Marking the culmination of a 26-week course that began last September, 20 students graduated from the Associates in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) program on June 7. The event took place at the MSOE Grohmann Museum, 1000 N. Broadway.

The ACRE program is an industry-supported initiative that recruits and trains minorities for professional careers in real estate development, property management and construction management. More than 150 people have graduated from the program since it started in 2004.

In addition to classroom work, ACRE provides students with networking opportunities, project-based training and mentorship. Students typically have some college training as well as business experience.

The ACRE program was created by Professor Mark Eppli and the Marquette University College of Business and is now administered through LISC Milwaukee in partnership with Marquette University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Eppli was on hand for the event, along with industry professionals, Milwaukee officials and ACRE alumni now working in real estate development and related fields.