Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 2020 Proxy Statement and 2020 Annual Report About Us
#WEAREADTALEM
Adtalem Global Education is a workforce solutions provider and the parent
organization of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine,
Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional
Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, OnCourse Learning, Ross
University School of Medicine, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
STUDENT FOCUSED
Empowering individuals is the meaning behind our name – Adtalem Global Education. Adtalem
(pronunciation: ad TAL em) is Latin for “To Empower.”
MISSION
VISION
PURPOSE
We provide global
access to knowledge
that transforms lives and
enables careers.
To create a dynamic global
community of life-long learners
who improve the world.
We empower students,
members and colleagues to
achieve their goals, find success,
and make inspiring contributions
to our global community.
WE ARE
8
institutions and companies
MORE THAN
6,800
colleagues
WITH A PRESENCE IN
181
different countries
WITH
26
operating campuses
As of June 30, 2020. The number of colleagues above includes more than 4,300 full- and part-time employees and
approximately 2,500 independent contractors. Presence in a country indicate employees, students, members or offices.
Message from our Chairman of the Board,
President and CEO
October 15, 2020
To Our Shareholders:
Fiscal 2020 was a significant year for Adtalem as we furthered our advancement into a leading
workforce solutions provider.
At the beginning of the year, we took a major step to streamline our portfolio with the divestiture
of our Brazil assets, further driving significant shareholder value while also fortifying our balance
sheet. This transaction enabled us to narrow our focus on providing comprehensive solutions
to employers in both medical and healthcare and financial services industries where supply and
demand imbalances will drive growth in upskilling, certifications, and degree enrollment.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold late in our fiscal year, we pivoted quickly and
effectively to navigate the ongoing challenges that came with it, leveraging our strong leadership
team and existing technological infrastructure to successfully transition to virtual formats and
continue driving superior academic outcomes with minimal disruption for learners. With our underlying strengths in online learning
modalities, coupled with our ability to employ new and emerging technologies, we enhanced the overall student experience and
created positive results across our verticals. We ultimately ended the fiscal year on a strong note, delivering healthy revenue and
earnings results despite the unprecedented operating environment brought on by the pandemic.
Our Medical and Healthcare segment demonstrated solid results for the year. Demand for offerings within Chamberlain remain robust
and its academic results continue to outperform expectations. More specifically, in the fourth quarter, Chamberlain students achieved
a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 92%. The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) and the Ross University
School of Medicine (RUSM) saw residency match rates increase, with RUSM now exceeding 95% and AUC reaching 92%. The Ross
University of Veterinary Medicine’s (RUSVM) brand awareness efforts have proven effective as applications have further increased.
In addition, we continue to focus on investing in superior online instruction and advancing partnerships across the Medical and
Healthcare institutions by developing our content for online and virtual instruction in lockstep with our clinical partners.
As the need for nurses, doctors, and veterinarians remains high, our offerings within healthcare are uniquely positioned to address
challenges related to the supply-demand imbalance, as we continue to assist our employer partners in providing high quality patient
care. Addressing this healthcare worker shortage, while at the same time maintaining our commitment to creating equitable access
to education, has long been a cornerstone of Adtalem’s mission. Through partnerships with five HBCUs and four HSIs, as well as
our already diverse student population, we are supporting a more diverse workforce within the U.S. healthcare system, and we
will continue to strive to provide superior education to help underserved communities and tackle disparities highlighted by the
current pandemic.
In response to COVID-19, we worked to accommodate our Medical and Healthcare students, many of whom were working on the
frontlines of the virus, by instituting the Care to Pause program within Chamberlain. It has allowed students the ability to temporarily
pause their participation in a program and then seamlessly reenter once they are prepared to resume. Emphasizing the well-being
of all Adtalem employees, beginning in March 2020, we empowered our workforce to work remotely, leveraging our technological
capabilities to ensure our teams could remain productive from any location in the world and continue to collaborate in a safe
environment. We have also deployed approximately $8 million of CARES Act funding to nearly 8,000 students as emergency financial
support in this time of need. By providing this flexibility and support, we have established our brand as a strong partner not only to
employers, but the students we serve as well.
Our Financial Services segment made substantial progress in mitigating downside risk brought on by the pandemic, and also
worked to capture new increases in demand. While the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists’ (ACAMS) global
conferences were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team quickly shifted to a virtual conference experience as we
launched our 24-hour Virtual Summit to connect the global compliance community and increase accessibility to our conferences in an
online format. We are encouraged by the results so far, as this completely digital conference brought in 2,600 paid attendees, 65% of
whom had never previously attended an ACAMS conference.
