Erin Degnan Escobedo Named Inaugural Faculty Director of Babson’s TARCO Institute

A faculty leader, with deep roots in real estate, is bringing her experience to a new institute at Babson College.

Erin Degnan Escobedo, an associate professor of practice in finance at Babson, has been named the inaugural faculty director of the College’s TARCO Institute for Real Estate and Entrepreneurship.

The TARCO Institute, launched last September, is dedicated to advancing the future of real estate through entrepreneurial leadership. The George E. Slye ’53 Term Chair in Real Estate Management, Escobedo has 22 years of experience in real estate law, brokerage, investment, and development, along with a long-standing commitment to Babson’s real estate programs.

“Her leadership will be central to building the institute’s programming, expanding partnerships, and creating hands-on learning opportunities for students,” said Donna Levin, CEO of Babson’s Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership, where the TARCO Institute resides.

An Impact at Babson

Since joining Babson in the fall of 2017, Escobedo has developed five real estate courses, advised student real estate clubs, and strengthened industry and alumni engagement. She also has formed strategic partnerships across Babson and with industry partners, engaging students, faculty, alumni, and top industry firms in real-world, experiential learning opportunities.

In collaboration with the Hoffman Family Undergraduate Center for Career Development and the undergraduate Babson Real Estate Club, for instance, Escobedo co-designed and chaperoned student real estate treks to New York City and Miami.

Escobedo’s tenure at the TARCO Institute began January 1, and under her leadership, the organization already has planned several initiatives this semester, including the second annual Miami Real Estate Trek (March 4–6), connecting students with leading development, management, and investment firms through site visits and networking. 

Escobedo’s appointment is believed to be the first time a Finance Division professor has assumed a faculty director role outside the division. “Erin’s appointment marks a historic milestone,” Levin says, “strengthening the partnership between finance and entrepreneurship.”