🎧Episode Summary: September was a busy month in the student housing world, and we’re unpacking it all in this special “wrap-up” edition of the Student Housing Insight Podcast. Host Wes Deese is joined once again by longtime co-host Gretta Dare, who returns with updates on her own new venture, Vitra Housing. Together, they dig into company shakeups, mergers, leasing season data, and how international enrollment trends may shape the industry moving forward. If you’ve been trying to keep up with the flood of headlines, this episode is your one-stop recap.

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents.

👉 Learn more at: https://www.campustechnologies.com

🕒 Timestamps & Topics:

00:01:17 – Introduction

00:03:53 – Greta’s Update: Vitra Housing

00:07:42 – LeaseCon/TurnCon Scholarship Program

00:11:29 – Industry News Round-Up

00:18:00 – Marketing & Leasing Strategies

00:22:00 – Market Data & Leasing Reports

00:38:30 – Pre-Leasing and Rent Growth Concerns

00:52:48 – International Student Enrollment Trends

01:05:54 – Dual Enrollment Trends

01:07:55 – Outro

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Student Housing Insight: https://studenthousinginsight.com

Student Housing Insight Events Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

Shoptalk Webinars: https://shoptalk.info

Vitra Housing: https://www.vitrahousing.com/

NMHC Student Housing Conference: https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

LeaseCon+TurnCon Scholarship Opportunity:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/shi2025scholarship

🎧Episode Summary:

In this episode, Wesley Deese sits down with Hannah Maruyama, co-founder of Degree Free, to explore how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining higher education. The discussion centers on the growing number of young adults who are choosing alternative paths outside of traditional college—and what that means for student housing, property managers, and the broader industry. Hannah shares insights on the motivations and needs of “degree free” students, how off-campus housing can adapt to serve them, and why operators should rethink lease terms, amenities, and marketing. Together, they examine opportunities for housing providers to support this emerging demographic, from independence and community needs to career resources and flexible living models.

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents.

👉 Learn more at: https://www.campustechnologies.com

🕒 Timestamps & Topics:

00:02:59 - Details on the monthly Shop Talk webinar series, including pre-leasing data and registration

00:04:59 - Episode overview: Discussing higher ed challenges, enrollment cliff, and preparing student housing for changes

00:06:38 - Introduction to guest Hannah Maruyama and her work with Degree Free

00:09:43 - Start of Interview: Gen Z's perspective on college value, financial awareness, and lifestyle-driven decisions

00:15:06 - Hannah's Introduction, background, Degree Free's mission, and statistics on jobs requiring degrees

00:18:00 - Factors driving enrollment decline: Demographics, tuition costs, wage stagnation, and employer surveys (e.g., intelligent.com)

00:20:22 - Reference to Business Insider article on Gen Z pivoting to blue-collar jobs 00:24:01 - Potential abolishment of the Higher Education Act and Peter Thiel's comments on student loans

00:27:03 - Rebranding student housing as "new adult housing" and opportunities for underserved markets

00:28:25 -Wesley's personal story: His daughter's journey through Degree Free to phlebotomy training

00:36:37 - Housing needs for degree-free students and misconceptions about off-campus eligibility

00:43:57 - Profile of degree-free students: Life stages, local vs. relocation preferences, and lease flexibility

00:48:56 - Marketing strategies: TikTok, messaging shifts, and targeting working young adults

00:51:50 - Collaborations: Resident programming for career placement, resumes, and interviews

00:56:00 - Business implications: Enrollment cliff, property conversions, and serving non-traditional residents

00:57:46 - Plug for Degree Free's Launch program and alignment with student housing

01:03:00 - Upcoming events: Scholarships for LeaseCon TurnCon, BisNow summit, NMHC conference, and Top Golf mixer

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Student Housing Insight: https://studenthousinginsight.com

Upcoming Industry events: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

Shoptalk webinars: https://shoptalk.info

Degree Free Website: https://degreefree.com/

Degree Free Launch Program: https://degreefree.com/launch/

Bisnow National Student Housing Digital Summit: https://www.bisnow.com/webinar/national/student-housing/national-student-housing-digital-summit-9451?utm_source=copromo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=studenthousinginsights_calendarlis

Hi, How Are You Project (mental health advocacy):

https://www.hihowareyou.org/

NMHC Student Housing Conference:

https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

LeaseCon+TurnCon Scholarship Opportunity:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/shi2025scholarship

🎧Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast SHI Ambassador and CORE Spaces’ Sr. Mgr of Sales & Stabilization, Sarah Maxson sits down with CORE Spaces’ President, Dan Goldberg, for a discussion exploring the integration of hospitality principles into student housing. Emphasizing user experience (UX), resident engagement, and innovative branding, Sarah and Dan share insights on creating memorable moments, empowering teams, and differentiating properties through thoughtful design and service. The episode also covers Sarah's background in the industry, the SHI Ambassador program, and upcoming industry events.