Becker, which faced disruption from the closure of CPA testing centers, continues to work closely with testing organizations to
manage through their backlog and launch a first of its kind webinar for incoming students to introduce and walk them through the
examination preparation process. OnCourse Learning has shown strong performance improvement as it has ramped up, particularly
driven by tailwinds in the current mortgage environment. We continue to see high demand for mortgage loan officer training and have
continued to strengthen our virtual delivery format, also driving persistent growth through our strong enterprise relationships.
On behalf of our entire Adtalem Global Education team and Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for your confidence in our
mission. We are working to accelerate growth, enhance our operational effectiveness, and invest in academic quality and superior
student outcome to drive increased value for shareholders, and we truly appreciate your support as we continue along this journey.
Lisa W. Wardell
Chairman of the Board, President & CEO
1
2020 Proxy Statement
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
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RECORD DATE
September 30, 2020
PLACE*
The Annual Meeting will be
held entirely online at:
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/
ATGE2020.
DATE AND TIME
November 17, 2020
8:30 a.m. Central Standard Time
Online check-in will be available
beginning at 8:15 a.m. Central
Standard Time. Please allow ample
time for the online check-in process.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Proposal No. 1: Elect the directors named in the attached Proxy Statement to serve until the
2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Proposal No. 2: Ratify selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered
public accounting firm
Proposal No. 3: Say-on-pay: Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named
executive officers
Board Voting
Recommendation
FOR each
director nominee
FOR
FOR
Shareholders will also consider such other business as may come properly before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
To participate in the 2020 Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card
or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.
This notice and Proxy Statement, voting instructions, and Adtalem Global Education Inc.’s 2020 Annual Report to
Shareholders are being mailed to shareholders beginning on or about October 15, 2020.
Chaka M. Patterson
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
REVIEW YOUR PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE IN ONE OF FOUR WAYS:
VIA THE INTERNET
Visit the web site listed
on your proxy card
BY TELEPHONE
Call the telephone
number on your
proxy card
BY MAIL
Sign, date, and return
your proxy card in the
enclosed envelope
VIRTUALLY
Attend the Annual Meeting online at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/
ATGE2020.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on
November 17, 2020. Our Proxy Statement and the Adtalem Global Education Inc. Annual Report for 2020 are
available online at www.proxyvote.com or at our investor relations website, http://investors.adtalem.com/.
In light of COVID-19, for the safety of all of our people, including our shareholders, and taking into account recent
federal, state, and local guidance that has been issued, we have determined that the 2020 Annual Meeting will be held
in a virtual meeting format only, via the internet, with no physical in-person meeting. Shareholders will be able to attend,
vote and submit questions (both before, and for a portion of, the meeting) from any location via the internet.
*
2
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proxy Summary
This summary highlights selected information about the items to be voted on at the annual
meeting. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider in deciding how to
vote. You should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Director Nominees
Diverse mix of backgrounds, current and former CEOs, and a former finance executive at a leading global company.
Name and Principal Occupation
William W. Burke LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
President and Founder,
Austin Highlands Advisors, LLC
Donna J. Hrinak INDEPENDENT
Senior Vice President,
Corporate Affairs,
Royal Caribbean Group
Georgette Kiser INDEPENDENT
Operating Executive,
The Carlyle Group
Lyle Logan INDEPENDENT
Executive Vice President
and Managing Director,
The Northern Trust Company
Michael W. Malafronte INDEPENDENT
Managing Partner, International Value
Advisers, LLC and President, IVA Funds
Sharon L. O’Keefe INDEPENDENT
Retired President,
University of Chicago Medical Center
Kenneth J. Phelan INDEPENDENT
Former Chief Risk Officer.,
U.S. Department of Treasury
Lisa W. Wardell
Chairman of the Board,
President and CEO,
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
James D. White INDEPENDENT
Retired Board Chair, CEO and
President Jamba, Inc.
