UREC presidents find purpose and passion in real estate

Last month Adam Lee and Will Hardesty were selected to lead the Undergraduate Real Estate Club (UREC) as co-presidents for 2024. We spoke with Lee and Hardesty, who are both juniors majoring in Business Administration with a focus in real estate, to learn more about their joint vision for UREC in the coming year.

Why are you passionate about Real Estate? 

Adam: I grew up in Chapel Hill and have seen the community change and grow through development projects. I remember being fascinated by new buildings, businesses, and communities appearing on my bike rides through town. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study when I came to UNC, so I took some time reflecting on personal curiosity and impactful experiences in my life. After attending a UREC meeting early in my freshman year, I realized that Real Estate satisfied my child-like curiosity and would be a fulfilling path that I could be excited working and learning in every day. Since then, I have found even more reasons to be enthusiastic about Real Estate. More than any business, it’s an intersection between quantitative reasoning and building relationships. I see Real Estate as a professional opportunity to build a world that places people first and to solve problems in everyday life.

Will: Growing up just 30 minutes away in Raleigh, I’ve been able to witness first-hand how communities depend on the functions of surrounding Real Estate businesses. The Triangle is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and its taken work from developers, investors, property managers, etc. alike to maintain this growth. Seeing collaboration and a relationship-driven type of business in my hometown urged me to learn more and pursue a career in the industry. Although it’s a competitive business, I’ve already connected with a large number of professionals in the industry who are more than willing to offer help to young Real Estate students like myself. Seeing the passion that other people have for Real Estate, no matter how long they’ve been working, is truly inspiring and reinforces my own passion for the business. Another thing that I looked for in a future career was doing something different everyday. The ever-changing nature of Real Estate excites me. Juggling new trends in the market with consumer demands forces Real Estate professionals to find solutions to problems being presented day after day.

Why are you a part of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club? How do you believe it is of benefit to UNC Real Estate students? 

Adam: I am a part of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club because it is a place to learn, grow, and give back. I joined originally because I was searching for academic and professional purpose and have continued to be an active participant because I want others to gain the same sense of belonging that I’ve found. The community that exists and we continue to grow benefits students from the second they start their college journey and for the rest of their professional lives. I believe that education isn’t a clear-cut “to teach or to be taught” system, and UREC offers a comfortable space for all students to follow their passions and curiosities. The club offers students a place to support and grow with each other, all while expressing the vibrant, welcoming culture that runs true throughout the industry.

Will: The Undergraduate Real Estate Club provides a great extension of education past what is covered in the curriculum through the Real Estate classes. Being able to bring in industry professionals, top-tier employers, and foster community allows  UNC Real Estate students, like myself, to take their education further than the classroom. I’ve personally been able to go on two treks through UREC, one to Raleigh and one to Nashville. Both of these experiences allowed me to learn more about these specific markets, network with professionals, and hear specifics about company projects around these cities.

Why did you decide to apply for the president position of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club? 

Adam: The Undergraduate Real Estate Club has been a constant positive part of my college experience for the past three years. I have seen Real Estate grow significantly during my short time here and see UREC as the most student-facing arm of the program. I know the tremendous impact that the club can have on undergraduates’ experiences and its ability to supplement the many resources offered through the Wood Center. The Wood Center also has a brilliant, strong team that makes working on club programming and planning so enjoyable. I saw the president position as a natural next step in my experiences at UNC and feel so fortunate to have a significant impact on members’ experiences and growth.

Will: Since I first joined UREC, I remember looking up to the co-presidents and seeing them as leaders in the program as well as being a resource for members of the club. I now hope to serve as the same type of resource and mentor for students in the club. The Real Estate program has continually grown since I’ve been a part of it thanks to the resources provided by the Wood Center. I want to continue to be part of that growth and help other students take advantage of the resources provided.

What is your vision for the club during your term?  

