William Harris

Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University (SMU Cox)

“A faith-driven “force multiplier” that desires to have an enduring impact in the community.” 

Hometown: Denver, Colorado. The Mile High City

Fun fact about yourself: I love board games! Monopoly and Settlers of Catan are my favorite games because they require deep strategic thinking, resource management, and negotiation.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Howard University | Bachelor of Business Administration | Computer Information Systems

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Microsoft | Cyber Security Consultant & Technical Account Manager | Dallas, TX

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? The Howard Hughes Corporation | Development & Acquisitions Summer Associate | The Woodlands, TX

Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Cox Distinguished Scholar
• Cox Community Scholar
• Pension Real Estate Association (PREA) Scholar
• Toigo Fellow
• Albert W. Niemi Fellow
• National Association of Real Estate Estate Investment Managers (NAREIM) Fellow
• Folsom Real Estate Club – Member
• MBA Admissions – Ambassador
• Admit.Me – Mentor

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m most proud of my participation as a Niemi Fellow at Cox. In this role, I combined my professional background in technology and real estate to research the affordable housing shortage and the effects of innovation districts on upward mobility. This experience empowered me to formulate nonpartisan policy recommendations aimed at fostering economic growth in the U.S.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am honored to have recently joined the board of directors for the Crowley Foundation, marking a significant milestone in my professional journey. Over the past decade, I’ve transitioned from mentee to mentor within the organization, leading various seminars focused on leadership, personal development, financial literacy, and social & emotional awareness for minority teenage men.

One of the most impactful workshops that I organized was titled “Am I My Father’s Son? Are His Mistakes My Own?” This session, attended by sixteen mentees, delved into the complexities of the father-son relationship, especially its impact on Black males. Through introspection and dialogue, we cultivated self-awareness, fostering an environment where authenticity and vulnerability thrived. My journey with the Crowley Foundation has honed my ability to lead with social and emotional intelligence, a superpower that I’ve embraced wholeheartedly. Through mentorship and community programming, I’ve had the privilege of serving over 160 minority teenage men, empowering them to realize their full potential.

The Crowley Foundation, based in Denver, has supported over 1,200 minority teenage males with mentorship and college prep resources. Being entrusted with a strategic role on the board of directors is a true honor, and I am committed to furthering the Foundation’s impactful mission.

Why did you choose this business school? Location, Location, Location. Those are the three most important words in commercial real estate. Location was paramount in my decision to choose SMU Cox. Dallas, as a thriving hub in the Sunbelt, offers unparalleled opportunities in commercial real estate. The city’s rapid growth has significantly provided opportunities for both development and investment, making it ideal for a career in commercial real estate. Additionally, I chose the Cox School because of its essential resources like the Folsom Institute and the program’s robust network, which have provided the support I need to excel in commercial real estate.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course during my MBA journey at Cox was undoubtedly the Real Estate Practicum. This selective class offered a unique opportunity to manage the SMU Cox Real Estate Impact Fund, an open-ended fund targeting investments with measurable social impact. What truly set this course apart was its emphasis on real-world experience, allowing me to delve into deal sourcing, due diligence, underwriting, asset management, and pitching to investment committees.

What I found most rewarding about the Real Estate Practicum was the unparalleled access to industry executives. Having weekly interactions with Maria Stamolis, the Chief Investment Officer of Lincoln Property Company who serves as an adjunct professor for the Practicum, was truly invaluable. Her insights and expertise added a layer of depth and practicality to the course, bridging the gap between theory and practice in the real estate industry. The Real Estate Practicum provided me with hands-on experience and enriched my learning by connecting me with industry leaders. It was an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite tradition at Cox is the Global Leadership Program (GLP). GLP is an amazing experience where first-year students travel abroad to learn about the history, political climate, economy, and culture of a foreign country – all while wearing their consultant hat to serve a local business. I got the chance to sightsee and roll-up my sleeves to tackle real-world challenges. My team had the privilege of traveling to Vietnam and Singapore, where we provided ESG recommendations to the Singapore Green Building Council on decarbonizing the built environment.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Reflecting on my MBA experience, I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t attend one SMU football game or Boulevard during my two years at Cox. Attending the Boulevard to tailgate before home football games is a huge SMU tradition and serves as another avenue to network with alumni and connect with classmates. Despite this, I plan to remain close to Dallas and make attending many Mustang games a priority in the future. Pony Up!

