As a developer headquartered in the Midwest, Dominium has built substantial and long-standing ties with University of Wisconsin–Madison—and plans to continue strengthening this relationship well into the future. Over the years, Dominium has consistently recruited top talent from the Wisconsin School of Business thanks to the strong academic reputation of the Real Estate program and the outstanding caliber of its students.
WIRE Dominium Interns (L to R):
Lauren Olson, Lucy Heimerl,
Karyssa Norland, Quincy Cook
In recent years, Dominium has deepened its engagement by partnering directly with Women in Real Estate (WIRE). This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to fostering the next generation of female leaders in real estate, development, and affordable housing. Each year, Dominium looks forward to connecting with the inspiring young women of WIRE—introducing them to the importance of affordable housing and the complex, rewarding process of bringing these projects to life.
WIRE Interns Get a Front-Row Seat to Development in Action
Dominium’s micro-internship program was designed to give WIRE students meaningful, hands-on exposure to the affordable housing development process—an area of real estate that can be challenging to fully understand without direct experience. Through this program, students gain an inside look at how new construction and acquisition/rehabilitation projects come together across the country.
Over the course of the program, students explore key facets of the development process, including:
- Deal generation and site selection: learning how Dominium identifies and evaluates potential development opportunities. In Spring 2025, students analyzed deals in Dallas, Phoenix, and Atlanta and presented their findings on the early stages of project sourcing.
- Market research: analyzing demographic trends, local housing needs, and competitive landscapes using tools like HUD, ArcGIS, and Power BI.
- Financial modeling and underwriting: understanding how projects are structured and capitalized, including the use of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and learning to assess feasibility through key metrics, timelines, and funding sources.
- Development process exposure: seeing how projects move from concept to closing to construction. This past spring, junior interns in the Central Office toured Dominium communities under construction in the Austin MSA.
This real-world exposure helps students bridge classroom learning with practical application—building a foundation of skills they can take into future internships and full-time roles.
Student Reflections: A Transformative Experience
For many WIRE students, the Dominium internship has been a defining moment in their professional development.
Karyssa Norland, who interned in the Dallas office, shared:
“My experience with Dominium Apartments was nothing short of exceptional. The Dallas team was incredibly welcoming and supportive, always eager to teach and help me grow. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and thrilled to have this great connection through WIRE!”
Lucy Heimerl, also in Dallas, emphasized the depth of learning and connection:
“My experience with Dominium Apartments provided invaluable insight into affordable multifamily underwriting and the bond allocation process, while also exposing me to the dynamic Dallas real estate market. Beyond the technical knowledge, I truly valued the relationships I formed across the office. Each individual was genuinely invested in helping advance my knowledge and professionalism.”
Lauren Olson, who spent her internship in Atlanta, noted how the experience shaped her career trajectory:
“The Dominium Micro-Internship allowed me to work directly in affordable multifamily underwriting while receiving mentorship that will shape my future career in real estate. I made lasting industry connections that I know will be invaluable moving forward.”
These sentiments echo the experiences of several other WIRE participants—including Lilly Deprey, Alexa Abbott, Banks Collier, Katessa Archer, Halle Birckelbaw, and Abby Perez—who all described the program as both inspiring and transformative.
Building Knowledge, Confidence, and Community Impact
Dominium’s goals for the micro-internship program are both educational and mission-driven. The company seeks to:
- Educate and support female talent in real estate by bridging the gap between academic learning and hands-on experience.
- Demystify affordable housing development, a niche but critical sector that requires on-the-ground exposure to truly understand.
- Equip students with practical skills they can apply directly in their coursework and future careers.
- Give back to UW–Madison while raising awareness of the affordable housing crisis and the creative solutions needed to address it.
Ultimately, Dominium hopes students leave the program with a clearer understanding of the development process, the critical role affordable housing plays in communities, and the confidence to pursue meaningful careers in the field.