Adam: Past presidents have laid an amazing foundation for the club, so Will and I are fortunate to be working with a strong culture and community. Our vision is to continue with the examples set by our predecessors while reimagining the club’s capacity as a resource for students. I hope to develop a stronger internal culture within the club, including more social events and a mentorship program to encourage mutually beneficial relationships between students. Also, we want to ensure that guest speakers represent a diverse combination of backgrounds, both professionally and personally. We want to increase the breadth of information that students have access to, especially at an important inflection point in real estate when problems like affordable housing are in the limelight. Further, I believe that the club is strongest when all members have a role to play in shaping the club. We look forward to considering student feedback and entertain members’ ideas for opportunities for club growth.

Will: Adam and I are very fortunate to be preceded by two amazing co-presidents in Evan and Sarah. They left the club in a very comfortable place, giving Adam and I some freedom to put our own spin on things. One thing that I think needs to be shown to students early on is the idea of “being a Real Estate student.” I’m a firm believer in the idea of controlling your own destiny. I know for a fact that we have great programming and curriculum provided through the Wood Center, but there is only so much that the Wood Center can do for a student before their education and development falls into their own hands. We aim to show students free educational resources online as well as steps they can take to utilize those resources. We also hope to provide students with a solid base of knowledge that will allow them to better understand advanced-level events hosted by the Wood Center such as the UNC Real Estate Conference or Housing Affordability Speaker events. Another goal determined by our executive board is to strengthen the community within the club. We hope to start a mentorship program this semester and have more opportunities for students to network with one another.

What qualities about you and your co-president make the two of you a good team to lead UREC together?

Adam: Will and I both thrive in social, relationship-building situations. I believe that we have a strong channel of communication with each other and all members of the club. This channel allows us to approach problems with a forward-looking perspective, which benefits all members. We believe in the power of people to solve problems and are fulfilled by helping others. We have found different niches in Real Estate but are equally impassioned by assisting our peers. I’m so excited to collaborate with Will and the rest of the executive team to provide rewarding experiences for all students.

Will: Adam and I are both very outgoing and approachable people. I think we’ve done a great job communicating with each other about our goals for the semester and both keeping an open mind when planning out our meetings. Adam and I are also interested in different sides of the Real Estate business which allows us to be balanced, giving club members a wholistic view of the industry. I’m very excited to work with Adam the rest of our term as I believe we’re both very motivated individuals who want to help students succeed like past presidents did for us.

How do you believe you can positively impact the UNC Real Estate Community? 

Adam: I believe that my strongest position at UNC is as an advocate. I think that speaking with prospective Real Estate students and sharing my genuine passion for the industry is my greatest way to positively impact the community. While I don’t have the years of experience that older students and professionals have, I have an optimism and excitement for the industry that I hope can serve as inspiration for my peers.

Will: As I mentioned earlier, it’s an exciting time to be a UNC Real Estate student because of the growth that the program is experiencing. I hope to be an advocate for the program and help continue the growth we have already seen. I want to continue to be passionate about the community and use that passion to inspire more young professionals who will do and feel the same.

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

Adam: While I unfortunately can’t predict the future, I feel confident I will be working in commercial real estate in the southeast. I plan to follow my curiosity and use experiences from class and internships to guide myself to a company, location, and asset that I find fulfilling and exciting. Right now, I hope to work on the development side as I find the job function to be perfectly chaotic. Real Estate is constantly changing and there are always opportunities arising, and I look forward to playing my part in building a stronger industry.

Will: In five years, I hope to be working on the investments side of the business. Right now, I have no specific asset class in mind but I’d really like to find a niche market and become an expert in it. I look forward to expanding my network and connecting with as many industry professionals as I can in those first couple of years. Someday, I definitely want to move back to North Carolina (or somewhere close enough to watch the Heels play a few times every year!) and continue my career.

If someone is interested in joining the club, how can they get involved? 

Anyone interested in joining the club is welcome to attend our weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 6:30PM in McColl 3500. Also, joining our GroupMe and Heel Life page will make sure you’re receiving up to date, relevant information about the club and Real Estate at UNC.

UREC Exec Board 2024

Co-Presidents: Adam Lee and Will Hardesty

Learning & Development Chair: Kate Dailey

Learning & Development Analyst: Connor Proud

Communications Chair: Anna Clayton Taylor

Corporate Relations Chair: John Wyatt

Student Relations Chair: Corey Brandon

Treasurer: Tyler Xia