Jared P. Harrell, JD
Rawls College of Business
Texas Tech University
“Professor Harrell is a remarkable educator, mentor, and leader who has dedicated his career to shaping both the academic landscape of real estate education and the professional success of his students at Texas Tech. As the founding Director of the Texas Tech Center for Real Estate, he has built an enduring program from the ground up, personally investing his own time and resources to ensure its success. His leadership has resulted in a $5 million fundraising campaign, the creation of a 60-member advisory council, and the development of academic and professional programming that directly connects students with industry leaders. Beyond these institutional milestones, Professor Harrell has profoundly impacted the lives of countless students, myself included, continuing to mentor and support us long after graduation. His blend of academic excellence, professional distinction, and tireless student advocacy makes him an extraordinary candidate for this award.” – Kenzie Wolfe
Jared P. Harrell, 46, is an Associate Professor of Practice and Director of the Center for Real Estate at the Rawls College of Business, where he has led the transformation of Texas Tech’s undergraduate real estate education into a comprehensive program that connects intellectual pursuits with market-based practices. Since joining the faculty in 2015, Professor Harrell has overseen the creation and growth of the Center for Real Estate, launched the undergraduate Certificate in Commercial Real Estate (CREL), and secured more than $5 million in funding to support long-term growth.
A recipient of the 2022 Jerry S. Rawls Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, the college’s highest honor for undergraduate instruction, Harrell is recognized for bridging academic rigor with practical relevance. He teaches courses such as Real Estate Investments, Real Estate Law, and Property Technology, and serves as faculty advisor to the student-led Real Estate Organization. Through industry trips, financial modeling trainings, and immersive project-based learning, Harrell prepares students to thrive in real-world roles across private equity, brokerage, development, and finance.
In collaboration with the Excellence in Banking program, Harrell co-founded the annual Real Estate & Banking Case Competition, a cross-disciplinary challenge that unites undergraduate and graduate students to tackle investment problems rooted in real market data. He also launched the annual Texas Tech Real Estate & Banking Conference, a professional development and networking event that draws hundreds of students, alumni, and industry professionals to campus each year. Additionally, he directs the Center’s 67-member Advisory Council, fostering deep connections between students and professionals throughout the commercial real estate sector.
Prior to academia, Harrell practiced commercial law in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, earning recognition as Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Tarrant County Bar Association in 2014. He now also serves as General Counsel and Investment Committee Member for The Miles Foundation, overseeing legal strategy and asset management for a $120 million portfolio.
Harrell holds a BS in Agricultural Engineering from Texas A&M University, a JD from the University of Texas School of Law, and an MSc in Law & Finance from the University of Oxford. His multifaceted career reflects a deep commitment to education, industry engagement, and philanthropic leadership.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 2015
Education: MSc (Law and Finance), University of Oxford; JD, University of Texas at Austin; BS (Agricultural Engineering), Texas A&M University
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Real Estate Investments, Real Estate Law, Property Technology
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … I began teaching Real Estate Law as an adjunct in the University of Texas at Arlington’s master’s program while practicing law full time in Fort Worth. I was immediately hooked. I loved the idea of designing a practical curriculum rooted in real-world experience and helping students understand complex transactions through case studies drawn directly from my professional background.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? While I am not a traditional research faculty member, my focus lies in bridging academic inquiry with industry relevance through practice-driven programming and applied analysis. Lately, I’ve been exploring how artificial intelligence (particularly the rapid growth of data centers) will shape our societal demand for space in the coming decades. While data center development captures much of the media attention, I believe the more compelling questions involve secondary effects: How will AI influence the demand for other asset classes, such as office or industrial space? And how will AI-enabled technologies disrupt the traditional role of geography in real estate, particularly in terms of land use patterns and infrastructure needs around data-centric developments? These questions challenge our foundational assumptions about space, location, and utility and invite deeper consideration of how technological change is reshaping the built environment.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be … A transactional real estate attorney. I practiced law for over 10 years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before transitioning to academia. I loved the work, was successful in my practice, and continue to stay active in the legal profession on a part-time basis today.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? Preparation, passion, and practicality. I approach every class as if I am teaching it for the first time, investing the time to prepare thoroughly and ensure the material is relevant and engaging. I bring enthusiasm for the subject matter and a commitment to helping students succeed. Most importantly, I constantly connect academic material to real-world industry practices so that students understand not just the theory but how it applies in the marketplace.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Unzipped. My pants were unzipped for the entire first class I ever taught at Texas Tech. Thankfully, I don’t think any of the students noticed.
