LOVELAND — The former executive director of real estate education at Colorado State University is launching a year-long mentorship program for 12 students. The program will start in September this year.

Eric Holsapple will lead the program. He is a former CSU instructor and led the real estate program for the university until leaving three years ago. He is also a founder of LC Real Estate Group LLC, a Loveland-based commercial and residential firm.

“I had the pleasure of mentoring hundreds of young people [while at CSU] on the business career path, and I miss the connection with young people, having left the university three years ago,” Holsapple said in a written statement.  ”This connection with CSU and young people has shaped the current ownership of LC Real Estate Group and LC Home with former CSU students (Nathan Klein, Wayne Lewis, Nick Galluzzo, Rico Devlin) who all started as interns and now own substantial portions of the companies and have interns of their own.”

Holsapple said the mentorship program will start September 2019, with commencement in August 2020. The program is limited to 12 participants.  The application deadline is May 30, with selection to be made by July 15.

He said the mentorship may be ideal for a gap year, when college students and recent graduates already have a career in business but are interested in learning about real estate and how real estate careers can make a difference in communities where they live.

The program will mentor young professionals in mindfulness, transformational process, personal and professional development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and community service. 

Participants will be expected to commit 12 to 15 hours per week and one full weekend per month on average, he said. Employers and university programs need to be made aware of the commitment and be supportive, he said. The program may qualify for college credit, and it is up to the applicant to get the internship approved and documented.

Interns will meet as a group for three hours two times each month on average and meet for a minimum of an hour with Holsapple each month. Interns will establish a daily routine of meditation, yoga, journaling and so forth, Holsapple said.

Requirements of the program include:

• Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 39.
• Must volunteer a minimum of two hours per week average in approved nonprofit or community position (100 hours total).
• Must be employed full or part time in business during internship  (assistance with employment provided).
• Must email resume, four references, and statement of interest to eric@lcrealestategroup.com (Call Eric at 970-443-5153 with questions).
• Mentees will pay $3,000 as their share of the program. Another $3,000 will be paid by a “mentor angel” who will participate with the mentee during the internship.