The Student Housing Matters blog explores ideas with leaders in higher education and the student housing profession. This is the place to find stories from those who have worked in the field for many years, podcast interviews, and videos about relevant topics in the student housing world.

It’s about matters relating to on-campus student housing, as well as why quality on-campus student housing really matters. We want this blog to serve as a forum for sharing ideas and insights about how your on-campus student housing can do things beyond simply housing students. How it can be used as a more powerful tool to recruit and retain students on your campus. We look forward to you joining us in the conversation.

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Student Housing

Blog

Maximizing Occupancy: Amenity Upgrades That Pay Back

September 3, 2025

In student housing, amenities are more than a checklist of features — they’re strategic assets. From quiet study lounges to modern fitness centers and vibrant outdoor spaces, the amenities you invest in can directly influence student satisfaction, lease renewals, and long-term occupancy trends. But which upgrades deliver the greatest return? And how can you ensure…

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Blog

Unveiling the Potential of Campus Housing

August 25, 2025

An Introduction to Fresh Eyes Consulting (aka: the three-day campus tune-up your students will feel) Let’s be honest: campus housing never sits still. Enrollment shifts, programs evolve, and what students expect from “home on campus” changes every term. That’s why we built Fresh Eyes Consulting—a focused, on-site engagement that helps you see your housing through…

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Blog

Challenges and Opportunities in the Student Housing Market

August 20, 2025

Student housing is evolving quickly. Enrollment patterns, student expectations, and aging facilities are reshaping how campuses plan and operate residence communities. Here’s how COCM sees the market—and where universities can win with the right strategy and partnerships. Challenge: Evolving Demand & Expectations Enrollment continues to grow at many institutions, and with it, student expectations for…

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Blog

The Benefits of Third-Party Management in Student Housing

August 13, 2025

Discover how partnering with a specialized operator like COCM drives efficiency, resident satisfaction, compliance, scalability, and data-driven improvements—backed by real COCM insights. Managing student housing on U.S. campuses today demands balancing tight budgets, evolving student expectations, regulatory compliance, and the rapid turnover of a 24/7 residential community. That’s where a specialized third-party management partner excels.…

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Join the Conversation – Dr. Artie Travis Transcript

March 27, 2025

Host: Kyle Jones, Director of MarketingGuest: Dr. Artie L. Travis, Vice President for Student Affairs, Frostburg State University Kyle Jones:Hello, I’m Kyle Jones. Welcome to Join the Conversation, a podcast from COCM. Today’s guest is Dr. Artie L. Travis. He brings over four decades of experience in higher education leadership. As Vice President for Student…

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Podcast

Dr. Travis Talks Strong Campus Partners and Winning Relationships

February 21, 2025

From COCM and Student Housing Matters, this is Join the Conversation, a show that explores topics and ideas with leaders and influencers in higher education and the student housing profession. In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Dr. Artie L. Travis. Dr. Travis brings over four decades of experience in higher education leadership to our conversation…

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COCM Becomes 100% Employee-Owned Student Housing Company

October 2, 2024

COCM (Capstone On-Campus Management), the leading provider of third-party management services for on-campus housing, proudly announces it has become a 100% employee-owned and operated company. The transition to an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) closed on July 31, 2024, positioning COCM as the only employee-owned on-campus student housing company.  Becoming a 100% employee-owned company affords…

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Podcast

Gray Bekurs Talks the Impact of Housing on Student Recruitment & Retention

July 14, 2024

Join us for an insightful conversation with Gray Bekurs, VP of Business Development at COCM, as we delve into the critical role of on-campus housing in influencing student recruitment and retention. In this episode, Gray shares his expertise on how student housing can significantly impact a prospective student’s decision to attend a particular university. Discover…

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Podcast

Liz Toombs on her experience in transforming student housing spaces into havens of mental well-being.

April 18, 2024

In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Liz Toombs of PDR Interiors, about her experience in transforming student housing spaces into havens of mental well-being. Liz, a Certified Interior Decorator, has channeled her expertise into creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also promote mental health across numerous campuses. Her work, recognized by major media…

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Blog

Brian Kraft talks growing trends with Student Housing Business Magazine

February 28, 2024

View the full article in Student Housing Business Magazine’s latest issue. Operating On-Campus A look at some of the growing trends and best practices for third-party management on-campus. By Katie Sloan Enrollment is continuing to rise at many universities across the country — a fact which, alone, would be likely to substantiate a rise in…

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Podcast

Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: Financial Reporting in Student Housing with Emily Hill and Stephanie Lachina

October 12, 2023

I’ve always enjoyed the collaborative team aspect and problem-solving with clients,” – Stephanie Lachina Join us as we celebrate COCM’s 20th anniversary with the theme “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future.” On this episode of “Student Housing Matters,” Emily Hill, COCM Corporate Accountant, and Stephanie Lachina, COCM Financial Reporting Accountant, sit…

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