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.
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.