2026 Standard Communities Immersion

Overview

Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Standard Communities are pleased to announce the 2026 Standard Communities Immersion Program!

Standard Communities is a leading owner, investor, and developer of affordable and middle- income housing. As one of the largest owners of affordable housing in the U.S., we believe housing is a pathway to prosperity. We deliver high-quality, sustainable homes that foster community and offer residents the opportunity to build brighter futures. With over $5 billion in assets under management and a portfolio of nearly 30,000 units across 195+ properties in 22 states + Washington, D.C., our team blends nationwide scale with local expertise. As a Certified B Corporation and California Benefit Corporation, we value high performance, social responsibility, and innovation. Headquartered in Los Angeles and New York, with offices across the country, we’re driven by a shared mission: to transform housing, empower residents, and strengthen communities. We don’t just build housing—we build opportunities. If you’re passionate about real estate, community impact, and professional growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Standard Communities will offer three HBCU students an immersive experience in Washington, D.C., to participate in a pitch competition.

Ultimately, the innovators will be able to develop further skills that support your personal and professional growth while learning tools to build a successful career. This program will focus on graduating seniors or graduate students (May 2026).

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM IS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 AT 11:59 PM ET.

Responsibilities

Event Details 

• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Dates: Wednesday, February 3rd - Thursday, February 4th, 2027
• Participants: 3 qualifying HBCU students
• All travel, lodging, and major meal expenses are covered for all selected candidates

Program Elements

• Business Model Canvas
• Design Thinking
• Gallup-based Soft Skills Development

Qualifications

• Graduating Senior (Graduation May 2026) or Graduate.

• Enrolled in an accredited Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and be in good academic standing. 

• 0-3 years of related business experience.

• A sense of urgency, an internal clock that helps you move with purpose.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.

• The ability to travel as needed.

• Organizational skills; the ability to manage your time, focus and communicate with clarity. 

• Ambition, a strong desire to learn, to achieve, to advance your career

We're interested in students with the following majors: 

• Business Administration, with a concentration in real estate
• Accounting
• Economics
• Data and Analytics
• Finance
• Real Estate, or related fields.   
• A strong interest in real estate and real estate investing. 
• Corporate Social Responsibility 
• Public Policy
• Marketing & Communications
• Resume Format: Resumes submitted in the TMCF resume format are required.