Most of us associate summer on campus with conference programs. But summer interns need housing, too, and many campuses are capitalizing on this need. So, what does a summer internship student housing program look like? Would it work on your campus? And what are summer interns looking for in a place stay?

Emily Eskridge-June is the Director of Housing and Residence Life at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. In the summer of 2016, Emily started housing interns in partnership with ABODA, a global short-term rental company that specializes in student and corporate housing, and since then, she has built a robust, independent summer internship housing program at Cornish Commons.

On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Emily joins guest host Erik Elordi to explain how she started offering summer internship housing at Cornish Commons. She walks us through the four strategies her team has used to increase the number of interns they house over the years, describing the relationship between good customer service and word-of-mouth recruitment. Listen in for Emily’s insight on the four things summer interns are looking for in a place to stay and learn how to build and market a summer internship housing program on YOUR campus!

Topics Covered

When and how Emily started offering summer internship housing at Cornish Commons

The 4 things Emily’s team has done to increase the number of interns they house over the years

The relationship between strong customer service and word-of-mouth recruitment

How Emily’s team leverages Google Ads and a streamlined website to market directly to summer interns in Seattle

The 4 things interns are looking for in a place to stay for the summer

Why Emily’s team can no longer rely on big Seattle companies like Amazon and Microsoft for a large pool of interns and what they are doing to face that challenge

Connect with Emily

Cornish College of the Arts

Seattle Intern Housing

Connect with Erik

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Erik at COCM

Erik on Twitter

Email media@cocm.com

What does it look like to serve students from the facilities and operations side of student housing? What does it take to keep a residence hall complex well-maintained and running smoothly?

Patrick Shanahan is the Director of Facilities and Administration at The Heights, Montclair State University’s newest residence halls complex. Patrick has worked at The Heights since it opened its doors in 2011, serving as Office Coordinator and Assistant Director of Operations before taking on his current role two years ago. Today, Patrick is responsible for the facilities, maintenance and custodial work at The Heights, where he serves 1,978 residents across eight buildings.

On this episode of the podcast, Patrick joins Leigh Anne to explain how he was introduced to student housing as an undergrad desk assistant and how serving in a supervisory role in Residence Life sparked his interest in a career in higher ed. Patrick shares the challenges he faces in facilities and operations, describing what he’s learned about adapting to change and educating students who are away from home for the first time. Listen in to understand the rewards of building relationships with your team and seeing them succeed and get Patrick’s advice around connecting with others in the campus community.

Topics Covered

Patrick’s role in overseeing the facilities, maintenance and custodial work at The Heights

How Patrick was introduced to student housing as an undergrad desk assistant

How a friend encouraged Patrick to apply for a supervisory role in Residence Life and how that experience sparked his interest in student housing as a career

The AHA moment walking on campus with his wife when Patrick saw a future in student housing

How Patrick and his team are navigating the stresses of COVID

The challenges Patrick faces in educating residents who are living away from home for the first time

What makes building relationships with his staff and seeing them succeed the most rewarding part of Patrick’s job

The biggest lesson Patrick has learned around adapting to change and to the needs of the students

Patrick’s advice for aspiring student housing professionals on getting involved in the community

Connect with Patrick Shanahan

The Heights at Montclair State University

Patrick 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

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