We could not be prouder. The inaugural Leaders & Best REIT Challenge: CEO at the Big House exceeded every expectation, and then some. From the energy in the room to the quality of student presentations, from the caliber of our judges to the spirit of competition on display, the Weiser Center for Real Estate could not have asked for a more powerful debut for what we know will become a defining event in undergraduate real estate education.
Held at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, the competition brought together exceptional undergraduate students from universities across the country, all stepping into the role of executive leadership for a publicly traded REIT and delivering strategic recommendations under a tight, real-world timeline. The depth of analysis, the clarity of vision, and the professionalism every team brought to the table set a remarkable standard, and one we look forward to building on for years to come.
For the Weiser Center, this competition represents something larger than a single event. It is a statement about the kind of learning experiences Michigan Real Estate is committed to creating: ones that challenge students to think boldly, engage with industry leaders directly, and develop the executive presence and analytical rigor that the real estate profession demands.
Every team that competed in the inaugural Leaders & Best REIT Challenge brought something remarkable to the floor. From the opening presentations to the final rounds, students demonstrated exceptional strategic thinking, polished and persuasive delivery, and an impressive command of REIT fundamentals that challenged and inspired our panel of judges at every turn. Competing on a national stage, under a tight timeline, in front of seasoned industry professionals is no small feat, and every participant should be proud of what they brought to Michigan Stadium.
To this year’s top finishers: your work rose to the top of an outstanding field, and your achievement reflects the very best of what this competition was designed to celebrate. Congratulations!
1st Place: Barracuda Capital – Auburn University (Grady Marshall, Parker Duncan, Joseph McElroy, & Matthew Hajazin)
2nd Place: Next Up REIT – Purdue University (Zane Barnett, Filippa Rodriguez, Liam Parsons, Ashling McNaughton & Avery Huber)
3rd Place: Stonehaven Capital – Indiana University (Brooks Hiller, Lucas Angert, Kavi Chopra, Rohan Parikh, Charles Perine & Lucca Casacci)
An event of this scope and ambition does not happen without an extraordinary community of people who showed up, with their time, their expertise, and their belief in the next generation of real estate leaders. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made the inaugural Leaders & Best REIT Challenge a success.
To every team that traveled from schools across the country to compete – thank you. Your dedication, preparation, and professionalism set a new standard for excellence. This competition exists because of you.
To our distinguished panel of industry professionals who came from across the country to lend their insight and expertise, your thoughtful feedback and genuine investment in our students elevated the entire experience.
To all who came to watch, cheer, and support: the enthusiasm in the room was contagious. Your presence helped make Michigan Stadium the right place for a competition of this caliber.
None of this would have been possible without the generous and visionary support of Mark and Allison Parrell. Their commitment to student success — and to the future of real estate education at Michigan — is what made this competition a reality. The Leaders & Best REIT Challenge is a direct reflection of their belief that the next generation of real estate leaders deserves world-class opportunities to grow, compete, and connect. We are profoundly grateful for their partnership and their continued investment in Michigan Real Estate.
The Big House will be calling again. Building on the success of our inaugural competition, the 2026 Leaders & Best REIT Challenge: CEO at the Big House is already in development, and we invite you to be part of it.
If you are an undergraduate student interested in competing, we encourage you to submit your interest now. Spots are competitive, and we look forward to welcoming teams from across the country back to Ann Arbor for another unforgettable day of strategy, leadership, and real estate.
Visit the button at the top of the page to Complete the Interest Form.
We are actively seeking distinguished real estate professionals to join our panel of judges for the 2026 competition. If you are passionate about mentoring the next generation of real estate leaders and would like to bring your expertise to Ann Arbor, we would love to hear from you.
Please reach out directly to our Managing Director:
Amy Merrick merricka@umich.edu