Director
Since
Other Public
Company Boards
Age
Committee Memberships
ACA AUD COM ER NG
61
2017
69
2018
52
2018
61
2007
46
2016
68
2020
61
2020
51
2008
59
2015
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
Academic Quality
Committee
Audit and Finance
Committee
Compensation
Committee
External Relations
Committee
Nominating &
Governance Committee
Audit Committee
Financial Expert
Committee
Chair
3
2020 Proxy Statement
Proxy Summary
Board Highlights
BOARD INDEPENDENCE
Independent
88.9%
of our current directors are independent,
including our lead independent director
(“Lead Independent Director”), each of our
five committees are composed entirely of
independent directors, and our CEO is the only
member of management who serves as a director
Not Independent
TENURE
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Senior Executive
Strategy
Governance
Less than 3 years
3 to 8 years
Over 8 years
Average Tenure
4.8 years
M&A/Joint Ventures
AGE
Under 50
50 to 60
61 to 72
Average Age
Healthcare and Medical
58.6 years
Financial Services
BOARD DIVERSITY
9/9
9/9
7/9
4/9
5/9
6/9
Human Capital Management
44.4%
44.4%
22.2%
Financial Reporting
Female
Persons of Color
Lived and Worked
Outside of U.S.
Compensation
Global Markets
4/9
3/9
6/9
5/9
4
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Proxy Summary
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Shareholder Engagement
We conduct regular outreach and engagement with our shareholders and value their insight and feedback.
OUR OUTREACH
We reached out to our shareholders representing approximately 80% of shares owned.
We contacted
shareholders
representing more
than 80% of
shares owned.
We met with
shareholders
representing
approximately 40%
of shares owned
Recent Enhancements
Our Board continually monitors best practices in corporate governance and, consistent with feedback from
shareholders and other stakeholders, has taken the following actions in recent years:
2020
• Continued to refresh our Board by adding two new directors with significant expertise in healthcare and
financial services
• Amended the charter of our External Relations Committee to clarify its responsibilities for oversight of our
sustainability strategy, including environmental and social policies
2019
• Appointed a Lead Independent Director when our CEO was appointed as our Chairman of the Board
• Enhanced our proxy statement to focus on disclosures in key areas of investor interest
• Increased stock ownership requirements for our Chief Operating Officer and other executive officers
2018
• Broadened our shareholder outreach program and increased Board involvement
2017
• Adopted proxy access (3%, 3 years, group up to 20 shareholders, greater of 2 directors or 20%)
• Amended By-Laws to provide for majority voting with plurality carve out for contested elections
• Approved Director resignation requirement upon change of principal job responsibilities
• Added a Lead Independent Director requirement when our Chairman of the Board is not independent
• Adopted outside Board service limits
2016
• Established policy allowing shareholders owning 25% of our outstanding Common Stock to call a
special meeting
2015
• Declassified Board
5
2020 Proxy Statement Proxy Summary
Ongoing Best Practices
BOARD COMMITTEES
% We have five Board committees – Academic Quality, Audit and Finance, Compensation, External Relations,
and Nominating & Governance
% The Chair of each committee, in consultation with the committee members, determines the frequency and
length of committee meetings
% Our Board and each of its committees are authorized to retain independent advisors at Adtalem’s expense
DIRECTOR STOCK OWNERSHIP
% 60% of our non-employee directors’ annual compensation (excluding fees for other additional roles) is in the
form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”)
% Our non-employee directors (other than those who are affiliated with our shareholders) are subject to a policy
requiring their ownership of shares with a value equal to or in excess of three times their annual retainer
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
% New directors receive a tailored, two-day, live training program about Adtalem and its institutions
from management
% Our directors are encouraged to participate in director-oriented training programs
% The Board annually undergoes a self-assessment process to critically evaluate its performance at a
committee and Board level
COMMUNICATION
% Our Board promotes open and frank discussions with senior management
% Our directors have access to all members of management
6
Adtalem Global Education Inc. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS
• Strong linkage of pay to individual, institutional, and financial performance
• Balanced compensation program aligning performance to interests of shareholders, students, and other stakeholders
Proxy Summary
Our Compensation Framework
2020 COMPENSATION SNAPSHOT
Salary
(cash)
MIP
Annual
Incentive
(cash)
Objective
Reflect experience,
market competition
and scope
of responsibilities
Reward
achievement
of short-term
operational
business priorities
Time
Horizon
Performance
Measures
Reviewed
Annually
Assessment of
performance in
prior year
1 year
• Revenue*
• Adjusted Earnings
Per Share*
• Individual Goals
Additional Explanation
• Represents 16% and
28% of Total Direct
Compensation for the
CEO and other NEOs (on
average), respectively.
