This past spring, Pedro Vazquez, a recent graduate of Auburn’s Master of Real Estate Development program (MRED), was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. Each year, the organization names six recipients who are pursuing education in commercial real estate for its Diversity Student Scholarship.

Auburn’s MRED program is a member of NAIOP’s University Membership program, allowing MRED students to apply NAIOP’s scholarship programs.

Vazquez graduated from Auburn MRED this past May. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from California Polytechnic State University and a certificate in real estate development from the University of Southern California.

He is currently the director of real estate for the Guitar Center Company headquartered in Westlake Village, California. In his role, he is responsible for site selection of new locations, lease negotiations, relocation of existing facilities as well as the real estate strategy for the entire portfolio of properties located in 47 states. The Guitar Center Company is a $2.3 billion dollar enterprise comprised of seven different music-related brands.

“NAIOP is proud to invest in the next generation of commercial real estate leaders and contribute toward increasing diversity in the industry through our Diversity Student Scholarship program,” said Thomas J. Bisacquino, NAIOP president and CEO. “These talented scholars stand out for their passion for commercial real estate, and we’re excited to see what’s next for their careers.”

As a scholarship recipient, Vazquez had the opportunity to attend NAIOP’s annual convention last month in Chicago. “It was fantastic,” he said. “The convention opened my eyes to new trends and technology in the commercial real estate space.”

Vazquez was also paired with a career mentor for the conference and beyond. “The opportunity for exposure to industry contacts and the ability to bounce ideas off an expert in this field is unparalleled,” he stated.

“The Auburn MRED experience was exceptionally beneficial to my personal career path,” Vazquez said. “It opened up new doors of opportunity as well as provided me a voice within my specialization in corporate retail.”

“Students like Pedro are the future of the industry,” said David Hinson, associate dean for Graduate Studies in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. “He excelled as a student in our MRED program, and we are confident he’ll excel in the field of real estate development.”

About the Auburn Master of Real Estate Development Program
Auburn University’s Master of Real Estate Development program is a collaboration between the College of Architecture, Design and Construction and the Harbert College of Business. It provides experienced professionals the theoretical and practical knowledge to develop real estate projects emphasizing best practices in economic resilience and design excellence.