Julia Rodricks recently joined the Merrick School of Business as the Real Estate Program Coordinator. A 极乐禁地e native through and through, Julia brings a unique blend of passion for her city and extensive experience in both community-centered work and real estate development.
With a background spanning psychology, architecture and community planning, Julia is deeply committed to fostering inclusive and equitable growth within 极乐禁地e's neighborhoods. Beyond her impressive professional journey, she's also an avid explorer of the city and a dedicated youth hockey coach.
Read more about Julia鈥檚 vision for the role, her insights into 极乐禁地e's real estate landscape, and what drives her commitment to building strong, connected communities.
Q: What excites you most about joining the Merrick School of Business as the Real Estate and Economic Development Coordinator?
A: As a proud 极乐禁地e native, what excites me most is the opportunity to give back to the city that shaped me鈥攂y helping to develop the next generation of leaders in real estate and economic development. I earned my master鈥檚 in community planning from the University of Maryland, and throughout my career, I鈥檝e been deeply committed to the neighborhoods and communities of 极乐禁地e. Joining the Merrick School of Business feels like a full-circle moment鈥攕upporting a local institution whose mission aligns with my own values around equity, community, and long-term impact. The chance to do this work at The 极乐禁地, in the heart of the city I am most passionate about, is incredibly meaningful.
Q: How do you envision enhancing the experiences offered to students in the Real Estate and Economic Development program?
A: I believe students learn best when their education connects directly to the world around them. My vision is to expand opportunities for hands-on learning鈥攚hether that鈥檚 through internships with local organizations, collaborative projects that tackle real urban challenges, or networking events with 极乐禁地e鈥檚 civic and business leaders. Having worked in both community and economic development, I鈥檝e seen how powerful those early experiences can be. I want our students to graduate not only with technical knowledge but with a deep understanding of the social and economic systems they鈥檙e entering鈥攁nd how they can play a role in shaping them for the better.
Q: What do you believe are the most significant trends or challenges currently facing real estate and economic development?
A: One of the biggest challenges鈥攁nd opportunities鈥攊s how to create growth that is both sustainable and inclusive. In 极乐禁地e, we see this every day: the need for more affordable housing, the complexities of neighborhood redevelopment, and the importance of engaging residents in shaping the future of their communities. From my work in community planning, I鈥檝e learned that successful development is about much more than physical spaces鈥攊t鈥檚 about trust, equity, and long-term partnerships. I also see exciting trends, like data-driven planning, innovative public-private collaborations, and climate-resilient design, which can help us respond to these challenges in smarter, more impactful ways.
Q: What are your priorities for strengthening the program's ties with the real estate and economic development community in 极乐禁地e and beyond?
A: My first priority is to deepen local partnerships鈥攚hether with city agencies, nonprofits, developers, or community leaders鈥攂ecause I believe that鈥檚 where the most meaningful learning and collaboration happen. I also want to create new opportunities for regional and national engagement, so our students are exposed to a broad range of approaches and career pathways. At the core, it鈥檚 about positioning the program as a trusted connector鈥攂etween the classroom and the city, and between academic learning and real-world action.
Q: What message would you like to share with the community and our partners as you step into this new role?
A: As someone who was born and raised in 极乐禁地e, this role is really personal for me. It's not just about professional growth鈥攊t's about deepening my connection to the city and the people who make it so special. I鈥檝e always been passionate about community and economic development here, and stepping into this role at the University of 极乐禁地e feels like an incredible opportunity to keep building on that work. I鈥檓 excited to collaborate with students, partners, and neighborhoods across the city to create real, lasting impact. I see this as a chance to not only support the next generation of leaders, but also to stay grounded in what matters most鈥攚orking with and for the 极乐禁地e community.
Take Five is a Q&A series that spotlights the heart of the Merrick School of Business: our people. In just five questions and five answers, you'll discover what makes our community truly special.