• Represents 17% and
20% of Total Direct
Compensation for the
CEO and other NEOs (on
average), respectively.
Long Term
Incentive
(equity)
Stock Options Reward stock price
• Represents 40% of NEO LTI
RSUs
ROIC PSUs
FCF PSUs
growth and retain
key talent
Align interests of
management and
shareholders, and
retain key talent
Reward
achievement
of multi-year
financial goals,
align interests of
management and
shareholders, and
retain key talent
4 year
ratable
Stock price growth
• Represents 20-30% of
NEO LTI
• ROIC
• FCF per share
3 year
• Represents 30-40% of
NEO LTI
* A portion of the MIP payout for executive leadership of business segments and business units is also based on the
revenue and operating income at such executive’s business segment or business unit.
7
2020 Proxy Statement Proxy Summary
SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Adtalem is committed to a holistic approach to our communities, providing quality learning and working
opportunities, caring for the places where we operate, and conducting our business in a transparent and responsible
manner. We advanced our environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) strategy during fiscal year 2020, and
remained steadfastly focused on our overarching philosophy of stewardship.
ADTALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
Adtalem’s environmental, social and governance practices support our purpose – to empower students and
members to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community.
Adtalem aims to empower and enhance the communities in which we teach, learn, and work by operating
sustainably, maintaining responsible governance standards, and supporting our global community.
Environmental Practices
Social Practices
Governance Practices
We launched a multi-year
environmental initiative after
completing our energy audits. We
have established three strategic
goals to define our Energy
Conservation Measures and Green
House Gas reduction activities
through 2024. These initiatives have
already resulted in reductions in
energy and water usage. Adtalem
has also implemented various
initiatives to reduce waste and
protect the ecosystems surrounding
our offices and campuses.
Our TEACH values—Teamwork,
Energy, Accountability, Community,
and Heart—shape how we work
together to fulfill our promise to
students, members, and each other.
Over the course of the last fiscal
year, Adtalem created diversity and
inclusion task forces at its healthcare
and medical institutions. These
taskforces are addressing racism
as a public health crisis and are
committed to continuously reviewing
the components of our educational
programs, systems and processes to
ensure we are addressing systemic
bias within our institutions, as well
as partnering with organizations
that share our values to collectively
address these challenges and have
an intentional impact on the broader
healthcare industry.
Since 2016, under the leadership
of Lisa Wardell, our Chairman
and CEO, we have notably
increased female and multicultural
representation on our Board.
We continue to engage in active
Board refreshment and added two
new directors in 2020 who bring
significant healthcare and financial
services expertise.
Community Investment
COVID-19 Relief Efforts
Empower Scholarship Fund
We contribute to the well-being of
local communities through support
of philanthropic organizations and
student, faculty, and employee
volunteer efforts. Through
corporate giving efforts, Adtalem
provided $339,000 to 70 global
community and civic partners
in fiscal year 2020. Independent
from the corporate giving efforts,
the Adtalem Global Education
Foundation awarded 20 grants
totaling $739,000.
As COVID-19 impacted communities
worldwide, Adtalem institutions
provided more than 200,000 medical
supplies and personal protective
equipment, including N95 masks,
gowns, gloves, and sanitizer to
healthcare systems across the United
States. In the Caribbean, Adtalem
and its institutions donated nearly
$100,000 in medical supplies and
grants to local organizations helping
with the communities’ relief efforts.
The Empower Scholarship Fund
increased its total dollars and
number of recipients by awarding
$601,449 in scholarships to 228
students. The fund strives to help
keep education within reach by
providing financial support to
qualifying students. Established
in 2000, the fund provides
scholarships (restricted and
unrestricted) to current students,
especially those with the greatest
need who have established a
successful academic track record.
8
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proxy Summary
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Adtalem, we are committed to driving diversity at the top and creating an inclusive culture throughout the
organization. To us, diversity and inclusion needs to be intentional to be impactful. We don’t just welcome
differences, we celebrate them. In fact, we believe bringing together diverse teams and innovative ideas is the best
way to serve our diverse students and members, and we work collaboratively, committed to the idea that inclusion
leads to innovation and high performance.
BOARD DATA
The composition of our Board reflects our intentional
approach to diversity.
LEADERSHIP DATA
The Adtalem senior leadership team is over 75%
diverse when considering gender and ethnicity.
Female
Persons of
Color
Lived and Worked
Outside the U.S.
