Military Scholarships Ease Transitioning and Make Impact for University of San Diego Real Estate Students
As a result of the Epstein Challenge established by Daniel (Dan) Epstein, founder and executive chairman of the ConAm Group, to create scholarships for military-connected and veteran students, over $1.9 million in current use and endowment funds were raised as part of the Campaign for Student Success.
Scholarships for University of San Diego (USD) real estate students who have transitioned out of the military and are pursuing their undergraduate or graduate degrees have become an important focus for the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate (BMC) and the Real Estate Department at USD’s Knauss School of Business. The additional financial support and encouragement during their transition into civilian life has a significant impact.
Meet two real estate students—Aaron Glaspell ’24, an undergraduate student, who double majored in real estate and finance, and graduated in May, and graduate student Yohannis Swaby ’24 (MSRE) ’25 (MBA), who completed the Master of Science in Real Estate program in May. Yohannis will then complete her MBA at USD in 2025. Both students were emphatic that the real estate scholarships and the unwavering support they received through the real estate program facilitated their transition from the military to returning to USD to complete their degrees.
Aaron Glaspell '24
Real Estate and Finance Majors
Aaron Glaspell ‘24, is a veteran of the US Navy. He served ten years as an enlisted US Navy rescue swimmer, door gunner, crew-chief and training instructor. During his last assignment in Coronado, Aaron and his wife had two daughters (now ages 4 and 1) and he wanted more career stability. He always had a passion and curiosity for real estate, so he began looking into real estate programs in San Diego to complete his undergraduate degree. Aaron attended Central Washington University from 2008-2010 and Grossmont College from 2020-2021. In 2022, he transferred to USD where he completed his undergraduate degree this in May.
“I was quickly drawn to USD because of its reputation for having an exceptional real estate program,” says Aaron. “When I reached out to the BMC team to learn more about the program, I was greeted with enthusiasm. As a member of the military this was very welcoming. I received tremendous support and encouragement, so I knew this was the place for me to be.”
While enrolled in USD’s real estate program, Aaron began building relationships with the real estate faculty, the BMC team of professionals and with the real estate industry. Aaron joined USD’s student-run Real Estate Society (RES), where he served as vice president of events during the 2022-2023 academic year and vice president of RES during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Aaron says that the skills that he developed in the military helped with his transition back to school.
“Accountability, showing up, building relationships, attending class and getting involved were all traits I learned in the Navy,” says Aaron. “They have helped me be successful in the real estate program and the support you get financially and personally through the BMC is remarkable. The professors and the BMC team care about building relationships with each individual student. Going to USD is a holistic experience. For someone like me going through a transition period, leaving the military and going back to school, is a big deal—having that support and all of the opportunities is a big help.”
Aaron learned about the vast number of scholarship opportunities for USD estate students through e-mails sent out by the BMC team and though being an integral member of the RES.
“Being part of the Real Estate Society allowed me to learn about all of the scholarships that were available to real estate students,” says Aaron. “The BMC team came to our meetings and walked us through the application process, which gave me the opportunity to reflect on why I was here, what I hope to gain, what I’ve done in the past and ways I will contribute in the future.”
The effort Aaron put forth into his scholarship applications paid off and had a huge impact. He was ultimately awarded $25,000 in scholarships, which included recognition from members of the BMC’s Policy Advisory Board, many of whom have established scholarships for USD real estate students.
Aaron’s scholarships included:
The Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services Current Use Scholarship, in 2023;
The Tony Carr Military Scholarship for USD Real Estate Students, in 2023;
The Daniel J. Epstein Current Use Scholarship Award in both 2023 and in 2024; and
The Brutten Family Scholarship Award, in 2024.
“Being a student can be extremely challenging financially, especially with two kids, so the scholarship money eased the burden and allowed me to focus on school and helped to supplement the cost of my education,” says Aaron. “It is an inspiration to see how so many in the industry are supportive of the program and are willing to give back to current students. It is motivating to know that we are part of a program where people care so much about students and are willing to invest in our future. I am appreciative of the donors and of the scholarships I received. It has absolutely changed my experience at USD in a positive way and will forever give me a great feeling about USD, the BMC and the real estate program.”
