Student Housing Insight

What Happened in Student Housing: May 2026 Wrap-Up - SHI 1037

🎙️Episode Summary

In this episode of the SHI News Wrap up, Host Wes Deese and Co-host Gretta Dare explores the biggest developments shaping the student housing industry, including The Scion Group's acquisition of Student Quarters, continued market consolidation, major public-private partnership (P3) projects, new development activity, and significant investment transactions. Hosts Wes Deese and Gretta Dare examine the strategic implications of these announcements while offering thoughtful commentary on leadership, organizational change, and the future direction of the industry.

The episode also covers important legislative updates surrounding the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, Build-to-Rent policy changes, Entrata's IPO filing, and broader market trends affecting owners, operators, and investors. From technology and public market transparency to housing affordability and operational strategy, this month's news roundup provides valuable context and actionable insights for professionals looking to stay informed on the latest developments in student housing.

 

⏱️Timestamps

00:01:14 Student Housing Insight Introduction

00:03:00 June 2026 News Wrap-Up Begins

00:03:55 Preview of Sly Brandon Interview and Nashville Recording

00:08:07 Major Industry Acquisition Discussion Begins

00:12:40 Interface Panel: Lessons from Student Housing Mergers

00:19:25 The Scion Group Acquires Student Quarters

00:30:25 How Consolidation Creates Operational and Insurance Advantages

00:35:05 Employee Transition and Integration Challenges

00:39:15 Is Scion Preparing for an IPO?

00:43:40 Maslow's Campus Communities Wins University of Washington Tacoma P3

00:45:45 Core Spaces Announces 3,500-Bed University of Illinois Expansion

00:48:45 New Mountain Capital Investment in Asset Living

00:50:40 Housing Legislation and Build-to-Rent Policy Update

00:57:10 Entrata Files for an IPO 01:00:35 What Going Public Could Mean for Entrata Customers

01:10:45 AI Surveillance Cameras Raise Privacy Questions on College Campuses

01:12:11 Closing Remarks

 

🤝Sponsor Spotlight: Allegion’s Campus-to-Community Student Living solution helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use a singular mobile credential experience for seamless property access. The solution is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams.

Learn more about Allegion and the Campus-to-Community Student Living solution here: https://lp.allegion.com/student-housing.html

 

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode

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

Scion Group's Acquisition of Student Quarter/Industry Consolidation in Student Housing:: https://therealdeal.com/national/2026/06/11/scion-group-makes-1-5b-student-housing-bet/

Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on Employees: https://therealdeal.com/national/2026/06/11/scion-group-makes-1-5b-student-housing-bet

Core Spaces' 3,500-Bed Expansion Near the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/06/02/maslows-campus-communities-uw-tacoma-housing.html?__cf_chl_f_tk=hcDXtaA5bvwupodjYrHtYVJr8zdJA.WfCLZ.5LW4lVw-1783023755-1.0.1.1-yl6GcZslH41H48fQPqA0uqnw3sr9NbIy4sk.lOHzBEg

New Mountain Capital's Acquisition of Asset Living

https://news.studenthousingdaily.com/p/june-11-2026-the-scion-group-to-acquire-student-quarters

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:
https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411172

Build-to-Rent(BTR) Legislation and Its Impact on Student Housing: https://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hub/news/senate-passes-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-now-across-the-finish-line

Luxury Student Housing Reshapes College Towns:

https://finance-commerce.com/2026/06/luxury-student-housing-college-town-affordability/

 

From AI to Pest Control: The surprising tech transforming Student Housing with Scott Manning - 1036

🎙️Episode Summary:

Recorded live from the OPTECH conference floor, host Wes Deese sits down with Scott Manning, SVP of Operations at Article Student Living, to discuss his key takeaways from this year's conference. With more than 23 years of experience in student housing and nearly a decade at Article Student Living, Scott shares how OPTECH provides a valuable opportunity to evaluate vendors, explore emerging technologies, and support the company's ongoing RFP process.

