Student Housing Matters COCM
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Join the Conversation is a podcast of the Student Housing Matters blog. The Student Housing Matters blog is about matters relating to on-campus student housing, as well as why quality on-campus student housing really matters. We want this blog to serve as a forum for sharing ideas and insights about how your on-campus student housing can do things beyond simply housing students. How it can be used as a more powerful tool to recruit and retain students on your campus. http://studenthousingmatters.com
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Transforming student housing spaces with Liz Toombs
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. -
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: Financial Reporting in Student Housing with Emily Hill and Stephanie Lachina
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 -
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: Inside COCM's DEI Task Force with Dr. Mecca Marsh, Corey Reedy, and Kern Williams
"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 -
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: How COCM's Student Housing Calculator Revolutionizing Student Housing with Doug Brown
“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 -
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: Fostering Leadership Excellence with Dr. Sharon McDade
"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 -
Leading Maintenance Teams with Care & Respect – with Hermond Lawson, Chris Adams & Chenal Alford
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
Customer Reviews
Big Picture Prospective
This podcast takes a step back to look at campus housing from a larger picture. For anyone who is interested in student housing and providing the best experience for campus residents, each podcast addresses relevant topics for campus housing and the collaborative efforts of all involved.
A different approach...
A very different approach to a dialogue about on campus housing programs. Goes beyond "heads in beds" and takes the discussion to a 50,000 foot view about how housing and enrollment managment can work together. That is, how housing can be a tool to recruit and retain students.
Really interesting stuff
Lots of interesting/helpful stuff here for Higher Education professionals (or those who aspire to be). No better place to get this info than straight from the sources (college presidents) themselves. Keep them coming.