Mid-America supports a variety of college programs to help educate and inspire the next generation of real estate professionals, including prospective sales, leasing and property management pros. We aspire to see the industry become even more diverse and inclusive, and support efforts to that end with dollars and the personal time of our professionals.

Marquette University Center for Real Estate – Wisconsin

Mid-America’s Michelle Panovich served as chair of the Marquette University Center for Real Estate for the last three years, and is now chair of the Investment Committee for the newly launched REAP program (applied learning for investment and development). In addition to the academic programs, Marquette provides real estate students with access to industry events, programs, mentoring and professional development.

Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate – Illinois

Mid-America’s Ken Smallwood is on the advisory board of The Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University in Chicago. MBIRE created the first graduate degree program in Chicago focused on developing real estate leaders. Roosevelt’s founding principles of social justice, educational leadership and opportunity for all are the cornerstone of the Institute, which has seen more than 300 students graduate through its Master of Science in Real Estate and MBA/real estate programs.

Miami University – Ohio

Mid-America’s Dick Spinell is on the real estate program board at Miami University in Ohio. The Farmer School of Business at Miami of Ohio recently approved a new real estate degree program.

St. Cloud State University – Minnesota

Mid-America’s Jesseka Doherty is a member of the St. Cloud State University Real Estate Alumni Association. She served 10 years on the board, including as president. The association provides a mentorship program matching alumni and students, a platform for networking for career growth and success, and a continuing ed program for members of the real estate profession and related fields. The Minneapolis office of Mid-America employs five graduates of SCSU, three of whom were in the real estate program.