UCLA Luskin

Master of Real Estate Development Webinar
2025-11-24 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-05 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Get acquainted with the advantages of a Master of Real Estate Development degree, learn about our triple-bottom line and our “by the industry, for the industry” approach to the development field.
You will learn about:
• The field of Real Estate Development and what sets UCLA apart
• MRED curriculum
• Our Industry Partners
• Capstone projects
• The Application Process
• Funding Opportunities
Register here!

Crafting your Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement
2025-12-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
Meet MRED’s Director of Student Services, Kevin Franco! Stop guessing and start writing! Join us for a step-by-step session where we break down the purpose, structure, and content of both the Statement of Purpose and the Personal Statement. Learn how to craft a powerful, coherent narrative that effectively tells your passion story and clearly connects your past experience to your future in our MRED program.
Register here!

Conversation with MRED Executive Director Greg Morrow
2025-12-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
Meet MRED Director, Greg Morrow! In an engaging, conversational, Greg will discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the real estate industry and answer questions from prospective applicants. Participants will gain insight into the skills and perspectives required to succeed in today’s evolving landscape and how the MRED program will advance your career.
Register here!

MRED: Student Recruitment and Networking Event
2026-01-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Hudson Pacific Properties, 11601 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90025, United States
Meet MRED Leadership and Staff, industry leaders, current MRED Students, and fellow prospective UCLA MRED applicants! Attendees will gain insight into the MRED curriculum, career pathways, and the role industry partnerships play in shaping the learning experience. Light food and refreshments will be provided as guests network, ask questions, and explore whether the MRED program aligns with their goals. This is an ideal opportunity to build connections, learn from practitioners shaping the built environment, and envision your future in real estate development.
Agenda:
6:00 PM – Event Begins
6:30 PM – MRED Informational Presentation
7:15 PM – Networking over Food & Drinks
Register here!

CDM Smith Employer Information Session
2026-01-14 12:00 - 13:00 | 4357 Public Affairs Building
Join representatives and staff from CDM Smith, a global privately owned engineering and construction firm providing smart solutions in water, environment, transportation, energy, and facilities to learn about internship, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities! CDM Smith is employee owned and committed to building a stronger enterprise for each future generation.
Presenters:
Beck Frei, Transportation Planner
Laura Campagna, Environmental Planner
Kyle Benedict, Senior Campus Recruiter

Public Affairs in Action: Senior Fellows in Public Service
2026-01-29 12:30 - 13:30 | 4357 Public Affairs Building
Join us for an panel discussion with two leaders in urban policy and governance to gain firsthand insight into policymaking, community engagement, and strategic leadership in local government! There are many pathways to work in public service and our presenters will share their unique journey, along with insights from their time on the LA City Council.
Featuring Ruth Galanter & Michael Woo
Former Los Angeles City Councilmembers

Ruth Galanter (6th District, 1987–2003) – Urban planner and environmentalist who championed slow-growth policies, led transformative projects in Venice, and prioritized neighborhood safety. Now a consultant and educator focused on planning and ecological restoration.
Michael Woo (13th District, 1985–1993) – The Council’s youngest and first Asian American member, he spearheaded Hollywood’s revitalization, shaped major transit planning including the Red Line, and promoted racial equity initiatives. Continues to lead on sustainability and park access issues.

Harvard Government Performance Lab (GPL) Fellowship Info Session
2026-02-03 11:30 - 12:30 | Zoom
Join Gabriela Solis (MPP/MSW 2019) and Marianna Yamamoto to learn about the work of Harvard GPL, as well as fellowship and employment opportunities. The applications for summer 2026 fellows are currently being accepted: https://govlab.hks.harvard.edu/working-at-gpl.
Fellows work directly with state and local governments and are the backbone of the Lab’s model for providing high-quality pro bono technical assistance to governments. Fellows typically come to the GPL within a few years of completing a graduate degree in public policy, public administration, business administration, law, or related fields. Throughout the course of their fellowship, Fellows guide significant performance improvement projects forward, usually based on-site in the government, and receive training in skills including data analysis and project management. Previous fellows have led projects to reform city procurement, expand re-entry services to individuals released on parole, and improve the delivery of services provided to families interacting with the child welfare system.
Responsible for designing and executing on-the-ground work in partnership with government leaders, our team members build policy area expertise, enhance their analytical skills, develop experience leading public sector teams, and manage initiatives that directly impact the lives of individuals in their communities. GPL alumni go on to leadership positions in the public and private sector, putting their GPL experience to use in government agencies, philanthropy, and service providers.

