🔍 Summary

In this episode of the Student Housing Insight Podcast, hosts Wesley Deese and John Barr welcome Nick Hill, COO of Up Campus, for a candid and insightful conversation as part of the Tough Talks series. With a diverse background in student housing across both U.S. and international markets, Nick shares a unique perspective on development, acquisitions, leadership, and the grit it takes to navigate tough transitions and late deliveries.

Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at Nick's career journey, his take on what’s harder—acquisitions or new developments—and how challenges in delivery timelines helped shape his leadership and operational approach. The discussion also emphasizes transparency in crisis situations, advice for young professionals entering the industry, and the value of long-term relationships in student housing.

⏱️ Time Stamps

• 00:01:30 – Welcome to the podcast & Tough Talks intro

• 00:11:30 – Interview starts: Meet Nick Hill

• 00:13:05 – Industry “spicy take”: Stop hoarding data

• 00:14:28 – Acquisition vs. Development revisited

• 00:15:49 – Turn stories: From chaos to core memories

• 00:18:03 – Advice for student housing professionals

• 00:20:39 – Outro: Upcoming events: SHI x Bisnow, Shop Talk

• 00:32:38 – Preview of next episode: Willie Butler

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🔗 Referenced Links & Resources

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

• Bisnow Student Housing Event – Atlanta, July 30 – https://www.bisnow.com/events/atlanta/student-housing/atlanta-student-housing-summit-8990

• “Hi, How Are You” Project – https://www.hihowareyou.org

• NMHC Student Housing Conference – https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/

• SHI's TopGolf Mixer 2025 - https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer