Student Housing Insight

From Dorms to Districts. What you universities need from P3 developers - SHI 1028

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, host Wesley Deese sits down with William Davis, Chief Development Officer and Managing Principal at Capstone Development Partners, and Johno Harris, Senior EVP at Lincoln Property Company. Recorded in-person in Atlanta, the conversation explores the recent acquisition of Capstone by Lincoln and what this powerful partnership means for the future of on-campus development.

The trio discusses the rapid evolution of public-private partnerships (P3s) in higher education. Moving far beyond simple dormitories, universities are now seeking massive mixed-use spaces, retail, healthcare facilities, and dynamic sports entertainment districts. They also dive into how changes like the #NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules in college athletics are directly driving the need for premium, specialized student housing to help universities recruit top talent and create vibrant campus experiences.

 

⏱️Time Stamps

00:00:25 – Sponsor intro: Teal Systems and infrastructure reliability

00:02:00 – Podcast introduction and platform overview

00:09:04 – Interview Starts

00:10:30 – Guest introductions: William Davis and Johno Harris

00:15:00 - An overview of Lincoln Property Company's 60-year history and full-service approach.

00:25:33 – Shift from single-use housing to mixed-use developments

00:30:45 – Universities becoming destination ecosystems

00:32:14 – Sports and entertainment influence on campus development

00:37:13 – NIL impact on development and funding

00:39:10 – Real-world challenges student-athletes face with housing

00:48:19 – Universities stepping in as capital providers

00:55:12 – Real-world example: crypto mining in student housing

00:56:54 – Outro: Final thoughts

 

🤝 Sponsor Spotlight

Teal Systems This episode is brought to you by Teal Systems, a provider of managed central plant infrastructure designed specifically for #StudentHousing and multifamily developments.

Teal delivers reliable hot water, heating, and cooling through a “central plant as a service” model. Their systems are monitored 24/7 using proprietary Beacon technology, allowing issues to be identified and resolved before they impact residents. For operators and developers, this means fewer headaches, lower operational risk, and more predictable performance.

👉 Learn more: https://www.tealsystems.com

 

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned

Student Housing Insight: https://studenthousinginsight.com

ShopTalk: https://shoptalk.info

Capstone Development Partners: https://capdevpartners.com/

William Davis’s LinkedIn Page: https://linkedin.com/in/william-davis-883645a

Johno Harris’s LinkedIn Page: https://linkedin.com/in/johno-harris-282186255

Starting from Experience - Ft. Leah Raad - SHI 1027

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this episode, Wesley Deese sits down with Leah Raad, SVP of Operations, Leasing, and Asset Management at Maslow’s Campus Communities, to unpack what it really takes to build a student housing platform from the ground up. Fresh off the acquisition of Aspire San Marcos, Leah shares how Maslow’s approached launching operations with a clean slate—covering everything from selecting a property management system to defining core operating principles.

The conversation dives into the realities of modern leasing, the rapid evolution of marketing technology, and the importance of simplifying systems to empower onsite teams.

They also explore the role of AI in student housing, where Leah offers a grounded perspective: automation should enhance efficiency, not replace the human experience that defines resident satisfaction. This episode is a practical look at how experienced operators are rethinking tech, staffing, and strategy in a fast-changing landscape.

 

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:02:10 – Intro

00:03:58 – The "Un-retirement" of an Industry Icon

00:10:09 – Leah’s background in student housing and her journey to Maslow’s.

00:12:28 – Details on Maslow's first acquisition: Aspire San Marcos at Texas State University. 00:18:40 – The "One-Stop Shop" Tech Debate

00:23:44 – The Anti-AI Manifesto

00:27:23 – Killing the Spreadsheet

00:30:01 – Outro/Closing

 

🤝 Sponsor Spotlight

This episode is brought to you by Opiniion – Social Pro, a social media and reputation management platform built specifically for property management teams. Social Pro allows operators to create content once and distribute it across multiple platforms, manage engagement through a unified inbox, and track performance with built-in analytics. With integrations like Canva and AI-assisted tools, it helps teams stay consistent, efficient, and on-brand across every property.

