Fri, 31 August 2018
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 CoveredJeremy’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 JeremyConnect with Leigh AnneStudent Housing Matters on Facebook
Direct download: Student_Housing_Matters_-_How_I_Got_into_Student_Housing__with_Jeremy_Biddy.mp3
Category:Join The Conversation Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am CDT |
Tue, 28 August 2018
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 CoveredBrian’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 BrianConnect with Leigh AnneStudent Housing Matters on Facebook
Direct download: Student_Housing_Matters_-_Brian_Kraft_on_Diversity_of_Sites.mp3
Category:Join The Conversation Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am CDT |
Fri, 24 August 2018
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 CoveredKelly’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 KellyConnect with Leigh AnneStudent Housing Matters on Facebook
Direct download: Student_Housing_Matters_-_Leveraging_Student_Feedback_to_Make_Facilities_Improvements__with_Kelly_Podach_Francis.mp3
Category:Join The Conversation Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am CDT |
Tue, 14 August 2018
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 CoveredThe 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 HarlanHarlan at Cleveland State University Harlan’s Opinion Piece on Cleveland.com Connect with Leigh AnneStudent Housing Matters on Facebook
Direct download: Student_Housing_Matters-_Driving_Innovation_at_the_Urban_Research_University__with_Harlan_Sands.mp3
Category:Join The Conversation Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am CDT |