USF alumnus Jeffery Hills donated $1.25M to help USF launch a new real estate master’s program. ORACLE PHOTO/COLE ABRUZZESE

USF will launch a Master of Science in Real Estate in fall 2027 to prepare students for careers across the real estate industry — from development to investment and property management.

Randy Anderson is the director of real estate programs at USF’s Muma College of Business and joined the university in June 2025.

Anderson said he hopes to build a program that becomes a “top‑10” real estate education program in the nation.

“We believe we can do it because we’re in a very dynamic real estate market and we can bring world‑class faculty together with top industry leaders to help students,” Anderson said. 

Anderson said the program is being designed to provide students with practical skills, mentorship opportunities and exposure to industry leaders. 

The program’s implementation responds to strong student interest and the growing demand for real estate expertise in the Tampa Bay area, he said.

Related: USF receives $40M gift for new AI, cybersecurity and computing college 

The initiative was made possible by a $1.25 million gift from Tampa developer and USF alumnus Jeffery Hills, the president of Eisenhower Property Group, in December 2025. 

The Eisenhower Property Group was founded in 2004 and specializes in acquiring and developing large-scale residential and mixed-use communities across Florida, according to its LinkedIn.

Anderson said the donation will support curriculum development and faculty engagement in the program — reflecting broader growth in private support and professional education at USF.

USF has seen substantial philanthropic investments across campus in recent years, including significant gifts for other specialized programs. 

Last year, USF received a $40 million donation from Arnie and Lauren Bellini, which helped establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. 

Related: USF graduate programs gain national attention in latest U.S. News ranking 

Anderson said real estate covers a wide range of work, from development and construction to investment and property management, and plays a major role in the economy.

“A very strong environment for students to learn and succeed exists here because of how closely education connects to real-world careers,” Anderson said.

But Anderson said interest in real estate education at USF was already evident before he began his role last summer.

Anderson said over 700 students are “already active” in real estate clubs — like the student-organized Real Estate Society — and internships, and have demonstrated a strong interest and commitment to the field.

Anderson said the level of enthusiasm and student demand for the real estate program made the decision to invest in it easy. 

He said his role focuses on building a program to prepare graduates to contribute on day one of their careers — even if they aren’t immediately leading major development projects. 

Anderson confirmed work has already begun on designing the required courses for the program.

The USF Real Estate Advisory Board used surveys and skills assessments to gather input on which courses to offer.

That input will help refine the final design of the curriculum and advise on any necessary changes to provide students with the required skills and mentorship, Anderson said.

Anderson noted the 40‑member advisory board is composed of seasoned real estate professionals from Tampa Bay and beyond. 

The board includes leaders in development, acquisitions, banking and property management, and will help shape curriculum, mentorship, internship placements and guide job outcomes for students, he said.

Related: USF Muma College of Business faculty, students welcome plans for new building 

Anderson said the curriculum will balance foundational real estate knowledge with specialized skills that reflect the breadth of industry career paths.

He said one challenge for building the program is designing a curriculum that meets the needs of students headed into diverse fields within real estate without overloading learners.

“We can’t make someone an expert in a master’s program,” Anderson said, “But we can take them to the next level and give them the concepts they need to continue learning in their careers.” 

Anderson said that financial aid, fellowships and assistantships remain under review and will be clarified as the program’s design progresses.

Still, Anderson said he expects USF to stand among other nationally recognized institutions for real estate education in the next five years.

“It’s going to be a university that’s mentioned in the conversation,” he said. “We want our students to graduate ready to lead the industry, and this program is designed to make that happen.”