NSU is home to Florida’s only property management and real estate bachelor’s degree program. James Donnelly, a member of NSU’s Shark Circle and Board of Trustees, generously contributed resources to expand the program and provide scholarships to eligible students.
“My vision is to ensure this is the preeminent property management program in the United States,” said Donnelly, founder and chairman of the Castle Group, one of Florida’s largest property management organizations. “There is a huge need for well-prepared talent in the property management industry and NSU is on the forefront in preparing students for a great career.”
Donnelly established the James Donnelly Property Management Endowed Scholarship Fund in support of undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Property Management and Real Estate at the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Junior Emily Trieschmann and sophomore John English are two recipients of the scholarship.
Trieschmann transferred to NSU at the beginning of her sophomore year and quickly made her mark at the university. In addition to her commitment to the property management and real estate program, Trieschmann joined the swim team. She was named the 2022-23 Sunshine State Conference Female Athlete of the Year—the first swimmer to earn that honor. Trieschmann spent the summer interning at Related Companies, a real estate development firm in West Palm Beach. She plans to finish her bachelor’s degree next summer and then start working on her master’s degree in real estate development, all while continuing to swim for the university.
“This scholarship has made my goal of graduating early become financially easier,” Trieschmann said. “Thank you again for your support. You have made a difference in my education, and I am very grateful to have this opportunity.”
Originally from upstate New York, English decided to focus on real estate and property management and chose NSU as the place to earn his degree. He is a part of the Huizenga Business Innovation Academy, a program that allows students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just four years. English also works as an agent for the Keyes Company, a local real estate firm.
“This scholarship was extremely helpful in financing my education. I am an out-of-state student and am paying my tuition completely on my own,” English said. “After graduating, I hope to build a real estate portfolio, start my own company, and give back to NSU, as the university has given me immense opportunity. I would love to provide knowledge and inspiration to students, just as Mr. Donnelly did when he spoke to my Real Estate Principles class.”
“It is such an honor and privilege for me to give back to the industry that was so good to me and do whatever I can to support these terrific NSU students,” Donnelly added. “I couldn’t be more excited about where the industry is and where it’s going—it needs what we’re creating at NSU.”
For more information about supporting scholarships for NSU students in the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, contact executive director of development Susanne Marshall, Ph.D., at (954) 262-3014 or via email at msusanne@nova.edu.