Graduate scholar and urban planning devotee Michael Maynard bikes from coast to coast raising money for affordable housing.
This fall, Michael Maynard is a Master of Science in Real Estate student, but this summer, he explored urban development from the Atlantic to the Pacific – on his bike.
Prior to starting graduate studies, Maynard participated in Bike and Build, a national group that organizes cross-country bicycle trips to benefit affordable housing groups. Along with 28 others, Maynard biked 3,607 miles from the East Coast to the West Coast in 70 days between May and July The team stopped every few days to frame, paint or roof homes. He also raised $5,725 for affordable housing, achieving and surpassing his fundraising goal by 27 percent.
Maynard previously studied architecture and urban planning at the University of Virginia and was investigating advanced educational programs. He found just what he was looking for in UNC Charlotte’s Master of Science in Real Estate program.
“I love North Carolina, and I had recently visited Charlotte. I was searching for a great program, and after talking to the director and students in the program, I became interested in applying.” Maynard wasn't only accepted into the University’s master’s program. He received a full Childress Klein Scholarship, worth more than $18,000.
“I believe that the homes and communities we live in play a major role in shaping the quality of our lives. I would love to play a positive role in impacting whatever community I live in and believe that both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations can have a positive impact. Helping to build affordable housing has been a very rewarding experience and is something I plan on staying involved in," he said.
Read more about Maynard and his 10-week journey here.