👉 Learn more and explore the platform:

https://www.opiniion.com/shi

 

🔗 Resources & References:

 

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

ShopTalk:

https://www.shoptalk.info/

Invite for Networking Brunch:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/contact-form

SHI Bill Bayless - Profiles in Student Housing:

https://youtu.be/EAUqyIUrtok?si=J5G9X1FJX7gAAB_N

Maslow’s Campus Communities:

https://maslowscommunities.com/

Entrata:

https://www.entrata.com/

What Happened in Student Housing: February 2026 Wrap-Up - SHI 1026

🎙️ Episode Summary:

Wes Deese and Gretta Dare wrap up all the off-campus student housing news for February 2026. They cover upcoming industry conferences and major shifts in property management, including LV Collective formally bringing their operations in-house. The hosts break down the latest pre-leasing data from Yardi Matrix, comparing it against other data sources and discussing the current dip in rent growth.

The episode also dives into critical legislative updates, highlighting the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act that recently passed the House , and features an in-depth debate on a controversial new lease renewal ordinance in College Park, Maryland.

 

⏱️ Episode Timestamps:

00:02:09 - Welcome & Intro: An overview of the Student Housing Insight platform and the monthly Shop Talk webinar

00:02:45 - Upcoming Conferences: Previewing Interface Student Housing, Bisnow spring events, and Bonard's Canadian Student Housing Summit

00:05:35 - Industry News: The rise of "white label" management services and LV Collective launching an in-house property management platform

00:12:57 - Data & Pre-leasing: Analyzing Yardi Matrix's report showing 2026-2027 pre-leasing at 52.3% and a discussion on rent growth metrics

00:19:19 - Financial Markets: Good news from the Student Housing Business magazine about financial institutions opening money back up to the student sector

00:21:35 - Legislative Updates: Breaking down the Housing for the 21st Century Act (passed 390-9 in the House) and its implications for development

00:26:17 - Local Ordinance Debate: Deep dive into College Park, Maryland's new ordinance requiring landlords to wait 180 days before offering lease renewals

00:43:45 - Outro & Networking: Announcing the "Shop Talk Link Up" networking brunch happening at the Interface conference

 

💡Sponsor Spotlight:

Move-in day is stressful enough, but our partners at studenthousingmattress.com (powered by Jamison Bedding) make sure missing mattresses are never part of the problem. They offer US-made mattresses that ship quickly anywhere in the lower 48 states, featuring the durable blue vinyl models the industry knows and trusts. Stay ready for move-in and visit:

https://studenthousingmattress.com/

 

📎Sources & Links Mentioned

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

Student Housing Business:

http://studenthousingbusiness.com

Yardi Matrix Student Housing Marketing Report February 2026: https://www.yardimatrix.com/blog/student-housing-market-report/

Housing Legislation — A Rare Bipartisan Moment

https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/whats-in-the-housing-for-the-21st-century-act/

College ParkNews

https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/prince-georges-county/college-park-restricts-early-lease-renewal-offers-giving-renters-more-time-and-limiting-landlords/

 

2026 Spring Conference Preview - SHI1025

🎙️Episode Summary:

In this spring conference preview episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, host Wesley Deese gives a comprehensive rundown of upcoming industry events. Wes discusses the value of attending these events for networking and education, whether you are a site-level manager, a C-suite executive, or a supplier partner.

The episode features a special interview with Rich Kelley, who shares exciting details about the highly anticipated Interface Student Housing Conference in Austin, Texas. Additionally, Martin Varga joins the show to discuss the Canadian Student Housing Summit in Toronto, hosted by Bonard. Wesley also highlights upcoming regional Bisnow events and reminds listeners to utilize the SHI events page to grab exclusive registration discounts.

 

⏱️Episode Timestamps:

00:01:08 - Welcome and Overview of Student Housing Insight and ShopTalk.

00:02:38 - The Tradition of the Spring Conference Preview Episode.

00:08:58 - Preview of Upcoming Bisnow Student Housing Conferences.

00:14:14 - Interview with Rich Kelley Begins.

