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

Even among student housing professionals, few are familiar with the idea of nonprofit ownership. What is it? How does it work? And why would a university choose to work with a nonprofit to develop student housing facilities?

Will Givhan is the President and CEO of the Collegiate Housing Foundation, the country’s premier nonprofit provider of student housing. Since its inception in 1996, the 501(c)(3) has financed over $2.1B in student housing facilities, completing 55 projects at 40 schools in 24 states for a total of 31,940 beds. Will has been involved with Collegiate Housing since 1998, serving as outside legal counsel during his tenure at the law firm of Hand Arendall. He became the foundation’s in-house legal counsel and COO in 2011 and took the helm in May of this year.

Today, Will joins me to share the unique origin of the Collegiate Housing Foundation and his path from outside legal counsel to President and CEO. He explains the foundation’s role in financing, building, owning and operating student housing facilities and the diverse reasons why colleges and universities might choose nonprofit ownership. Listen in for Will’s insight around the satisfaction of providing students with quality housing that promotes both social interaction AND academic success!

Topics Covered

The unique origin of the Collegiate Housing Foundation

Will’s path to his current role as President and CEO

The foundation’s role in financing and building facilities

The advantage of the foundation’s tax-exempt status

How a college benefits from working with a nonprofit

How rating agencies account for nonprofit ownership

What will has learned about the way universities work

Will’s insight on student housing as a learning facility

Collegiate Housing Foundation’s continued rapid growth

Connect with Will

Collegiate Housing Foundation

Will 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

There is no doubt that institutions of higher learning face a number of challenges, not the least of which is an unsustainable financial model. Tuition, fees, room and board no longer pay the bills—despite sticker prices as high as $72K a year! So, how do colleges and universities design innovative solutions and continue to thrive in the 21st century?

Brian Mitchell is the founder and president of Academic Innovators, a consultancy that helps colleges and universities learn to adapt and evolve in the ever-changing world of higher education. Brian served as president of Bucknell University (2004-2010) and Washington & Jefferson College (1998-2004), and he spent seven years leading the Association for Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP). Brian is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and Academe, and he is the co-author of How to Run a College: A Practical Guide for Trustees, Faculty, Administrators, and Policymakers.

Today, Brian joins me and COCM CMO Alton Irwin to discuss his ‘unintentional career’ in higher education, from history professor to AICUP lobbyist to president of Bucknell. He explains the value of a liberal arts education in training students to speak, write, use technology, apply quantitative methods and work in a collaborative setting. Brian addresses his interest in the transfer population and the challenges faced by colleges in the 21st century, describing how those pursuits led him to found Academic Innovators. He also shares the themes of his book, offering insight around the unsustainable financial model currently employed by university systems and the importance of a differentiated mission. Listen in to understand what’s next for Brian and learn about his vision for the future of higher education!

Topics Covered

Brian’s path to an ‘unintentional career’ in higher education

Why Brian credits his college experience for teaching him to think

Brian’s experience in the lobbying division of the AICUP

Brian’s service as the president of two universities

The interests that led Brian to found Academic Innovators

The role of the liberal arts in educating citizens

The three inflection points that caused major shifts in higher ed

Why the current financial model of university systems is unsustainable

The number of colleges and universities that merge/close every year

Brian’s aim for How to Run a College to be practical AND inspirational

Brian’s take on governance as the weak link in university systems

Brian’s insight around the importance of having a differentiated mission

Why strategic relationships may have more impact than new programs

Brian’s next steps in terms of writing and speaking on higher education

Connect with Brian

Academic Innovators

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

Resources

How to Run a College: A Practical Guide for Trustees, Faculty, Administrators, and Policymakers by Brian C. Mitchell and W. Joseph King

The Paddy Camps: The Irish of Lowell, 1821-61 by Brian C. Mitchell

Moody’s Study of College Closures

Inside Higher Ed’s Poll of CFOs

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

How can an urban research university serve as an anchor for its community—attracting employers and giving talent a reason to stay in the city after graduation? Harlan Sands believes that the key is to serve as a hub of innovation, aligning skills taught with the needs of a modern economy.

Harlan is the newly appointed President of Cleveland State University. A highly regarded leader in higher education, Harlan has 30-plus years of experience at urban research universities. Harlan has served as a thought leader, academic administrator, business process changemaker, professor and student advocate. Prior to his career in higher ed, he served as a public defender in the city of Miami, litigating more than 50 trials in state and county court. Harlan holds a BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from George Washington University, and a JD from George Mason.

Today, Harlan joins me to walk us through the diverse career path that led to his current role as President of Cleveland State. I ask him about the value of an urban research institution as an anchor to its city, and he describes his vision for CSU as a driver of innovation. Harlan shares the previous accomplishments he is most proud of, from supporting faculty in conducting vital research to engaging students and staff in a university’s mission. Listen in for Harlan’s insight on the role of student housing in creating a living and learning community on campus and learn how mentors can help you in the pursuit of lifelong learning!

Topics Covered

The diverse career path that led Harlan to his new role with CSU

Harlan’s background in both academia and administration

The importance of a research institution as an anchor to its city

How a university can serve to draw people to the community

Harlan’s vision for Cleveland State as a driver of innovation

Attracting employers by aligning skill sets taught with market needs

Why 80% of CSU grads stay in the city of Cleveland

Harlan’s aim to engage students and staff in the university’s mission

How Harlan supports faculty in conducting research

Harlan’s take on students as clients or customers

The role of student housing in promoting retention and progression

Why student success should be the starting point for student housing

How student housing contributes to a living and learning community

Harlan’s advice around the pursuit of lifelong learning

The idea of MBWA (Management By Walking Around)

Connect with Harlan

Harlan at Cleveland State University

Harlan’s Opinion Piece on Cleveland.com

Harlan 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

Dr. Lisa Guion Jones joined us to discuss the pivotal role of persistence, passion, and people in higher education.