Being selected as a Ferguson Fellow is an exclusive honor. But at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics, there is a cohort of students receiving recognition from the real estate-focused Ferguson Centers for Leadership Excellence. In addition to MBA candidate Edwin Munoz receiving an exclusive $10,000 award, two undergrads, Daerrick Rocha ’28 (finance) and Brianna Castillo ’27 (real estate and sociology) are part of a community of 220 Ferguson Fellows, who will pursue internship and career opportunities this autumn under the mentorship and personal development resources of Ferguson.

The students began the selection process this past spring, with a 20-minute video interview focused on background and career aspirations, all the while benefiting from the guidance and advice of business college faculty.

Both students are part of the robust real estate education program at Cal State Fullerton, which is presented through the Center for Real Estate and includes an undergraduate Business Administration concentration focused on real estate as well as graduate-level coursework, all designed to enable students to be exam-ready as they enter real estate professions. The center also supports the Real Estate Association club, which focuses on networking and professional development to ensure students have the connections needed to rise higher.

“Brianna and Daerrick have earned an exceptional opportunity to further their interests in real estate and learn alongside students from across the country,” says Dean Sri Sundaram. “I know the experience will serve them well as they continue their education and begin building their careers. We are grateful to the Ferguson Centers for Leadership Excellence for creating opportunities like this and for their investment in the next generation of real estate professionals.”

Both Castillo and Rocha emphasize the insights and support they will gain through the opportunity.

“The Ferguson Center for Leadership Excellence will prepare me for life after college by connecting me with new opportunities and a community of ambitious, like-minded students from across the U.S.,” says Castillo, who learned of the opportunity through the CSUF Real Estate Association. “Through the Ferguson Fellowship Program, I hope to gain valuable insight from my coach and peers, while also taking another step toward my goal of pursuing a career in commercial property management. I am incredibly happy to have been accepted and excited to see where this experience takes me.”

Rocha, who aspires to a commercial real estate and investment management career, also recognizes the significance of the opportunity and how involvement in the Real Estate Association prepared him for it. “Being selected as a Ferguson Fellow is one of the most meaningful recognitions I’ve received at CSUF. The access to career coaching, an ambitious peer network, and industry connections will directly support my goal of breaking into commercial real estate investments,” he says.

For more on the Center for Real Estate, read more of our articles on real estate education.