00:15:13 - Recap of the Recent LeaseCon and TurnCon.

00:17:57 - Interface Austin Details including Dates, Tech, and Agenda.

00:32:28 - Interview with Martin Varga Begins.

00:35:58 - Details on the Toronto Summit happening May 28th.

00:43:43 - Episode Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts.

 

💡Sponsor Spotlight:

This episode is sponsored by Student Housing Mattress, powered by Jamison Bedding.They provide US-made mattresses, including the durable blue vinyl models known throughout the industry. They offer fast shipping anywhere in the lower 48 states to ensure properties are fully prepared for move-in day.

Visit their website to learn more:

https://www.studenthousingmattress.com

 

📎Sources & Websites Mentioned:

Student Housing Insight Industry Events Page:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

ShopTalk Webinars:

https://www.shoptalk.info

 

What Happened in Student Housing: January 2026 Wrap-Up - SHI 1024

🎙️Episode Summary

In this month’s wrap-up, host Wes Deese and co-host Gretta Dare welcome 2026 with a breakdown of the major shifts in the student housing industry rankings. Special guest Jason Fort, EVP at Asset Living, joins the show to discuss Asset Living’s historic rise to the number one spot on the Student Housing Business Top 25 Managers list, overtaking American Campus Communities. Jason shares insights into their organic growth, the increasing trend of multifamily-to-student conversions, and the importance of operational flexibility in today's market.

The team also dives into significant development news, including Core Spaces' massive 2,352-bed "ōLiv Columbia" project and a unique hotel-to-student housing conversion Columbia, SC and a rare new dev/conversion in Manhattan by BDB Construction. Finally, Wes and Gretta analyze the latest Fall enrollment data, highlighting a surge in community college attendance and sparking a candid conversation about degree requirements for industry professionals.

 

⏱️Timestamps

00:00:00 – Sponsor Message: Introduction to Social Pro from Opiniion.

00:02:08 – Intro & Weather Reports: Wes and Gretta catch up on the winter storms hitting North Carolina and College Station.

00:05:00 – Top 25 Managers Rankings: Analysis of the new industry rankings and Asset Living taking the #1 spot.

00:06:40 – Guest Interview: Jason Fort of Asset Living joins to discuss their growth strategy and the shift from multifamily to student housing operations.

00:16:27 – Third-Party Management & Shared Services: A look at the Top Third-Party Managers list, Cardinal Group crossing the 100k bed threshold, and the rise of "white label" management services.

00:20:00 – Industry Consolidation: Discussion on recent mergers, including Yugo and Campus Advantage.

00:23:00 – Top 25 Owners List: Reviewing the top owners, including American Campus Communities, Scion, and the rapid growth of Core Spaces.

00:31:30 – Development News (CORE Spaces): Breakdown of the massive ōLiv Columbia project and the operational challenges of managing mega-developments.

00:43:00 – Manhattan Conversion Project: BDB Construction’s conversion of a Financial District hotel into the world’s tallest student accommodation.

00:52:00 – Enrollment Data Analysis: Insights from the National Student Clearinghouse and Chronicle of Higher Education regarding Fall 2025/2026 enrollment trends.

01:00:00 – The Degree Debate: Gretta and Wes discuss the necessity of college degrees for various roles within the student housing industry.

 

💡Sponsor Social Pro by Opiniion This episode is sponsored by Social Pro from Opiniion, the number one social media management platform designed specifically for property management. Social Pro allows you to create beautiful, optimized content in seconds and publish it across every major social network with just one click. From AI-powered content creation to a unified inbox for all comments and DMs, Social Pro elevates your brand and simplifies resident engagement.

