About REA University
About REA University
REA University exists for one reason: to establish the professional standard for real estate administrative specialists across North America.
Real estate businesses run on the people behind the scenes, the administrators, transaction coordinators, and operations professionals who manage the details, systems, and workflows that keep agents productive and clients served. Yet for too long, these professionals have had no clear credential, no defined career path, and no recognized standard of excellence.
The foundations of REA University date back to 2006, when founder Pam Ivey began developing specialized training and certification programs for real estate administrative professionals. Drawing on years of hands-on industry experience, she recognized the need for a clear career path, industry-specific education, and a professional credential that employers could trust.
Today, REA University provides practical, real-world training designed specifically for real estate administrative professionals. Our programs help students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in a rapidly changing industry, while giving employers a reliable benchmark for excellence.
Our flagship program, CREAS (Certified Real Estate Administrative Specialist), is a comprehensive 14-module certification covering the full scope of real estate administration for both Canadian and U.S. markets. It is one of the most comprehensive certification programs developed specifically for real estate administrative professionals.
Why REA University Exists
The real estate industry relies heavily on skilled administrative professionals. Real estate assistants, transaction coordinators, and operations specialists play a critical role in supporting agents, managing transactions, and creating exceptional client experiences.
Despite their importance, few industry-specific training and certification options exist. REA University was created to help close that gap by providing specialized education designed specifically for real estate administrative professionals.
Who We Serve
REA University serves:
- Real Estate Assistants
- Transaction Coordinators
- Administrative Professionals
- Real Estate Team Administrators
- Brokerage Support Staff
- Individuals pursuing a career in real estate administration
About Pam Ivey
Pam Ivey is the founder of REA University, created to help establish the professional standard for real estate administrative specialists across North America.
Her career in real estate administration began in 2001 when she launched a virtual real estate administrative and marketing support agency. Over the next decade, she partnered with top-producing agents and brokerages across Canada and the United States, leading teams of up to 19 contractors and supporting everything from listing coordination and transaction management to lead generation, marketing, and client communication.
Through that experience, Pam saw firsthand the critical role administrative professionals play in the success of real estate businesses. She also recognized a significant gap in industry-specific education, training, and professional recognition for those working behind the scenes.
In 2006, she developed the CPREA (Certified Professional Real Estate Assistant) certification, one of the first programs created specifically for real estate administrative professionals. Building on that foundation, she later developed CREAS (Certified Real Estate Administrative Specialist), a comprehensive 14-module certification program designed to prepare real estate administrative professionals for success in both Canadian and U.S. markets.
Pam holds a certificate in Business Strategy from Harvard Business School and a certification in Small Business Management from Mohawk College. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce and brings more than two decades of business, marketing, and real estate industry experience to her work.
Based in Ladysmith, British Columbia, Pam is also a speaker, educator, and event producer dedicated to advancing professionalism within the real estate administrative profession.