Presenter Bio - Peter Trentacoste

Peter Trentacoste currently serves as the Executive Director of Residential Life at Louisiana State University (LSU) and is a leading voice in the practical use of Artificial Intelligence to improve student affairs operations.

At LSU he leads one of the largest comprehensive residential life operations in the nation, serving close to 9000 students across 22 residence halls and 3 apartment communities. He manages a $90 million budget and oversees a team of over 800 full-time and student staff.

With more than 25 years in higher education, Pete brings a proven track record of fiscal turnaround, capital planning, and organizational transformation—having reversed multimillion-dollar deficits and led over $300 million in housing capital projects across multiple institutions.

Pete has long been at the forefront of integrating technology into student affairs. From implementing online housing communities in the early 2000s to navigating digital reputation management during the rise of social media, he has consistently positioned his teams ahead of the curve. Today, he is a leading voice in the practical use of Artificial Intelligence to improve student affairs operations. He actively trains colleagues to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to streamline workflows, improve accessibility, and support student retention. His presentations and training sessions offer tangible, easy-to-adopt AI strategies for professionals seeking to work smarter without losing their human touch.

A frequent presenter at national and regional conferences, Pete has spoken on topics including capital planning, post-pandemic housing trends, staff well-being, and the use of AI in higher education. His research has been published in journals such as the Journal of College and University Student Housing and New Directions for Student Services. He has served on numerous university leadership committees, including IT governance councils and accreditation teams, reinforcing his deep engagement in strategic planning and institutional advancement.

A proud first-generation college student, Pete holds degrees from Bloomsburg University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is completing his Ph.D. in Higher Education at Ohio University. He remains driven by a passion for building student-centered communities—and helping fellow professionals harness technology to better serve today’s learners.