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: This episode is brought to you by Social Pro from Opinion, the #1 social media management platform in property management. With Social Pro, you can: Create once, publish everywhere—across all major networks Stay on brand with Canva integration, premium stock photos, and custom watermarks. Manage all DMs, comments, and mentions from one inbox Gain insights into audience growth, engagement, and top-performing posts.

👉 Learn more at http://www.opiniion.com/shi

👉 Learn more at https://opiniion.com/blog/opiniion-debuts-socialpro-and-listingspro/

🕒 Timestamps & Topics:

00:02:12 - Wesley Deese's introduction to the Student Housing Insight podcast and platform overview

00:04:05 - Introduction to Sarah Maxson and her upcoming interview with Dan Goldberg

00:05:01 - Sarah's background in student housing and her role at Core Spaces

00:08:09 - Overview of the SHI Ambassador program and its benefits

00:15:23 - Start of Sarah's interview with Dan Goldberg: Defining user experience 00:18:14 - Inspiration from hospitality leaders like Will Guidara of 11 Madison Park 00:20:36 - Personal "aha" moments in hospitality at Core Spaces (UCF van story) 00:23:14 - Behind-the-scenes story from the Peyton Manning event at University of Tennessee 00:26:52 - Intentionality in leadership and user-first mindset at Core

00:36:53 - Brand recognition surveys and the success of the Hub brand

00:37:44 - Role of social media and viral content in building the Hub brand

00:43:52 - Example of handwritten notes to parents at Penn State property

00:50:47 - Repurposing competitor spaces for better activation (e.g., wellness areas) 00:56:19 - Vulnerability in leadership and embracing diverse perspectives

00:59:58 - Anecdote of staff going above and beyond for a resident

01:06:00 - Closing thanks and praise for Sarah's contributions

01:06:06 - Outro: Wes Deese's wrap-up and thanks to Sarah

01:08:24 - Small, low-cost resident engagement ideas (e.g., chilled water, lobby ambiance)

01:13:12 - Integrating hospitality into move-in day processes

01:20:50 - Wes Deese's overview of SHI website, events, and community

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Student Housing Insight: https://studenthousinginsight.com Upcoming industry events: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

Shoptalk webinars: https://shoptalk.info

Core Spaces: https://corespaces.com

2026 SHI Ambassador Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckqjgiEhFuo0bz3UCudEdQ9O1b8JB3Y-1gyGKgZKQPZPFZHw/viewform

Hi, How Are You Project (mental health advocacy): https://www.hihowareyou.org/

NMHC Student Housing Conference: https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

LeaseCon+TurnCon Scholarship Opportunity: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/shi2025scholarship

🎧Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wes Deese is joined by ambassador Alaina Jackson (PeakMade Real Estate) for an in-depth panel discussion on how student housing professionals can better connect with Gen Z renters. The conversation explores strategies for building authentic brands, leveraging micro-influencers, simplifying messaging, and staying agile in a fast-changing marketing landscape.

Panelists Dee Jackson (Apartment 11), Jaylynd Hill (PeakMade Real Estate), and Ross Laurence (Studio and Commerce) share practical insights on: Creating urgency without being “cringey” Building authenticity into brand voice and campaigns The role of AI in marketing (and where not to use it) Using social media trends and merch to influence influencers Best practices and pitfalls to avoid when engaging Gen Z If you’re looking to elevate your property’s marketing and leasing strategies, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.

💡 Sponsor Spotlight:

This episode is brought to you by Social Pro from Opinion, the #1 social media management platform in property management. With Social Pro, you can: Create once, publish everywhere—across all major networks Stay on brand with Canva integration, premium stock photos, and custom watermarks Manage all DMs, comments, and mentions from one inbox Gain insights into audience growth, engagement, and top-performing post, elevate your brand and engage your residents with AI-powered simplicity.

