Kate Cooper ’26 built her Elon experience through mentorship, leadership, study abroad and a growing interest in real estate.
Coming to Elon wasn’t a leap into the unknown for Kate Cooper ’26. It was a path already shaped in part by her sisters’ experiences. What she built from there, though, became entirely her own.
Her sisters’ time at Elon introduced her to the value of small class sizes and close relationships with faculty, where conversations extend beyond the classroom and often lead to new opportunities. But it was her acceptance into the Business Fellows program that made her decision clear.
“Once I got into the Business Fellows program, that’s what really sealed the deal for me,” Cooper said. “I knew I’d have access to alumni networks, career opportunities and experiential learning.”
Cooper, a finance major from Chalfont, Pennsylvania, found her direction through real estate, drawn to the field’s ability to shape how people live, work and connect with their communities.
“I like real estate for its ability to shape the way people live, work and play,” Cooper said. “There is something really special about seeing how decisions about a property can improve the experience of the people and communities around it.”
That interest came into focus through hands-on experiences both inside and outside the classroom. A real estate conference in New York City became a turning point.
During the trip, Cooper toured properties, connected with industry professionals and began building relationships that would shape her next steps in real estate.
One of those connections eventually led to an internship with Rose Associates, a property management and investment firm focused on luxury apartment properties in New York City and surrounding markets. She continued working with the firm during her senior year and will join Rose Associates full-time after graduation.
Cooper’s path into real estate also took shape in the classroom. An economics course with Steve DeLoach pushed her to think differently early in her Elon experience, while principles of finance with Kate Upton gave her a stronger foundation in the field. In real estate modeling, Cooper connected that preparation directly to her career goals, learning Argus, an industry software platform she later became certified in.
Margarita Kaprielyan, associate dean and faculty advisor for the Real Estate Club, became one of Cooper’s most influential mentors.
“Professor Kaprielyan has been one of the most influential mentors in my Elon experience,” Cooper said. “She was always looking out for opportunities that could help me grow and helping me think through what came next.”
Leadership became another defining part of her time at Elon. Cooper served as president of both the Real Estate Club and Women in Sales, creating opportunities for students to connect with alumni and explore career paths.
In the Real Estate Club, she developed a comprehensive resource guide for students interested in real estate, outlining certifications, modeling tools and ways to gain experience beyond the classroom.
“I wanted to put myself in uncomfortable positions so I could grow,” she said. “Being in those leadership roles helped me figure out my style, but it also gave me the chance to help students who were once in my shoes.”
Her Elon experience also extended beyond the United States. Through the Business Fellows program, Cooper traveled to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, marking her first time abroad. She later studied in London, where she completed an internship connected to the real estate and events industry while taking courses across the city.
“Studying abroad expanded my worldview and changed the way I think about how I want to live my life,” Cooper said. “I was learning through the city, through my internship and through the people around me. That kind of experience teaches you things you can’t always get from a classroom alone.”
For Cooper, those connections, both on campus and through Elon’s alumni network, have been central to her success.
“We have such an amazing alumni network,” she said. “People are always willing to help if you reach out.”
As she prepares for life after graduation, Cooper reflects on an experience shaped by mentorship, initiative and a willingness to step into new opportunities.
“My advice is to take advantage of everything Elon offers,” she said. “There are so many opportunities here, but you have to go after them.”