The new South Alabama real estate program with 281% growth in 1 year

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The new University of South Alabama real estate degree program has grown by 281% since it launched in August 2025, and student Riley Bailey exemplifies why it’s generating a buzz on campus and beyond.

In August 2026, Bailey became the school’s first student to earn his real estate license in a new era for the program. Earlier this year, he landed a job with a leading Mobile-based commercial real estate firm, Zarzour Companies. He has already bought his first home.

Still, Bailey is quick to share that there’s “nothing special” about him other than developing two qualities—a strong work ethic and willingness to put himself out there. He says anyone willing to do the same may also find a perfect fit in the real estate industry and wants other students to experience the opportunities he has so far.

Read on to learn what he shared and how you can get more information.

Who leads the USA real estate program?

In August of 2025, USA brought on Dr. Grayson Glaze as its inaugural distinguished professor of real estate to lead the program and create a full undergraduate major. He brought with him 20 years of experience from The University of Alabama, where he helped build UA’s academic real estate program into the nation’s largest.

Soon after arriving at USA, Glaze created the Founders Circle, a group of more than 40 industry business leaders who pledged financial support for the program over the next two years.

Why has the South Alabama real estate program grown?

In just one year since its launch, the degree program has grown dramatically to more than 60 students, and Bailey was among the first.

After chatting the whole way to Atlanta on a group conference trip, Bailey quickly found a mentor in Glaze, whom he credits for the program’s success and incredible opportunities for him and other students.

“This program wants to implement you immediately, and that’s purely through Grayson’s teachings and philosophy. This program is meant to get your boots on the ground. There is absolutely no way I could be doing what I am doing without what he has done for us.”
^{USA Real Estate Major Riley Bailey}

Real estate program opportunities for students

The University of South Alabama real estate program prepares students for careers across commercial, residential, capital and corporate real estate markets.

In addition to the real estate major, the university also offers real estate minors for business and non-business students.

Students from all majors may also join the Jaguar Real Estate Club, which meets weekly for lunch-and-learn sessions featuring guests from leading firms sharing insights. The members host on-campus forums, travel nationally for conferences and competitions, and serve as ambassadors for the program.

Visit the club on Instagram + LinkedIn for the most current news + ways to connect.

How to learn more about the South Alabama real estate program

Bailey says club meetings are perfect for students to see whether real estate lights a fire as it did for him. He also credits his dad for helping him develop the mindset he brought to his first meetings, showing up with the right attitude and staying open to opportunities.

His company founder and CEO, Matt Zarzour, told us Bailey certainly walks the talk:

“What was most interesting about Riley is just the unbelievable attitude that he brought to our company. I’ve just always been a firm believer that you can hire somebody for attitude and train them to do what they need to be able to do, and he’s just exceeded our expectations so much with his attitude, his proactiveness and his overall effort to accomplish whatever we’ve asked him to do.”
_{– Matt Zarzour, CEO, Zarzour Companies}

If you have the right attitude and are curious about the world of real estate, get in touch with the USA Mitchell College of Business Real Estate team and tell them we sent you!

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