Incoming fellows share desire to expand their network, make a positive difference

Each year incoming full-time MBA students with an expressed interest in commercial real estate are considered for the many fellowships funded by our generous alumni and partners. High achieving students with strong leadership and academic promise are considered for these financial opportunities that help to offset the considerable financial investment they are making in their education. This year eight incoming MBA students were awarded fellowships set aside for those intending to concentrate their studies in real estate. Learn more about the Class of 2026 fellowship recipients. 

Jose Badillo – The Marc & Melissa Bromley Fellowship in Real Estate 

Jose Badillo said his experience as a program and project manager at CBRE is where he discovered his passion for direct engagement with physical assets— seeing firsthand how projects shape and benefit communities. Badillo, who has a bachelor’s in biology from UNC, said he chose to return to UNC for his MBA because it has an unparalleled reputation for excellence and the collaborative culture at Kenan-Flagler set it apart for him. He is most excited to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds with unique perspectives he can learn from. A fun fact about Badillo is he is passionate about music and plays the guitar and clarinet.  

Laura Critz – The Jane and Lucien Ellison MBA Fellowship Fund in Real Estate 

Laura Critz was drawn to UNC Kenan-Flagler’s focus on collaboration over competition because building relationships is very important to her. She also liked the hands-on experiences inside and outside of the classroom in the real estate program. Critz’s real estate journey began at South Coast Commercial, an investment and asset management firm specializing in unanchored retail. After an internship, she accepted a full-time role working primarily in acquisitions. Critz did not come to Chapel Hill alone. She is joined by her two English Cocker Spaniels Maggie and Gray. 

Andrew Hanna – The Patrick and Cathleen Trask MBA Fellowship 

Andrew Hanna is no stranger to UNC Kenan-Flagler. Hanna minored in business his first time at UNC when he majored in sport administration. Before enrolling in the MBA program, he worked for six years in the consumer-packaged goods industry at Anheuser-Busch countrywide. Hanna said he believes his background in project management, hospitality, and retail is applicable to a future career in real estate. He said he is excited to challenge himself by learning a new industry and to be back in the home of vinegar-based barbeque! 

Aida Hyde – The Steven L. Bean MBA Fellowship  

Aida Hyde previously worked in the landscape architecture industry where she regularly had clients that were developers. She said she is interested in what it takes to see a project from start to finish. Hyde said her family moved to Chapel Hill two years ago and she said many of her neighbors are either alumni or university employees. Aida is excited to learn as much as she can and become a better leader during her MBA journey. She has her B.S. in biology from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. 

Nick Reader – The David and Carol Ann Flanagan Real Estate Fellowship 

Nick Reader chose to concentrate in real estate because he enjoys the complexity of real estate valuation and transactions. He worked in hotel brokerage for 3 years and was previously a financial analyst at CBRE. Reader chose UNC Kenan-Flagler for what he calls the “3 A’s:” academics, area, and alumni. He looks forward to expanding his network amongst the UNC Kenan-Flagler community to help him reach his personal and professional goals. Reader said he is a big college basketball fan and worked as the basketball team manager during undergrad at USC. He said he is looking forward to UNC Basketball. 

Nicole Rojo – The Stephen M. Cumbie MBA Fellowship for Real Estate Students  

Nicole Rojo has a background in workforce housing, having worked for four years as a project manager for a multi-family affordable housing developer in Miami. The Wood Center’s Housing Affordability Initiative and the Family Enterprise Center were both focuses that made UNC Kenan-Flagler stand out in Rojo’s search for the right MBA program for her. She hopes to deepen her knowledge of the development lifecycle and discover her own untapped potential during the next two years. 

Mohit Sukhija – The Faison MBA Fellowship 

Mohit Sukhija is excited to expand his comfort zone over the next two years. Sukhija describes real estate as one of the few industries that allows you to do well by doing good. Before pursuing his MBA, he was working as a financial analyst in low-income housing tax credit syndication. Sukhija said top notch academic and experiential education offerings in real estate is ultimately what led him to choose UNC Kenan-Flagler for this next step in his career. He speaks three languages fluently— Hindi, Punjabi and English! 

Bill Woods – The Michaux Family MBA Real Estate Fellowship 

William “Bill” Woods worked for STAG Industrial as an acquisitions associate before pursuing his MBA. When it came time to return to school, Woods heard high praise about UNC Kenan-Flagler from industry professionals and he said the Wood Center’s resources made the real estate concentration a standout among other MBA programs. He is most looking forward to investing to make a tangible difference. He is also excited to potentially work on the Real Estate Fund. Having grown up on Cape Cod, Woods is an avid saltwater fisherman, and he regularly offshore fishes with his family.