Teamwork and Mentorship Help Jindal School Students Win Real Estate Case Competition

by - December 2nd, 2024 - Featured, Students

In addition to regular coursework that provides the academic foundation for business knowledge, students at the Naveen Jindal School of Management often participate in extracurricular activities to further develop their career readiness. Competitions are a popular activity, as they simulate real-world pressures and allow students to sharpen their skills, network with business professionals and enhance their résumés.

Photo of (from left) Tommy Cherucheril, Andrew Nguyen, Franklin Avera, Jaqleen Phan,
Kiana Razdar at the Fall 2024 IREM-Dallas Case Competition
From left: Tommy Cherucheril, Andrew Nguyen, Franklin Avera, Jaqleen Phan, Kiana Razdar

Real estate finance students at the Jindal School recently did just that by winning first place in a case competition presented by the Dallas Chapter of the Institute for Real Estate Management. Teams from UT Dallas and University of North Texas had been tasked with creating a comprehensive management plan for a commercial warehouse property in Grand Prairie, Tex. One month later they presented their analysis and recommendations to the panel of judges. The first-place team won $5,000. Costar, a platform for commercial real estate information, analytics and news, was the event sponsor and provided the prize money.

The winning team from JSOM consisted of Franklin Avera, a finance freshman; Tommy Cherucheril, a finance junior; Andrew Nguyen, a finance junior; Jaqleen Phan, a business administration junior, and Kiana Razdar, a finance senior.

Phan said much of her coursework prepared her well for competition day.

“One skill I’ve learned from JSOM is working with different groups,” she said. “Most coursework is team projects, which is how it plays out in real life. No ‘daily homework’ is assigned in the real world — you have a meeting or a client scheduled in advance, and you must be prepared for it on that day, and those are the few chances you have to make your impression. “

Phan said meeting with her team or mentors frequently gives her opportunities to get feedback on her work. Projects, however, are the key driver in developing her skills.

“I’ve used some of my skills leading other projects, such as setting deadlines, having alternative plans and learning how to over-communicate,” she said. “Too much is better than not enough.”

Lynch, Julie
Julie Lynch

Phan said Julie Lynch, an associate professor of practice in the Jindal School’s Finance and Managerial Economics Area and director of the Herbert D. Weitzman Institute for Real Estate, was instrumental in shaping both the JSOM students’ preparation and the competition itself.

“Professor Lynch was the primary key to making this happen — she’s been in the real estate industry for many years and earned her way to being one of the most esteemed professors in JSOM,” Phan said. “So, half the work was done for us because there would be no real-life case study without industry connections. Another way that she gave value to our project was to challenge our investment thesis thoughtfully, which would strengthen our cases. In my case, she pointed out a potentially different investment pitch due to vacancies for our property’s submarket. I communicated that to my team and made sure to address that as an alternative during our presentation, which made our perspective more well-rounded.”

Andrew Nguyen, a finance junior, said the UTD team was a group of highly motivated individuals, each bringing industry experience or valuable insight that contributed to the overall success of their case.

Nguyen said each team member has a distinct role suited to their strengths: Razdar performed the property and site analysis, Cherucheril did the financial analysis, Phan did the market analysis, Avera worked on the marketing plan, and he (Nyguyen) did the analysis of alternatives and proposal.

“Kiana brought a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of property and site dynamics to our team,” Nguyem, said. “Her thorough analysis of the property’s condition, along with her ability to assess site opportunities and challenges, provided a solid foundation for our case.”

Cherucheril, Ngyuen said, brought an impressive depth of knowledge in real estate, with a comprehensive grasp of financial analysis that elevated the team’s approach.

“His expertise in evaluating financial models and interpreting complex data allowed us to make informed decisions and develop a robust financial strategy for the case,” Nguyen said.

Phan was indispensable to the team’s success, Nguyen added.

“Not only did she expertly handle her market analysis portion with precision and insight, but she also went above and beyond by proactively sharing ideas and suggestions that pushed our project forward. Her consistent communication kept everyone aligned, and her ability to think critically allowed her to challenge assumptions, adding depth to our strategy.”

Avera, in building the team’s marketing plan, was exceptionally proactive, according to Nguyen. “He consistently brought fresh insights and innovative ideas to our marketing strategy,” Nguyen said. “His forward-thinking approach helped us create a marketing plan that was not only creative but also well-aligned with the overall objectives of our project.”

In his own role, Nguyen evaluated multiple strategic paths, weighing the strengths and potential challenges of each option to ensure the team chose the most viable solution.

“Throughout the process, I focused on maintaining open and effective communication with my team, facilitating discussions, and ensuring that everyone’s insights were integrated into the final proposal,” he said. “Our goal was to deliver a practical and feasible solution that was thoroughly supported by our analysis and embodied our team’s collective efforts and shared vision.”

Razdar said the most meaningful moment of support came right before she presented.

“I was nervous, and I asked Professor Julie Lynch what I should do to stop my voice from shaking when I speak,” Razdar said. “She’s one of the most nurturing, calm, and collected people I’ve ever met, and what she said was just what I needed to hear. She taught me a simple breathing exercise, and then, in the most reassuring voice, she told us that the judges have kids our age, that they know what it’s like to be in our shoes, and that they’re human too. No one had ever been there for me quite like that — to calm me down emotionally and teach me something I’ll use for the rest of my life. I feel beyond grateful to be at a business school that not only gives us technical skills but also has faculty like Professor Lynch, who truly care and are there for us in moments when we need it most.”

Lynch said the team worked diligently to develop a solution to the case and delivered it with the highest level of professionalism. 

“I am so proud of them,” she said. “I’m excited for what the future holds for these incredibly talented students.”

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