Q&A: Troy Nash grew up in public housing; now he’s leading real estate innovation at UMKC

Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Click here to read the original story.

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Executive MBA professor named new real estate center director

With more than two decades of leadership in public-private partnerships, economic development and community engagement, Troy Nash will serve as director of the Lewis White Real Estate Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

He first joined the UMKC as a student in 1994 and returned in 2023 as a faculty member at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. He previously served as executive vice president and principal at Newmark Zimmer and is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a former Kansas City councilman.

Nash joins the Lewis White Real Estate Center as UMKC welcomes a bold new chapter in its history. With bold plans himself, Nash is ready to propel Bloch forward as a leader in commercial real estate education.

Troy Nash

What is your vision for the future?

My vision is to position the Lewis White Real Estate Center as the Midwest’s leading platform for real estate entrepreneurship and innovation. We’ll honor its legacy of academic excellence while expanding into emerging areas, like AI-driven market analysis and community-based development. Students will learn to model deals, assess risk and forecast market trends using cutting-edge tools. The goal is to prepare students not just to enter the industry, but to reshape it.

What immediate steps are you taking to engage with students, faculty and the real estate community?

We’re launching Real Estate Leaders of Tomorrow, a new series designed to connect students with industry leaders, expand internship pipelines and integrate case-based learning into the classroom. I’m also meeting with faculty and civic partners to align our programming with market needs and community aspirations.

We will convene thought leaders on pressing issues: housing affordability, climate resilience, urban revitalization and ethical development. UMKC should be the voice that asks not just, ‘Can we build it?,’ but ‘Should we build it and for whom?’

How is the Lewis White Real Estate Center advancing Bloch’s vision for inclusive prosperity?

Entrepreneurship is a powerful engine for prosperity. By embedding entrepreneurial thinking into our curriculum and partnerships, we help students launch ventures and lead developments that uplift neighborhoods, expand access and create long-term value for communities. That is how we align with Bloch’s mission, by turning ideas into impact.

What personal and professional significance does this role hold for you?

This appointment is deeply personal. I grew up in Kansas City housing projects. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of the built environment, not just as a physical space, but as a determinant of opportunity, dignity and health. Professionally, this role represents the convergence of my life’s work: real estate development, public service and education. It’s a chance to empower students with the tools to lead, innovate and build communities that reflect both entrepreneurial spirit and community purpose.

Why did you choose UMKC?

UMKC believed in me when I was just a kid with ambition and no roadmap. Bloch gave me the academic rigor, mentorship and flexibility to pursue law, business and public service, all while staying rooted in Kansas City. It’s more than a school to me; it’s where my journey began and where I now help others begin theirs.