Minjia Yan, director of investment at Millennium Commercial Properties and a real estate lecturer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, wants to give back to the community and school where she teaches.
So, Yan said she "did something cool" and established the Minjia Yan First-Generation Real Estate Endowed Scholarship to support first-generation students who study real estate as a major or minor at the UNLV Lee Business School. Students who are the first in their families to attend college and have at least a 2.75 GPA are eligible to apply.
Yan, a member of the UNLV Alumni Association, got the idea and inspiration for the scholarship last year when she saw a few other alumni establish scholarships.
"Many first-generation students do not have a lot of support and resources to enter the commercial real estate industry, which is an industry built by networks, connections, and access to capital," Yan, who grew up in Las Vegas, said in a text message. "So I wanted to support this talent pool of first-generation students who can bring unique perspectives and experiences to our industry."
The scholarship, with funds that can be applied toward a combination of tuition and school expenses, will be awarded each spring semester by UNLV staff. Yan said she will not participate in the selection but will be notified of the winner.
Yan also said the scholarship is designed "preferably to award students who intend to work in the greater Las Vegas area" after graduation. "I really want to see good, young talent" remain in the market, she said.