The Department of Real Estate & Urban Land Economics at the Wisconsin School of Business is proud to announce the promotion of Tim Carr to Deputy Department Chair. This well-deserved recognition acknowledges Tim’s leadership, strong student engagement, and a commitment to fostering positive learning experiences. Throughout his tenure asReal Estate Program Director, Tim has consistently gone above and beyond, growing co-curricular programs, and strengthening alumni and industry partnerships, and ensuring students are not only academically prepared but professionally connected and career-ready.
As he steps into this new leadership role, we sat down with Tim to discuss his vision for the future, the opportunities and challenges ahead, and what continues to inspire him about the UW-Madison real estate community.
What excites you most about stepping into the Deputy Department Chair role at this moment in the program’s history?
I’m excited to help continue to guide our Department over the next several years on a few fronts with the Chair of our Department, building on our already impressive student outcomes, continue but also increase our alumni engagement, in and out of the classroom, with the help of many others in the Department, and continue our national impact across Commercial Real Estate disciplines through our impressive Alumni network and “Friends of the Program.”
What does an average day look like for you in your new role?
Each day is a mix of teaching in the classroom, student advising on career pathways, alumni and employer outreach, program planning, and coordinating across the business school to keep our curriculum and career pathways aligned with industry needs/trends.
How do you see the Wisconsin Real Estate Program continuing to differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive academic landscape?
Our unique blend of rigorous academics, real-world software training (like ARGUS and CoStar), student trips, extraordinary faculty and lecturers, and deep alumni involvement sets us apart. We keep evolving to match where the industry is headed. This combines to create students that are job ready upon graduation.
In your view, what’s the biggest opportunity — and the biggest challenge — facing the Wisconsin Real Estate Program right now?
The biggest opportunity is expanding our national employer and alumni network to support diverse career paths; the biggest challenge is balancing rapid program growth with the personalized support our students expect both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The Wisconsin Real Estate Program has a proud tradition of strong alumni involvement. How do you see the role of alumni and industry leaders evolving in shaping curriculum, mentorship, and placement opportunities for students?
Alumni have become true partners in mentorship, networking, job and internship placement, and guest lecturers in the classroom, especially as we tailor student learning to reflect emerging trends in development, investment, and sustainability.
What makes UW-Madison’s real estate community so unique, in your opinion?
It’s the sense of shared purpose, our students, faculty, and alumni are deeply committed to success, but also to growing a connected, values-driven real estate community.
When you’re connecting with students, what’s one piece of career or industry advice you find yourself offering most often?
Stay open to the full spectrum of opportunities and career pathways available. There’s a company and a role suited to every personality, and often the best fit isn’t the one you initially imagined. Take the time to hear from a wide range of professionals at events like RE Club, WIRE, and REPEC, and actively network to learn about different companies and career journeys. You never know what conversation or insight might spark your interest.
If you had to describe the Wisconsin Real Estate Program’s future in three words — what would they be?
Impactful, Connected, Evolving.
When you’re not in Grainger Hall or at a department event, where might we find you unwinding around Madison?
You’ll probably find me biking along Lake Monona, shooting baskets, skiing, or playing hockey, grabbing coffee on the Square or a drink on the Terrace, or out with friends listening to music or having good food. The surrounding Madison area in and around campus is a lot of fun; and I love being able to walk most places.