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.

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

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"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.

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

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Corey Reedy at COCM

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Kern Williams at COCM

Kern on LinkedIn

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“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. 

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

Student Housing Calculator

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"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.

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

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC 

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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, Chenal 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!

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

COCM Operations & Management

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"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.

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

Patrick Savolskis - Purchase College Association

Patrick on LinkedIn 

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"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.

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

Leadership Team - Green River College

George on LinkedIn 

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"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.

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

Sherideen S. Stoll, C.P.A.

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"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.

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 

Amy Lorenz @UNF 

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