Student Housing Matters

Rafael Cordwell believes that you don't choose your profession, your profession chooses you. And in the beginning, Raf resisted a career in student affairs—despite encouragement from more than one of his supervisors at Southern Connecticut State. But higher education had other plans for Raf, and today, he aspires to impact campus culture and policy for the better as a senior leader in the field.

Raf currently serves as COCM's Director of University Affiliated Housing at Towson University in Towson, Maryland, and the Director of Leadership and Business Development at Driven2Inspire, a professional training and keynote speaking firm. Raf was selected to be a part of the inaugural cohort of the Ujima Institute, a prestigious program offered by NASPA, the Association for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Raf earned his BA in English and Master's in Women's Studies at Southern Connecticut State University and is currently pursuing his PhD in Higher Education Administration at Morgan State.

On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Raf joins me to share his experience at the Ujima Institute, explaining its purpose in supporting higher education and student affairs professionals of color who aspire to senior-level and faculty positions. Raf describes the incredible level of energy among attendees as they shared their lived experiences and walks us through the values exercise he learned at Ujima that had the most profound impact on him as a leader. Listen in for Raf's advice to young professionals considering a career in student housing and learn how residence life chose Raf to be a leader in college administration.

How Raf was encouraged by his early supervisors to pursue a career in higher education

How the opportunity to impact campus culture and policy inspired Raf's decision

The role Raf's academic background in gender studies plays in his work in residence life

Why working with different types of people is both the most challenging and rewarding part of Raf's job

How Raf helps students and their parents through the transition to college life

The Ujima Institute's aim in supporting higher ed professionals of color who aspire to senior-level positions

The high level of energy among Ujima Institute attendees in sharing their lived experiences

Why Raf would encourage others to apply for the Ujima Institute

The values exercise Raf learned at the program that had a profound impact on him as a leader

Raf's advice for young professionals considering a career in student affairs

Raf on LinkedIn

NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

Ujima Institute

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Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

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Winston Churchill led Britain through both World Wars. But how would he fight the invisible enemy we face today? How might Churchill approach the current situation with Coronavirus?

Dr. Larry P. Arnn is the President of Hillsdale College, where he also serves as a professor of politics and history. He earned degrees from Arkansas State and Claremont Graduate University and studied at Oxford University, where he was the Director of Research for Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Winston Churchill. Dr. Arnn is also the author of Churchill's Trial: Winston Churchill and the Salvation of Free Government and the editor of The Churchill Documents.

On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Dr. Arnn joins guest host Alton Irwin to explore what Winston Churchill might say about the situation we face with Coronavirus. He discusses Churchill's leadership style in challenging circumstances, describing Churchill's fight-hard-to-win-fast approach to war and explaining why he believed that serious judgements cannot be made with expertise alone. Listen in to understand how Dr. Arnn thinks about making decisions for Hillstone and learn how we can leverage Churchill's idea of shared sacrifice to combat COVID-19.

Churchill's leadership style in challenging circumstances

What Churchill might tell us if he were alive today

• Be impatient, find strategy to win fast
• Give people tools + autonomy to use

Why serious judgements can't be made with expertise alone

Weighing the health, mental health and economic impact of COVID-19

The unprecedented suspension of in-person classes at Hillstone

Dr. Arnn's approach to making decisions for Hillstone

• Don't make difficult decisions until you HAVE to
• Never make decisions alone

The factors Dr. Arnn considers re: bringing students back to campus

Dr. Arnn at Hillsdale College

Books by Dr. Arnn

The Churchill Documents by Martin Gilbert

The Churchill Project

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

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Capstone On-Campus Management

Alton on LinkedIn

Email [email protected]

During her tenure at COCM, Mellissa Taylor quickly became known among students as The Housing Lady. So, what did she learn as the face and voice of student housing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham? How have those lessons around communicating with students carried over to her current role in higher ed?

Mellissa serves as the Assistant Director of Honors Advising and Retention at UAB. But her first role out of graduate school was that of Assistant General Manager of Marketing and Resident Services with Capstone, where she was responsible for community engagement for UAB student housing. Mellissa earned her graduate degree in Student Affairs at Florida State University.

