Landmark Properties has completed the successful inaugural year of their recently established internship program, The Landmark Learning Lab. Developed with Dr. Debbie Phillips, The Quadrillion, and led by Emily Wood, Director of Training & Employee Development, this program strives to foster talent amongst part-time student staff with the goal of developing future leaders in the student housing industry. Successful participants are therefore placed in full-time jobs upon completion. A previous Leasing Ambassador with Landmark Properties herself, Ms. Wood has developed a rigorous and comprehensive training schedule that will provide these young and talented employees with the tools necessary to succeed in managerial roles throughout the industry.
In order to gain admittance into the program, each applicant must agree to possible relocation upon graduation, write an essay about why they have chosen to pursue a career in Student Housing, and receive a recommendation from either a current or previous supervisor or professor. Accepted applicants will be afforded the opportunity to learn on the job by completing a training program of no less than a year. Selected opportunities include: planning, budgeting and executing an entire month of residence life programming; completing a site visit, property walk and file audit; and increasing connections to residents, driving renewals, and exploring ways in which to create a lasting relationship.
The Landmark Learning Lab completed its first run this year and has already experienced tremendous success. Landmark Properties is promoting 6 of its participants from the inaugural class. These outstanding graduates include Erich Ruhmann (now serving as Operations Manager at The Standard at St. Louis), Sean King (Leasing and Marketing Manager at The Standard Baton Rouge), Rich Rogers (Leasing and Marketing Manager at Arbor BLU in Ann Arbor), Matthew Scruggs (Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager at The Standard at Knoxville), Kelsey Hailey (Leasing and Marketing Manager at The Retreat Knoxville), and Mary Kathryn Doggette (Operations Manager at The Retreat Corvallis). “We are so excited for this program and for each one of these deserving team members. Here at Landmark, we understand the value of employee development and love to promote from within. I am confident that we will see great things from all those that participate.” shared James Whitley, Vice President & COO of Landmark Properties, Inc.
Beyond simply developing current employees, The Landmark Learning Lab focuses on shaping university real estate curricula. Landmark Properties is a featured case study in the recently published Multifamily Housing textbook, published by industry-leading groups: the National Apartment Association, National Multifamily Housing Council, and Institute of Real Estate Management. Additionally, Landmark Properties has taken a keen interest in the specific curriculum being taught at the University of Georgia, Mr. Whitley and Ms. Wood’s alma-mater. The Landmark Learning Lab is expanding its partnership with the Housing and Consumer Science Department, developing additional relevant coursework on the student housing space. Additionally, a number of senior staff at Landmark will serve as guest lecturers throughout the upcoming semesters. The Department benefits from direct connection with an industry-leading company at which they can place outstanding students. This program provides these students with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the Student Housing industry. These Operations Assistants are able to work on a multitude of projects, gaining hands-on learning outside the classroom and turning theory into practice. Haley Pierce, Operations Assistant at Landmark Properties and graduate student in the Housing and Consumer Science department at UGA, had this to say about the internship: “The internship at Landmark has been a great experience so far. I have learned so much about the industry and what it takes to help with the operations of such a great company. By working as an intern for Landmark I feel I have found the career I want to pursue for years to come. All of the employees that I have met here are helpful, kind, and great to work with!”
Landmark Properties is excited to continue The Landmark Learning Lab with an open enrollment in October and is confident this program will continue to foster talent growth in student housing.