Female
Persons of
Color
Combined Gender/
Persons of Color
44.4%
44.4%
22.2%
38%
50%
75%
EMPLOYEE DATA
Our global employee base is predominantly female and
includes a strong minority representation.
STUDENT DATA
The student population at our Title IV institutions is
similarly diverse in gender and ethnicity.
Female
75%
Persons of Color
31%
Female
85%
Persons of Color
42%
Please note: Board data is as of October 12, 2020; leadership and employee data is as of June 30, 2020 and
represents those who chose to report. Student data is for fall 2019 enrollment at Adtalem’s Title IV institutions.
9
2020 Proxy Statement Table of Contents
1 MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND CEO
2
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
3
PROXY SUMMARY
3 Our Board of Directors
Board Highlights
4
Corporate Governance Highlights
5
Executive Compensation Highlights
7
Sustainability and Community Relations
8
Diversity and Inclusion
9
11
12
21
21
23
27
30
31
33
33
33
34
35
37
37
56
57
57
59
61
63
63
64
64
67
68
68
68
69
PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Composition
Director Nominating Process
Board Succession Planning
Board Structure and Operations
Key Board Responsibilities
Board Practices and Policies
Director Compensation
PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFY SELECTION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Selection and Engagement of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Pre-Approval Policies
Audit Fees and Other Fees
Audit and Finance Committee Report
PROPOSAL NO. 3 SAY-ON-PAY: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (“NEOs”)
Compensation Discussion & Analysis
Compensation Committee Report
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
2020 Summary Compensation Table
2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
2020 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
2020 Options Exercises and Stock Vested
2020 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Deferred Compensation Plan
2020 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-In-Control
CEO Pay Ratio
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
Security Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Voting Instructions
Voting Information
Proxy Solicitation
Shareholder Proposals for 2021 Annual Meeting
Availability of Form 10-K
Householding
70
70
71
72
73
73
73
73 Other Business
A-1
APPENDIX A – SUMMARY OF SPECIAL ITEMS EXCLUDED FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
10
Adtalem Global Education Inc. PROPOSAL NO. 1
Election of Directors
The Board has nominated all of Adtalem’s nine sitting directors and recommends their re-election, each for a term
to expire at the 2021 Annual Meeting. All of the nominees have consented to serve as directors if elected at the
Annual Meeting.
It is intended that all shares represented by a proxy in the accompanying form will be voted for the election of
each of William W. Burke, Donna J. Hrinak, Georgette Kiser, Lyle Logan, Michael W. Malafronte, Sharon L. O’Keefe,
Kenneth J. Phelan, Lisa W. Wardell, and James D. White as directors unless otherwise specified in such proxy.
A proxy cannot be voted for more than nine persons. In the event that a nominee becomes unable to serve as
a director, the proxy committee (appointed by the Board) will vote for the substitute nominee that the Board
designates. The Board has no reason to believe that the nominees will become unavailable for election.
Each nominee for election as a director is listed below, along with a brief statement of his or her current principal
occupation, business experience and other information, including directorships in other public companies held as
of the date of this Proxy Statement or within the previous five years. Under the heading “Relevant Experience,” we
describe briefly the particular experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills that led to the conclusion that these
nominees should serve on the Board. As explained below under the caption “Director Nominating Process,” the
Nominating & Governance Committee looks at the Board as a whole, attempting to ensure that it possesses the
characteristics that the Board believes are important to effective governance.
Approval by Shareholders
The election of each of the nine nominees for director listed below requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares of Common Stock of Adtalem represented at the Annual Meeting. Adtalem maintains a majority voting
standard for uncontested elections (where the number of nominees is the same as the number of directors to be
elected), so for a nominee to be elected as a member of the Board, the nominee must receive the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock of Adtalem represented at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may not
cumulate their votes in the election of directors. If a nominee for re-election fails to receive the requisite majority
vote where the election is uncontested, such director must promptly tender his or her resignation to Adtalem’s
Chairman, CEO and President or Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, subject to acceptance by
the Board.
Unless otherwise indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted FOR each of the nominees identified above.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees identified above.