The conversation covers the growing role of AI, virtual tours, and technology integrations across property operations, as well as the importance of maintaining strong vendor partnerships. Scott also discusses an unexpected operational challenge involving pest management and explains how even niche service providers are increasingly leveraging technology to improve efficiency and integration. The episode concludes with reflections on the relationships and industry connections that continue to make OPTECH a meaningful event year after year.

 

⏱️Episode Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:00:20 – Scott Manning's Background

00:00:45 – Initial OPTECH Takeaways

00:01:00 – Vendor Evaluation & RFP Process

00:01:35 – Technologies Under Review

00:01:55 – Looking Beyond Traditional PropTech

00:02:10 – Pest Management Technology & Integration

00:02:40 – Surprises and Industry Reflections

00:03:00 – The Networking Value of OPTECH

00:03:25 – Closing Remarks

 

🤝Sponsor Spotlight:

Allegion’s Campus-to-Community Student Living solution helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use a singular mobile credential experience for seamless property access. The solution is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams. Learn more about Allegion and the Campus-to-Community Student Living solution here:

https://lp.allegion.com/student-housing.html

 

🔗Sources & References Mentioned:

2026 OPTECH

https://rettc.org/events/optech-2026

Student Housing Insight Events Page

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

 

The New Marketing Playbook: AI Search, GEO & Social Media Optimization in 2026 - SHI 1035

🎙️Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, host Wes Deese brings together three marketing experts in a webinar style discussion to tackle what he calls "The New Marketing Playbook" — a forward-looking discussion on how the student housing industry must adapt to AI-driven search, generative engine optimization (GEO), and a rapidly evolving social media landscape. The panel explores how AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are changing the way students and parents research housing, and why the vast majority of apartment brands are currently invisible in these searches. Guests share practical, zero-budget strategies — from building a Reddit presence and leveraging university journalism programs for earned media backlinks, to creating lifestyle-driven social content and establishing ownable content series. The conversation also touches on the emerging concept of "search everywhere optimization," where TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and Reddit all function as search engines that operators need to show up on.

 

⏱️Time Stamps:

00:00:00 — Welcome & Introduction

00:01:00 — Housekeeping & Webinar Format

00:02:00 — Upcoming Events & Industry Announcements

00:07:00 — Panel Introductions

00:09:00 — Are Students Actually Finding Properties Through AI? (Poll + Discussion)

00:14:00 — Defining SEO vs. GEO vs. AI Search

00:16:00 — AI Visibility Tools & GEO Audits

00:20:00 — Reddit as a Search & GEO Platform

00:28:00 — "Search Everywhere Optimization" & Social Content Strategy

00:34:00 — Content Formats, Longevity & YouTube Shorts

00:38:00 — Who Will Win the AI Search Race? (Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity)

00:40:00 — Earned Media & Backlinks for AI Visibility

00:45:00 — Pinterest & Other Platforms (Audience Q&A)

00:47:00 — Monthly Checklist for Site Managers & AI Content Prompting Tip

00:51:00 — Zero-Budget GEO Strategy Anyone Can Execute Tomorrow

00:53:00 — Predictions: Where Is AI Marketing Headed in the Next 12 Months

 

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

SHI Events Page:

https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events

ShopTalk Website:

https://www.shoptalk.info/

10X Digital:

https://10xdigitalinc.com/

Holly Rollins’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyrollins/

Student Quarters: https://livesq.com/

Misty William’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistyywilliams/

Reddit Marketing Playbook for Students by Misty Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mistyywilliams_how-reddit-increases-ai-visibility-in-student-ugcPost-7470870736165875712-y7xW/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADcXRUBXY6zO9_kkgWQjKBgjw7DgmoHrPc

Studio + Commerce:

https://www.studioandcommerce.com/commerce

Ross Laurence’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-laurence/

 

How to Find and Retain BETTER Residents - SHI 1034

🎙️Episode Summary:

In this episode Host Wes Deese leads a panel of three student housing experts discussing strategies for attracting, managing, and retaining student residents — especially first-time renters. The conversation centers on the 19–21-year-old demographic, described as "adults in training with selective competence," and what that means for property management. Topics include proactive communication, move-in day best practices, international student retention, early renewal ordinances, resetting standards after management takeovers, and pitching amenity investments to ownership groups. The episode blends real-world examples with actionable tactics from operators across portfolio sizes.

