Student Housing Matters COCM

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.

Topics Covered
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

Resources
Student Housing Matters Podcast

Connect with Emily Hill
Emily on LinkedIn 

Connect with Stephanie Lachina
Stephanie on Lnkedin 

Connect with COCM
Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Email media@cocm.com 

"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.
Topics Covered 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
Resources Student Housing Matters Podcast
Connect with Corey Reedy Corey Reedy at COCM
Corey Reedy on LinkedIn
Connect with Kern Williams Kern Williams at COCM
Kern on LinkedIn
Connect with Dr. Mecca Marsh Student Housing Matters
Student Housing Matters on Facebook
Student Housing Matters on Twitter
Capstone On-Campus Management
Dr. Marsh on LinkedIn
Email media@cocm.com  

“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. 
Topics Covered 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
Resources Student Housing Calculator
Student Housing Matters Podcast
Connect with Doug Brown Doug at COCM
Doug on LinkedIn

Connect with Gray Bekurs Student Housing Matters
Student Housing Matters on Facebook
Student Housing Matters on Twitter
Capstone On-Campus Management
Gray at COCM
Gray on LinkedIn
Email media@cocm.com  

"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.

Topics Covered
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

Connect with Dr. Sharon McDade
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC 

Connect with Alton
Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Alton at COCM

Alton on LinkedIn

Email media@cocm.com  

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!
Topics Covered    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
Connect with Hermond, Chris & Al COCM Operations & Management
Connect with Jeremy  Student Housing Matters
Student Housing Matters on Facebook
Student Housing Matters on Twitter
Capstone On-Campus Management
Jeremy on LinkedIn
Email media@cocm.com  

"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.

Topics Covered   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

Connect with Patrick Patrick Savolskis - Purchase College Association
Patrick on LinkedIn 
Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management
Alton at COCM
Alton on LinkedIn
Email media@cocm.com