Rance M. Sanders Real Estate Program

The Rance M. Sanders Real Estate Program represents a significant milestone for Culverhouse, strengthening the College’s ability to prepare future leaders in one of the state’s most dynamic industries. Established through a transformative $5 million gift from Rance and Angie Sanders in the fall of 2025, the program expands opportunities for students to engage in high-quality real estate education, applied research, and industry-focused experiences.

Over the last five years, Culverhouse has experienced a 300% increase in students pursuing a real estate minor, which, combined with a new major debuting in fall 2025, further cements Culverhouse’s place as a leader in real estate education and research.

The program supports a growing curriculum that equips students with analytical, financial, and strategic skills essential for careers in commercial and residential real estate. It also provides access to hands-on learning through internships, field projects, and partnerships with leading firms, further preparing graduates for today’s real estate landscape.

R. James Kelly LEAD Program

In November 2025, Culverhouse honored the legacy of alumnus Robert James “Jim” Kelly with the naming of the R. James Kelly LEAD Program, following a generous $5 million gift commitment from his family. The gift is part of a total $8.5 million commitment to the program from Ginger Kelly, Jim’s wife, beginning with her first gift of $1.5 million in 2022, $1 million of which established the R. James Kelly Endowed Business LEAD Support Fund, as well as a $2 million estate gift component.

Kelly LEAD is the College’s signature student leadership and professional-development initiative, designed to give undergraduates more than classroom knowledge. The program equips them with the soft skills employers value, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and ethical leadership.

Through required courses, workshops, mentoring, community engagement, and career-ready events, students build confidence, prepare for the workforce, and develop a mindset for long-term success.

Research at Culverhouse

Discover more about Culverhouse's research and outreach enterprise in our most recent research impact report.

CENTER SPOTLIGHT

Selma Resilience Initiative

The Selma Resilience Initiative is a growing Culverhouse effort that focuses on supporting community-driven economic and educational progress in one of Alabama’s most historic regions. The initiative brings faculty expertise and student enthusiasm together to address challenges identified by the Selma community, aided by partnerships with local leaders, nonprofits, and schools.

Culverhouse contributes applied research, data analysis, and business insights to help partners understand economic trends, strengthen workforce and small-business development, and expand organizational capacity. Student involvement is a key component of the initiative. Through consulting-style work, immersive trips, and hands-on learning experiences, Culverhouse students gain practical skills while contributing to meaningful projects.

These interactions create a ripple effect, as students return with a deeper understanding of service and leadership while Selma organizations gain additional insights and support, and new relationships form that fuel ongoing collaboration. These efforts demonstrate Culverhouse’s belief that purposeful engagement can help create lasting, shared opportunity across Alabama.

CASE STUDY

Selma Social Media Workshops

Social media is an essential tool for small businesses and community organizations, offering a cost-effective way to increase visibility, engage customers, and drive growth. In Selma, Alabama, many local enterprises are eager to harness these platforms but often lack the practical knowledge to do so effectively. To address this need, Dr. Clay Voorhees, professor of marketing at Culverhouse, hosted a hands-on social media workshop on March 24, 2025, led by students in the marketing graduate program, that provided attendees with actionable strategies and renewed confidence in their digital presence.

The immediate impact was clear: participants left with practical tips they could implement right away, meeting a primary goal of delivering short-term value. The workshop also sparked enthusiasm for deeper collaboration, resulting in an additional session on October 12, 2025, and plans for future partnerships. Following the most recent outreach, every attendee expressed interest in partnering with student consulting teams during the upcoming spring semester under the guidance of Elizabeth Jernigan, a marketing instructor at Culverhouse. Wallace Community College Selma even offered classroom space for student presentations and meetings, creating a strong foundation for future engagement.

One of the most inspiring moments from these efforts came at the close of the last workshop when attendees helped each other resolve technical issues with their respective social media accounts. By moving beyond one-off events and encouraging peer-to-peer support, we can play a part in building a resilient ecosystem where businesses collaborate and thrive together.

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Culverhouse Events in Selma

169

UA Volunteers

3,250

Community Members Reached

Selma Partners and Supporters Include:
City of Selma Mayor’s Office and City Council
Selma/Dallas County Center for Commerce
Selma Redevelopment Authority
Dallas County Commission
Selma City and Dallas County Schools
Wallace Community College Selma
Arsenal Place
Edmundite Missions Selma.