The University of Southern California Ross Minority Program in Real Estate, an exclusive executive education platform that equips women and minorities with critical real estate knowledge and leadership skills and broadens options for investment in urban communities, will launch its first-ever San Diego program this fall.
In particular, the program addresses the longstanding lack of diversity in commercial real estate, which was 89 percent white and 76 percent male in 2012, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The program, which has taught about 700 students who are now working in all aspects of the industry, increases diversity among future leaders in real estate and teaches the fundamental skills needed to develop affordable housing, retail, mixed-use, office and community facilities in underserved communities.
With the support of a grant from the Price Charities, the two-week San Diego program will enroll up to 25 students from Oct. 7-18. Though previously held in San Francisco, this will be the first time the Ross program is held in the San Diego region.
"Each area of our state has its own unique set of challenges when it comes to real estate development and addressing the needs of underserved communities," said Richard Green, director of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, the Ross Program's academic home. "By coming to San Diego, we not only make the local industry more diverse, we increase its capacity to find development-related solutions to the unique challenges facing communities across the region."
Launched after the period of civil unrest in Los Angeles in 1992 and later expanded with a grant from long-time real estate industry leader Stan Ross and his wife Marilyn, the program brings individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives together to solve complex real estate challenges. Graduates go on to play roles in numerous commercial, retail, residential and mixed-use developments throughout Southern California and across the nation.
The program, which is kept small to encourage classroom discussion and one-on-one access to instructors, is currently accepting applications for 25 spots. There are a limited number of scholarships to assist with the $5,500 tuition.