Last week, 50 students from East Brunswick High School’s UrbanPlan program participated in a behind-the-scenes tour led by Russo Development team members of the company’s Vermella East Brunswick and The Raye by Vermella luxury residential rental community sites.
The students were joined by executives from Russo, including President – Property Management Adam Pasternack; Executive Vice President – Head of Development Chris Erb; and Vice President – Marketing Courtney Mulligan, as well as New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill, New Brunswick Councilwoman Suzanne Sicora, East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, and Urban Land Institute Northern New Jersey (ULI NNJ) program volunteers to get an inside look at redevelopment in action and learn more about the wide variety of careers available in the commercial real estate and planning industries.
The tour marked the completion of East Brunswick’s annual UrbanPlan program.
Created by ULI, UrbanPlan offers an opportunity for students to participate in a hands-on, simulated real estate planning program while working side-by-side with leading industry professionals. Through the program, students learn about the fundamental forces that affect real estate development and how responsible development can shape, transform, and ultimately improve our communities.
ULI NNJ introduced the UrbanPlan program to East Brunswick High School in 2019 and, in 2024, partnered with Russo Development to launch the program’s first-ever project tour. That same year, ULI NNJ expanded the program to East Orange Campus High School, furthering its commitment to engaging students in real-world learning. ULI NNJ continues to seek strategic opportunities to expand the program to additional school districts across the region.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with ULI NNJ in support of the UrbanPlan program and its mission to inspire the next generation of real estate and planning professionals,” Ed Russo, CEO of Russo Development said. “Allowing students to experience both an active development site and a completed community offers a unique, real-world perspective that brings the curriculum to life in a meaningful way.”
Mara Winokur, Executive Director of ULI NNJ, added, “UrbanPlan empowers students to understand how the built environment takes shape and the vital role they can play in shaping it. We’re grateful to Russo Development for their continued support in expanding and enriching the program. Their dedication to mentorship and community engagement is a key reason why UrbanPlan has such a lasting impact.”
Real estate professionals interested in participating in or sponsoring UrbanPlan can contact Mara Winokur, Executive Director of ULI Northern New Jersey & Westchester/Fairfield at 201.312.8817 or [email protected].
