Episode 151 of the Asset Champion podcast features a panel discussion at the 2025 Annual Conference for the Virginia Chapter of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA). The theme was “Holistic Facility Solutions: Balancing Operational Efficiency with Health and Wellness Priorities,” and the panelist were:
- Ken Copeland, vice president for business affairs and finance at Hampden-Sydney College
- Steve L’Heureux, associate vice chancellor for facilities management services at VCCS
- Chip Filer, vice president for facilities and campus operations at Christopher Newport University
- Keith Jarvis, director of facilities management at Virginia Military Institute
- Lalit Agarwal, president and chief executive officer for APPA
They explore the many challenges facing the education facility management industry, including declining enrollment, budget cuts, and the need for skilled professionals with a different set of skills due to technological advancements. The panel emphasizes the importance of balancing operational efficiency with health and wellness goals and the role of effective communication and collaboration between departments.
Agenda
- Overview of the current state of facility management and the challenges institutions face
- Discussion of the importance of balancing operational efficiency with health and wellness priorities
- Insights into macro trends affecting higher education, including enrollment declines and budget constraints
- Strategies for effective change management and fostering a collaborative work environment
- Practical advice for attendees to implement in their own organizations
What you need to know: Facility and maintenance takeaways
Takeaway 1: The future of higher education facility management will focus on modernizing existing spaces rather than building new ones
The next decade in higher education will see a shift from constructing new buildings to modernizing and refurbishing existing spaces, making it crucial for facility management to stay informed and proactive.
“There’s going to be a really interesting next 10 years in higher ed where a lot of the conversations are not going to be about building new buildings with the brand-new stuff but trying to modernize and retrofit and refurbish existing space into highly, highly usable space,” explains Filer.
The shift means it’s essential for facility managers to communicate with their colleagues and leadership to ensure the right investments are made for the best utilization of renovated spaces.
Takeaway 2: Effective facility management requires a focus on collaboration and communication to align with the institution’s mission.
The success of a higher education institution is deeply tied to the quality of its facilities, and this requires a strong, mission-driven approach.
“Those of us who work in a higher ed environment, there’s not one of us that has a job, if not for students,” Copeland stresses.
Copeland then shares a powerful story about the importance of recognizing the value of every employee’s role. “…and there’s an older gentleman there who was obviously a custodian, and they had met engineers and physicists, and all manner of high-profile people, and this smart aleck congressman or senator, whoever he was, looked at the man who obviously was, was cleaning the bathrooms and sweeping the floor. And he said, ‘What is it that you do here, sir?’ And he said, ‘I’m helping put a man on the moon.’”
Later in the conversation, L’Heureux adds to this insight by reinforcing the need for collaboration and communication. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the role that our architects and engineers play in this whole collaboration. And working towards a common goal.”
Takeaway 3: Creating a safe and supportive work environment is crucial for attracting and retaining skilled professionals in facility management
The industry faces challenges recruiting and retaining skilled professionals, especially in a competitive job market, so it’s important to create a holistic environment to attract and retain talent.
“We have to make it a holistic well-being environment and a quality of life and a welcome place to work because we’re probably not going to be able to compete just on the bottom line,” Agarwal explains.
Jarvis adds that providing the right training, tools, and resources is essential: “I think one of the things that, you know, makes an organization successful is when you hire a person for a certain position with very few exceptions, it’s because that person wants to do that job. So, if you provide them with the training, the tools and resources, and the space to do the work they were hired to do, then they will be successful, and your organization will be successful.”
Later in the conversation, Copeland explains why it’s important for organizations to create a workplace where employees feel they can voice their concerns: An inclusive approach helps build a strong, resilient team that is better equipped to handle the challenges of the future. “Safe space is important for everybody, not just for folks who work in the physical plant area, but for everybody.”
Maintenance management insights
- The FM industry is shifting from building new facilities to modernizing and retrofitting existing spaces.
- Macro trends like declining enrollments pose significant challenges for higher education budgets.
- Effectiveness, rather than efficiency, is crucial in maintaining the same level of work with fewer resources.
- Organizations should implement technology thoughtfully, with due diligence and proper training.
- Recruitment of skilled professionals is a major challenge, and creating a holistic well-being environment is essential for retention.
- Collaboration between different departments and stakeholders, including architects and engineers, is vital for successful facility design and maintenance.
- Providing a safe space for employees to voice concerns and suggestions is crucial to organizational success.
Do a deep dive into more asset management insights by exploring all Asset Champion Podcast episodes.