👉 Learn more at http://www.opiniion.com/shi

🕒 Timestamps & Topics:

00:00:26 – Sponsor: Social Pro from Opinion

00:02:10 – Introduction by host Wes Deese

00:04:09 – Alaina Jackson joins as co-host and ambassador spotlight

00:07:02 – Why Alaina chose this topic and her panelists

00:12:02 – Panel begins: Introducing Dee Jackson, Jaylynd Hill, and Ross Laurence

00:16:10 – Building brands that resonate with students and parents

00:20:34 – Personalizing the resident journey & keeping messaging simple

00:22:50 – Balancing AI automation with human touchpoints

00:25:50 – Using merch and lifestyle branding to influence influencers

00:27:30 – Social media trends and authentic content creation

00:29:15 – Creating urgency without being pushy or “cringe”

00:33:08 – Panelists’ biggest do’s and don’ts for marketing to Gen Z

00:40:12 – Closing reflections from Wes & Alaina + industry updates

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

SHI Events Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

Student Housing Insight Platform: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

Shop Talk (Monthly Webinar): Shoptalk.info

Student Housing Insight YouTube Channel: YouTube – Student Housing Insight

In this episode of Student Housing Insight, host Wes Deese leads a panel discussion focusing on off-campus student housing trends. Joined by industry experts Jason Taylor, KrisAnn Kizer, and Mark Miller, the panel explores leasing velocity, rental rate increases, the impact of international student enrollment, and public-private partnerships (P3s). Key topics include market-specific challenges, affordability concerns, and strategies for universities to collaborate with off-campus providers. The episode also addresses master leases, listing services like College Pads, and ways to educate students about off-campus housing options.

00:00:21 - Sponsor Spotlight: Wes Deese introduces Campus Technologies as a key internet provider for student housing.

00:01:32 - Session Overview: Peter Blutreich introduces the off-campus housing focus and Wes Deese’s role.

00:02:42 - Student Housing Insight Background: Wes Deese explains the platform’s origins and its role in industry networking.

00:06:21 - Panel Introductions: Jason Taylor, KrisAnn Kizer, and Mark Miller share their roles and expertise.

00:07:11 - Off-Campus Housing Performance: Wes Deese presents College House data on leasing trends and regional performance.

00:10:52 - International Student Trends: Mark Miller and panelists address visa challenges and enrollment shifts.

00:15:20 - P3 Development Strategies: Jason Taylor discusses phased projects to manage uncertainty.

00:21:21 - Rental Rate Increases: Wes Deese shares College House data on 4.6% national rent growth.

00:27:58 - Affordability Concerns: Wes Deese presents survey data highlighting affordability as a top student priority.

00:35:54 - P3 Deal Trends: Wes Deese and Jason Taylor analyze deal sizes and costs from 2014 to 2023.

00:39:54 - Master Leases: KrisAnn Kizer and Mark Miller share best practices for university partnerships.

00:43:49 - Listing Services: Wes Deese and KrisAnn Kizer discuss timing and collaboration with services like College Pads.

00:46:28 - Q&A: Rent-by-Bed Trends: KrisAnn Kizer explains the shift to rent-by-bed models and utility inclusions.

00:48:02 - Q&A: Educating Students: KrisAnn Kizer and Wes Deese suggest programs like move-out sessions.

00:50:41 - Q&A: P3 Operations Trends: Mark Miller and Jason Taylor discuss operational partnerships and maintenance.

Campus Technologies, with nearly 25 years of expertise, provides high-speed internet and managed IT services tailored for student housing communities. Their reliable infrastructure ensures seamless connectivity for residents and property teams.

👉 Discover best practices for upgrading your property’s internet infrastructure by downloading their latest white paper at campustechnologies.com.

Student Housing Insight: Platform for off-campus housing professionals to network and access industry content. shoptalk.info

College House (House Analytics): Provides real-time data on student housing leasing trends. collegehouse.com

College Pads: Listing service for off-campus student housing. collegepads.com

Apartments.com: Source of survey data on student housing priorities. apartments.com

National Multi-Housing Council: Lobbyist group providing policy updates for the apartment industry. nmhc.org

Brasfield & Dunlevy: Source of P3 deal data. No website provided in transcript.

St. Louis Fed: Referenced for rental market data verification. stlouisfed.org

🎧 Episode Summary: In the final installment of the Tough Talks series, SHI Ambassador John Barr sits down with Jacob Kosior, a seasoned student housing operator turned VP at Elise AI. They explore the real-world challenges of implementing AI in property management, tackle the underestimated difficulties of change management, and dig into leadership development within the student housing space. With a candid discussion full of humor, insights, and hot takes, this episode is a masterclass in staying relevant and resilient in a fast-changing industry.