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about SMU Cox is that the school’s influence is confined solely to Texas. While Cox does offer a strong network in Dallas and Texas as a whole, the reach extends far beyond state borders. The SMU Cox program is very committed to furthering national and international exposure. Personally, I’ve connected with alumni on both the west and east coasts. As an MBA Cox Distinguished Scholar, I’ve gained international exposure through experiences in Vietnam, Singapore, Dublin, and Dubai. Moreover, as a Cox Community Scholar, I’ve expanded my network by attending commercial real estate conferences in California and New York.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Since relocating to Dallas in 2017, I’ve been embraced by nothing but warmth and friendliness. The hospitality shown to transplants and business professionals here is truly unparalleled. Dallas has so much to offer, from the serene ambiance of White Rock Lake and the vibrant energy along the Katy Trail, to the endless array of new restaurants waiting to be explored alongside my fiancée. Additionally, I can’t help but admire the city’s unwavering pride in football, adding an extra layer of excitement and community spirit to life in Dallas.

What surprised you the most about business school? What surprised me the most about business school was how well my experience in the tech industry supported my transition. Many of the courses at Cox were quantitative and data driven. With the rising popularity of ChatGPT and the increasing importance of AI and machine learning across all industries, my background at Microsoft equipped me to immediately contribute valuable insights and perspectives on digital transformation.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Rick Oakley is instinctively curious and constantly poses thought-provoking questions. He is observant and the epitome of an active listener; he doesn’t just hear to respond; he listens to understand. Due to his thoughtfulness and intentionality, when Rick speaks, people listen. What I admire most about Rick is his tenacity and work ethic. His determination is truly inspiring. Despite coming from a nontraditional background as an ex-bartender and actor, he constantly demonstrated dedication and has excelled in the MBA program. To draw an analogy, if I were assembling a fantasy football team, Rick would be my number one pick in the keeper league.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Founding or becoming a Partner of an owner-operator commercial real estate firm that targets opportunistic and value-add multifamily investments.

2. My fiancée and I both love to travel, so I aspire to not only do business domestically but also internationally.

 What made William such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Willam Harris’s role as a connector was indeed instrumental in his success and contributions to the FTMBA Class of 2024 at SMU Cox. His ability to build and maintain relationships not only enhanced his own experience but also benefited his peers and the Cox real estate program in several ways.

He actively engaged with the SMU Cox community by sharing industry contacts, introducing peers to tech professionals, serving as an ambassador for incoming prospective students, and mentoring first-year students through Admit.Me, which fostered a sense of belonging and support among his peers. His efforts contributed to the overall positive experience of students in the program.

William’s participation in real estate case competitions at UNC and UT showcased not only his skills but also highlighted the strength of the SMU Cox real estate program. As a Niemi Fellow, William made significant contributions to research on innovation districts and affordable housing, aiming to promote non-partisan policy recommendations. His dedication to addressing real-world challenges in the real estate sector through research and advocacy reflects his commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field. Lastly, through projects like the Global Leadership Program with the Singapore Green Building Council, William demonstrated his ability to provide innovative recommendations for addressing complex issues such as decarbonizing the built environment.

Overall, the passion that William showed for commercial real estate, coupled with his exceptional ability to foster relationships and his commitment to community engagement and research, made him an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024. His role as a connector not only enriched his own experience but also contributed significantly to the success and growth of his peers, the real estate program, and SMU Cox.”

Shane Goodwin, PhD
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Executive Education
Professor of Practice, Department of Finance
SMU Cox School of Business

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024