Perspectives
Chao hopes to give Club ways to connect what they are learning to tangible assets
UNC Kenan-Flagler junior Serena Chao has been named co-president of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club (UREC), where she will serve through the spring semester. A California native double-majoring in Business Administration and Mathematics, Chao will lead alongside current co-president Fletcher Curtis, whose term concludes at the 2026 calendar year. We caught up with Chao to hear about her goals for UREC and the impact she hopes to make in the year ahead.
Why are you passionate about commercial real estate?
During my freshman year, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in business, but I wasn’t sure which field. After exploring different career paths, I realized my passion lies in commercial real estate due to its tangible nature and impact on communities around the world. Another aspect of the industry I love is the people involved. Every real estate professional I’ve interacted with has been supportive and willing to share their experiences, making me even more excited to pursue a career in the field.
Why are you a part of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club? How do you believe it benefits UNC Real Estate students?
The Undergraduate Real Estate Club has been an incredible resource for me to dive deeper into the world of commercial real estate. Through guest speakers and treks, I’ve learned about different paths to take through the industry and seen case studies of projects and investments. UREC and the Wood Center make it accessible for UNC Real Estate students to gain real-world insights while building meaningful connections, whether that’s through events like HiRE a Tar Heel and the UNC Real Estate Conference or simply getting to know other students interested in the industry.
What is your vision for the club during your term?
Past club presidents have already done an amazing job of organizing a variety of learning experiences. My vision for the club is to continue building on that and further expand club members’ exposure to the wide array of opportunities within commercial real estate. I plan to incorporate panel-style meetings featuring individuals with roles across the real estate cycle, where speakers explain their position in a deal and how they collaborate with each other. This will help members gain a holistic understanding of the industry and identify which roles align with their interests. I also hope to pair site tours with presentations from the teams behind each project, giving members the opportunity to connect what they learn from industry professionals with the completed tangible assets.
You are coming in the second semester of your co-president’s term. What qualities about you and your co-president do you believe will make you a good team to lead UREC together?
I’m excited to work with Fletcher as we are both motivated to expose UREC members to as many aspects of real estate as possible, whether that be different asset classes, roles, or companies. We have had varied internship experiences across the industry, which will allow us to bring unique perspectives and insights into meetings. Our excitement for real estate combined with our constant communication will help us create an environment where every member feels welcome and has opportunities to learn, get involved, and grow.
How do you believe you can positively impact the UNC Real Estate Community?
I hope to be a resource in the UNC Real Estate Community for students, whether they are deciding if real estate is the right path for them or have questions about the industry. Being a part of the UNC Real Estate Community has made such a positive impact on my career path and experience at UNC. As co-president, I want to give back to the program that has provided me with countless opportunities to learn, build relationships, and develop professionally.
How do you plan to foster connectedness between class years both formally and informally?
Formally, UREC already has a mentorship program where underclassmen are paired with a junior or senior who has similar career interests. This allows younger students to have someone they can lean on for questions about real estate, networking and recruiting tips, and just another person they know in the club.
Informally, our weekly meetings, case competitions, treks, and site tours are all ways for students of different years to connect. I experienced this firsthand during last year’s Charlotte trek, where I got to meet many of the seniors at the time. Additionally, there are social events so club members can bond outside of meetings.
Who has been a mentor or inspiration for you in real estate, and why?
The Wood Center’s very own Lynn Tocci has been a mentor for me in real estate. She has provided advice and support through all stages of my path in the industry, from deciding whether real estate was the right career for me to internship recruiting. She is an incredible advocate for UNC Real Estate students and truly the best!
Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself working in real estate investments. I’m taking a step towards that through my upcoming internship as a Real Estate Investing Summer Analyst at Goldman Sachs in Dallas. As I continue to dive deeper into commercial real estate, I’m excited to learn as much as possible, gain exposure to different parts of the industry, and develop into a well-rounded professional.
If someone is interested in joining the club, how can they get involved?
Anyone interested in joining UREC is welcome and encouraged to attend our weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in Bell Hall. For more information, they can join our GroupMe, visit our website at creatunc.com, or reach out to unc_realestateclub@unc.edu.