM Gray on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

Many professionals in the world of student housing began as RAs, gaining exposure to the industry as college students and eventually realizing the opportunity to pursue a career in the space. But what if you weren’t a resident assistant in college? How do you get into student housing with a background in what seems like a vastly different industry? Jeremy Biddy is the Vice President of Operations for Capstone On Campus Management. In that role, he oversees all of the operations in the field and serves as a conduit for regional managers and regional VPs to report to the home office. Jeremy worked as both a Site Director and Regional Vice President for COCM before taking on his current position as VP of Operations. Today, Jeremy joins me to share his unconventional route to the industry, explaining how his practice in managing crises as a District Loss Prevention Manager for Kmart translated to student housing. He describes how his first boss and mentor taught him to be firm but caring and offers insight into the experience that made him realize he could make a living in the field. Jeremy walks us through the challenges and rewards of his role at COCM, offering insight around the satisfaction of finding a creative solution that works. Listen in for Jeremy’s advice on diversifying your experience and stepping out of your comfort zone to take on new opportunities—even if they fall outside your current job description! Topics Covered Jeremy’s experience as a retail District Loss Prevention Manager How Jeremy’s experience managing crises translates to student housing How Jeremy’s first boss taught him to be firm AND caring The opportunity Jeremy had to run a program as a young professional Jeremy’s affinity for interacting with students and staff The unique skill set required for a career in student housing Jeremy’s current role as VP of Operations at COCM What Jeremy has learned about dealing with difficult employees/clients How Jeremy works with staff to find a solution in each unique situation Jeremy’s appreciation for positive feedback from parents and partners The reward that comes with finding a creative solution that works Jeremy’s advice around pursuing a diverse range of experiences Why it’s important to have a network of support that offers honest advice The value in taking on opportunities outside of your specific job description Connect with Jeremy Jeremy on COCM Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter COCM on LinkedIn Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

When it comes to student housing, there is simply no way to copy/paste a set of processes on each new campus. Rather, you need to gain an understanding of the institution and the property itself and customize your approach based on the circumstances at hand. How exactly does site diversity impact the way you work with a particular university?   Brian Kraft is the Regional Vice President of Capstone On Campus Management. He has worked in the student housing industry since 1999, serving small private institutions as well as large public universities. Brian has been a part of the Capstone team for nine years, and his diverse experience makes him an effective primary liaison to campus partners and support for COCM’s general managers and site directors. Today, Brian joins me to share his breadth of experience working with diverse sites, including both small private and large public institutions. He explains why communication is key in any partnership and shares the variations to his approach in collaborating with existing partners, new construction or a troubled site. Brian offers his comprehensive definition of site diversity, describing how size, affiliation, culture and the level of collaboration impact COCM’s methodology. Listen in for insight on the benefits of a shared-governance model in improving the student experience and learn how developing trust up front leads to a better relationship long term! Topics Covered Brian’s experience in both small private and large public institutions Why communication is key in establishing successful partnerships Brian’s approach to enhancing an existing university partnership Understanding the university’s goals for a new construction project The accelerated timeline necessary for a troubled site Brian’s comprehensive definition of site diversity How a site’s size and affiliation influence the operational approach The significance of understanding a site’s culture, personality The varying levels of collaboration between COCM and university partners How Brian navigates resistance to a private management company The benefits of COCM’s shared-governance model How COCM evolves processes over time to improve the student experience The lessons Brian has learned around aligning goals between partners Brian’s advice on developing relationships and trust on a personal level How student housing influences student success Connect with Brian Brian at COCM Brian on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

