As we begin a new academic year, there is strong energy and momentum across the Wisconsin Real Estate Program. At the heart of our success is the supportive community of faculty, students, alumni and industry partners who have built this program over generations. Each new class has the opportunity to build on that foundation, raise the bar and leave the program even stronger.
That spirit is very much alive this fall as we welcome new students and faculty, strengthen our curriculum, and create new opportunities to learn from industry leaders. We are proud of how far the Real Estate Program has come and even more excited about where it is headed. Thank you for being part of this community and helping us continue to build for the generations that follow.
This fall, we welcome over 40 new graduate students and serve 752 undergraduate real estate majors. We are also proud to remain the #1 undergraduate real estate program for the fourth consecutive year and the #3 graduate real estate program in the nation, U.S. News & World Report 2026.
Our growth is bringing fresh energy and expertise to the program. This fall, we welcome talented new staff and four faculty members whose teaching and research span areas shaping the future of the industry. We are also evolving our curriculum to prepare students for an increasingly AI-enabled world. New faculty member Abdollah Farhoodi will help students understand both the practical applications of AI in real estate and its responsible and ethical use.
At the same time, we remain committed to learning beyond the classroom. This semester, our students will compete in the Harrison Street/Capital One Case Competition, travel to Seattle with the Real Estate Club, gain hands-on investing experience through our REPE and AREIT graduate tracks and have many opportunities to connect with industry professionals both in and outside the classroom.
One of our greatest strengths continues to be the Badger Real Estate Network. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, Board members and friends, our Building Bright Futures Scholarship Campaign raised $1.5 million, greatly expanding scholarship support for our graduate students. That commitment extends well beyond financial support: more than 150 alumni and industry professionals shared their time and expertise with students last year as guest lecturers, mentors, advisors, case competition judges and more.
Our reach also extends well beyond Madison. From Chicago to New York, our conferences, Graaskamp on the Road programs and Board events create opportunities to share ideas, build relationships and explore the issues shaping real estate.
There is much to be proud of, and even more to look forward to. Thank you for being part of the Wisconsin Real Estate community and for helping us continue to build on the solid foundation created by those who came before us, ensuring the program continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.
On, Wisconsin!
Jacques Gordon
Mark Irgens Endowed Directorship
Director, Graaskamp Center for Real Estate