The University of South Florida (USF) has joined forces with the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Institute as a University Alliance Partner for their Undergraduate Fast Track Program. This is an important step for USF students to extend their real estate education and industry connections. This affiliation empowers USF students pursuing a real estate minor by offering a fast-track pathway to the CCIM designation, one of the most respected credentials in commercial real estate.
Under CCIM’s University Alliance framework, USF students enrolled in finance with a real estate minor degree qualify for the University Fast Track Undergraduate route. Through this partnership and the Undergraduate Fast Track Program, qualified students can receive educational credits for specific USF courses required to achieve the CCIM designation, resulting in meaningful savings of time and course tuition. In addition, this partnership will provide direct access to real estate professionals, events, and resources provided by the Florida CCIM Chapter and West Coast District.
USF underscored the significance of the initiative:
Professor Greg Smesh, PhD, who was instrumental in obtaining approval for the CCIM Undergraduate Fast Track Program, noted,
“Real estate students at USF are excited that USF is now a CCIM University Alliance Partner for the Undergraduate Fast Track Program. Additionally, we have a new real estate professor, Professor Randy Anderson, PhD, who is teaching the Real Estate Investment class for the 2025 fall semester.”
Dr. Anderson, Director of Real Estate Projects at USF, will join Dr. Smersh as faculty advisors for the Real Estate Society, which will advance the USF real estate program. Professor Anderson accepted a Certificate evidencing USF’s enrollment in the CCIM Undergraduate Fast Track Program presented at a recent USF Real Estate Society meeting.
Rick Harris, CCIM, GAA, with Richard Harris & Associates, Inc. and President of the Florida CCIM Chapter – West Coast District, echoed that enthusiasm:
“We are extremely excited about USF becoming a CCIM University Alliance Partner for students completing their real estate minor undergraduate degree. This provides an opportunity for a ‘Fast Track’ process to obtain the prestigious CCIM designation. This will strengthen our affiliation with USF and provide access for students to attend our events and collaborate with industry leaders.”
Beyond curriculum efficiencies, students gain discounted CCIM student memberships, mentoring, access to analytical tools such as financial modeling spreadsheets, and invitations to local CCIM events—practical benefits that help bridge classroom learning with professional practice. Candidates for the CCIM Designation receive additional tools, including the Site-To-Do-Business, an advanced online digital toolkit and data platform specifically designed for commercial real estate (CRE) professionals.
Taken together, USF’s alliance with CCIM exemplifies a modern approach to real estate education in Florida—one that integrates accredited academic study with an accelerated certification pathway and early engagement with elite commercial real estate professionals and networks.
Photo: Florida CCIM West Coast District President Rick Harris, CCIM with
Professor Randy Anderson, PhD, Director of Real Estate Projects for USF
About CCIM
“CCIM stands for Certified Commercial Investment Member. For more than 50 years, CCIMs have been recognized as leading experts in commercial investment real estate. The CCIM lapel pin denotes that the wearer has completed advanced coursework in financial and market analysis, and demonstrated extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry.”
0 Comments
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.