Brian Hunt Drives Success and Connection at Slate at 901
Since 2017, Brian Hunt has journeyed from Community Assistant to Property Manager at Slate at 901, bringing over a decade of experience in student housing and development along the way. Known as the go-to guy for creating a vibrant, welcoming community, Brian thrives on understanding every aspect of his property. You can find him curating the perfect playlist — because life, much like his job, is all about variety and connection.
Tell us a little bit about your current role and how long you’ve been with the company.
I started with the company in May 2017 as a Community Assistant and soon transitioned into the role of Resident Director. From there, I advanced to Leasing Manager before moving to the corporate office as a Corporate Leasing Specialist, where I traveled to support various communities. In 2021, I was promoted to Property Manager, continuing to build on my experience and growth within the company.
What is your professional background?
I’ve been in the industry for about 11 years now — I started as a Resident Assistant and also worked as a Student Development Representative for the University of Illinois Foundation. That role involved cold-calling alumni and asking for sponsorships and donations to the school — anything from as little as $5 to as much as multimillion-dollar gifts. That’s really where I developed my professional skills: learning how to talk to people, approach strangers, and ask for things they might not initially want to give.
Like a lot of people in this field, I kind of stumbled into student housing. It wasn’t until I worked for American Campus Communities that I started taking it seriously, and then coming to Campus Advantage, having someone believe in me and see that I could do this job, really motivated me to commit to it.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
I usually start my day by checking emails to see if there’s anything urgent I need to handle right away. After that, I meet with my team, the Leasing Manager, and the Maintenance Supervisor just to get everyone aligned for the day.
From there, the day really depends on what needs to get done. I work through my to-do list, whether that’s calling vendors, looking into accounting issues, or making sure the property is running smoothly. I also try to walk the property regularly to see how things are looking. Of course, unexpected things come up all the time, so while I might start the day with a set plan, it can easily change.
As our office is small, I’m often the first face residents see when they come in. I spend a lot of time answering their questions, responding to emails, and taking phone calls from parents.
I try to stay involved in every aspect of the property — leasing, marketing, maintenance, and even helping out the CAs just to make sure I have a pulse on everything going on in the building.
What three words best describe you (inside or outside of work)?
1. Detail-oriented — I like to make sure things are done right and as accurately as possible, so I really try to pay attention to every detail of what’s going on.
2. Inquisitive — I like to learn new things. I’ll ask questions just because I want to know more, and I enjoy researching and finding out new information.
3. Dedicated and loyal — I’m committed to my goals and to the people around me. If someone shows me loyalty, I give that back to them. I work hard to hit my goals and do my best in life because I believe what you put into something is what you get out of it. As a leader, I try to show up every day and set an example for my team, so they know they have someone reliable they can count on.
How would you describe the company and property culture?
Slate at 901 has 220 beds, and our team is just eight members — it creates this close-knit atmosphere. You truly get to know people, build real connections, and know the residents by name.
We just had a move-in, and during our team debrief afterward, one of the points I shared was how important it is to really learn and remember names. People appreciate that personal touch. I’m constantly seeing residents’ names in spreadsheets and systems, but putting a face to the name makes all the difference. When someone walks in and says, “I’m in unit 602,” and I can say, “Oh, you’re Ian,” it makes them smile. Even their parents will say, “Wow, he knows you by name.” It makes them feel seen and valued, not just like a number.
I wanted to build that sense of community, to make sure residents knew this was their home away from home. A lot of our students are from out of state, and their parents are far away. So it’s important they feel safe, comfortable, and welcome here.
What is one of your favorite moments with the company so far?
One of my favorite parts of this journey has been the opportunities along the way. It really began when I started attending conferences. As a Resident Director, my Property Manager saw potential in me and encouraged me to attend what was then the Experience Conference — now the Momentum Summit — as a way to get my name out there and connect with others in the industry. That experience introduced me to corporate team members and colleagues who helped shape my career.
Another highlight was stepping into the role of Corporate Leasing Specialist, which gave me the chance to travel — something I’ve always loved. I’m especially grateful for the people who believed in me, took a chance, and gave me the tools to grow, ultimately leading me to my current role as Property Manager.
Thinking about your most successful peers and teammates, what characteristics do they share?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from my mentors is the importance of motivation and determination to succeed. My grandpa always said, “If you hang around nine losers, you’re bound to be the tenth,” and that advice has stuck with me throughout my career. The people who pushed me to grow never accepted nonsense — they had backbones, strong work ethics, and the ability to be collaborative, sharing their ideas while still supporting leadership in a meaningful way.
I carry that mindset with me today. I pay close attention to people’s work ethic and ask myself, “Are you matching the same drive I bring?” Because at the end of the day, we’re all working toward the same goal — and the only way to reach it is by putting in the hard work together.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I love watching documentaries. I’m a big foodie, so I love trying new foods. One of the things I appreciated most about my traveling role was that it let me explore new restaurants during downtime. It also helped me get comfortable going out alone and enjoying my own company. I don’t mind sitting at a restaurant by myself, just trying something different.
I also like to read for leisure and really just relax and have fun. When I’m off work, I try not to focus on work. And I’m very family-oriented — though I don’t live close to them, anytime I can visit, whether it’s in Chicago or Atlanta, I love spending that time with them.
If your life had a soundtrack, name some songs that would be on it?
If I had a personal soundtrack, it would have a little bit of everything — rap, R&B, old-school rock, pop, and even a little country — because I truly love music in all its forms. Whenever someone drops a new album, I’ll listen to it start to finish, taking in every song.
People sometimes ask if I could live without music or TV, and I always say TV, because music tells its own stories. Between the lyrics and the beats, I just love it all. As long as the song has a good rhythm and the lyrics make sense, I’m listening.