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We are excited to share the College of Built Environment’s youtube channel, with the department’s playlist featuring Jeff McCann’s Real Leaders in Real Estate Series. Learn how Runstad Board member Monica Wallace creates place and communities people want to live in through retail. Explore the modern co-housing movement with MSRE alumni Alastair Townsend. Celebrate Women in Construction month with Taylor Benson of Silver Streak Inc. and undergraduate real estate student Jamie Nguyen. Affiliate Instructor Jeff McCann created the Real Leaders in Real Estate series to feature thoughtful leaders making an impact in the built  environment. Jeff has interviewed students, alumni, board members, and others across multiple disciplines. Check it out!

On February 27, 2025, the UW Real Estate Club and the Runstad Advisory Board co-hosted a mid-year networking happy hour event, bringing over 50 current MSRE students, real estate club members, RE department staff and faculty, and advisory board members to the rooftop deck of Chapter Building I. Located a short walk away from the University of Washington campus, in the heart of the University District, the Chapter Buildings (I and II) are two elegantly designed mixed-use office, life science and retail buildings, encompassing 240,000 square feet of state of the art office space, and opened just last year. The Chapter Buildings were developed by Touchstone, a subsidiary of Urban Renaissance Group, and Portman, a privately owned national real estate investment, development, and management firm.

This was the first event of its kind and provided a unique opportunity for current graduate and undergraduate students to connect with advisory board members, and soak up their extensive industry insights. Guests enjoyed a series of hors d’oeuvres and beverage options while taking in an expansive view of the Seattle skyline.

This event was made possible by the Runstad Advisory Board’s own Laura Ford, who manages the Chapter Buildings’ office and life science leasing. The Runstad Department of Real Estate is grateful to our advisory board members for continuing to support our current students and to help expand the reach of our masters and bachelor’s degree programs.

Finnegan Syrie is a current MSRE student at UW Runstad Department of Real Estate and the 2024 recipient of the Foster Pepper Fellowship.

Please join us for the annual Real Estate Symposium: From Blueprint to Bottom Line, Practical AI in Real Estate on Wednesday, February 12th. Breakfast starts at 8 am.

The annual graduation reception for graduating students and their families will be here soon! Please save the date of  June 13th.

The annual Real Estate Career Fair is on Friday, February 7th in Gould Hall. This career fair is open to students in the Master of Science in Real Estate program, the real estate major, and real estate minor. This is an excellent opportunity to meet employers looking to hire students for internships and/or full-time positions.

Please join us on Wednesday, January 15th for Urban Design & Planning’s Professional Council winter lecture. Runstad Department faculty member Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern will be leading a discussion on homelessness and sharing their research and expertise.

When: January 15th
Where: UW Seattle Campus, Architecture Hall room 147
Time: 6:00-8:30 pm

Why is homelessness more prevalent in some cities than others? Gregg Colburn, Associate Professor in the Runstad Department of Real Estate, and Clayton Page Aldern challenge common assumptions and show how housing market conditions—especially cost and availability—offer a more compelling explanation. Their research reveals why cities like Seattle experience higher rates of homelessness compared to cities like Chicago.

Join us for this discussion, followed by a reception to connect with fellow attendees.

We hope to see you there for this important conversation. Please RSVP here

The University of Washington Real Estate Club recently went on a tour of Vulcan Real Estate’s brand new “Wayfarer” multifamily property. Located at 1000 E Yesler Way, Wayfarer is a luxury apartment complex with an eye-catching design philosophy that blends together modern and vintage designs. 20% of the units are designated to be affordable.

The tour was led by Mike Woo, a senior development manager at Vulcan. In addition to giving students a comprehensive tour of the property,  he provided the students with valuable insights into the development process and design decisions. Mike also shared about Vulcan’s impact on bringing the past and present of Seattle together into a community.

As the tour wrapped up, Mike surprised the students with some Vulcan merch for coming along on the tour, most notably of which included ten Seahawks-signed footballs! The students would like to once again thank Mike and Vulcan for such an educational experience. Join UW’s Real Estate Club for more tours just like this one and for so much more including speaker panels and networking events.

Shared by Finnegan Syrie, Real Estate Club Communications Chair

As a fellow at the Ferguson Center for Leadership Excellence, I have had the privilege of participating in the Leadership Academy, which offers a range of opportunities, including personalized coaching sessions, webinars focused on both technical and soft skills, and valuable career development resources. A key aspect of the program is the tuition assistance provided, which supports our journey towards completing our undergraduate degrees.

Through the fellowship, I have greatly benefited from one-on-one coaching sessions that focus on goal-setting and execution.The chance to connect with industry mentors has also been invaluable, allowing me to build meaningful relationships within the real estate sector. I am able to work closely with the entire Ferguson CLE team, to track my academic progress and effectively plan my post-graduate endeavors.

Beyond the academic support, the fellowship fosters connections with other fellows from across the nation. Collaborating with peers has broadened my perspectives and insights to current industry trends.

Throughout the program, the Ferguson Center has ensured that their core values of integrity, leadership and equity are clearly demonstrated and incorporated into every aspect of the program. This fellowship has not only challenged me to strive for excellence, but has also provided the support and resources to help me become the best version of myself.

Ciara Laney, a spirited fourth-year student, stood at a pivotal moment when she received the Runstad Department of Real Estate Fund for Student Support (2023-4). This scholarship, bestowed by the Runstad Department of Real Estate ignited Ciara’s path toward a brighter future.

Overflowing with gratitude, Ciara vowed to make the most of her college experience. As a full-time student, she balanced her academic pursuits with part-time work, ensuring her college expenses were covered. She is from Lynnwood, Washington, and is the third oldest out of eight children, seven girls and one boy. Previously, Ciara clocked in four days a week, eight-hour shifts—until the scholarship allowed her to scale back to just two days. This shift granted her precious extra time, which she now spends bonding with her family and cultivating meaningful friendships.

Ciara’s impact extends beyond textbooks and lecture halls. As the Undergraduate President of the Real Estate Club, an AIAS Mentor, and a First-Year Interest Group leader, she champions aspiring students to explore the Real Estate Major. Her dedication transformed the Real Estate Club, making it more inclusive for undergraduates and women. Last year, only three out of nine club leaders were female, but Ciara’s relentless efforts paid off—now, half of the Real Estate Club leadership comprises women. She works tirelessly to find ways to represent underrepresented groups.

But Ciara’s story doesn’t end there. She is a double major studying Architectural Design. This dual focus enriches her skill set and broadens her perspective in the industry. In winter 2024, Ciara’s journey took an exciting turn. She collaborated with six graduate students in the NAIOP Real Estate Development competition, gaining invaluable experience. She was able to utilize her architectural design skills and draft floor plans while learning more about real-time financial analysis in the downtown Seattle market. The opportunity to work alongside MSRE students was an honor she won’t soon forget.

Ciara landed her first internship last summer as a Project Engineer with BNBuilders. The real-world experience she will gain there was instrumental in shaping her understanding of real estate development.

Ciara’s tale is one of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of educational support. Her future shines bright, fueled by the scholarship that opened doors and the unwavering determination that propels her forward.