On this episode of the Alumni Series, Mellissa joins Tara Wilkinson to explain how she connected with COCM through contacts at UAB, her undergraduate campus. She weighs in on the most effective ways of communicating with students, describing the challenges of TLDR in email communications and the value of social channels like Instagram and Snapchat. Listen in for Mellissa's insight on the enduring relationships she built at COCM and learn how her Capstone colleagues helped her grow a thick skin early in her professional career!

How Mellissa connected with COCM through contacts at UAB

Mellissa's responsibilities as Marketing Manager with COCM

• Representative at recruitment, admission events
• All housing assignments

Mellissa's insight on communicating with students via email

Using channels like Snapchat, Instagram and text messaging

Mellissa's enduring relationships with colleagues at COCM

The lesson Mellissa learned at COCM on growing a thick skin

Mellissa on Facebook

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

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Capstone On-Campus Management

Tara on LinkedIn

"Build the bridge as you walk across it. Just find something and try it out and define it. And then over time, it becomes the normal that everybody's used to—an efficiently run process."

In her ten-year career with COCM, Tricia Wells played a major role in developing the infrastructure we use today, creating several of the programs, initiatives and systems that make our jobs easier. Because she was willing to raise her hand when a need came up, Tricia left a lasting impression, and her influence lives on at Capstone.

Today, Tricia is the Assistant Vice Provost for Administration and Finance in the Division of Professional Studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Prior to joining UMBC in 2014, she rose through the ranks at COCM, taking on roles as General Manager, Regional Manager, and eventually Regional Vice President for the organization.

On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Tricia joins guest host Tara Wilkinson to discuss the instant connection she felt when she joined the team at COCM, explaining how the organization aligned with her professional values and career goals. She describes how the understanding of financial systems she learned at Capstone serves her in her current role and why relationships are key to success in higher education. Listen in for Tricia's insight on transitioning from a private company to a public institution and learn how she helped design several of the programs and initiatives that define COCM's current infrastructure.

Tricia's instant connection with COCM's executive leadership

How COCM aligned with Tricia's professional values + career goals

How Tricia's responsibilities grew in her 10 years with Capstone

Tricia's willingness to jump in and assist wherever the gap was

Transforming a troubled site into a place students want to live

Tricia's involvement in creating the current infrastructure at COCM

How understanding financial systems serves Tricia in her new role

Tricia's advice on transitioning from COCM to a public institution

• Articulate alignment of values
• Recognize difference in flexibility
• Build professional network

Why Tricia credits her success in higher ed to relationships

Tricia on LinkedIn

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Tara on LinkedIn

At times, student affairs professionals are hesitant to pursue a role with COCM, thinking that the transition back to a university setting will be challenging. And yet, a number of former Capstone employees have made the successful move to public institutions. What have they done to make the transition as seamless as possible? And how do they go about getting connected on a new campus?

Amy Lorenz is the Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life at the University of North Florida. Prior to joining the team at UNF in March of 2018, she spent nearly four years as Director of Operations at Bowling Green State University through COCM. Amy's resume also includes roles with Marshall University and Miami University in the realm of academic initiatives and first year experience.

On this episode of the podcast, Amy joins guest host Tara Wilkinson to explain her intentional decision to join COCM to learn about facilities and operations, sharing her responsibilities at BGSU and what she learned about remaining calm in a crisis. She discusses her work in the area of social wellness and describes how she came to appreciate the perspective of the maintenance and custodial staff during her time at COCM. Listen in for Amy's insight around making connections on a new campus and easing the transition from Capstone back to a college setting!

Why Amy joined COCM to learn about facilities and operations

Amy's responsibilities as Director of Operations at BGSU

• Day-to-day maintenance + emergencies
• Marketing and occupancy management

Amy's work with social wellness during her time at Capstone

Amy's experience attending the Women's Leadership Institute

The top skills Amy learned in her time working at COCM

• Remain calm in crisis
• Listen to ALL constituents
• Appreciate perspective of maintenance, custodial staff

Taking initiative to meet + listen to people in a new setting

Why Amy recommends finding friends outside of work

Amy's advice on the transition from COCM to a university

• Stay connected to people, professional organizations
• Continue to invest in professional development

Amy's insight around being a mom in the student housing space

Amy on LinkedIn

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Tara on LinkedIn

We talk a lot about wellness and work-life balance, but most of us in the world of student housing are just not very good at it. So, how can we learn to prioritize our emotional and spiritual health? How can we develop the courage to ask what's really important to us and align our choices accordingly? And if that means choosing a new path, how can we apply the skills we learn in student housing to other roles?

