PHOENIX, ARIZONA (September 18, 2019) – The Central Arizona chapter of CCIM, commercial real estate’s global standard for professional achievement, is proud to announce it is launching the first session of a mentorship program for undergraduates attending the Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University.
The goal is to connect students with commercial real estate executives. Mentoring activities over the fall semester at GCU will include reviewing property information for analysis, students creating and presenting a broker opinion of value, listing pitches and sales offering memorandum and attending both the chapter’s annual golf fundraiser and holiday party.
An introductory and speed networking event held Sept. 16 at GCU attracted 45 students. The initial goal was 30.
“Our chapter’s mission is to provide premiere commercial real estate education. Through this mentorship program, we are going back to the foundation of our community in college undergrads to help provide current and relevant education, networking, and exposure to all facets of the industry,” said chapter President Jenette Bennett, CCIM, of Kidder Mathews. “This is just the start. We are looking forward to more collaboration between universities and CCIM as we expand the program in future semesters.”
Mentors from the Central Arizona chapter of CCIM include Julie Johnson, Colliers International; Todd Hamilton, Citywide Commercial; Nick Miner, Orion Investment Real Estate; Heather Fox, CBRE; Scott Fey, Omni; Jim Kasten, Kasten Long Commercial Group; and Bennett. All the mentors hold the prestigious CCIM designation.
The CCIM Institute confers the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation. To earn the CCIM designation, commercial real estate professionals must complete more than 160 hours of case-study driven education covering topics such as interest-based negotiation, financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, investment analysis, and ethics in commercial investment real estate.
Candidates must also compile a portfolio demonstrating the depth of their commercial real estate experience and pass a comprehensive examination.
“The Colangelo College of Business looks forward to this great opportunity for our students to participate in the CCIM mentorship program,” said Dean Randy Gibb. “Career-focused activities are a priority at GCU, and this program is an ideal start to create awareness of a career in commercial real estate.”
A career day is scheduled for Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at GCU, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Room 42-220. Its goal is to connect students with industry professionals including lenders, developers, brokers, contractors and those in title and escrow.
“Creating Reliable Valuations” will be presented Nov. 14 at GCU (Room 42-319, 2:30 p.m.) Students will review property analysis with mentors and establish the correct value for an asset to be sold or space to be leased, which is the most important aspect of any transaction. Also being covered: understanding the current investment marketplace, understanding current real estate cycles and risk and the importance of historical data in the process of establishing value.
Learn more about CCIM Central Arizona Chapter: centralazccimchapter.com.
A networking event with CCIM members drew 45 GCU students interested in the mentorship program.