Student Housing Matters

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

  1. Take care of students
  2. Use ‘newspaper test’
  3. Document everything
  4. 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

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