On November 15, 2012, a team of undergraduates from the University of Connecticut School of Business placed among the top three universities in the Fourth Annual Cornell Real Estate Case Study Competition in New York City.

Fifteen of the best international undergraduate real estate programs were represented as they vied for the top spot. Teams were judged on their approach, analysis and presentation skills in solving a real estate investment case based on a real-world transaction. The UConn team, which consisted of Michael Hovey ’13, Brian Kaukas ’13, Mallika Winsor ’13, TJ Mills ’12, Frances Gibbons ’14 and Austin Smyth ’15, received the case on Saturday, November 10th and worked endlessly to come up with the best solution. The team made their presentation on November 15th to a panel of prominent industry judges. The UConn team won their group and advanced to the final round where they presented to all participating schools and judges. Among the other final round teams (University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University), UConn was the only team to recommend the actual course of action taken in the real-life transaction down a few percentage points.

Other schools to participate in the case study included first place winner, University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School of Business, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Cornell University, Indiana University, Maastricht University, New York University, Pennsylvania State University, Renmin University of China, University of Cambridge, University of Guelph, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Wisconsin at Madison and Villanova University.

Brittani Clayton, daughter of Jim and Sue Clayton of Simsbury, Connecticut, is a recipient of the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network National Scholarship. CREW is a national organization that promotes and encourages young women to enter the commercial real estate field and to connect with real estate professionals. Applicants were selected nationwide for the scholarship.

As a scholarship recipient, Brittani will be a CREW guest at their annual convention in Chicago, Illinois October 24 – 27th. The convention is an excellent opportunity to network with men and women nationwide and will afford the opportunity to learn about the current topics of discussion within the field.

In addition to receiving the scholarship, Brittani will also have the opportunity to participate in internship opportunities. CREW also offers a 12 month e-mentoring program that will allow recipients to work with professionals in the field on their goals. Brittani also received a free membership to CREW network which will allow her to connect with the 6,000 members nationwide. Congratulations to Brittani on this national recognition.

Brittani is entering her senior year at the University of Connecticut School of Business and is an intern this summer with GE Real Estate in Albany, NY.