Asset Living’s student housing division came together in Cancun, Mexico, for the 2026 Asset Living Campus Conference (ALCC), which was the first department-wide gathering of this scale since 2020. Bringing together community managers, maintenance leaders, executives, and 23 trusted vendor partners, the conference was designed to align teams around shared priorities, strengthen culture, and prepare for the evolving demands of today’s student housing landscape.
More than a reunion, ALCC 2026 marked a renewed investment in leadership development, operational consistency, and the partnerships that power performance across the portfolio.
“Bringing our entire student housing division together again at this scale was both energizing and exciting. Over the past several years, our teams have navigated rapid growth, shifting resident expectations, and an increasingly competitive leasing environment, often while operating in separate markets and time zones,” said Jessica Mancuso, Asset Living Vice President of New Development. “While we still hosted individual SVP conferences, this conference gave us the opportunity to reconnect in person, align on priorities, and reinforce the culture that drives our performance across all the student silos. The ‘why now’ is simple: our portfolio is evolving, our teams are growing, and investing in people and alignment at this moment ensures we’re moving forward together with clarity, consistency, and shared momentum.”
One of the central themes of the conference centered on leadership impact and how individual leadership styles directly influence team performance and, ultimately, business results. Drawing from Rocky Garza’s Influence Appraisal, sessions challenged leaders to move beyond autopilot management and instead foster genuine engagement through responsible vulnerability, equitable communication, generous investment in their teams, and a commitment to continuous growth. The message was clear: when leaders build trust intentionally, they build stronger teams and stronger teams are what deliver industry-leading service across the portfolio.
“Student housing moves fast, and our on-site teams are at the center of both the resident experience and the business outcome. In today’s environment, strong leadership isn’t just about operations; it’s about influence, communication, and trust. Teams perform best when they feel supported, heard, and connected to a shared purpose. By focusing on intentional leadership and how individual styles impact team performance, we’re equipping our leaders to create cultures that drive retention, accountability, and service excellence. When authentic leaders are engaged and self-aware, it causes ripples by creating stronger teams and stronger communities,” said Mancuso.
Another key focus was on the state of industry, more specifically marketing innovation and the integration of technology to highlight the importance of adaptability and innovation in an increasingly competitive leasing landscape.
Conference sessions and roundtables explore: New approaches to student engagement and digital marketing, cross-department collaboration opportunities and shared best practices from high-performing communities. By bringing leaders together in person, the division was able to exchange real-time insights and practical strategies that can be implemented immediately across the portfolio.
“One of the biggest takeaways was how quickly innovation is reshaping the way we connect with students and support leasing teams. From smarter use of digital marketing and AI-assisted tools to more collaborative approaches between operations, marketing, and vendor partners, there was a clear emphasis on adaptability. What stood out most was that at the heart of this, human touch isn’t lost at Asset. It is celebrated and encouraged. We embrace innovation, creativity, and problem solving, all while staying rooted in a people-first approach,” said Mancuso.
In an industry that increasingly relies on virtual tools and remote communication, ALCC 2026 reinforced the value of in-person connection and learning. From breakout groups to hands-on training sessions, the conference created space for: Leadership development across experience levels, knowledge sharing between markets and regions, stronger relationships between on-site teams and corporate support. These moments of collaboration help drive consistency, retention, and long-term performance across the student housing platform.
“In-person development creates a level of connection and collaboration that simply can’t be replicated virtually. Our on-site teams are relationship-driven by nature, so when we bring them together physically, we accelerate trust, idea-sharing, and problem-solving. It also allows for hands-on learning, real-time feedback, and stronger connections between site teams and corporate partners,” Mancuso adds. “Those relationships make day-to-day collaboration smoother long after the conference ends. Investing in in-person development reinforces that we value our teams, their growth, and the shared culture we’re building across every community.”
As Asset Living celebrates 40 years in the industry, the 2026 ALCC reaffirmed a shared vision across the student housing division: lead and operate with excellence, invest in people, and continue evolving to meet the needs of clients and residents alike.
With renewed alignment and momentum, teams left Cancun prepared to execute with clarity and confidence in the year ahead.
“Success in 2026 looks like strong alignment paired with a shared, individual drive to win across our entire student housing platform,” said Mancuso. “It means every team member, from our on-site professionals to our corporate partners, shows up with a deep desire to succeed, not just for themselves, but for their teams, our clients, and the residents we serve. When that collective ambition is matched with clear priorities and support, the results follow.”
To join Team Asset or learn more about available career opportunities, visit Asset Living’s careers page.
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