Aaron grew up in Port Townsend, WA. He and his family returned to Washington this summer where he will attend the University of Washington’s MBA program in Fall 2024. Aaron shared that he would like to ultimately pursue a career in real estate development. He hopes to begin working at a small, boutique development company to learn the ropes and eventually develop some projects on his own. In his free time, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, snowboarding and biking.
Yohannis Swaby ’24 (MSRE) ’25 (MBA)
For Yohannis Swaby ’24 (MSRE) ’25 (MBA), pivoting from the military into the civilian sector was, at first, very uncomfortable.A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Yohannis came to the US when she was eight years old. She joined the military at age 21. Yohannis spent 10 years in the US Navy, where she managed the finances of ships and oversaw executive events.
While stationed in Spain with the military, Yohannis earned her bachelor’s in psychology (online) from the University of Maryland. She was assigned to the Pentagon for six months and was then selected to work at the White House under the Trump Administration. Subsequently, Yohannis became the aide for Admiral William Moran, 39th vice chief of Naval Operations, and then she served as a human resources specialist for Navy Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital).
Yohannis shared that her interest in real estate was inspired through her travels to 48 countries during her military service and through her ownership of two residential properties.
In Fall 2022, Yohannis decided to pursue an MBA at the University of San Diego.
“I always wanted to attend a private university, but didn’t have the resources,” says Yohannis. She attended an information session one weekend and fell in love with the USD campus. She completed her first semester in the MBA program and met real estate alumnae Michelle Muniz ’16 (MSRE) and Michelle’s husband at a USD alumni event.
“Michelle took the time to get to know me and learn about my interests and passion for real estate,” says Yohannis. “She introduced me to the MSRE program and thought that I might be very interested in acquisitions. She also introduced me to Catherine Northcutt, EdD, at the BMC. Instead of going back to the MBA program that semester, I decided to put my MBA on hold and pursue the MSRE degree first and then complete my MBA.”
Yohannis says that the transition from military life into civilian life was uncomfortable and not easy, however the BMC team offered her the support she needed to build confidence and move into the next stage of her career.
“The BMC team really helped to ease my fears and I loved seeing how genuinely involved and passionate the team is about its military students—they really do help the veterans and really do care,” says Yohannis. “As service members, we truly appreciate how much the program invests in the military community and on the personal student level.”
Learning about the variety of scholarships available to MSRE students through the BMC, furthered Yohannis’ impressions of the real estate program.
“I got amazing, welcoming, veteran-friendly emails from the BMC,” says Yohannis. “The team is available to support students through the entire scholarship application process.”
This year, Yohannis was awarded several real estate scholarships, including the Adam Robinson Current Use Scholarship, the Del Corazon Scholarship (both military scholarships) and an external award of $10,000 as a recipient of the NAIOP San Diego University Challenge Scholarship. Only six scholarships were awarded by NAIOP and four of the six scholarships went to USD real estate students.
“These scholarships really help to bridge a financial gap, especially for students that are not working while in school,” says Yohannis. “I want to thank the donors who are supporting all of these scholarships,” says Yohannis. “It is not just about the monetary component—the scholarships have an immediate impact on the student’s life and it alleviates a burden. It gives them the freedom to focus on their school instead of having to worry about where their resources are coming from. I hope to pay it forward once I graduate and I am in a place where I can help support other MSRE students who are pursuing their graduate degree—now I want to be able to return the favor.”
Yohannis highly recommends that all USD real estate students take advantage of these spectacular scholarship opportunities which help financially, but also enhance their resume.
“I didn’t know I was going to be selected for these scholarships, but I put in the time to craft a meaningful application,” says Yohannis. “Put in the work and it will pay off. It’s very rewarding. There are so many scholarship resources out there and you just need to apply. Get the support from the BMC team and they will support you and help you navigate through the entire process.”
Yohannis has also enjoyed being involved as a volunteer in the BMC’s Real Estate Awareness and Diversity Initiative (READI) program, attending company visits to Westcore, CBRE and the ConAm Group. In 2023, she joined the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) San Diego chapter to further her relationship building within the industry.
In Fall 2024, Yohannis will return to USD to complete her MBA. She is interested in remaining in San Diego and pursuing a position in asset management position with a real estate firm. In her free time, Yohannis enjoys hiking, traveling and learning about different cultures.