Building Impact 2025
Benefiting Partner > Portland State University Center for Real Estate
Discover how the George Killian Building Impact Fund is shaping Portland's future and empowering the next generation of real estate leaders.
Strong Regions Start with Strong Talent
A thriving Portland is built through shared investment in people. At Killian Pacific, we’re committed to expanding educational access, nurturing emerging leaders, and strengthening the ecosystem that brings together students, higher education, and industry. By opening real pathways into commercial real estate—where exposure, mentorship, and hands-on experience shape careers—we’re helping grow the talent our region depends on.
“At Killian Pacific, our business has always been centered on people. Supporting the next generation of leaders isn’t separate from what we do; it’s essential to how we build, invest, and show up in our region.”
A Legacy Reimagined
Created in 2023, the George Killian Building Impact Fund emerged from a desire to shift our annual holiday gifting into something more lasting.
Inspired by George Killian’s experience as a PSU student-athlete, whose scholarship opened the door to higher education, the Fund continues his spirit of generosity by investing in students who will shape the future of our region.
Building Real-World Readiness
Portland State University’s Center for Real Estate plays a critical role in preparing the region’s future commercial real estate professionals. With over 150 students enrolled across its Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) and undergraduate programs this year, the Center equips emerging talent with the technical knowledge, industry insight, and practical experience needed to enter a complex and evolving field.
Students learn through applied, real-world coursework—analyzing active development scenarios, evaluating investment decisions, collaborating with industry mentors, and practicing the responsibilities that define development, finance, and asset management work.
The Center’s reach is expanding as well. The Real Estate Property Management certificate—now four years into its development—creates a pathway for students from a wide range of majors to access one of the region’s most stable and in-demand career fields. This broadens participation in the industry and strengthens the workforce pipeline across multiple real estate disciplines.
Learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. Students participate in project tours, lectures, and meaningful conversations with industry leaders that deepen their understanding of how real estate shapes cities. This year, several PSU students and Center for Real Estate staff joined Portland public- and private-sector leaders on the Minneapolis Best Practices Trip—funded by Killian Pacific—to study national examples of innovation, community investment, and redevelopment. Exposure to these models helps students understand the broader forces influencing urban development and the lessons that can be applied to Portland’s evolving landscape.
Events like the CRE Career Panel further reinforce these connections. More than 50 students attended this year’s event, engaging directly with PSU alumni, hiring managers, and industry professionals. These touch points provide invaluable clarity on career paths, expand networks, and help students imagine a place for themselves in the field.
Supporting this ecosystem is essential to Killian Pacific. A prepared, capable, and locally connected talent pool doesn’t just strengthen our company—it strengthens the region’s ability to grow with vision, responsibility, and long-term resilience.
Portland’s Talent Engine
Portland’s long-term economic strength depends on a skilled, robust, and diverse talent pipeline. Few institutions contribute more to that pipeline than Portland State University, which enrolls more than 20,500 students across undergraduate and graduate programs—making it one of Oregon’s largest and most accessible public universities.
PSU serves the students who reflect the future of our region. Nearly half of the student body identifies as non-White, and approximately 43% are first-generation college students, underscoring PSU’s role as a critical engine of upward mobility and opportunity. Many students balance academics with work or family responsibilities, bringing perspectives and lived experience that strengthen the industries they enter.
These students are not just tomorrow’s workforce—they are tomorrow’s leaders. They will shape the health of our local economy, the resiliency of our neighborhoods, and the evolution of Portland’s built environment. When they succeed, the entire region benefits: stronger communities, more innovative businesses, and a more equitable distribution of opportunity.
What the Impact Fund Makes Possible
The George Killian Building Impact Fund expands access to opportunities that accelerate students’ careers and strengthen the region’s talent pipeline. By reducing financial barriers and opening doors to real-world experiences, the Fund helps ensure that promising students can fully participate in the programs that shape our industry’s future.
Support from the Fund enables:
Scholarships that keep students on track
Supporting MSRE and undergraduate students—especially those balancing work, family, and financial constraints—ensures emerging leaders aren’t forced to choose between education and stability.
Managing a paid internship program that builds confidence and capability
These experiences create the applied learning moments that connect classroom knowledge to industry practice, making pathways into CRE more equitable and attainable.
Access to high-impact learning and industry immersion
Best Practices Trips, CRE programming, guest lectures, development tours, and career events help students gain visibility, refine interests, and build networks across public- and private-sector partners.