Click here to learn more: https://opiniion.com/shi/

 

📎Sources & Links:

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

ShopTalk Webinars: https://www.shoptalk.info/

Student Housing Business: https://studenthousingbusiness.com/

National Student Clearinghouse:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/2026/01/15/fall-enrollment-increased-1-international-students-declined

CORE Spaces: https://studenthousingbusiness.com/core-spaces-to-break-ground-on-2350-bed-mixed-use-development-near-university-of-south-carolina/

BDB Construction:

https://studenthousingbusiness.com/bdb-construction-completes-phase-i-of-student-housing-conversion-project-in-manhattans-financial-district/

 

SHI.Talks with Courtney Colegrove - SHI 1023

🎙️ Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Wesley Deese is joined by Student Housing Insight Ambassador Courtney Colegrove from Core Spaces.They discuss Courtney's journey from resident assistant to the corporate side of student housing and the inspiration behind her new content project, "SHI Talks" (a cheeky play on "Shit Talks"). Recorded on-site at LeaseCon / TurnCon 2025, the episode features a series of "man-on-the-street" style interviews.

Courtney puts vendors and operators on the spot with rapid-fire questions, revealing candid takes on everything from "last-minute approvals" vs. "last-minute cancellations" to the real villains of property management: construction delays or unrealistic timelines. Tune in for a fun, human look at the people powering the industry.

 

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00:19 – Sponsor Message: Social Pro from Opinion

00:02:06 – Intro

00:03:38 – Meet Courtney Colegrove: From Public Health to Student Housing

00:08:00 – The "SHI Talks" Concept: Bringing humor and authenticity to industry content

00:11:40 – Vendor Interviews: Alex Bennett (Opinion)

00:14:10 – Vendor Interviews: Anthony Tuppin II (Lease Magnets)

00:17:54 – Operator Interviews: Jordan Verdean (CORE Spaces)

00:19:42 – Operator Interviews: Jake Zaino (Caliber Living)

00:21:15 – Outro

 

💡 Sponsors:

Opinion (Social Pro) This episode is powered by Social Pro from Opinion, the number one social media management platform designed specifically for property management. Social Pro allows teams to create, schedule, and publish optimized content across all major social networks—including Reels and stories—in just seconds. With built-in Canva integration and multi-location analytics, it simplifies how you elevate your resident engagement.

Check them out here: Visit https://opiniion.com/shi/

 

📎 Sources & Links Mentioned:

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

ShopTalk Webinars:

https://www.shoptalk.info/

Lease Magnets:

https://leasemagnets.com/

CORE Spaces:

https://corespaces.com/

Caliber Living:

https://www.caliberliving.com/

Behind The Biz - VerbaFlo - SHI 0121

🎙️Episode Summary

In this episode, recorded live from Lease Con / Turn Con in Charlotte, host Wesley Deese sits down with Dan Smith, co-founder of Verbaflo and host of the Housed podcast. While Dan is a familiar voice in the UK and European student housing sectors, he is making his debut in the US market with Verbaflo, an award-winning conversational AI platform designed specifically for student accommodations.

The conversation covers Dan's journey from operations and consultancy to tech entrepreneurship, driven by the need for better communication tools in the industry. Dan and Wes discuss the capabilities of Verbaflo—which supports 180 languages across voice, chat, and messaging apps—and how it achieved "PropTech of the Year" status in Europe. They also explore the company's strategy for the US market, including a risk-free pilot program designed to prove value to operators before they commit to contracts.

 

⏱️Timestamps & Segments

00:00:00 – Intro: The reality of speaking with AI agents.

00:03:20 – Introduction to the episode: Profiling Verbaflo.

00:06:45 – Interview begins: Welcoming Dan Smith to the US.

00:08:53 – Dan’s background: From gin distilleries to student housing operations.

00:09:50 – The origin of Verbaflo: Solving the communication problem.

00:15:30 – Operational efficiency vs. staff reduction: Enhancing the community manager role.

00:19:40 – US Expansion Strategy: The 3-month risk-free pilot program.

00:20:45 – Winning "PropTech of the Year" and managing 200,000 beds in Europe.

00:25:09 – Upcoming appearances: Interface Student Housing Conference 2026.

00:24:45 – The value of remaining an active consultant while selling tech.

00:27:30 – Contact information and the Housed podcast.