🕒 Timestamps & Topics:

00:00:16 – Sponsor message from Campus Technologies

00:03:32 – John Barr’s AI concierge pilot at Dinerstein

00:06:27 – Elise AI roll-out and company-wide tech stack adoption

00:06:59 – AI skepticism to believer: anecdote from Dinerstein’s president

00:10:42 – Reactions to Google's AI-generated video demos

00:12:07 – Introducing guest Jacob Kosior and his career shift to Elise AI

00:15:50 – Jacob’s role in bridging operations with AI strategy

0:19:54 – Industry's hot take: Tech ≠ the hard part, change management

00:23:32 – Acquisitions vs. New Developments: Which is harder?

00:28:21 – Career advice: Be the first to learn the new tools

00:30:40 – Delegation, growth, and the myth of the “easy corporate job”

00:32:53 – Jacob’s reflections on growing through varied roles

00:34:41 – Outro: the glue that keeps people in Student Housing

00:38:11 – SHI Ambassador Program: why to apply

00:40:52 – Upcoming events & opportunities

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Campus Technologies is your trusted partner for delivering enterprise-grade wired and wireless internet for student housing communities. With nearly 25 years of experience, they offer fast, reliable internet and top-tier managed IT services to enhance both resident satisfaction and operational efficiency.

👉 Download their latest white paper

👉 Learn more at CampusTechnologies.com

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Elise AI – https://eliseai.com

Shop Talk (Monthly Webinar) – https://www.shoptalk.info

Bisnow Student Housing Summit - Atlanta – https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-higher-education-summit-8990

National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) Student Housing Conference – https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

Hi, How Are You Project (mental health nonprofit) – https://www.hihowareyou.org

📄 Episode Summary

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley Deese welcomes John Barr for the fourth installment of the Tough Talks series. John interviews Willie Butler, principal at Empower Property Management Consulting, a seasoned expert in the student housing industry known for his book “Releasing” and his work as a "leasing assassin." The conversation dives into the importance of returning to fundamental leasing practices, the pitfalls of over-relying on technology, and the value of humility in addressing leasing challenges. Willie shares his spicy take on the industry, emphasizing the need to focus on grassroots marketing and training to solve occupancy issues. The episode also touches on memorable turn stories, the impact of pride in decision-making, and advice for young professionals starting in the industry. Additionally, Wes highlights upcoming industry events and strategies for operators facing leasing shortfalls, including leveraging short-term rentals.

🕒 Time Stamps

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies

Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents.

👉 Learn more or download their white paper at: www.campustechnologies.com

🔗 Referenced Links & Resources:

🔍 Summary

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, hosts Wesley Deese and John Barr welcome Nick Hill, COO of Up Campus, for a candid and insightful conversation as part of the Tough Talks series. With a diverse background in student housing across both U.S. and international markets, Nick shares a unique perspective on development, acquisitions, leadership, and the grit it takes to navigate tough transitions and late deliveries.

Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at Nick's career journey, his take on what’s harder—acquisitions or new developments—and how challenges in delivery timelines helped shape his leadership and operational approach. The discussion also emphasizes transparency in crisis situations, advice for young professionals entering the industry, and the value of long-term relationships in student housing.

⏱️ Time Stamps

• 00:01:30 – Welcome to the podcast & Tough Talks intro

• 00:11:30 – Interview starts: Meet Nick Hill

• 00:13:05 – Industry “spicy take”: Stop hoarding data

• 00:14:28 – Acquisition vs. Development revisited

• 00:15:49 – Turn stories: From chaos to core memories

• 00:18:03 – Advice for student housing professionals

• 00:20:39 – Outro: Upcoming events: SHI x Bisnow, Shop Talk

• 00:32:38 – Preview of next episode: Willie Butler

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, Campus Technologies delivers robust internet and IT services tailored for student housing. With nearly 25 years of experience, their high-speed wired/wireless internet, combined with managed IT services, ensures operational excellence and satisfied residents.

👉 Learn more or download their white paper at: www.campustechnologies.com

🔗 Referenced Links & Resources

• Student Housing Insight Events Page – https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

• Bisnow Student Housing Event – Atlanta, July 30 – https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-summit-8990

• “Hi, How Are You” Project – https://www.hihowareyou.org

• NMHC Student Housing Conference – https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

• SHI's TopGolf Mixer 2025 - https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer

📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Student Housing Insight, we sit down with Aryne Bailey, EVP of Student Housing at The Dinerstein Companies, as part of the “Tough Talk” series hosted by John Barr. Aryne opens up about her dynamic role, her take on AI and centralization in property operations, and the evolving challenges of acquisitions versus new developments. The conversation blends candid insights, industry trends, and even a hilarious turn-time mishap that perfectly illustrates the learning curve many face in student housing management. If you're an operator, vendor, or aspiring industry leader, this episode is packed with invaluable insights and relatable stories that reflect both the complexity and the community within the student housing industry.

