With Necessary Regulatory Approvals, National Louis University Announces the Completed Transfer of Kendall College's Programs and Other Assets

CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- National Louis University (NLU) received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the U.S. Department of Education to transfer Kendall College's programs and other assets from Laureate Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: LAUR). The transition of five of Kendall College's degree programs -- baking & pastry, business, culinary arts, early childhood education, and hospitality management, plus Kendall College's general education program -- to NLU officially occurred today.   

"Chicago is home to a premier culinary and hospitality industry that is thriving," said Nivine Megahed, Ph.D., NLU president. "With the approval and closing of the transfer agreement, National Louis will prepare students to enter this vital sector of the economy and will serve as a talent pipeline for ongoing economic growth. NLU is looking forward to preserving the legacy of Kendall College's well-known programs and building on its premier reputation, while also offering more degree programs that will provide students with additional career options."

Last January NLU announced the transfer agreement, pending regulatory approval. As part of this agreement, Kendall and Laureate are providing financial support for NLU to create facilities in the thriving downtown hospitality corridor. Kendall prepares students for careers in the culinary, hospitality, business and early childhood education fields, and is ranked as a top culinary and hospitality school in the nation.

NLU has created a fourth college within the University, known as the Kendall College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at NLU. Leigh Uhlir will continue to serve as the program director for these programs.

Approximately 800 students from Kendall will transfer to NLU, which serves more than 7,400 students per year on its six campuses in Illinois and Florida. Students will have access to both NLU's programs that focus on teacher preparation, business management, health and human services and social and behavioral sciences as well as Kendall's programs.

Programs previously provided by Kendall will be relocated to NLU locations. The business program will move immediately to the NLU Chicago campus and its early childhood education program will continue online, while courses in the hospitality, baking and culinary programs will remain on the Goose Island campus until NLU's renovations are completed, which is expected in summer 2019.

National Louis also recently received approval from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to offer their Early Childhood Education program fully online. NLU will be the only provider of a fully online ECE program in Illinois.

"Laureate is pleased to have found a future home for Kendall College's programs and its current students," said Laureate CEO Eilif Serck-Hanssen. "We are proud to have advanced Kendall's rich legacy while it was part of Laureate's network and to have been part of this unique arrangement that ensures its programs continue to thrive within such a quality institution as National Louis University. We wish NLU, its students and Kendall's alumni continued success."

"As an alumnus of Kendall College, it makes me very happy to see the tradition of great education continuing through National Louis University," said Bill Kim, urbanbelly Restaurants. "Kendall gave me the foundation to succeed in the hospitality business, and I am thankful for all of the hardworking faculty and students that continue to make the school one of the premiere culinary academies in the country."

About National Louis University       
National Louis is a nonprofit, non-denominational University offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in the fields of education, management, human services, counseling, public policy, culinary, hospitality and others concerned with career and professional development.

National Louis' roots date back to 1886 when it first began providing educational access to adult, immigrant and minority populations. The mission to provide innovative and superior and supportive educational experience for students of all ages and backgrounds continues today through progressive and professionally focused programs. National Louis, well-known for an exceptional history in teacher training, is committed to the preparation of professionals who serve their communities and provide leadership to improve urban environments.

In 2015, NLU launched a new undergraduate experience which offers students support services to overcome real-life barriers to college success. It was designed to address cost barriers and helps students attain the college degrees employers will require in the future. In 2018, NLU closed on the transfer agreement of Kendall College's baking & pastry, business, culinary arts, early childhood education, and hospitality management, as well as general education programs and other assets.

NLU works hard to improve schools and businesses through community partnerships and applied research. With the addition of Kendall College, the University serves more than 8,200 students at locations in Illinois and Florida, and we are proud of the 70,000 living alumni who are using their NLU education to serve others. For more information visit www.NL.edu.

Media Contact for NLU:
Kellie Kennedy, kelliek@theharbingergroup.com, 312-933-4903

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SOURCE National Louis University