When a residence hall comes in under budget, that money can be invested in the building itself. But how do you make decisions around what improvements to prioritize? Kelly Podach Francis designs an action plan based on student feedback, and she contends that this approach leads directly to student retention. Kelly is the Director of Facilities and Operations for Rountree Commons at the University of Wisconsin—Platteville. In this role, she manages the day-to-day operations of the privately-owned residence hall, supervising the professional staff and monitoring the finances of the building. Prior to her work with COCM, Kelly served as Hall Director at UW—Stout for eight years. Today, Kelly joins me to share her first experience in student housing as an Academic Resource Coordinator and explain why she was inspired to support other students in the transition to college. I ask her when she realized she could pursue student housing as a career, and she discusses the positions she held as an undergrad that led to her AHA moment at ACUHO-I. Kelly addresses the transition from working for a university system to COCM, offering insight around her responsibilities as Director of Facilities and the challenges of managing the finances of a residence hall. Listen in to understand how Kelly designs an action plan based on student feedback and learn why it’s important to make friends with the campus locksmith, fire inspector and parking staff! Topics Covered Kelly’s early experience as an Academic Resource Coordinator How Kelly’s parents influenced her decision to become an ARC The difficult transition to college for a first-generation student How ACUHO-I inspired Kelly to pursue student housing as a career The student housing positions Kelly held as an undergrad Kelly’s years of experience as a Hall Coordinator and Director Kelly’s transition from the university system to COCM How Kelly developed an interest in facilities management Kelly’s responsibilities as Director of Facilities at UW-Platteville Why Kelly enjoys the financial piece of her role The rewards of coming in under budget How Kelly develops an action plan based on student feedback How Kelly’s team has grown and developed a rhythm The lessons Kelly has learned around deciding what to prioritize Kelly’s advice on building relationships with key people on campus Connect with Kelly Kelly at UW—Platteville Kelly on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter COCM on LinkedIn Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

‘We came in humble and approachable, wanting to collaborate.’ How do you turn around a student housing site that has spiraled into decline? Where do you begin when all of the problems—occupancy, reputation and facility issues—are intertwined? How do you look at the situation with Fresh Eyes and change the narrative, rebuilding the site’s reputation one step at a time? Jeremy Steed is the Operations Director for Capstone On-Campus Management. He began his housing career as an RA while studying biology at the University of Alabama—Birmingham. Since then, he has worked in several roles with COCM, most recently leading a site takeover at a community college in East Peoria, Illinois. In that role, he built a residence life program from the ground up and headed the turnaround that rebuilt the site’s reputation in the eyes of the students, campus partners and community at large. Today, Jeremy joins me to explain how he became the Site Director at a struggling facility, discussing the gradual decline of the property under previous management as well as its interconnected reputation, occupancy and facility issues. He walks us through COCM’s Fresh Eyes process and offers insight as to why rebuilding trust with the campus partner became top priority. I ask Jeremy how he rebuilt the site’s reputation with a complete rebrand, and he addresses the significance of open, honest communication with students.  Listen in for Jeremy’s advice around getting out ahead of a property on the decline and learn how he went about creating a better, safer living environment for the students at Illinois Central College. Topics Covered How Jeremy became the Site Director for a struggling facility The site’s gradual decline under previous management The site’s intertwined reputation, occupancy and facility issues The Fresh Eyes process COCM used to assess the site’s problems Why rebuilding trust with the campus partner became top priority Why a complete rebrand was necessary to change the narrative The use of focus groups to determine student experience, needs Using honest communication being present with students How building trust with the institution translated to parents, students Jeremy’s advice around preventing decline with annual walk-throughs The significant increase in occupancy at the site each of the last 3 years How Jeremy created a better, safer living environment for students The rewards of turning around a struggling site Connect with Jeremy Jeremy at COCM Jeremy on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter COCM on LinkedIn Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

