REFA Real Estate Alliance
The REFA Real Estate Alliance mentorship program works from a platform that leverages the strengths of the GW faculty and the resources of the F. David Fowler Career Center. It merges those strengths with a powerful alumni community. The initiative is a shared enterprise involving students, alumni, faculty, career management experts and donors. It is designed to provide students with a competitive advantage in securing top-tier employment and to help them skillfully transition from university life to the business world.
- What to Expect
The REFA Real Estate mentorship program is a major commitment, but participation in REFA can be extremely beneficial to those students who are seriously considering a career in commercial real estate. Students are selected as sophomores, and recruitment takes place each September.
As a prospective mentee, you will be expected to set up brief informational chats with junior and senior REFA mentors. There will be information sessions hosted at the onset of your first semester as a sophomore, where you will receive all the contact information necessary to do so. These “coffee chats” are important both for prospective mentees to learn about the program and for the mentors to get to know prospective candidates.
The application process takes place during September. A select number of applicants will be invited to participate in our Superday, which will consist of a series of technical, behavioral interviews with current mentors and the program director. Those students making it past that round will then have brief interviews with alumni who have gone through the program.
If selected, the program for the remainder of the academic year will consist of the following:
- Weekly Friday Sessions
- One-on-one mentoring sessions with peer and alumni mentors
- Weekly networking assignments
- Trek to New York in April
The mentors work to make sure our mentees are prepared and confident when applying and interviewing for summer internships at real estate companies. The overwhelming majority of students who have participated in the program are tremendously successful in their careers in commercial real estate.
- Meet the Class of 2027
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Vincent Brusco
Hometown: Queens, NY
Major/Concentration: Finance/Real Estate
On campus, I am an active member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and the REFA Real Estate Alliance. This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern at a real estate investment firm, where I worked closely with the asset management, financing, and acquisitions teams. Looking ahead, I am eager to pursue a career in real estate private equity.
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Eric Dulin
Hometown: Severna Park, MD
Major/Concentration: Entrepreneurship/Real Estate
I first started my real estate career in commercial brokerage, earning my Maryland and DC real estate license as well as representing $2.8 million in Commercial Real Estate. Since coming to GW, I have joined REFA (Real Estate Alliance) and CREN (Commercial Real Estate Network), to further advance my real estate knowledge. This summer, I will be working at Walker and Dunlop as a Commercial Property Valuation Intern.
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Noah Hutschinson
Hometown: Roslyn, NY
Major/Concentration: International Business/Real Estate and Spanish
I credit credits my bike with sparking my interest in the built environment. I firmly believes that cycling unlocks creativity and makes you see things differently, so you’ll often find me studying real estate while on two wheels. I love building strong relationships, which drives my interest in pursuing a career in real estate brokerage or development.
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Layla Melton
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Major/Concentrations: International Business/Real Estate and Hospitality Management
My passion for real estate was sparked after becoming aware of the social inequities regarding the housing market, specifically, the lack of affordable housing within highly populated urban areas. I have since been concentrating on the intersectionality of commercial real estate development and affordable housing. Next summer, I will intern at Walker and Dunlop as an Apprise Valuation Intern, where I will deepen my knowledge of real estate and gain hands-on experience.
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Charles Rubin
Hometown: Naples, FL
Major: International Business
My passion for real estate began with my grandfather, a developer who showed me how the field blends geography, business, and a holistic approach to creating value. Inspired by that, I've gained hands-on experience through internships at Four Points, a real estate development firm, and Hollencrest Capital Management. At GW, I'm actively involved in the REFA Real Estate Alliance and TAMID, further fueling my interest in development and finance.
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Jonah Schwartz
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major/Concentration: International Business/History/Real Estate
My passion for real estate began in my hometown of Chicago, where I was inspired by architectural landmarks like the Tribune Tower and St. Regis. On campus, I have developed my leadership skills and expanded my technical knowledge through my involvement with the REFA Real Estate Alliance (REFA) and the Commercial Real Estate Network (CREN). Additionally, organizations like TAMID Group, Nexus LLC, and the Entrepreneurship Club have given me hands-on experience working with startups. Last summer, I worked as an Assistant Account Executive at a public relations firm, and I’m eager to gain further exposure to commercial real estate development, finance, and management.
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Amelia Shafer
Hometown: King of Prussia, PA
Major/Concentrations: Marketing/Real Estate and Finance
My passion for real estate was ignited during my two-summer internships at Compass Real Estate in Ardmore, PA. At GW, I serve as the Vice President of Marketing for the Commercial Real Estate Network and is a mentee in the REFA Real Estate Alliance program.
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Elijah Slarskey
Hometown: New York, NY
Major/Minor: Economics and Finance/Real Estate
Growing up in New York City, urban development and its intersection with economics has always been an interest of mine, as well as the role of finance in shaping decisions in both the public and private sectors. This past summer I worked for a commercial litigation firm in NYC conducting litigation funding analysis, where I refined my financial analysis skills through evaluating agreements, modeling company financials, and preparing comprehensive reports for investors and principals. I aim to combine my analytical finance skills with my passion for urban economics to pursue a career in real estate or a related field.
- View Requirements & Apply Today
All applicants must submit a comprehensive application and complete two rounds of interviews with a selection committee comprised of current REFA mentees, GW staff and leading alumni.
Once selected, students work closely with representatives of the Fowler Career Center, the Center for Real Estate Studies, and their mentors on resume/interview preparation and job prospecting. Each student will be assigned to former mentees and distinguished alumni for mentoring. They will be required to attend all REFA Real Estate Alliance mentorship program-sponsored events, participate in training sessions, engage in extensive interview prep, and work diligently to obtain a summer internship.
