New program to attract minorities to commercial real estate industry

Originally published 2004-07-29

A new program has been launched to recruit, train and place minorities in professional careers in commercial real estate in the Milwaukee area. The Milwaukee Associates in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) program is being developed by the Urban League of Milwaukee, the United Community Center, the Initiative for a Competitive Milwaukee and Marquette University. The program will provide young professionals with access to leaders in the local commercial real estate industry, using a formal curriculum, networking events and one-year paid internships. The program is designed to increase the number of African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and other minorities in the commercial real estate industry. The curriculum will take place at Marquette and will be taught by professionals from Mandel Group, KBS Construction, Irgens Development Partners, American Appraisal, Pabst Farms Development and Wispark. The corporate partners will host one-year internships after applicants complete the academic portion of the program. The ACRE program is seeking applicants for the program. "This is exactly the kind of proactive approach we need in Milwaukee to build minority leadership in key industries in our city," said Ralph Hollmon, president of the Milwaukee Urban League. "ACRE can create a clear path to success for our young professionals to make sure we are part of the continued economic growth that will take place here." For more information or to apply for the ACRE program, interested students may visit http://www.busadm.mu.edu/acre, call (414) 288-7337 or email acre@marquette.edu. Applications are due Aug. 15, but will be considered on a rolling basis until the program is filled.