Reexamining the “Nation of Immigrants”: The Politics of ICE Enforcement
2026-02-05 17:00 - 19:30 | UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Join us for a keynote and panel exploring new data on immigration enforcement, stronger state protections, and fair, sustainable policy.

RSVP HERE

With the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) arrests and detentions surging, California’s legislative leadership offers critical lessons on safeguarding rights and rebuilding trust. Join us on February 5, 2026 for a keynote presentation followed by a panel of policymakers, researchers, and advocates who will discuss what the latest data reveal about enforcement patterns, how to strengthen state protections, and what’s next for fair and sustainable approaches to immigration.
Reception 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Lecture and Panel 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Registration is free and required for all guests. We intentionally oversell tickets to ensure a full venue. Entry and seating are first come, first served and not guaranteed, even with a ticket. We recommend arriving early and join the pre-reception to maximize your chance of entry.

Attorney General Rob Bonta will be the keynote speaker.
Panelists include:

Cielo Castro, Chief Impact Officer, California Community Foundation (moderator)
Ahilan Arulanantham, Professor from Practice, UCLA Law; Faculty Co-Director, Center for Immigration Law & Policy
Paul Ong, Director, UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge
Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA); Luskin Senior Fellow

Learn more about the research from the Center for Neighborhood Knowledge and the Latino Policy & Politics Institute.

This event is part of the Luskin Lecture Series and co-hosted by the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, and the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
View all of our upcoming events at luskin.ucla.edu/events

TONGVA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.
PHOTO RELEASE
By attending this event, you will be entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. With your presence, you authorize UCLA Luskin and its licensees to photograph you, make sound and/or video recordings of you, and use the recordings for marketing, publicity and promotion of this event and UCLA Luskin generally. Please click on the link for the full UCLA Luskin Notice of Filming Release.
Attendance by a public official will constitute acceptance of a reportable gift.

UCLA Luskin Alumni Regional Reception Sacramento
2026-02-09 18:00 | Cafeteria 15L, 1116 15th Street, Sacramento, 95814, United States
Please join us for the UCLA Luskin Alumni Regional Reception Sacramento on Monday, February 9, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Cafeteria 15L.
This special gathering is a wonderful opportunity to stay connected with the UCLA Luskin community and strengthen the relationships that make our School so vibrant. Alumni from our programs in Social Welfare, Public Policy, Urban Planning, and the Undergraduate Program in Public Affairs play an essential role in shaping our region and state. Coming together across disciplines not only enriches our shared experience but deepens the collective impact we create together.
We’re also delighted to welcome our Interim Dean Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris and faculty, who will be in Sacramento ahead of the annual Sacramento Briefing. In addition, a select group of current Luskin students traveling for the briefing will join us—they’re eager to learn from your journeys, connect with alumni, and build meaningful relationships with the leaders who inspire them.
To make the evening even more special, your ticket includes appetizers, a street tacos buffet, a drink of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and a scrumptious dessert.
Early-bird tickets will be available December 17–January 16 for $20. After that, tickets will be $40, so we encourage you to reserve yours early.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of conversation, community, and Bruin camaraderie.
We look forward to welcoming you!

UCLA MRED OPEN HOUSE
2026-03-04 10:30 - 17:00 | 2343 Public Affairs, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Join us at the UCLA MRED Open House!
Prospective students and community members are cordially invited to attend UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs, Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program’s Open House on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 10:30am-5:00pm (PST) followed by a Visiting Fellow Talk from Janet Marie Smith at the Luskin Conference Center, 5:00PM-8:00PM(PST).
For prospective and admitted students interested in learning more about the MRED program, the Open House is a great opportunity to network with UCLA MRED staff, faculty, and students, all while attending information-based sessions showcasing the strong connection the program has with the real estate development sector. We are especially pleased to invite prospective students to attend an industry reception and talk by our Winter 2026 Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Real Estate, Janet Marie Smith.
Open House Itinerary
10:30 Check-In Reception
11:00 Welcome
11:30 Networking Lunch
1:00-3:50 RE DEV 202B Class Observation
3:50-4:00 Break
4:00-4:45 Industry Mentor Session

