Student Housing Update

Julie Skolnicki is senior managing director of University Partnerships for Greystar, leading on-campus development, acquisition, and long-term management partnerships nationally. She has executed over $3 billion in mixed-use student life projects during her career advising and developing for universities, with an additional $2 billion in the pipeline. Julie joined Greystar in 2018 through the company’s acquisition of student housing leader EdR, where she served as senior vice president of university partnerships. She came to EdR in 2013 with 15 years of higher education planning and implementation experience at Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D), the University of Cincinnati, and Turner Construction.

Joined Campus Apartments in 2005 As Senior Vice President of Investments, Mark Schundler is responsible for sourcing, analyzing and evaluating on- and off-campus investment opportunities. During his tenure at Campus Apartments, Schundler has been involved in the acquisition and development of over 17,000 student beds and over $1 billion in total investment. He began his student housing career as a Hall Director at the University of Delaware and later worked at the University of Pennsylvania as Manager of Housing Operations, where he was responsible for a 3,600-bed area.

Bob Keane, AIA, is a managing principal and owner of WDG Architecture, PLLC. Keane leads WDG’s Higher Education Studio and has over 25 years of experience in the higher education sector. Prior to joining WDG Architecture in 2004 to initiate the Studio, Mr. Keane spent 17 years at Design Collective, Inc. (Baltimore, Maryland), where he led the design of a half billion dollars of higher education work. Mr. Keane’s university design experience is vast, ranging from campus master planning and mixed-use developments, to health science and chemistry laboratories, to performing arts facilities, and to student housing. His designs can be seen across the United States on more than 15 campuses. Since joining WDG, Mr. Keane has directed numerous university projects, developing a national portfolio with recent projects in Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, New York and Michigan. Keane has master planned and designed over 2.5 million-sf of student housing over the past 10 years, providing public and private clients over 8,000 beds and wide ranging amenities. Projects have included on- and off-campus, traditional suites and apartments, living-learning with classrooms, and retail. In addition to his design experience, Mr. Keane speaks professionally and academically on the subjects of urban planning, campus planning, student housing, and the profession of architecture. His ability to conceptualize, coordinate, and explain solutions to complex design problems among team members and client/user groups has proven invaluable to clients and the firm. Mr. Keane has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Maryland. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and regularly participates in The Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) and the Society of College and University Planners (SCUP).

Jared Hutter founded BLVD Equities, the predecessor to Aptitude Development in 2014 after working in all aspects real estate development for the previous 8 years. Long having an interest in student housing since his time at Syracuse University when he recognized the pent up opportunity given the zero supply of purpose built student housing, Jared founded BLVD Equities with the intention of building ground up student housing around the country. After successfully completing his first development at his alma mater of Syracuse and ultimately selling the completed project to ACC, BLVD Equities became Aptitude Development. With a proven model amongst its investors and a fresh infusion of cash, Aptitude currently has about 2,000 beds in various stages of the development cycle with a primary focus on urban core pedestrian sites, many of which are boutique in nature and mixed-use projects. Jared holds a BS from Syracuse University in Finance and Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

Ryan Lang, vice chairman and head of Newmark Knight Frank’s Student Housing division, spearheads best-in-class investment sales, capital markets and advisory services on behalf of the firm’s clients. He has represented many of the largest global institutional, public and private real estate companies and has completed approximately $10 billion in real estate transactions. Prior to joining Newmark Knight Frank, Ryan was vice president with CBRE’s National Student Housing Group, where he helped lead their team to number one market share position in the country. Before that, Ryan worked as director of multifamily investments for New Orleans-based Stirling Properties, where he specialized in the sale of conventional and student housing assets. While there, he was recognized as the top investment sales broker at Stirling Properties for both 2011 and 2012. Ryan began his real estate career in New York City at Marcus & Millichap, where he gained experience in seller representation, acquisitions and investment underwriting. During his first year there, his investment team was recognized as the number one top-earning team in the office. He was also awarded the Pace Setter award for 2008. Ryan was named to the NKF Chairman’s Circle in recognition of being one of the top producing brokers in the entire company and he regularly speaks at acclaimed student housing events throughout North America and Europe. Ryan has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and on National Public Radio for his expertise and leadership within the sector. Ryan serves on the board of directors of the National Brain Tumor Society, the largest non-profit brain cancer organization in the world. Professional Achievements NKF Chairman’s Circle, 2017-Present Top Five Producer, Newmark Knight Frank Top Producer, Stirling Properties, 2011-2012 Connect Media Top Broker Award, 2019 Co-Star Power Broker Award Pace Setter Award, Marcus & Millichap, 2008