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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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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P3 Project Breaks Ground on $148.8m Graduate Student Housing at University of Maryland

October 1, 2024

College Park, Md. — A public-private partnership (P3) between Campus Apartments, Mosaic Development Partners and Capstone On-Campus Management at the University of Maryland has broken ground on a $148.8 million graduate student housing project on the university’s campus in College Park. The community is the first of a larger, three-phase development that will replace the existing…

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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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Blog

Focus on Gratitude: Caring & Improving

November 27, 2023

I have been privileged to work with COCM for quite a few years.  When I reflect on my career and on discussions with peer, I am grateful that COCM truly values its’ employees. COCM is hands down, in my opinion, the best when it comes to caring about employees and putting programs in place to…

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Blog

Focus on Gratitude: Blessed with Talent

November 20, 2023

I recently celebrated my 15th year with COCM.  When I came to work for COCM, I had a plan of working for 3-5 years with a private company and then returning to a university, but that never happened. I found my professional home. I am grateful to have found a place where I have been able to grow, continue…

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Blog

Focus on Gratitude: Friendships Made

November 15, 2023

As I think back over the years I have worked at COCM, I am grateful in many ways for God’s blessings on my life and work here.   I am grateful that while I was still working with Capstone Development, Doug Brown got me involved in Fresh Eyes Consulting, which was not only an opportunity for professional development, but also a chance…

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Blog

Focus on Gratitude: Good Problems

November 7, 2023

I’m thankful for the all the problems that create the need for COCM.  That probably sounds confusing because who welcomes a problem, but if it weren’t for schools wanting their residential students to have an exceptional experience while living on campus, we wouldn’t exist.  And if it weren’t for all the different problems that are…

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Blog

Gratitude: What We’re Grateful For As We Reflect on Our Past 20 Years

November 1, 2023

I must confess talking about this stuff is not my strength. I was present twenty years ago at the beginning of what is now COCM. I was coming off a terrible career decision which led me to my first experience with unemployment. I needed a paycheck, an identity boost, and I needed to feel successful again.  Joining Capstone…

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Blog

COCM Selected as Student Housing Management Partner at Marywood University

November 1, 2023

SCRANTON, Pa.,  – COCM (Capstone On-campus Management) is excited to announce its partnership with Marywood University to provide residence life and occupancy management services at the University, effective Dec. 1, 2023. With this new partnership, Marywood University is positioned to enhance its student housing experience and further align residence life efforts with institutional goals, aimed at supporting students from day…

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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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