Jen Oliver is the former Director of Facilities and Conference Services with COCM at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and current Membership Recruitment Specialist for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. Prior to joining the Girl Scouts team in 2018, she spent two years at home with her young daughters, serving her family and getting involved in the local community.

On this edition of the Student Housing Matters Alumni Series, Jen sits down with Tara Wilkinson to discuss how her role with COCM at MassArt rounded out her experience in student housing, exposing her to the facilities side of the space. She shares her gratitude for the relationships she developed with partners, vendors, COCM colleagues as well as the MassArt team. Listen in to understand Jen's decision to step away from her career at Capstone and prioritize her family and community—and learn how she is applying the skills she honed in student housing to other roles that fit her lifestyle and align with her values!

How Jen's role with COCM rounded out her student housing experience

Jen's responsibilities as Director of Facilities and Conference Services

The trust Jen had to build with her team at MassArt in Boston

The relationships Jen valued with vendors, partners and colleagues

Jen's decision to prioritize her wellness through family + community

Having the courage to search for work that truly aligns with your values

Jen's advice around making the decision to step away from your career

How wellness is encouraged among the employees at Capstone

Articulating how skills in student housing apply to other kinds of work

Jen's insight around the concerns people have with privatized housing

Jen on LinkedIn

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Tara on LinkedIn

If you're looking to make a big change or pursue an extraordinary venture, the first step is to share your intentions and then accept help when it's offered. This can be challenging for those of us in higher ed, as we're used to providing a support system rather than tapping into one ourselves. But seeking out someone (or multiple someones) willing to champion you is often just what you need to gain the courage to move forward.

Jes Lassiter currently serves as a Financial Analyst with JB Hunt Transport, but prior to earning her graduate degree in economics and finance in 2017, she spent three years as an Assistant General Manager with Capstone On-Campus Management. In Jes' role with COCM, she supported students at Walker Avenue Apartments and served as a liaison with the University of Maryland—Baltimore County. Jes was an active participant in the Women's Leadership Initiative at Capstone and continues to work in the space through JB Hunt's Growing & Retaining Outstanding Women program.

Today, Jes joins guest host Tara Wilkinson to share her responsibilities around student accounts and financial reports as Assistant General Manager with COCM, discussing how she improved processes to help students fulfill their financial obligations. She also reflects on how her time at COCM and the support she received from colleagues there inspired her to pursue a master's from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics. Listen in to understand how Jes is applying what she learned at COCM in her current role and learn why Jes encourages you to find people who will champion you in taking the next step—and accept help when it's offered!

How Jes transitioned to COCM from one of its campus partners

Jes' responsibilities around student accounts + financial reports

How Jes helped improve a process to benefit students at Walker

Why Jes values the operations experience she gained at COCM

Jes' master's from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics

How the skills Jes learned at COCM translate to her current role

How COCM's Women's Leadership Initiative influenced Jes

Jes' advice on finding someone to champion you + accepting help

Why it's crucial to recognize and take advantage of opportunities

Jes on LinkedIn

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Tara on LinkedIn

As with most things, the amount of effort, dedication and heart you put into a career in student housing is directly correlated with what you get back. And Jeremy Thompson contends that if you go in with an open mind and really give it a shot, the profession may surprise you.

Jeremy is the Regional Vice President of Capstone On-Campus Management. In his ten years at COCM, Jeremy served as a Site Director, Site Operations Specialist and Regional Manager before taking on his current role in 2016. Today, Jeremy joins us as a continuation of the 'How I Got into Student Housing' series. He explains how being a commuter student led him to understand the importance of building relationships with peers on campus and describes how the community development aspect of being an RA attracted him to the position.

