UCCS offering new degree emphasis in Property Management and Real Estate
in partnership with Norwood Development and Weidner Apartment Homes
Colorado Springs, CO – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), in partnership with Weidner Apartment Homes and Norwood Development, is bringing a four-year degree in Property Management and Real Estate to the UCCS Downtown campus in 2025.
The new program will be established with $2 million in joint funding, split evenly between Weidner and Norwood Development. Both groups will also gain seats on the Program Advisory Board to provide guidance to the College of Business. UCCS will support the program by committing $2.1 million towards operations and scholarships.
“Our students will be entering into a field with a high growth potential and a significant upward mobility,” said Thomas Aicher, Dean of the College of Business. “The opportunities for placement after graduation are limitless with the number of job openings in the city, the state, and nationwide.”
The program will offer a comprehensive real estate asset management curriculum focused on instruction, experiential learning opportunities, internships and attendance at local and national industry events.
"Norwood is thrilled to contribute to bringing this specialized program to our city," said Norwood CEO Chris Jenkins. "We anticipate many graduates will choose to stay and work in Colorado Springs, enriching our community with locally trained professionals who understand the distinct real estate market and property management needs of the area. Well-trained property managers play a crucial role in ensuring the high-quality maintenance and operation of both residential and commercial properties, which in turn enhances the overall livability and appeal of our city."
Weidner has brought similar real estate programs and program-related scholarships to institutions in Alaska, Indiana, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.
“UCCS is fortunate to be partnering with an exceptional organization that has a proven track record in establishing these kinds of programs at other universities,” said Aicher.
“Leaders nationwide hold the CU system in tremendous regard,” said Dean Weidner, Weidner’s Founder and Chairman. “We are honored to provide students with an industry-leading property management curriculum through our partnership with Norwood Development.”
The program comes with a renovation of the UCCS Downtown campus and will double the footprint of the space.
"Having the chance to renovate the UCCS Downtown site and host a new program out of it is incredibly exciting," Aicher said. "Our students will benefit from taking courses at the heart of the city and having the networking opportunities that come with being based in the Downtown area. We’re also excited to see how this renovation will benefit our community partners, as we anticipate being able to offer a lot more to the Downtown community."
On top of supporting the start of the program and expanding UCCS Downtown, the partnership with Weidner and Norwood will provide students with financial and job placement support.
This collaboration between private industry and the university is one of several joint civic, philanthropic and grant-funded education-related initiatives currently underway with myriad partners. Still in the founding stages, the Peak City Initiative’s mission, with six specific supporting pillars, is to fuel legacy investments that foster human potential and promote upward mobility in the Pikes Peak Region.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Dean Aicher will be available for interviews on this topic from 2-3 p.m.
- The Downtown UCCS space is available for b-roll
About UCCS
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) offers more than 50 bachelor’s, 24 master’s and eight doctoral degree programs and enrolls about 12,000 students annually. Located in the heart of Colorado Springs, UCCS has a strong student focus and access mission, with a goal of transforming lives for the better. Learn more about UCCS at uccs.edu.
About Weidner Apartment Homes
Founded by W. Dean Weidner in 1977, Weidner Apartment Homes is a real estate investment and property management company recognized as an efficient provider of quality rental apartment homes and a creative developer of new housing. The company is headquartered in Kirkland, WA, and its portfolio covers 13 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. Please visit our website https://www.weidner.com/.
About Norwood Development Group
A highly respected development firm focused exclusively on the Pikes Peak region, Norwood holds over 50 years of community and real estate development experience. With a focus on delivering the "Promise of Colorado" to every citizen in the Pikes Peak Region, Norwood is committed to the future prosperity of Colorado Springs residents.
The UCCS Economic Forum will be hosting their 28th annual event from noon – 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 26 at the Ent Center for the Arts.
For over 27 years, this longstanding community event has been the leading source of economic data and insight in the Pikes Peak Region. This year’s forum will be headlined by Elizabeth Garner, Colorado State Demographer. Bill Craighead, Director of the UCCS Economic Forum, will present on the local, state and national economies.
“It’s an honor to lead an institution that has received such longstanding support from the community,” Craighead said. “I’m excited about what we have planned for this year’s event. The State Demography Office is a fantastic resource for Colorado, and I’m looking forward to Elizabeth Garner’s insights.”
“We also have some great panelists who will help us understand two of the most important economic shifts I’ve been watching – how downtowns and commercial real estate are evolving with the changes in how we work, and the surge in new business formation in the past several years,” he continued. “I’m also looking forward to the opportunities to connect at our welcome reception and happy hour!”
There will be two concurrent panel discussions for attendees to choose from: “The Future of Downtowns and Commercial Real Estate” and “Small Business in the Pikes Peak Region: Opportunities and Challenges.” Each panel discussion will feature a facilitator from the UCCS College of Business and regional experts on each topic.
“The Future of Downtowns and Commercial Real Estate” speakers include:
“Small Business in the Pikes Peak Region: Opportunities and Challenges” speakers include:
“Each year the College of Business looks forward to the Economic Forum,” said UCCS College of Business Dean Thomas Aicher. “We are grateful to have Dr. Bill Craighead as director for a full year now, and are excited to see his upcoming initiatives and plans for the Forum. We are also tremendously thankful for the support and dedication of the Forum’s partners, sponsors, volunteers and community members. This event is a collaborative effort, with lots of moving pieces and a diverse collection of contributors.”
Doors will open at noon, with a welcome reception from noon until 1 p.m., when the program begins. Following the presentations, there will be an in-person happy hour networking event hosted in the Ent Center for the Arts foyer. Attendees will receive a drink ticket at check-in, which can be redeemed at the bar during the networking hour.
Tickets are now available at $65 per individual, and the event is open to the public. To register, please visit the 28th Annual UCCS Economic Forum registration page. (https://web.cvent.com/event/711a169b-e9a5-441c-b629-38e8833d395f/summary)