 

⏱️Time Stamps:

00:00:00 — Introduction & Welcome

00:05:00 — Upcoming Events & Industry Calendar

00:05:50 — Sponsor Spotlight: With Me (Print With Me & Sip With Me)

00:10:50 — Setting the Stage: Who Actually Lives in Student Housing?

00:18:10 — Communication Touch points & Reducing Resident Anxiety

00:28:00 — Staff Training & Internal Communication Standards

00:28:50 — Early Renewal Ordinances — Navigating the Legal Landscape

00:33:15 — Attracting & Retaining International Students

00:40:40 — Move-In Day as the Foundation of the Resident Relationship

00:47:45 — Resetting Standards After a Management Takeover

00:53:25 — Amenity Strategy — Aligning Owner Vision with Resident Needs

00:57:20 — Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks

 

🤝Sponsor Spotlight:

This episode is proudly sponsored by With Me, the leading provider of fully managed, tech-enabled printing and coffee amenity solutions for multifamily and student housing communities. With Me operates two products: Print With Me, which provides residents and staff with reliable, always-stocked printers, and Sip With Me, a bean-to-cup coffee solution sourced from craft roasters that delivers a high-quality café-style experience right in your community’s common areas.

Learn more and get in touch at https://go.withme.com/student-housing

 

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

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

ShopTalk: https://www.shoptalk.info

Abby Jarvela's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-jarvela-605682a/

Zach Bishop's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-bishop-a7194b1b

Sydney Everett's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-p-everett

 

What Happened in Student Housing: May 2026 Wrap-Up - SHI 1033

🎙️Episode Summary

In this May 2026 wrap-up episode, host Wesley Deese and co-host Gretta Dare cover the most significant news stories, market data, and policy developments shaping the student housing industry.The episode opens with a major $910 million portfolio acquisition by Scion Group and Ares from Harrison Street, followed by a deep dive into declining international student enrollment and its downstream effects on the US student housing market. Then Wes & Gretta analyze the current pre-leasing season, which is tracking at historic lows not seen since 2015, and explore the rising tide of student-led rent transparency initiatives like Rate My Rent UT at the University of Texas. The conversation also covers Core Spaces' landmark $1.64 billion capital raise, NAHB data on student housing construction investment, emerging ESA policy changes from HUD, and the outlook for new development leasing professionals. The episode closes with a look ahead to the Apartmentalize conference in New Orleans and upcoming industry webinars.

 

⏱️Time Stamps

00:02:00 – Intro: Welcome, About the Platform & Shop Talk Overview

00:05:00 – Shop Talk Preview: BTR & Cottage Housing Legislation Warning

00:08:00 – Shop Talk: Mental Wellness Month / Hi How Are You Foundation

00:09:00 – NEWS: Scion Group & Ares Acquire Harrison Street's $910M Student Housing Portfolio

00:15:00 – Host Commentary on Scion Deal & International Student Reliance

00:16:00 – NEWS: International Student Enrollment Falls 20% Amid Visa Restrictions

00:21:00 – NEWS: Student Housing Emerges as Top Real Estate Investment in China (CBRE)

00:24:00 – NEWS: HUD Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Policy Shift – NYT Internal Memo

00:28:00 – NEWS: Core Spaces Capital Raise & Investor Confidence

00:31:00 – Pre-Leasing Data: Year-Over-Year Gap & Five-Year Trend Analysis

00:41:00 – NEWS: Student-Led Housing Advocacy at UT Austin / West Campus

00:47:00 – Operator Warning: Pre-Leasing Pressure Tactics & Legislative Backlash Risk

00:53:00 – Construction Spending: Private Fixed Investment in Student Housing Q1 2026

00:59:00 – Apartmentalize (NAA) Conference Discussion & Closing / Sponsor Outro

 

🤝Sponsor Spotlight:

Allegion’s Campus-to-Community Student Living solution helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use a singular mobile credential experience for seamless property access.

