In this engaging episode of Student Housing Insight, recorded live at the 17th Annual Interface Student Housing Conference in Austin, Texas, host Wes Deese brings together industry leaders to discuss the current state and future of the student housing sector. Held in mid-April 2025 at the JW Marriott, the conference attracted over 1,500 attendees, uniting top executives for three days of sessions, roundtables, and networking. The panel, featuring Sean Divine (Core Spaces), Adam Byrley (The Price Company), Jennifer Cassidy (Cardinal Group Companies), and Casey Petersen (Tailwind Group), delves into critical topics such as the impact of FAFSA delays on leasing velocity, competition from conventional multifamily housing, centralization strategies, and the potential effects of tariffs. The discussion also explores emerging trends like AI, international student demand, mental health programming, and user experience. The episode wraps up with audience Q&A, offering insights into what keeps these leaders passionate about the industry and their excitement for technology adoption.

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Interface Student Housing Conference and Episode Overview.

• • 00:01:00 - Welcome to the Live Podcast and Guest Introductions
    • Sean Divine, EVP of Property Operations and Experience, Core Spaces.
    • Adam Byrley, COO, The Price Company.
    • Jennifer Cassidy, President, Cardinal Group Companies.
    • Casey Petersen, COO, Tailwind Group.

• • 00:05:00 - Discussion on Leasing Velocity and FAFSA Impact
    • Reflecting on the 2024 FAFSA delays and their effect on leasing.
    • Market-specific impacts (e.g., Arizona) and supply-demand dynamics.
    • Role of pricing, new supply, and economic uncertainty.

• • 00:19:00 - Competition from Conventional Multifamily Housing
    • Challenges in measuring student leakage to conventional markets.
    • Market-specific shadow markets and student preferences.

• • 00:24:00 - Centralization in Student Housing Operations
    • Lessons learned from centralization efforts.
    • Balancing technology, payroll costs, and performance.
    • Importance of change management and team empowerment.

• • 00:36:23 - Impact of Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty
    • Potential effects on furniture supply and new developments.
    • Broader business impacts (e.g., interest rates, treasuries).

• • 00:41:46 - Future of Student Housing (Next Five Years)
    • Role of AI and technology (e.g., humanoid robots at Iris Technologies).
    • International student demand shifts and policy impacts.
    • Legal policy, mental health programming, and user experience trends.

• • 00:48:44 - Audience Q&A
    • What keeps industry leaders passionate about student housing.
    • Excitement for technology and balancing operational strategy.

• 00:55:50 - Closing Remarks and Thanks.

This episode is sponsored by College House, the premier student housing data analytics platform. Whether you're an operator, investor, or developer, College House provides the real-time data and market intelligence needed to make informed decisions.

Learn more and schedule a demo at CollegeHouse.com

• College House – https://www.collegehouse.com

• InterFace Student Housing Conference – https://www.interfaceconferencegroup.com/event/student-housing

• University of Florida (Gainesville) – https://www.ufl.edu

• NC State University (Raleigh) – https://www.ncsu.edu