Georgetown Appointed New Real Estate Head
The McDonough School of Business hired Kelly Nagel to oversee program expansion and a new real estate minor.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Commercial
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In June 2026, the McDonough School of Business appointed Kelly Nagel as the new head of real estate at the Steers Center for Global Assets. This leadership change marks a shift toward expanding the center into a comprehensive real assets platform for undergraduate and graduate students.
Why it matters
The appointment responds to growing student demand for specialized education in commercial real estate and infrastructure. By broadening the curriculum, the school aims to better prepare students for careers in the evolving energy and real assets markets.
Kelly Nagel brings three years of experience as an adjunct professor to her new leadership role. The center plans to launch its new real estate minor in Spring 2027.
The players
Kelly Nagel
The newly appointed head of real estate at the Steers Center who previously served as an adjunct professor at the McDonough School of Business for three years.
McDonough School of Business
The business school at Georgetown University that provides undergraduate and graduate professional training.
Steers Center for Global Assets
An educational entity within the business school that is evolving its scope to focus on commercial real estate, infrastructure, and energy.
The details
As head of real estate, Nagel is tasked with evaluating existing undergraduate and graduate curricula to identify opportunities for expansion. She is currently working to define academic content and recruit faculty for the upcoming real estate minor program. Her strategy focuses on integrating infrastructure and energy topics into the broader mission of the Steers Center for Global Assets.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Kelly Nagel assumed the role of head of real estate.
September 16, 2026: The McDonough School of Business announced the appointment.
Spring 2027: The new real estate minor is scheduled to launch.
The Home Front
Business schools are increasingly moving toward a real assets model that combines traditional property development with infrastructure and energy management. This structural change reflects a wider trend in commercial real estate education to prepare students for a more complex investment landscape.
Families with students interested in real estate careers should monitor the upcoming 2027 curriculum updates to understand which academic tracks are available. Prospective students and parents should review the school's updated course catalog in early 2027 for specific details on the new minor requirements.
The takeaway
The pivot to a real assets platform signals that the school is prioritizing long-term market demand for specialized knowledge in commercial properties. Students interested in these paths should keep a close eye on the official academic calendar for the Spring 2027 minor rollout.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends impacting local market development, visit Commercial.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hoya.
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