January 29, 2026
Aja, Ben, and Leo kick off the new year by exploring what recruitment season looks like in campus housing today. They discuss the shift from conference-based placement to virtual-first hiring, accessibility and cost realities, and practical tips for candidates and employers. Plus, LEGO talk, welcome kits, and why downtime matters in the hiring process.
September 25, 2025
In this episode, Ben, Aja, and Leo are joined by Brent O’Guin (Georgia Tech) and Caroline Dotts (Strengths on Site) for a real talk on where AI actually helps in campus housing and where humans still matter most. From cleaner duty reports and smarter training revamps to five-year maintenance planning and everyday bandwidth wins, Brent and Caroline share how teams are using tools like Copilot as a true thought partner. We get candid about bias and ethics, why community-building needs a human knock on the door, and how to find your “entry point” so AI boosts the work you already do.
July 31, 2025
In this special episode of Humans of Campus Housing, Leo and Ben introduce the newest co-host of the show, Dr. Aja Holmes! With over 20 years in student affairs and a vibrant, heartfelt approach to campus life, Aja shares her journey across the country, her passion for student support, and the energy she brings to every campus she’s called home. With stories from coast to coast (and the Midwest in between), this is an introduction you don’t want to miss.
June 26, 2025
In this episode, Leo and Ben are joined by Craig Whitton, student affairs pro and founder of Authentic Consulting, for a real talk on how AI is changing the game in campus housing. From stretching tight budgets to navigating big changes, Craig shares how AI can actually help (yes, really). We cover tech tips, leadership through disruption, and why this might be the biggest shift higher ed has seen yet. It’s smart, practical, and way less scary than it sounds.
June 12, 2025
Can you renovate and generate revenue at the same time? In this episode, Leo and Ben dig into the summer housing balancing act with Dan Dykstra from CU Boulder. Dan shares how institutions can start designing smarter, more collaborative summer strategies.
May 20, 2025
In this episode of Humans of Campus Housing, Leo is joined by returning guest Zach Cleland, Assistant Director of Housing Operations and crisis counselor, along with Ryan Gallik, Managing Partner at The Mental Hygiene Project. Together, they explore how mental health shows up in student housing, for both students and staff, and what we can do to build more resilient, supportive campus communities. From real talk about institutional gaps to insights from outside higher ed, this is a conversation every housing professional should hear.
April 24, 2025
In this deeply important episode of Humans of Campus Housing, we’re joined by Fiona Drouet, founder of the Emily Test, and Zach Cleland, Assistant Director of Housing Operations at New Mexico Tech.
Fiona shares the heartbreaking story of her daughter Emily and the movement that emerged to prevent gender-based violence in higher education. Together with Zach, we explore how student housing professionals can recognize signs of abuse, implement proactive safety measures, and create truly supportive environments for all students.
This is a conversation about change, compassion, and the urgent need to listen and act.
Trigger warning: This episode discusses gender-based violence and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
March 27, 2025
Ben and Leo are joined by Ben Pearlman, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement at St. Louis University, to discuss how campus housing has evolved since COVID. They explore staffing attrition, disrupted pipelines from RA to professional roles, and the shift from placement exchanges to virtual hiring. The conversation highlights accessibility, equity, and new recruitment strategies, including broadening graduate hiring, growing internal talent, and helping experienced professionals adapt to a changing field.
Aja brings over twenty years of experience as a student affairs practitioner-scholar, with a professional background in Housing and Residential Life. Her expertise centers on supervision skill development among student affairs professionals. In her role at the University of San Francisco, she collaborates with Residence Life, Off-Campus Living, and Basic Needs initiatives, supporting students and staff through intentional leadership, mentorship, and holistic approaches to campus living.
Ben has spent nearly two decades building a full-time career in higher education and residence life, shaped by challenge, growth, and reflection. He actively seeks opportunities to expand his understanding of the field while completing doctoral studies, currently ABD at Lincoln Memorial University. His interests include professional relationships, leadership, and mentorship, alongside a commitment to being a thoughtful colleague, dedicated educator, and family-centered husband and father.
Leo serves as Communications and Engagement Manager at Kinetic, where he supports colleges as a strategic technology partner in student housing, events, and campus life. He focuses on crafting clear, engaging messages that highlight how Kinetic’s solutions improve campus operations and student experiences. Through storytelling and collaboration, he helps institutions understand, adopt, and maximize tools that create meaningful impact across higher education communities and student success.
Humans of Campus Housing is a podcast dedicated to the people behind campus housing and residential life. Each episode highlights real stories, experiences, and insights from professionals across higher education who shape student living, learning, and community building.
Hosted by experienced campus housing leaders, the podcast creates space for honest conversations about leadership, career journeys, challenges, successes, and the human side of working in student affairs. From entry-level professionals to seasoned administrators, Humans of Campus Housing amplifies voices that often work behind the scenes but make a lasting impact on campus life.
The podcast exists to connect professionals, share knowledge, and celebrate the humanity of those who support students where they live, grow, and belong.
We’re always looking for professionals eager to share meaningful insights, experiences, and lessons from their work in higher education. If your topic can inform, inspire, or spark conversation, we’d love to hear from you.
Please complete the form below with details about your background and proposed topic. We will review it and be contact you with next steps.