⏱️ Episode Time Stamps:

00:00:00 – Welcome & Aryne’s hilarious “refrigerator trailer” story

00:00:28 – Sponsor spotlight: Campus Technologies

00:01:55 – Recap of the Tough Talks series and Aryne’s industry presence

00:03:38 – Overview of Shop Talk and market updates

00:04:57 – Preleasing and rental rate trends post-pandemic

00:07:45 – Impact of declining enrollment and international student policies

00:09:07 – Cyclical nature of student housing development

00:11:00 – Intro to Aryne’s interview and her leadership role

00:14:40 – Aryne on her scope of work at Dinerstein Companies

00:16:59 – Hot take: AI and centralization vs. human presence in ops

00:19:33 – Acquisitions vs. new developments: which is harder?

00:22:11 – Aryne’s best turn story – “The refrigerator incident”

00:24:29 – Career advice: “Never burn a bridge” in this tight-knit industry

00:27:08 – Wrap-up & preview of the next Tough Talks guest

00:30:33 – Announcements: BIZNOW event, Topgolf Mixer, and fundraising

💡 Sponsor Spotlight: Campus Technologies Whether you're developing a new community or acquiring an existing one, fast and reliable internet is no longer optional—it's essential. Campus Technologies brings nearly 25 years of experience delivering top-tier wired and wireless internet, as well as managed IT services specifically designed for student housing.

👉 Download their latest white paper or learn more at www.campustechnologies.com

🔗 References & Links:

Shop Talk monthly webinar:  https://www.shoptalk.info

Biznow Student Housing Conference – Atlanta, July 30 More info & registration:

https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-summit-8990

Topgolf Mixer @ NMHC Student Housing Conference (October – Scottsdale) Details & sponsorship:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer

College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition Powered by: How Are You Foundation

📘 Episode Summary In this premiere episode of the Tough Talk series from Student Housing Insight, host John Barr (Director of Leasing & Innovation, The Dinerstein Companies) sits down with JT Bailey, VP and GM of Student at RealPage. Together, they dive into the nuances of AI integration in student housing, the importance of keeping human interaction at the forefront, and the irreplaceable value of site-level experience. JT reflects on his journey from leasing desks to product development at RealPage, delivers a bold “spicy take” on AI, and shares some nostalgic chaos from turn season—including flying furniture. This episode kicks off a full summer series of candid conversations with industry leaders recorded live at the Interface conference.

⏱️ Time-Stamps

00:00:00 – Introduction + Sponsor Message from Campus Technologies

00:01:30 – About Student Housing Insight & Ambassador Program

00:03:00 – Guest Intro: John Barr from Dinerstein

00:04:00 – The Innovation Role Explained

00:06:30 – Exploring Site Team Challenges & Testing New Tech

00:08:00 – Ambassador Content Creation + Tough Talks Series Concept

00:10:00 – Preview of Upcoming Interviews in the Series

00:17:00 – JT Bailey Interview Begins

00:20:00 – JT’s Role at RealPage & Focus on CRM Integration

00:22:00 – “Spicy Take” on AI in Student Housing

00:25:00 – Why Human Connection Still Matters

00:26:30 – Turn Season Nostalgia & JT’s Wildest Turn Story

00:28:00 – Advice to Young Professionals in the Industry

00:30:00 – The Power of Speaking Up & Career Exploration

00:33:00 – Reflections from Wes Deese & Preview of Next Episode

🙌 Episode Sponsor Campus Technologies For nearly 25 years, Campus Technologies has been the go-to provider for fast, reliable internet infrastructure in student housing. Their solutions go far beyond basic connectivity, offering fully managed IT services and support tailored to the unique demands of student living environments.

🖱️ Download their latest white paper or learn more at campustechnologies.com

🔗 Resources & Mentions

Student Housing Insight Ambassadors – Learn more: StudentHousingInsight.com

Shop Talk Webinars – Sign up: ShopTalk.info

BISNOW Student Housing Summits – Bisnow Events Page

Stay subscribed for more insightful, candid conversations from top voices in the student housing industry.