Distinguished Visiting Fellow Talk
5:00-6:00 Pre-Networking Reception
6:00-7:00 Visiting Fellow Talk
7:00-7:30 Post-Networking Reception

PLEASE RSVP: UCLA MRED OPEN HOUSE

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Janet Marie Smith
Janet Marie Smith is a renowned architect, urban planner, and Major League Baseball executive whose visionary work has shaped some of the most iconic baseball venues in the sport, from Oriole Park at Camden Yards—which set the modern standard for ballpark design—to Fenway Park’s preservation and the extensive renovations at Dodger Stadium including the fan-favorite Centerfield Plaza “front door” and improvements to Camelback Ranch and Campo Las Palmas in the Dominican Republic; she joined the Dodgers in 2012, became Executive VP of Planning & Development in 2020, co-founded the Canopy Team to blend sports facilities with community-focused urban development, and was recognized on Sports Business Journal’s “Influence 125” list of the most impactful figures in sports business.
Full bio
ABOUT UCLA MRED
Housing in the Luskin School of Public Affairs, the UCLA MRED (https://luskin.ucla.edu/mred) was launched in 2025, with an inaugural cohort of 25 students. UCLA MRED is an unprecedented collaboration between UCLA and the real estate industry, to deliver a practical, hands-on, case-driven, real-world curriculum. UCLA MRED emphasizes impact on day one and the leading edge of real estate, new tools and technology to drive value, a whole person approach including soft skills and intangibles to be effective leaders, Los Angeles as a living learning lab as the city rebuilds around sustainability and resiliency, and leverages resources from across the UCLA campus.

UCLA MRED Distinguished Visiting Fellow Talk, Janet Marie Smith
2026-03-04 17:00 - 20:00 | UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
UCLA MRED Winter 2026 Distinguished Visiting Fellow Talk & Industry Reception, featuring Janet Marie Smith, Executive Vice President Planning & Development, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chair and Co-Founder, Canopy Team
Join UCLA MRED (Master of Real Estate Development) for a real estate industry reception and talk by Janet Marie Smith, Winter 2026 Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Real Estate. Smith’s work bridges urban planning, architecture, and place-making, directly relevant to property value, development strategy, and community impact. She has pioneered ballparks that anchor vibrant downtown development, showing how major venues can stimulate surrounding real estate activity and economic growth.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 from 5:00-8:00 PM (PST)
Luskin Conference Center, Laureate Room, UCLA campus
parking available in structure 8 guest parking (next door)
5:00-6:00pm Pre-Reception Networking (South Courtyard Patio)
6:00-7:00pm Janet Marie Smith Fireside Chat + Q&A (Laureate Room)
7:00-8:00pm Post-Reception (South Courtyard Patio)
Janet Marie Smith
Janet Marie Smith is a renowned architect, urban planner, and Major League Baseball executive whose visionary work has shaped some of the most iconic baseball venues in the sport, from Oriole Park at Camden Yards—which set the modern standard for ballpark design—to Fenway Park’s preservation and the extensive renovations at Dodger Stadium including the fan-favorite Centerfield Plaza “front door” and improvements to Camelback Ranch and Campo Las Palmas in the Dominican Republic; she joined the Dodgers in 2012, became Executive VP of Planning & Development in 2020, co-founded the Canopy Team to blend sports facilities with community-focused urban development, and was recognized on Sports Business Journal’s “Influence 125” list of the most impactful figures in sports business.
Full bio
About UCLA MRED
Housing in the Luskin School of Public Affairs, the UCLA MRED (https://luskin.ucla.edu/mred) was launched in 2025, with an inaugural cohort of 25 students. UCLA MRED is an unprecedented collaboration between UCLA and the real estate industry, to deliver a practical, hands-on, case-driven, real-world curriculum. UCLA MRED emphasizes impact on day one and the leading edge of real estate, new tools and technology to drive value, a whole person approach including soft skills and intangibles to be effective leaders, Los Angeles as a living learning lab as the city rebuilds around sustainability and resiliency, and leverages resources from across the UCLA campus.
