Since joining the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business in 2015, Jared Harrell has driven the evolution of Texas Tech’s undergraduate real estate education, helping it grow into a comprehensive commercial real estate program that bridges academics with market-based practices. As part of this transformation, he oversaw the creation and growth of the Center for Real Estate, launched the undergraduate Certificate in Commercial Real Estate, and secured more than $5 million in funding to support the program’s long-term growth.

Drawing from his own experience as a commercial lawyer before his time in academia, Harrell brings real-world practices, connections, and insights to his students through industry trips, financial modeling trainings, and immersive project-based learning. 

“I constantly connect academic material to real-world industry practices so that students understand not just the theory but how it applies in the marketplace,” Harrell said. 

In addition to his recent P&Q accolade, Harrell’s impact on students is also reflected in his recognition as a 2022 recipient of the college’s highest honor for undergraduate instruction – the Jerry S. Rawls Distinguished Undergraduate Educator Award, formerly known as the Jerry S. Rawls Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. That award celebrated his kindness, mentorship, and his efforts to go above and beyond to ensure his students succeed.   

Inside the P&Q Top 50: Celebrating Academic Excellence Nationwide 

This month, Poets&Quants for Undergrads released the results of its eighth edition of the Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors feature, which has honored 400 professors on the list since its inception. This annual honor recognizes outstanding business school faculty who demonstrate exceptional teaching, impactful research, and meaningful contributions to their students and institutions. 

P&Q selects honorees based on quantity and quality of nominations, awards or recognitions, teaching innovations, and evident student or departmental impact. Eligible individuals must be full-time professors and have taught at least one undergraduate course during the academic year. 

Behind the Selection Process 

To select this year’s honorees, P&Q’s editorial team reviewed more than 1,200 nominations, representing nearly 200 different nominated professors. They assigned each professor a composite score from one to 10. The ranking gives 70% of its weight to teaching-related factors, such as nominations, teaching awards and innovations, student impact, mentorship, and service. The remaining 30% reflects research-related factors, including citations, publications and awards, media attention, and impact on industry or field. 

Institutional Impact 

Harrell’s nomination underscores the high esteem in which he is held by the Rawls College leadership. The nomination came from Dean Margaret L. Williams, Ph.D., highlighting her confidence in his contributions and impact on the college. 

“When I read the criteria for this award, I immediately thought of Jared. He is focused on preparing students for careers in real estate, and to do that he uses innovative approaches that involve industry experts and tools and skills that will directly translate to the workplace. He personally mentors every real estate student, so I knew there would be many students, alumni, and employers eager to support his nomination. His recognition from Poets and Quants is so richly deserved. I am pleased for him to receive this honor and for our real estate program to be in the spotlight.”  

Among the professors from 45 universities, Harrell’s inclusion reflects both his personal dedication to teaching and the college’s commitment to undergraduate excellence. This recognition enhances the Rawls College’s national reputation, attracts top students and faculty, and reinforces Texas Tech’s leadership in business education. 

Student and Alumni Testimonials 

“Professor Harrell is a remarkable educator, mentor, and leader who has dedicated his career to shaping both the academic landscape of real estate education and the professional success of his students at Texas Tech. As the founding director of the Texas Tech Center for Real Estate, he has built an enduring program from the ground up, personally investing his own time and resources to ensure its success. His leadership has resulted in a $5 million fundraising campaign, the creation of a 60-member advisory council, and the development of academic and professional programming that directly connects students with industry leaders. Beyond these institutional milestones, Professor Harrell has profoundly impacted the lives of countless students, myself included, continuing to mentor and support us long after graduation. His blend of academic excellence, professional distinction, and tireless student advocacy makes him an extraordinary candidate for this award.”

– Kenzie Wolfe, Rawls College Alumnus    

“Professor Harrell truly cares about his students, and he prepares them for success both inside and outside of the classroom. His leadership as the faculty advisor for REO prepares students for real-world business situations. He actively helps students in the job search process and has helped place many students in their first jobs. Harrell (as many of his former and current students call him) also keeps up with his alumni regularly, and that speaks to the way he has connected with his students.”

- Trevor Miller, Rawls College Alumnus   
 

“Professor Harrell is one of the most influential educators I have ever had. I went from taking his intro to real estate class as simply an elective to getting a Certificate in Commercial Real Estate, which gave me a truly valuable opportunity that I will capitalize on for my whole life. He truly cares about his students and shows that through his engagement in the Real Estate Organization. I have seen firsthand the impact he has made on so many of my peers.”

- Andrew Whitlock, Rawls College Alumnus   

“I cannot possibly think of all the adjectives I can use to describe Dr. Harrell. He has made the time outside of the classroom to get to know me and help not only with course material, but life advice in general. Certain professors and teachers will stay with you for the rest of your life; Dr. Harrell is one of these educators. His guidance and passion for real estate made me want to pursue a career and sparked an interest in me for a field that was never there. Despite my not being available during his office hours, he made sure to take time out of his day to meet with me about real estate investments, which wasn’t even a part of the curriculum for our class. I feel as if I gained a friend and a mentor for the rest of my life.”

- Heitor Lima, Rawls College Alumnus