Jeremy discusses how supporting the development of a team as a Graduate Hall Director inspired his career in student housing—and continues to be the most rewarding part of his job as Regional VP. Listen in to understand why navigating several different sites and competing responsibilities is the most challenging part of Jeremy's current role and get his advice on approaching the profession with an open mind and willingness to give!

How being a commuter student led Jeremy to understand the importance of community

Why the community development aspect of being an RA attracted Jeremy to the position

How serving a team as a Graduate Hall Director inspired Jeremy's student housing career

The challenges Jeremy faces in navigating several different sites as Regional VP of COCM

Why supporting the development of his team is the most rewarding part of Jeremy's role

The top lessons Jeremy has learned throughout his career in student housing

1. Take care of students
2. Use 'newspaper test'
3. Document everything
4. Follow-up is key

Jeremy's advice on going into student housing with an open mind + willingness to give

Jeremy on LinkedIn

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

Email [email protected]

Subscribe on iTunes

How can we be elite without being elitist? Dr. Eileen Strempel contends that for an institution of higher learning to be truly great in the 21st century, it must adapt to the changing nature of the student body and support what she calls the neotraditional student, marrying the ideas of access and excellence.

Eileen is the inaugural dean of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Prior to UCLA, she spent three years as Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Cincinnati and 16 years in various roles at Syracuse University. Eileen is also a former ACE fellow-in-residence and the coeditor of Transition and Transformation: Fostering Transfer Student Success and Transition and Transformation: New Research Fostering Transfer Student Success. An opera singer turned academic leader, Eileen is committed to higher education as the social justice issue of our time.

Today, Eileen joins me from ACE2019 to discuss the role of higher education in promoting artists who represent a diverse global community. She shares her commitment to being an unabashed champion of transfer students and describes how she benefited from the ACE Fellows Program with a lifelong network of support. Eileen also explains the shift in demographics of the students we serve and higher education's responsibility to be responsive and welcoming. Listen in for Eileen's insight on listening to learn, empathize and respect—and learn how student housing can build a sense of community that fosters compassion and creativity.

Eileen's belief in the transformative power of music

The role of higher ed in promoting diverse artists

Why Eileen is an unabashed champion of transfer students

How Eileen benefitted from the ACE Fellows Program

Addressing similar issues in different contexts in higher ed

How the demographics of students we serve are changing

Eileen's key takeaways from ACE2019 in Philadelphia

• Social inequality vs. social mobility
• Listen (learn, empathize + respect)

What Eileen is looking forward to in her new role at UCLA

How student housing can forge a sense of community

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

Eileen on LinkedIn

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

Email [email protected]

Subscribe on iTunes

How do you find your unicorn job? Heather O'Leary-Agosta argues that rather than getting caught up in titles, it's more important to consider what you love about your current role and make decisions that facilitate more of THAT. Though she was hesitant to make a career move that seemed like a step back, Heather focused on the quality of her work and the impact she made on the students she served, and that led to an ideal role that fits her passion and education.

Heather found her unicorn job as Resident Services Manager at Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture, a study abroad campus for a university based in Tokyo. In her role, Heather supports the international students who comprise 100% of the student population, familiarizing them with American culture, creating a culturally-sensitive environment, and working with facilities and food services to meet student expectations. Prior to Showa, Heather served as Property Manager for the YWCA in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and General Manager of two residence halls at MassArt for COCM.

Today, Heather joins Tara to reminisce about their time together at MassArt, sharing her responsibilities with COCM and the value in helping plan new construction on campus. Heather describes the deep support and diverse perspectives she valued at COCM and explains how she fostered lasting connections with colleagues who continue to be resources. Listen in for Heather's advice around making strategic career moves and learn how her passion for supporting international students led to her current role at Showa.

Heather's responsibilities working for COCM at MassArt

The value in being involved in planning new construction

The support + diverse perspectives Heather valued at COCM

Heather's career transition to property managing a YWCA

How working with international students led Heather to Showa

Heather's role as Resident Services Manager at Showa Boston

Heather's advice around making strategic career moves

Heather's appreciation for lasting connections from COCM

Showa Boston

Heather on LinkedIn

Student Housing Matters

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Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Tara on LinkedIn