RECORD YEAR FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES!
by Michael Mack
Enrollment in this summer’s professional development program broke 500 for the first time in the Center's history. In its 23rd year, the PDC series brought 508 attendees to campus in June and July, a 35% increase over 2006. This new peak was due both to a successful turnout in 2006 – a year where 377 attended the PDCs – and to a targeted outreach effort early in 2007.
The class with the largest turnout – the July session of Fundamentals of Real Estate Finance, taught by Tod McGrath – brought 106 students. "Professor McGrath is an amazing speaker...complex theories presented in an easy to understand format," commented students. The other classes also received high marks:
Real Estate Markets taught by Bill Wheaton ("excellent seminar…lots of data to support theory");
Introduction to Commercial Real Estate Development taught by Tony Ciochetti ("outstanding speakers…real-time applications");
Asset and Portfolio Management taught by Steven Marsh ("enjoyed info regarding the 'efficiency frontier' ");
Creating Sustainability: From Brown to Green taught by Cynthia Brooks ("world-class and first-class…hands down the best aspect was the quality of teaching and guest speakers").
An additional draw to this summer's program was the launch of the Center's new Executive Series. Based on the success of our advanced offerings last year, these classes targeted senior real estate professionals, emphasizing practical tools for top-level decision-makers.
A brand new course called New Tools: Real Estate Derivatives taught by David Geltner brought in an impressive 69 students ("learning new ways to invest with forwards and swaps…very interesting guest speakers").
Of course, attendance numbers aren't the only measure of a course's success. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship class taught by Bill Aulet had 13 students, but students cited the "small group class" as being one of its most beneficial aspects, with each student receiving dedicated feedback from the instructor and fellow classmates on specific issues they're currently facing.
The Executive Series also included Advanced Real Estate Development: Decision Making taught by Tony Ciochetti, with students citing a variety of topics: ("risk analysis …flexible design…simulation") as offering much benefit.
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