UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation hosted its inaugural Student IdeaLab on the University Park campus in December 2024, bringing together a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students interested in shaping the future of the real estate and built environment sectors. Designed to help students connect with peers across the University’s many disciplines and to promote co-creation of future institute activities, the event offered attendees a platform to share their interests, experiences and ideas.
Participants came from a range of academic departments, including acoustics, architectural engineering, computer science, industrial engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, informatics, law and finance. The event opened with dedicated networking sessions, where students were encouraged to introduce themselves and learn about each other’s work, interests and aspirations. These initial interactions set the stage for more structured collaborations later in the day, where participants were challenged to approach problems from multiple perspectives.
“The Student IdeaLab was designed to give our students a voice in shaping the institute’s direction,” said Scarlett Miller, the Paul Morrow Professor of Engineering Design and Manufacturing and director of the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation. “By tapping into their diverse expertise and passions, we can ensure that our initiatives not only address critical challenges in real estate and the built environment but also resonate with the next generation of innovators who will drive progress in this field.”
Following the networking sessions, students took part in a series of speed rounds designed to spark innovative thinking. Guided by the question “What is one thing you are hoping the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation can help you with?” students brainstormed and refined their ideas. Working in small groups, they categorized and prioritized their suggestions — which will serve as a foundation for future institute programming — into four main themes: education, sustainability, networking and career opportunities, and collaborations in research.
Throughout the afternoon, students engaged in constructive feedback sessions where they built upon each other’s ideas. This iterative process allowed them to refine their proposals, identify new opportunities and consider potential collaborators across disciplines. The submitted recommendations ranged from creating interdisciplinary research clusters and “micro-internships” within Penn State’s real estate ecosystem to offering targeted industry mentorship programs and sustainability challenge competitions.
"I really appreciated the chance to meet other undergraduate, graduate and law students who share an interest in real estate innovation,” said Nicole Rincon, a third-year law student, who attended the event. “It was energizing to not only brainstorm with them, but to know that our ideas might influence future events and resources at Penn State. It feels like we’re truly shaping something meaningful.”
As the Cocoziello Institute moves forward with these student-driven insights, the inaugural Student IdeaLab marks the beginning of an ongoing conversation, Miller said. She explained that the institute’s leadership intends to build on this momentum by incorporating the students’ recommendations into its programmatic materials, events, workshops and other supportive activities and actively engaging them in the decision-making process.
“In doing so, the Cocoziello Institute aims to foster a collaborative, interdisciplinary community that leads the way in real estate innovation, both at Penn State and beyond,” Miller said.
About the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation
The Penn State Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation is dedicated to advancing research and collaboration across disciplines to address the challenges facing the real estate industry. Through innovative programs and partnerships, the institute aims to develop solutions that will positively impact the built environment and promote sustainable practices. Visit the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation website to learn more.