Support for student organizations and leadership
Groups like the Real Estate Emerging Leaders (REEL) Club offer community, mentorship, and hands-on experience that strengthen students’ readiness for the industry.
Taken together, these resources deepen the connection between education and practice—broadening participation, elevating standards of excellence, and strengthening the region’s long-term economic resilience.
Center for Real Estate: 2025 At a Glance
MSRE program named #8 Best Value School for Real Estate in the U.S.
Over 150 students enrolled across MSRE, GCRED & UG programs
Paid undergraduate internship program growth of 433%
26 scholarships totaling $83,000 awarded to graduate and undergraduate students
$8,000 awarded in direct scholarship support
50+ students attended the CRE Career Panel
Demographics of newly enrolled property management students in 2025:
69% first-generation students
39% Hispanic/Latino representation
Balanced gender representation, with a continued rise in female enrollment
“The communities that thrive are the ones where business, education, and local leadership work together toward shared goals. Our partnership with PSU reflects that belief — when we invest in students, strengthen industry connections, and expand opportunity, we’re helping build the foundation for a stronger Portland.”
So, how can you join us in Building Impact?
We believe in the power of collective effort to create meaningful change. Here’s how you can get involved:
Financial Contribution: Support the George Killian Building Impact Fund to fuel transformation within the real estate sector.
Thought Leadership: Contribute your expertise by teaching, mentoring, or engaging in PSU’s panel discussions and workshops. Your insights can help shape the curriculum and enrich the learning experience for students.
Partnership Engagement: Brainstorm with us on opportunities to collaborate on initiatives that drive social and professional change. Or explore direct partnerships with the Center, through sponsoring events, offering internships, or participating in collaborative projects. Your involvement will have a lasting impact.
For details on how you can make a difference or to discuss potential collaborations, contact the PSU Center for Real Estate.
Student Spotlights
Building a Future in Property Management: Giles Nitunga
When Giles entered PSU’s Property Management Certificate program, he brought determination and a clear desire to build a stable, meaningful career. Through tuition support and an internship at Killian Pacific, Giles gained practical skills, valuable mentorship, and confidence in his path forward.
“This experience changed the way I see my career. I feel more prepared, more confident, and more connected to the industry than I ever expected.”
— Giles
Giles’ story is a powerful reminder that when opportunity meets ambition, futures shift.
Expanding What’s Possible Through Scholarships
Scholarships don’t just close financial gaps—they expand what’s possible. For students balancing work, school, and life transitions, support can be the difference between staying on track and stepping away from a program that could reshape their future. Hannah and Ben are two examples of what happens when talent and opportunity meet.
Hannah Mathew, MSRE
Hannah Mathew is a Real Estate Strategy Consultant at Cushman & Wakefield and a graduate student in the Master of Real Estate Development program at Portland State University. The MSRE program—and the support of the Center for Real Estate—have been instrumental in her transition into the field, providing the technical foundation and industry exposure needed to pursue a career in real estate investment.
Through coursework, property tours, industry events, and her leadership as Chair of the Real Estate Emerging Leaders (REEL) Club, Hannah has steadily developed her skills, expanded her network, and deepened her understanding of how strategic investment decisions shape the future of cities.
Ben Kirkpatrick, MSRE
Ben Kirkpatrick is a U.S. Navy veteran with several years of experience leading digital advertising and data-driven strategy. Drawn to the tangible impact of real estate, he transitioned into the industry and is now pursuing an M.S. in Real Estate (MSRE) at Portland State University with a focus on investment, finance, and asset management.
Ben brings strong skills in financial modeling, market analysis, and portfolio optimization, and is passionate about using data to drive strategic decisions and long-term value. He is focused on building a career in real estate investment and asset management and is grateful to the PSU MSRE program, faculty, and cohort for their continued support and guidance.
Welcoming Our Newest PSU Intern, Lane Smith
We’re excited to welcome Lane Smith as Killian Pacific’s newest intern—a role that reflects our commitment to developing emerging talent across the real estate industry. Lane will support our Development, Portfolio, and Asset Management teams while also contributing to enterprise functions, including Accounting, Marketing, and Social & Environmental Impact.
About Lane
Lane comes to KP with a strong foundation in business systems and logistics. Previously at Affiliated Resources, he managed key trucking logistics and built an automated tracking system using Python, SQL, and Power Query—improving efficiency for more than 50 traders.
He earned his Business Information Systems degree from Oregon State University and is now pursuing his Master of Real Estate at PSU. Outside of work, Lane enjoys basketball, lifting, running, and exploring all genres of music, especially Rap and R&B.