When Chad Venne talks about UWM’s real estate students, there’s no mistaking his enthusiasm. “The excitement this generation brings to the field is unlike what we’ve seen before,” says Venne, director of the Lubar College of Business’ Real Estate Program.
“Most of us found our way into the industry by accident. Today’s students are entering with purpose—and with skills that used to take years to develop,” he said.
That shift is reshaping the way the program prepares students. Instead of focusing only on theory, Venne has emphasized hands-on learning and industry engagement.
“All of our classes mirror real-world projects,” he said. “When students graduate, they can point to the work they’ve done here and show employers exactly what they’re capable of.”
Connections outside the classroom reinforce that approach. Students regularly tour buildings, meet with company leaders, and learn directly from professional organizations such as IREM, NAIOP, and CARW.
“Real estate is all about collaboration,” Venne said. “These partnerships give our students a head start in building their professional networks and understanding the business from the inside out.”
For students preparing to enter a demanding job market, Venne offers a simple framework he calls “the three Gs”: Grit, Great questions, and Get stuff done.
“The industry rewards perseverance,” he said. “And in an AI-driven world, being able to ask the right questions is just as important as knowing the answers. At the end of the day, employers want problem solvers who deliver results.”
Venne is eager to grow the program’s reach and resources. With enrollments climbing and local demand for talent rising, his priorities include building a job placement pipeline, launching a digital job board, and raising funds for a real estate endowment.
“Providing students with the education they need to land jobs will always be our top priority,” he said. “With additional support, we can continue to deliver outstanding talent to Milwaukee’s real estate community.”