The solution is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams. Learn more about Allegion and the Campus-to-Community Student Living solution here:

https://lp.allegion.com/student-housing.html

 

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode

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

ShopTalk Monthly Webinar – https://www.shoptalk.info

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

NMHC – National Multifamily Housing Council – https://www.nmhc.org

Walker & Dunlop – https://www.walkerdunlop.com

Hi, How Are You Foundation – https://hihowareyou.org

Pet Screening – https://www.petscreening.com

Scion Group & Ares Management Team Up to Buy $910M in Student Housing: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-20/ares-partnership-buys-910-million-us-student-housing-portfolio

Core Spaces Closes $1.64 Billion Flagship Student Housing Fund: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260513581634/en/Core-Spaces-Closes-$1.64-Billion-Flagship-Fund-Underscoring-Strong-Investor-Confidence-in-Student-Housing

Fall 2026 Preleasing Rebounds After Slow Start, Hits 68.2% in April: https://www.realpage.com/analytics/april-2026-student-housing-update/

International Student Enrollment Plummets 20% Amid Visa Restrictions - https://nomadlawyer.org/international-student-enrolment-falls-visa-restrictions-may-2026

Student-led initiatives highlight housing concerns in West Campus - https://thedailytexan.com/2026/05/01/student-led-initiatives-highlight-housing-concerns-in-west-campus/

 

What Happened in Student Housing: March & April 2026 Wrap-Up - SHI 1031

🎙️Episode Summary

In this combined March and April News Wrap-Up episode of the Student Housing Insight podcast, host Wes Deese and co-host Gretta Dare recap some of the biggest conversations shaping the student housing industry heading into the summer leasing season. Recorded on May 12, the episode covers insights and takeaways from Interface, national pre-leasing trends, operator sentiment around occupancy and renewals, and how different markets are responding to changing leasing timelines. The conversation also explores new student housing development activity, including the continued evolution of cottage-style communities, capital markets activity from major industry players, and broader concerns around affordability, supply, and operational strategy. Wes and Gretta also discuss industry events, networking opportunities, and the growing role of AI and technology across student housing operations.

 

⏱️Time Stamps

00:01:22 – Intro: Welcome to the Student Housing Insight podcast and introduction to ShopTalk and Student Housing Insight resources

00:02:36 – Why the March and April episodes were combined and discussion about the Interface conference in Austin

00:04:55 – ShopTalk Link Ups, networking events, and upcoming Raleigh and Scottsdale industry gatherings

00:09:21 – Discussion around Yardi Matrix and RealPage data trends and what operators are seeing in the market

00:10:55 – Renewals, legislative discussions, and concerns around leasing velocity in certain markets

00:11:53 – Operator sentiment and concerns heading into the summer leasing season

00:14:01 – Late leasing markets versus traditional leasing cycles and operational pressure points

00:15:55 – New cottage-style student housing developments and evolving design trends

00:20:00 – Student preferences, pets, and the appeal of lower-density housing formats

00:22:00 – Development pipeline conversations and market-by-market considerations

00:25:10 – Capital markets activity and Landmark’s major sponsor fund announcement

00:26:00 – Discussion around the scale of development pipelines among major student housing firms 00:28:45 – Operations Deep Dive: Managing Onsite Talent & Turn Challenges

00:42:10 – Legislative & Policy Updates Impacting Student Accommodations

00:55:25 – Outro & Upcoming Industry Events Preview

 

🤝Sponsor Spotlight

Allegion’s Resident Key in Wallet technology helps bridge the gap between on-campus and off-campus student living by allowing students to use mobile credentials for seamless property access. The technology is designed to improve the resident experience while also reducing lockouts, improving turnover efficiency, and supporting stronger operational performance for property teams.

