Presenter Bio - Peter Trentacoste

Peter Trentacoste is the Executive Director of Residential Life at Louisiana State University and a senior housing leader with nearly three decades of experience across flagship and regional public institutions. At LSU, he leads an 8,800-bed residential operation with an annual budget exceeding $90 million. He oversees more than 800 full-time and student staff. His career includes major capital programs, occupancy strategy, and auxiliary financial leadership in housing systems ranging from 1,850 to 8,800 beds.

His record includes reversing deficits, building reserves, increasing housing contracts during enrollment decline, sustaining operations through severe revenue disruption, reaching historic occupancy levels, and managing late demand surges requiring hundreds of additional beds. His approach combines financial discipline, high performance, practical innovation, and respect for those affected by difficult decisions. He also uses AI to strengthen occupancy analysis, scenario planning, and executive decision support.

A frequent presenter at national and regional conferences, Pete has addressed artificial intelligence, capital planning, post-pandemic housing trends, and staff well-being. His work has appeared in the Journal of College and University Student Housing, New Directions for Student Services, and the Talking Stick.

A first-generation college student, Pete holds degrees from Bloomsburg University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is pursuing his Ph.D. in Higher Education at Ohio University. He remains committed to building student-centered communities and helping professionals use technology to work smarter while preserving the human connection at the heart of student affairs.