Walker & Dunlop, one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, is the newest corporate sponsor for the Rutgers Center for Real Estate, it was announced Tuesday.
In this role, Walker & Dunlop will offer support to students studying commercial real estate and influence the development of coursework to better prepare them for careers in the industry.
Walker & Dunlop joins existing corporate partners in Sills Cummis & Gross and M&T Bank.
Walker & Dunlop officials said they plan to start a series of initiatives with the center, including a case competition to provide students with an opportunity to test their academic knowledge in a real-world commercial real estate situation. The case will incorporate both financial and development aspects of the business.
Walker & Dunlop also will offer internships to students from the real estate program to provide them with opportunities to gain on-the-job experience. The company’s real estate professionals will mentor the students, providing them with coaching and one-on-one feedback and support during their experience.
An internship with Project Destined will also kick off this year with a boot camp designed to educate students on real estate and investment at Walker & Dunlop. Project Destined is a program concentrated on providing diverse and minority students with exposure to the field of commercial real estate through hands-on, paid internships with companies supportive of this goal.
Morris Davis, the Paul J. Profeta Chair of Real Estate and academic director for the Rutgers Center for Real Estate, said Walker & Dunlop will be a valued partner.
“It is an honor for Rutgers to have Walker & Dunlop as a corporate partner, given its long history of excellence and commitment to being the premier commercial real estate finance firm in the country,” he said. “We look forward to our partnership and exploring all the possible benefits to our students and our other industry partners.”
Irelynne Estevez-Waller, vice president of diversity & inclusion at Walker & Dunlop, said the company views the partnership with Rutgers as a “substantial step” in its ability to continue attracting and developing diverse talent in markets like New Jersey.
“By supporting the education and initiatives of the Rutgers Center for Real Estate, we will identify talented students, introduce them to the opportunities within commercial real estate, and provide them with the internships to enhance their resumes and prepare them for jobs upon graduation,” she said.