Learn more about Allegion and Resident Key in Wallet here: https://www.allegion.com

 

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode

Student Housing Insight Official Website:

https://studenthousinginsight.com

ShopTalk Monthly student housing webinar and industry updates:

https://shoptalk.info

Student Housing Business Industry news and reporting referenced during the episode

https://studenthousingbusiness.com

NMHC Student Housing Conference Conference discussed during the episode:

https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2026-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

The Hi, How Are You Project Mental health nonprofit referenced in the discussion:

https://hihowareyou.org

What Should We Be Talking About in Student Housing? - SHI 1030

🎙️Episode Summary

Live from the Interface Austin, Wes Deese speaks with Jim Sholders, Bryan Shelangoski, and Chris Johnson about the challenges shaping student housing operations today. The conversation covers talent recruitment and retention, rising expectations for leadership roles, and increasing competition for maintenance staff. The panel also examines declining enrollment trends, demographic shifts, and uncertainty around international students, along with the potential impact on student housing demand. Additional topics include industry consolidation, lessons from large acquisitions, and the operational realities of managing large-scale assets, with a strong focus on leadership, emotional intelligence, and effective team-building.

 

⏱️ Timestamps

00:01:18 – Welcome and history of the live podcast at Interface.

00:03:27 – ShopTalk & ShopTalk Link-Up Discussion

00:08:24 – Live/Recorded Podcast at Interface Austin starts

00:09:53 – Guest introductions: Jim Sholders, Bryan Shelangoski, and Chris Johnson

00:12:54 – The state of recruiting: Roadblocks, retention challenges, and the loss of Res Life feeder systems.

00:18:01 – The evolving (and hardening) role of the Regional Manager

00:20:20 – Higher Ed Pressures: Demographic collapse, ROI of degrees, and declining birth rates.\

00:23:54 – Data & Relationships: How to get real enrollment numbers from university partners.

00:28:20 – International Enrollment: Tracking the "tailwinds" of the global student movement.

00:29:48 – Consolidation: Predictions for 2026 mergers and advice for navigating platform transitions.

00:36:44 – Maintenance Apprenticeships: A shout-out to Adrian Danila and Multifamily X.

00:39:14 – Mega-Developments: Operational differences when managing 1,000 to 3,000 beds.

00:41:21 – Leadership Skills: The importance of EQ (Emotional Intelligence) over IQ in large-scale operations.

00:45:53 – Reverse Q&A: Centralization, technology, and career recommendations.

00:49:54 – Outro/Closing remarks

 

💡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://studenthousingmattress.com/

 

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

Latitudes Newsletter (Chronicle of Higher Education) Insights on international student trends, enrollment shifts, and higher ed polic

https://www.chronicle.com/newsletter/latitudes

Multifamily X (Adrian Danila) Maintenance apprenticeship initiative + industry podcast https://multifamilyxconsulting.com

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

SHI.Tough Talks with Courtney Colegrove at Austin, TX 2026 - SHI 1029

🎙️ Episode Summary

Recorded live at Student Housing Interface Conference 2026 at Austin, Texas this episode features SHI Ambassador Courtney Colegrove leading a series of fast-paced “Tough Talks” with top voices across the student housing industry.

Through a mix of rapid-fire “this or that,” one-word reflections, and real-world scenario reactions, owner/operators and vendors share candid insights on the challenges they face daily. From staffing and culture issues to vendor reliability, leasing strategy, and operational chaos during peak seasons, this episode captures unfiltered perspectives from the field.

 

⏱️ Timestamps & Segments

00:00:15 – Brian Curley

00:02:08 – Greg King (Centurion Property Group)

00:03:59 – Kadi Mancuso-Rice (Tailwind Group)

00:05:40 – Rachel Rountree (University Partners)

00:07:32 – Sean Devine (CORE Spaces)

00:09:21 – Craig Meddin (Postal Solutions)

00:11:57 – Jacob Kosior (EliseAI)

00:13:50 – JT Bailey (Bailey Technology Group)

00:15:20 – Lisa Dillon (University Furnishings)

00:17:08 – Nick Amore (Iron Ledger)

00:19:29 – Yael Shemer (Tulu)

 

🔗 Resources & Companies Mentioned:

Centurion Property Group https://www.centurionpropertygroup.com/

Tailwind Group https://tailwindgroup.com/

University Partners https://www.universitypartners.com/

Core Spaces https://corespaces.com/

Postal Solutions https://www.postalsolutions.com/

EliseAI https://www.eliseai.com/

Bailey Technology Group https://www.baileytechnologygroup.com/

University Furnishings https://universityfurnishings.com/

Iron Ledger https://www.ironledger.com/

Tulu https://www.tulu.io/

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/