The NCCU Eagle’s Real Estate Group recently took its commitment to real-world application beyond the classroom by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Durham on Saturday, March 1.
Members helped build two homes for families in need, putting their academic knowledge into action.
Led by Cheyenne Perry, the group’s secretary, the initiative saw enthusiastic participation from members, including Vice President Floyd Borden, Kyndal McDuffie, Janae McAfee, Zoe Koskela-Lewis, Queenora Irvin, Josiah Thompson and Dhasawn Johnson, all of whom are enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program or as undergraduate students.
“This project gave us a hands-on opportunity to connect with the construction and homebuilding aspects of real estate,” said Eustace Conjoh, president of the NCCU Eagle’s Real Estate Group. “It helped us understand the physical labor behind creating homes and how it ties into the larger real estate process, such as project management and community development.”
Students took on a variety of tasks throughout the day, including painting, installing switch plates and caulking.
“One of the key takeaways for a lot of us was that the work was much more physically demanding than expected,” Perry said. “However, there were great moments of collaboration and satisfaction when seeing the tangible results of our efforts.”
The Habitat for Humanity staff expressed their appreciation for NCCU’s involvement and were eager to learn more about the MBA Real Estate Program and the club’s mission.
"NCCU Eagle Real Estate Group's contribution, with eight people volunteering for a total of 58 hours, your impact equates to a contribution of $14,680.96 towards projects that support our mission to build and repair homes in Wake and Johnston Counties," said Tenisha McLean, volunteer engagement coordinator. "Their hard and thorough work was greatly appreciated."
This was the group’s first community service initiative. The club plans to repeat this project again next semester and expand its outreach efforts.
“Real estate is more than just buying and selling property—it’s about building communities and making a lasting impact,” said Borden.
Dean Anthony Nelson praised the group for its commitment to academic excellence and societal impact, aligning with the School of Business’ mission.
“I am incredibly proud of the Real Estate Group for not only excelling in their studies but also demonstrating the School of Business mission to make societal impact,” Nelson said. “Their work with Habitat for Humanity is a perfect example of how our students are preparing to be leaders who make a real difference in their communities.”