The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a powerful resource for college and university students pursuing real estate, finance, architecture, planning, urban design, and related fields. By providing valuable industry knowledge, ULI helps students bridge the gap between academic studies and real-world practice, while also introducing them to the benefits of cross-disciplinary learning. Students who engage with ULI gain a competitive edge as they start their careers, with access to an extensive network of professionals and industry resources.

The ULI Etkin Scholars Program is designed to introduce multidisciplinary students to ULI and develop the next generation of industry leaders. Scholars will gain a deeper understanding of the many roles and disciplines that contribute to best practices in land use. The program provides students with exclusive access to ULI’s resources, events, and ULI Northern New Jersey, integrating them into a dynamic learning and networking ecosystem.

ULI NNJ selects a cohort of Etkin Scholars, offering them a welcoming and structured entry into ULI knowledge at both the local and national levels. Scholars receive funding support, free ULI student memberships, innovative programming, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences throughout their academic year.

On both national and local levels, this initiative is officially recognized as the ULI Etkin Scholars Program, and participants proudly hold the title of Etkin Scholars—a distinction that signifies their commitment to professional growth and leadership in the industry.

ULI Northern New Jersey will host at least four events specifically for its own Etkin Scholars. Recommendations for programming include one in the fall as a welcome and one in the spring as a commencement.

Benefits of Being an Etkin Scholar

As a ULI Etkin Scholar, students gain exclusive access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development tools designed to enhance their education and career prospects.

1️⃣ Full ULI Associate Membership Benefits – Scholars will enjoy all the benefits of ULI Associate Membership during their program year, including:

• Access to the ULI Member Directory to connect with industry professionals
• Use of ULI Navigator for mentorship and leadership opportunities
•  Full access to ULI Knowledge Finder and ULI Case Studies
•  Subscription to Urban Land magazine
•  Discounts at the ULI Bookstore
•  Participation in local and national ULI events
•  Eligibility for local leadership roles within ULI

2️⃣ Discounted Membership After the Program – Etkin Scholars can continue their ULI membership at the student rate for one additional year, even if they are no longer students. Some District Councils may choose to cover this cost, ensuring continued access to ULI resources.

3️⃣ Free Access to Local ULI Events – Scholars can attend as many District Council local events as they wish, free of charge, including access to networking opportunities, educational sessions, and industry panels. (Excludes major fundraising events and confidential committee meetings.)

By participating in the ULI Etkin Scholars Program, students gain unparalleled exposure to the real estate and land use industry, expanding their knowledge, professional network, and career opportunities.

Etkin Scholar Requirements

To be eligible for the ULI Etkin Scholars Program, students must meet the following criteria:

✅ Enrollment Status – Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at an accredited college or university. While preference is given to those pursuing careers in real estate, finance, architecture, planning, urban design, or related fields, students from other disciplines with an interest in land use may also apply.

✅ Minimum Enrollment Commitment – Each District Council must enroll at least 20 students for the full academic year. Once this minimum is met, students enrolling for one semester may be considered. All participants must reapply annually to continue in the program.

✅ Selection Criteria – District Councils will select students based on:

• Academic standing
• Professor recommendation
• Commitment to ULI’s principles
• Demonstrated leadership potential
• Commitment to ULI’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals

✅ Reapplication Opportunity – Students may apply for additional years as an Etkin Scholar if they continue to meet the program qualifications.

✅ Participation Commitment – Scholars are expected to dedicate approximately three hours per month to online or in-person events, including networking sessions, mentorship opportunities, and educational programming.

✅ Complete a 30-Minute “Welcome to ULI” Webinar – This on-demand introduction will provide essential information about:

• The objectives of the ULI Etkin Scholars Program
• How to use ULI’s Knowledge Finder, Member Directory, and Navigator
• The role of District Councils and local events
• Product Councils and their impact on the industry
• Opportunities in the Young Leaders Group (YLG) or NEXT
• Fall and Spring Meetings participation
•  Various ULI Learning opportunities available to scholars

✅ Set Preferences in Knowledge Finder – Scholars will personalize their Knowledge Finder settings to access ULI’s full content database, ensuring they stay informed on industry trends and insights.

✅ Complete Their ULI Member Directory Profile – Scholars must add their bio and photo to the ULI Member Directory, making it easier to connect with industry professionals.

✅ Provide Demographic Information – Scholars will complete all demographic questions in their ULI account profile (responses can include “prefer not to answer”).

By fulfilling these requirements, Etkin Scholars will be well-equipped to take full advantage of the resources, networking, and learning opportunities offered by ULI.

APPLICATION

Tracking the Success of the ULI Etkin Scholars Program

To ensure the impact and effectiveness of the ULI Etkin Scholars Program, ULI follows a structured approach to tracking student progress and engagement both during and after their scholarship year.

1️⃣ Quarterly Reporting – ULI will collect and analyze data on the program’s progress, challenges, and accomplishments every quarter and report findings to ULI Learning.

2️⃣ Donor & Foundation Reports – ULI Learning will provide quarterly and annual reports to the Donor and the ULI Foundation, ensuring transparency, program evaluation, and donor stewardship.

3️⃣ Long-Term Career Tracking – ULI NNJ will play a key role in tracking the success of Etkin Scholars for at least five years after their scholarship. This includes monitoring:

• ULI Membership – Whether the scholar continues as a ULI member.
• Active Participation – Their level of involvement in ULI events and initiatives.
• Career Path – If they pursue a real estate-related career after graduation.
• Professional Growth – Their overall career development and achievements.

By maintaining a strong connection with Etkin Scholars, ULI ensures that students continue to benefit from their experiences, contribute to the industry, and remain engaged in the ULI network.

Learning Administration

During their term, Etkin Scholars can access all courses in the Foundations of Real Estate (FoRE) certificate without charge. Students will be able to access the course on-demand  throughout the school year.

ULI Learning Course Policy for Etkins Scholars

ULI Etkin Scholars have free access to the Foundations of Real Estate (FoRE) certificate  through ULI Learning.

FoRE Courses and Descriptions:

• Developed for those who are new to the field of commercial real estate, this course provides a broad yet detailed overview of the fundamentals of real  You will learn about the real estate ecosystem and the players involved, as well  as be introduced to the different financial instruments and tools used by  development professionals.
• Foundations of the Development Process
  • This course is designed to take participants through the development process from the developer’s point of view, from planning and site selection to  construction, lease-up, and sale or disposition of the property.
• Foundations of Pro Forma Modeling. In this course, you will be introduced to series of pro format examples and guided through each model reflecting the various stages of each project. The course begins with a simple example and moves on to more complex examples.

1. Course begins with a simple example and moves on to more complex examples :

• An introduction to commercial real estate products with an emphasis on multifamily housing and office space.

2. Foundations of Real Estate Finance and Investment

• Developed for those new to the real estate industry, this module provides a basic introduction to real estate finance and investment. Participants will become acquainted with fundamental real estate finance terms and concepts necessary to understand more complex development tools and processes.

ULI Etkins Co-Chairs

Sunny Li – Adjunct Professor, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Alexa McNeil – Growth and Coordination Consultant, Essex Community Land Trust, Inc.