 

📎Resources & Links Mentioned

Verbaflo:

https://www.verbaflo.ai/

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

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

Housed – The Shared Living Podcast: Dan Smith’s weekly podcast covering the UK/European sector.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/housed-the-shared-living-podcast/id1729644031

Interface Student Housing Conference:

https://web.cvent.com/event/f7084451-7ded-4cf2-a457-54878ee006f4/websitePage:9ee6647b-278e-45b3-95bc-fdca253e1bba?environment=P2

 

The Student Perspective: What Off-Campus Housing Gets Right (and Wrong) - SHI1020

🎙️Episode Summary

In this episode, recorded live at the LeaseCon+TurnCon in Charlotte, host Wesley Deese moderates a candid panel with five college students about their off-campus housing experiences. The students share unfiltered feedback on the increasingly early timeline for signing leases—with some securing senior housing as early as their freshman year. The discussion covers the critical role of social media and word-of-mouth in their decision-making, often outweighing traditional marketing or AI tools. The panel also dives into the realities of move-in day, the amenities that actually matter (versus those that just look good on a tour), and the frustrations caused by poor communication and aggressive renewal tactics. This "voice of the customer" session offers essential takeaways for operators looking to improve resident satisfaction and retention.

 

⏱️Timestamps

00:00:00 – Intro / Cold Open: The shock of signing leases 18 months in advance.

00:00:40 – Sponsor Message: Improving resident engagement with Opiniion's Social Pro.

00:02:27 – Host Welcome: Wesley Deese sets the stage for the live student panel.

00:10:09 – Meet the Panel: Introductions from students Lydia, Erica, Dana, Kara, and Austin.

00:12:03 – The Housing Search & Timelines: From relying on word-of-mouth to signing senior leases during freshman year.

00:19:15 – Move-In Day: A look at organized check-ins versus chaotic experiences with maintenance issues.

00:33:56 – Amenities That Matter: The reality of what gets used (gyms and pools) versus marketing fluff like golf simulators.

00:36:11 – The Renewal Decision: Why students choose to leave and the annoyance of redundant renewal calls.

00:44:59 – Audience Q&A: The panel answers operator questions regarding furniture quality, the use of AI in leasing, and social media engagement.

01:03:04 – Outro: Key takeaways for operators and final thoughts.

 

💡Sponsor Spotlight

This episode is sponsored by Opiniion and their new Social Pro platform. Social Pro helps property teams streamline their social media management, allowing them to create consistent content, publish across multiple platforms instantly, and measure engagement without overburdening their staff.

Learn more about Social Pro: opiniion.com/shi

 

🔗 Resources & Links

Student Housing Insight: 

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

Shop Talk Webinars: Register for monthly legislative updates and pre-leasing data at

https://www.shoptalk.info/

What Happened in Student Housing: November & December '25 Wrap-Up - SHI 1020

🎙️Episode Summary

In this wrap-up episode for November and December, Wes Deese and co-host Gretta Dare take a deep dive into the busy conference season and the latest industry news. The duo recaps Wes’s experience as an "influencer" at the OpTech conference in Las Vegas, including insights on prop-tech trends and the spectacle of the Sphere. They then shift focus to a detailed breakdown of LeaseCon TurnCon, sharing takeaways from the student panel, the importance of the human element in leasing, and the ongoing staffing challenges discussed at the ShopTalk Executive Summit.

The conversation moves to critical news impacting the sector, starting with a discussion on the shifting value perception of four-year degrees based on a recent NBC poll. Wes and Gretta also tackle the FTC’s recent settlement with Greystar regarding fee transparency and analyze the latest Open Doors data showing a decline in new international student enrollment. Finally, they cover major company news, including Lincoln Property Company’s acquisition of Capstone Development Partners and updates on Yugo’s portfolio growth.