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: Academic institutions operate very differently than private enterprise. To effectuate change, you need more than good ideas. You need strong personal relationships and a great deal of patience with the system.
Professor I most admire and why: Oren Sussman, Saïd Business School. When I took his Principles of Financial Economics course, my eyes were opened to how a professor could translate complex ideas into practical application. He was the first to truly push me to think deeper and more strategically.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? Seeing those “light bulb” moments when a concept clicks. I especially value the opportunity to help students connect abstract or academic ideas to real-world examples they have encountered or observed. Making that connection is where real learning happens.
What is most challenging? Communication. Students communicate differently than professionals in the industry, and those methods are constantly evolving. I always prioritize clear and consistent communication, but it can be difficult to achieve that with an audience whose habits and preferences are always changing.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Curious. I don’t even need it to be curiosity about real estate specifically. I just enjoy students who are curious about ideas and take the initiative to explore them.
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Apathetic. If you are not passionate about something, I am not motivated to invest in you.
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as … Surprisingly rigid. Sometimes there is a disconnect between my personality and their expectations, and they assume I will be an easy grader. That would be a major miscalculation. Because I take great care to communicate clearly and consistently, I expect those communications to be followed. For example, deadlines are absolute.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? I have two types of hobbies: personal and family. Personally, I enjoy studying Old Testament theology, reading historical novels about the American Revolution, and watching college football. As a family, I enjoy building various types of projects with my daughter, and we try to visit one Disney park each year.
How will you spend your summer? Once classes are out for the year, my focus shifts to my role as General Counsel for The Miles Foundation. I am passionate about the foundation’s mission, and I love getting back into the private investing world while working alongside some of my closest friends and most respected colleagues. We have a special core group at the foundation, and taking a short break from academia during the summer helps recharge me for another academic year.
Favorite place(s) to vacation: London. When I went back to school for my master’s degree, my wife and I spent a special year together in England. We made a lot of memories during that one-year adventure, and there is something deeply nostalgic for both of us about returning to what was a much simpler and meaningful time in our lives.
Favorite book(s): John Adams by David McCullough. President Adams is the historical figure I most admire, and this book sparked my interest in learning more about the multitude of fascinating characters from Colonial America.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? I typically watch about 30 minutes of a movie or show before bed each night, and I always choose comedies because I like to end each day laughing. My all-time favorite series is Silicon Valley on HBO. I find it hilarious for a few reasons. First, I’ve always dreamed of being a company founder, and second, I think deep down I’m a bit of a technology nerd, so almost all the jokes land perfectly for me.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? My favorite type of music is Texas Red Dirt Country. This genre really took off during my college years, and I’ve always been drawn to its focus on lyrical storytelling. My favorite band is Reckless Kelly.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this … Practical, industry-based skill training. I’m not advocating for our research universities to become trade schools, because I do value the ideals of classical education. However, I believe we can do a much better job of incorporating industry-specific applications into all levels of education.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of today’s college graduates. Too often, professionals assume that students are having the same college experience they had, or they forget what it was like to be in that stage of life. Meeting students where they are requires patience, perspective, and a willingness to adapt.
I’m grateful for … Texas Tech accepting me as one of their own. I came here with no ties to the university and almost no academic teaching experience. The Rawls College of Business and the Area of Finance have given me the resources and support to build the Center for Real Estate, and I get to work with colleagues, alumni, and students who have bought into the vision. We may do things a little differently than other programs, but I’m extremely proud of what we’ve built and the great friends I’ve made along the way.
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