Dailey hopes to pay it forward, strengthen UREC’s underclassmen engagement

UNC Kenan-Flagler senior Kate Dailey has been named co-president of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club (UREC), where she will serve through the spring semester. A North Carolina native studying Business Administration, Dailey will lead alongside current co-president Bo Miltenberger, whose term concludes at the 2025 calendar year. We caught up with Dailey 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?

I am passionate about Commercial Real Estate for various reasons but I’m primarily drawn to the industry because of the people I have met over the last few years in my clubs, classes, internships, etc. that also are passionate about commercial real estate. I think the job draws very social, intelligent, and hardworking people. I also think real estate as an alternative asset class is fascinating. When you’re working on a deal, you can actually visit the property and see the space you’re trying to improve or develop. There’s something satisfying about that tangible element to me.

Why are you a part of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club? How do you believe it benefits UNC Real Estate students?

I’ve been part of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club since freshman year, and what kept me involved – and motivated me to pursue leadership roles – has stayed consistent over the past three years. The club does an incredible job connecting students with industry professionals and creating genuine networking opportunities. UREC benefits students at every level by bringing in speakers from top firms, sharing real industry insights, and giving us access to professionals who are actually willing to mentor and help students understand the industry more.

What is your vision for the club during your term?

As a senior this year, I really want to focus on getting freshmen and sophomores more invested in the club so that when I graduate, there’s a strong foundation to carry it forward. I’ve seen how valuable UREC has been for my own development, and I want to make sure that continues for future classes. I also really want to focus efforts on the recruitment process and being a resource to students who are starting to plan and navigate that process.

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 am really looking forward to working with Bo in this capacity for the next UREC term. Bo is also very passionate about the industry and continually comes up with exciting and applicable new ideas to bring into the program. Bo and I both want to see the club impact as many students as possible and I am confident that we will be able to accomplish this together.

How do you believe you can positively impact the UNC Real Estate Community?

I think in this role as president I have the ability to introduce the UNC Real Estate Community to freshmen and sophomores that might not exactly know where their professional interests lie yet. The UNC Real Estate Community has been one of the highlights of my college career and I think I can give back to the community as President of this club in a way that I feel like they guided and supported me throughout the years.

What’s one trend or innovation in real estate you think everyone should be paying attention to right now?

I worked in New York this past summer, and something really interesting I observed across office deals was the “flight to quality.” Obviously the office sector has struggled during and after the pandemic, but Class A office properties have actually seen a rebound in highly concentrated metropolitan areas. I think it’s a fascinating trend because it highlights how there can be individual nuances within specific asset classes.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’m moving to New York in July after graduation, which I’m really excited about! In five years, I see myself working in commercial real estate, ideally in private equity. I’d love to stay focused on acquisitions for the first few years since I think it’s such a great foundation for your career – you get exposure to deals across different asset classes and really learn the fundamentals of how transactions work.

If someone is interested in joining the club, how can they get involved?

UREC has no application process so the club is really what the individual member wants to make of it. We offer weekly meetings with speakers, networking activities, and educational sessions. I would recommend just coming out to the meetings and making a diligent effort to introduce yourself to peers and also speakers who come. The club also has a mentorship program which facilitates a really effective way for under and upper classmen to meet!