⏱️Timestamps

00:03:34 – OpTech Conference Recap: Being an "Influencer" & PropTech trends

00:10:00 – Exhibit Hall highlights: App Work’s unique booth strategy

00:15:47 – Hologram technology in conferences

00:18:00 – LeaseCon TurnCon Recap: Bringing the whole team

00:23:18 – The Student Panel: Why students still want human connection

00:34:00 – ShopTalk Executive Summit: HR and maintenance staffing challenges

00:44:50 – Debate: Where should future conferences be held? (Charlotte vs. Dallas)

00:53:50 – Industry News: NBC Poll on the declining perceived value of college degrees

01:06:00 – FTC & Greystar: The settlement on "junk fees" and transparency in advertising

01:16:00 – International Student Trends: Analyzing the Open Doors data and enrollment drops

01:25:00 – Company News: Lincoln Property Company acquires Capstone Development Partners

01:28:40 – Management Updates: Peak and Yugo portfolio awards

💡Sponsor Spotlight: Jameson Bedding

This episode is sponsored by Jameson Bedding. As you prepare your budget and inventory for the upcoming summer turn, don't let the stress of mattress replacement slow you down. Student Housing Pros rely on Jameson Bedding for their US-made mattresses that ship quickly anywhere in the lower 48, along with durable encasements to extend the life of your inventory. Visit StudentHousingMattress.com to learn more and stay ready for move-in.

🔗 References & Resources

Student Housing Insight Platform:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/

ShopTalk Webinar Info:

https://www.shoptalk.info/

Open Doors Data (International Student Enrollment): https://opendoorsdata.org/annual-release/international-students/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

NBC News Poll: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-dramatic-shift-americans-no-longer-see-four-year-college-degrees-rcna243672?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_15919381_nl_Daily-Briefing_date_20251202

FTC News Release: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/greystar-agrees-pay-24-million-stop-deceptive-advertising-practices-result-ftc-colorado-lawsuit?utm_source=chatgpt.com

OpTech Conference (NMHC):

https://rettc.org/events/optech-2025

Profiles in Student Housing - Teddy Abdelmalek - SHI 1019

🎧 Episode Summary

In this episode, host Wesley Deese sits down with Teddy Abdelmalek from HH Redstone to discuss the current state of student housing operations following the recent Shop Talk Executive Summit and LeaseCon/TurnCon conferences. Teddy shares his unique professional journey, transitioning from a pre-med track and Resident Assistant (RA) role into a career in property management and business development.

The conversation explores the critical impact of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) on leasing success, specifically highlighting how comfortable mattresses can significantly influence a resident's experience and decision-making. Teddy also outlines HH Redstone's "secret sauce" operational philosophy: treating residents as if they are the CEOs or owners of the property to drive performance and reputation. Finally, the discussion covers the importance of "speed winning" in leasing, the transition from operations to business development, and why investing in onsite talent is crucial for 2025.

 

⏱ Episode Timestamps & Key Topics

00:01:38 – Recap of the Shop Talk Executive Summit and LeaseCon

00:04:55 – The Strategic Importance of FF&E and Mattresses in Leasing

00:07:05 – Innovations in Common Areas: The Recre Kiosk

00:08:45 – Teddy’s Journey: From Pre-Med to Student Housing Property Management

00:15:30 – Building on University Relationships and Operational Growth

00:18:20 – Advice for Transitioning from Operations to Business Development

00:21:25 – HH Redstone’s Geographic Focus and Market Strategy

00:25:40 – The "Secret Sauce": Treating Residents Like CEOs

00:33:15 – Moving the Needle: Speed Wins and Bias Towards Action

00:36:15 – The Role of AI as a Supplement to Human Effort

00:37:30 – 2025 Takeaways: Investing in Staff and Professional Development

 

🤝 Episode Sponsor Student Housing Mattress Move-in day is stressful enough without the added worry of missing or uncomfortable mattresses. Powered by Jameson Bedding, Student Housing Mattress provides US-made mattresses that ship quickly anywhere in the lower 48 states, ensuring you are ready for move-in.

👉 Learn more and stay move-in ready: https://www.studenthousingmattress.com

 

🔗 Sources & References Mentioned in the Episode

Student Housing Insight:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com

Shop Talk Home Page:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com

StudentHousingMattress.com (Jamison Bedding):

https://www.studenthousingmattress.com

HH Redstone:

https://www.hhredstone.com

Lease Con / Turn Con (Interface Conference Group):

https://interfaceconferencegroup.com