<p><span class="p-body">From Seoul to New York City, Dennis Lee brings his passion for urban development, innovation, and meaningful connections across the globe. Dennis's early urban planning experiences in South Korea led him to NYU SPS's Schack Institute of Real Estate to pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-real-estate.html" title="Master's degree in Real Estate">MS in Real Estate</a>, where he laid the foundation for a fruitful and fulfilling career. We recently caught up with him to see what he has been up to since graduating.</span></p>

<p>Before attending NYU SPS, Lee worked as an urban planning researcher, focusing on identifying the next gentrification areas. He was particularly drawn to places with &quot;locational advantages that drive gentrification,&quot; seeing the potential for using these insights to maximize real estate returns. His transition into real estate at NYU was inspired by his realization that spotting these emerging areas early on could yield significant investment opportunities.</p> <p>&quot;NYU Schack's location in the heart of Manhattan has been incredibly beneficial,&quot; he says, noting how it has allowed him to &quot;easily connect with a wide network of professionals&quot; and learn directly from industry insiders. This, plus the program's part-time professors who are active real estate professionals, helped him see the industry from a practical perspective.</p>

<p>Lee found the MS in Real Estate program's hands-on approach particularly valuable, citing classes that prioritized real-world applications. &quot;One of the most impactful courses for me was <i>financial modeling</i>, where the professor taught us hands-on Excel skills in every session,&quot; he says, adding that these classes allowed him to &quot;learn real-world applications right in the classroom.&quot;</p> <p>He participated in a Capstone Project and an internship, both of which he credits with preparing him for professional settings. In the capstone project, Lee and his classmates worked through a real estate deal from start to finish, dividing roles to simulate a professional environment. This experience taught him how projects unfold in a collaborative, real-world context.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During his internship at Schuckman Realty, he gained valuable exposure to &quot;real estate acquisition roles that aligned with [his] career goals after graduation.&quot; He also shares a special appreciation for Professor Shari Linnick, who led the internship course and whose mentorship has left a lasting impact.</p>

<p>Lee's time at NYU SPS didn't just enhance his real estate knowledge but also helped him form the professional network that would lead to his next venture. Four years ago, Lee co-founded Market Stadium, a real estate technology company focused on market analytics, along with Schack alum Ryan Kang. Through connections at Schack, Lee met Professor Scott Robinson and alumnus Jose Escallon, both of whom became investors in his company. Lee also secured an official partnership with Schack through Professor Tim Savage, making it possible to collaborate directly with the school he says has given him &quot;a vast network and the foundation to thrive in the industry.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;I'm proud to stay connected with Schack students and alumni, especially when they visit Korea,&quot; Lee says. These connections allow him to build relationships that extend beyond graduation and across borders, fostering a supportive network even as he grows Market Stadium abroad.</p>

<p><span class="p-body">For Lee, the advantages of the Schack program lie in its community and practical approach to learning. &quot;If you're looking for any of the following, I highly recommend joining the NYU Schack program,&quot; he says, listing opportunities like building global connections, meeting industry leaders in the classroom, and taking courses that prioritize real-world skills. In his view, Schack's focus on emerging technologies in real estate positions students for success in the evolving industry.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Lee's experiences exemplify how NYU SPS's resources and community support students both in their immediate learning and in their long-term ambitions. Looking ahead, Lee hopes to expand Market Stadium's influence in real estate technology, aspiring to &quot;make Market Stadium the leading real estate market analytics platform in the US.&quot; With a strong foundation from Schack, he is well on his way to achieving that vision.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Take your place at the center of global real estate when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-real-estate.html" title="Master's degree in Real Estate">MS in Real Estate</a> at NYU SPS.</span></p>