This past year has ushered in many staffing changes within the Graaskamp Center and Real Estate Department, with Jacques Gordon, Paul Melkus, and Chris Kemp joining the staff on the heels of Mark Eppli’s and Michael Brennan’s departures. More recently, Chris Timmins assumed the Real Estate Department chair role following Yongheng Deng’s three-year term. Amidst these changes, I chose to remain in my role to offer continuity and stability. With the new team taking shape, it’s now my turn to step back and let others step up. Accordingly, I will continue to serve in my role through the fall semester and retire effective January 2, 2026.
Amidst these staffing changes, the cornerstone of the Graaskamp Center remains our focus on the student experience and imparting our collective real estate knowledge beyond the walls of Grainger Hall. Fully embracing the Wisconsin Idea, the Executive Summary in this newsletter captures the breadth and depth of applied learning and co-curricular activities underway for both undergraduate and graduate real estate students alike.
Real Estate Job Placement Stays Strong
On a positive note, and despite ongoing economic uncertainty and sustained higher interest rates, job placement remains strong for both BBA Real Estate, MS Real Estate, and FTMBA Real Estate students. Preliminary figures indicate that close to 80% of our May 2025 graduate real estate students have landed roles across the U.S. While final placement figures won’t be available until later this year, we appreciate the partnership we have with the Wisconsin School of Business’ Career Development and Employer Relations team members and our level of engagement with Wisconsin Real Estate alumni to help mentor and hire our real estate students.
Tutoring Program Builds on a Strong First Year
A recent initiative that has exceeded our expectations was the launch of the Graaskamp Center Tutoring Program in fall 2024, covering real estate coursework for both undergraduates and graduates alike. In addition to class participation and attending an instructor’s office hours, we discovered that many students had quick questions about specific concepts or homework assignments. Tapping into their own classmates’ knowledge and experience not only helped them better understand their course material, but it also reinforced key learning concepts amongst the roster of tutors. We plan to continue offering this program along with the Wisconsin School of Business throughout the upcoming academic year.
International Student Enrollment Hits a Low Point
Regrettably, for the first time in over seven years, there will be no international students enrolling in the MS Real Estate or FTMBA Real Estate degree programs this fall. A key concept I gleaned from Professor Graaskamp was his focus on diversity of thought to ensure you were exposed to others with differing points of view. Having worked with numerous international graduate real estate students over the past six years, I recall how much I learned from them and will miss that opportunity this upcoming academic year – as will the roster of incoming graduate real estate students.
Thriving and Growing: The Real Estate Club (REC) and Women in Real Estate (WIRE) at UW–Madison
As the faculty liaison to the Real Estate Club, I can attest to the financial health and well-being of one of the largest student organizations on the UW-Madison campus! With over 375+ dues-paying members, the Real Estate Club (REC) continues to organize trips each semester, along with the Fall and Spring Career Fairs, and four to five meetings each semester. Having traveled with the Real Estate Club to Denver three times plus Boston, Newport Beach, and Charlotte, I have witnessed firsthand the excitement and engagement amongst students, market participants, and alumni about their collective experiences. Fall 2025 will include a trip to Austin, TX in mid-October after a five-year hiatus dating back to February 2020.
Complementing REC’s impact, the Women in Real Estate (WIRE) Club has grown into a powerhouse student organization in its own right—operating like a well-oiled machine thanks to outstanding leadership teams over the years. WIRE hosts an annual field trip to Chicago, where students connect with industry professionals and alumni, participate in site tours, and strengthen their networks. Like REC, WIRE offers valuable leadership opportunities, brings in compelling industry speakers, and fosters a supportive community for students.
The leadership development and growth opportunities these student-led organizations provide are phenomenal and help prepare students for future professional roles. Having had a front-row seat for all the activities and growth of REC and WIRE over the past six years has shown me the tremendous amount of work involved in delivering first-rate applied learning and co-curricular activities. These organizations—REC with its 50+ years of history and WIRE with its dynamic, focused programming—continue to offer impactful experiences each semester. Kudos to the expansive roster of student leaders for your dedication and hard work!
Graduate Real Estate Programs Mark Six Years of Remarkable Growth
When the MS Real Estate degree was relaunched in the fall of 2019, there were seven graduate real estate students who started and went on to graduate in May 2020. Fast forward six years, and there are now 187 students who have completed their MS Real Estate degrees, with another 44 current and incoming graduate MS Real Estate students this fall poised to join their ranks. FTMBA Real Estate enrollment has increased from six students in the fall of 2019 to an average of 11 students per year over the past four years. All told, it’s challenging for me to think about over 300+ graduate real estate students completing their graduate real estate degrees over the past six years! Whether fueling the Wisconsin Rower to Real Estate pipeline or expanding the number of both undergraduate majors and schools applying as graduate real estate students, being able to recognize the unlocked potential of every graduate real estate student and then witnessing their transformation throughout the Wisconsin Real Estate Program has been the greatest reward of all.
Retirement: A New Chapter Begins
After working full-time for 40+ years, it’s time for me to step back and allow others to step up. My motto has been to remain in my role as long I am impactful and relevant.
While I believe I have more to offer and will always cherish my interactions with students, there is so much that I have yet to do including travel, returning to my violin and piano playing, visiting with family and friends, and devoting my time and energy to other hobbies and causes that are near and dear to me.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the upcoming WREAA biennial on September 10th and 11th and at the Real Estate Club Career Fair September 25th!