The ULI/REAP Virtual Academy in commercial real estate (CRE) is returning this fall with expanded and newly organized regional programming nationwide following a record-breaking year. The ULI/REAP Virtual Academy is a landmark partnership between Project REAP (Real Estate Associate Program), an industry effort to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in CRE, and the ULI (Urban Land Institute).
The Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Project REAP and ULI virtual program celebrated a combined total of over 320 fellows representing 22 states as well as international participation from Japan, Canada and India. Each class of fellows comprised the largest single cohort in REAP’s 23-year history.
For the first time this fall, REAP’s local planning directors are organizing by region. Atlanta is the designated hub for the South Region I which covers Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina and Alabama; Chicago is the hub for Midwest Region II covering Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Indiana and Washington DC is the Mid-Atlantic hub covering also Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. Additional regional hubs will encompass the West, the Northeast and additional sections of the South and Midwest. Cities designated as hubs are bolstering online programming with localized webinars and virtual networking plus in-person activities including property tours, networking with REAP alumni and other events.
“The ULI/REAP Virtual Academy allows us to reach any market in the U.S. — well beyond the borders of the nine cities where we’ve conducted in-person academies,” said REAP Chair G. Lamont Blackstone. “By expanding our outreach, we are able to serve additional major cities as well as smaller markets that had previously requested a REAP presence.”
The virtual academy will include live presentations from some of the powerhouses in the commercial real estate industry — all of which support Project REAP’s mission of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. This includes increasing interest from the institutional investment community; anticipated instructors and panelists include representatives from financial giants such as Nuveen and PGIM, as well as other CRE and corporate real estate titans.
Alumni of the Academy are given a complimentary one-year ULI membership, giving them access to the Institute’s educational resources, events, and professional networks.
REAP chooses candidates through a competitive selection and review process. Applicants must have a four-year degree (or be a current graduating college senior) from an accredited institution. Real estate experience is not required. Tuition for those selected is $850 for the eight weeks. Sessions are live online and on-demand. Virtual networking opportunities are included. Applications are being accepted now through September 7 at 8 pm EST. Classes begin October 18.