Time management. Customer service. Conflict mediation. Critical thinking. Teamwork. Whatever your motivation for becoming a resident assistant, the position allows you to hone a number of incredibly valuable skills that carry over to any career you might choose to pursue. And though the field of student housing is less familiar to the general population, it affords the opportunity to give back and do work that truly matters, whether you’re working one-on-one with students as an RA or overseeing operations from the main office. Jeremy Steed started his housing career as a resident assistant in 2010 while studying as an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama—Birmingham. Since then, he has worked in several roles with Capstone On-Campus Management at various institutions, and Jeremy’s experience ranges from working at a large public university to leading a management takeover at a community college. Today, he serves as the Operations Director for COCM, working under the premise that ‘each day presents a new opportunity to do something great.’ Jeremy joins me on Student Housing Matters to discuss how financial considerations and the need for leadership experience informed his initial motivation to become an RA. He shares the benefits of serving as a role model and mentor to students, explaining how the role motivated him to stay on top of his game. I ask Jeremy about his path from RA to Operations Director, and he describes the shift in priorities that led him to pursue student housing as a career. Listen in for Jeremy’s insight around listening first and tailoring your approach to the individual—and learn how the skills you develop as an RA can translate to whatever career you choose. Topics Covered Jeremy’s initial motivations for becoming an RA The benefits of being a role model and mentor How serving as an RA motivated Jeremy to succeed Jeremy’s path to from RA to Operations Director Jeremy’s ability to tailor his approach to the individual The value in a career that affords the opportunity to give back How working on-site differs from the main office at COCM The skills you develop as an RA that translate to any career Connect with Jeremy Jeremy at COCM Jeremy on LinkedIn Connect with Leigh Anne Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter COCM on LinkedIn Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

In today’s episode, we are chatting with Alexis Ireland, who is the director of housing operations for COCM – a student housing management company. Alexis is the right person to contact if you’re looking to license an apartment at the new Oasis KGI Commons that will open this fall on the KGI campus.

In this "How I Got Into Student Housing" series, we've been talking to housing professionals to understand how they got into this field.  In every episode of the series, you’ll hear how a mentor and/or a situation guided each person into something they love. In this episode we interview COCM's director of Towson Place Apartments, a student community at Towson University.  

President of COCM, Doug Brown and Executive Vice President, Sandy Hill sat down with us to talk about how they got into the student housing world and then to COCM. The conversation winds through their background, funny stories they’ve had while traveling, and where they see the future of COCM. This is a special video podcast version of a series we’ve had on our regular podcast, “How I Got Into Student Housing.”  If you haven’t been following this series, the episodes are designed to be a fairly quick look into how these housing professionals got into this field.

Joe Cantona is a Site Operations Specialist for COCM.  In his role, he has worked on site at almost every one of COCM's sites across the country, performing tasks from opening sites for the first time, to filling the gap while critical staff when they are on leave. He joined us for the latest installment of our “How I Got Into Student Housing” series. If you haven’t been following this series, the episodes are designed to be a fairly quick look into how these housing professionals got into this field.  In every episode you hear, you’ll hear how a mentor and/or a situation guided every person into something they love.

Melynda Davis is COCM's director at Campus Town at The College of New Jersey.  She joined us for the latest installment of our "How I Got Into Student Housing" series. If you haven’t been following this series, the episodes are designed to be a fairly quick look into how these housing professionals got into this field.  In every episode you hear, you’ll hear how a mentor and/or a situation guided every person into something they love.

If you haven't been following this series, the episodes are designed to be a fairly quick look into how these housing professionals got into this field.  In every episode you hear, you'll hear how a mentor and/or a situation guided every person into something they love. In this episode we're joined by COCM's director of facilities and conference services art Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MASSART), Jen Oliver.  Come hear how she went from being a pre-med student to where she is now.

In the second episode in a series we’re calling “How I Got Into Student Housing,” we’re interviewing COCM employees at sites all around the country asking them what brought them to this field.  It’s a fascinating look at what makes people who work in student housing tick. In this episode we interviewed the Director Housing Facilities at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, Michelle Smith.

In a new series we're calling "How I Got Into Student Housing," we're interviewing COCM employees at sites all around the country asking them what brought them to this field.  It's a fascinating look at what makes people who work in student housing tick. In this episode we interviewed the Director of Spartan Suites at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia.