New US Real Estate Center Announces Major Initiatives

NEW YORK, NY and CONWAY, SC--(Marketwired - March 02, 2016) - The Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development at Coastal Carolina University, which was launched at the beginning of 2016, has announced three major initiatives as part of its strategy to develop a prominent role in the international real estate sector:

• It has appointed Dr. Robert F. Salvino, Ph.D. to serve as its first associate director.
• It is the first academic institution in the world to become a "Supporting Partner" of the International Ethics Standards Coalition, a group of 64 leading real estate and construction organizations creating new ethics standards for the global market.
• It has joined FIABCI (the Paris-based International Real Estate Federation) as an Academic Member.

Dr. Robert F. Salvino will develop and manage the domestic and international programming in cooperation with the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, organize the recruitment and development of student and faculty fellows, lead research and outreach activities and manage stakeholder relations.

Salvino has been a member of the faculty of Coastal Carolina University in the Department of Finance and Economics since 2007 and the research economist for the former Center for Economic and Community Development since 2010.

Salvino will continue his work monitoring the economic activity for the region and serving as a liaison between the business, government and academic communities. As associate director for the Grant Center, he will expand the monitoring services to include a greater depth of the real estate economy. He will also work with members of the real estate and related industries in the coastal region of South Carolina to develop a new academic program in commercial and investment real estate.

To help deliver on the mission of the new Grant Center, Salvino has hired Trevor Tarleton as the Center's first research assistant. Tarleton earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from CCU and holds an associate degree in applied science in forestry management technology. He brings a diversified background to his new role, including multiple certifications in forestry and land management techniques. Prior to returning to CCU to pursue his MBA, he was employed with AlphaEMC, where he provided consulting work for large land developers and builders in the coastal region.

As a Supporting Partner of the International Ethics Standards Coalition, Coastal Carolina University will be identified as an early promoter of new international best practice for the entire real estate and construction sector. The Ethics Standards, when ratified, will consist of high-level principles for implementation through the codes of conduct of professional bodies. The objective is to provide assurance, consistency and confidence to all users of professional services.

By joining FIABCI the Grant Center will become part of a global network of academic institutions and real estate professions. FIABCI has members in approximately 65 countries and holds special consultative status with the United Nations.

About The Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development,  Coastal Carolina University, South Carolina, USA.

The Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development serves students and professionals engaged in all facets of real estate and economic development and provides market analysis, study-based scholarships, networking opportunities, internships and technical study tours of international sites.

The Grant Center leverages the global ties of Coastal Carolina University and key partners, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and board members. It offers courses in commercial and investment real estate, publishes scholarly research and produces applied studies for stakeholders in the region. The center also hosts the annual real estate and economic summit and awards gala, provides seminar talks on a regular basis and consults for various private, government and nonprofit groups.

The key mission is to support the education of its students to the highest levels of competence and professionalism. Also, to broaden the economic base of the region, serving as a bridge between the University and the wider community.