11
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
BOARD COMPOSITION
Director Nominees
William W. Burke, Lead Independent Director
President and Founder, Austin Highlands Advisors, LLC
Age: 61
Director since: 2017
Committees:
Audit and Finance (Chair)
Compensation
Career Highlights
Mr. Burke has been a director of Adtalem since January 2017. He has served as our Lead Independent Director since
July 2019. Since November 2015, Mr. Burke has served as President of Austin Highlands Advisors, LLC, a provider of
corporate advisory services. He served as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of IDEV Technologies, a
peripheral vascular devices company, from November 2009 until the company was acquired by Abbott Laboratories
in August 2013. From August 2004 to December 2007, he served as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial
Officer of ReAble Therapeutics, a diversified orthopedic device company which was sold to The Blackstone Group in
a going private transaction in 2006 and subsequently merged with DJO Incorporated in November 2007. Mr. Burke
remained with ReAble Therapeutics until June 2008. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Chief Financial Officer of
Cholestech Corporation, a medical diagnostic products company.
Mr. Burke received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from The
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Board Service
Mr. Burke has served on numerous public and private company boards including serving as a lead independent
director. He has served on the board of Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCMD) since 2015 and serves on
its audit committee and as the chair of its compensation and organization committee. He previously served on the
board of Invuity, Inc. (acquired by Stryker Corp. in 2018), LDR Holding Corporation (acquired by Zimmer Biomet in
July 2016), and Medical Action Industries (acquired by Owens & Minor in October 2014).
Relevant Experience
Mr. Burke’s experience as a senior executive and board member of multiple public companies, and his extensive
understanding of financing, acquisition and operating strategy, enhances the Board’s capabilities from both a
strategic and governance perspective.
12
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Donna J. Hrinak, Independent
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Royal Caribbean Group
Age: 69
Director since: 2018
Committees:
Audit and Finance
Nominating & Governance
Career Highlights
Ms. Hrinak has been a director of Adtalem since October 2018. Ms. Hrinak has served as Senior Vice President,
Corporate Affairs, Royal Caribbean Group since August 2020. Previously she served as President of Boeing
Latin America (2011-2020) where she opened Boeing’s first three offices in the region and oversaw all aspects
of operations, from commercial and defense product sales to research and technology. She came to Boeing
from her role as Vice President Global Public Policy and Governmental Affairs/Vice President for Public Policy at
PepsiCo (2008-2011) and also held a role at Kraft Foods (2006-2008), where she managed the Latin American and
European Corporate Affairs teams. Prior to that, she served as a Senior Counselor for Trade and Competition at the
law firm of Steel Hector & Davis and held a role with the strategic advisory firm of Kissinger McLarty Associates.
Before entering the private sector, Ms. Hrinak was a career officer in the U.S. Foreign Service, and served as
U.S. Ambassador in Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic, as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary in
the State Department.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Social Science from Michigan State University and also attended
The George Washington University and the University of Notre Dame School of Law.
Relevant Experience
Ms. Hrinak’s extensive experience at the senior level in both the public and private sectors overseeing complex
multi-cultural organizations brings insight to the Board directly applicable to the organization’s international scope.
13
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Georgette Kiser, Independent
Operating Executive, The Carlyle Group
Age: 52
Director since: 2018
Committees:
External Relations (Chair)
Nominating & Governance
Career Highlights
Ms. Kiser has been a director of Adtalem since May 2018. She is an Operating Executive at The Carlyle Group
where she is advising across the firm and in particular, the firm’s Global Technology and Solutions organization
and previously served as Managing Director and Chief Information Officer. Prior to her role at The Carlyle Group,
she was in various executive roles at T. Rowe Price from 1996 to 2015, including Vice President and Head of
Enterprise Solutions and Capabilities. She was a Senior Systems Analyst at United States Fidelity and Growth
Insurance Information Systems from 1995 to 1996. She was a consultant and Software Engineer at Martin Marietta
Management Data Systems from 1993 to 1995, and a Software Design Engineer in the Aerospace Division of the
General Electric Company from 1989 to 1993.
She received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a concentration in Computer Science from the University of
Maryland, a M.S. in Mathematics from Villanova University, and an MBA from the University of Baltimore.
Board Service
Starting in 2019, Ms. Kiser has served on the boards of Aflac (NYSE: AFL), a leading supplemental insurer, and
Jacobs (NYSE: JEC), a leading, global professional services company. Ms. Kiser has served on the board of NCR
Corporation (NYSE: NCR) since February 2020. She serves on the compensation committee for Aflac and the
compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee for Jacobs.
Relevant Experience
Ms. Kiser’s experience in information technology at the senior leadership level in organizations with an international
reach brings expertise to Adtalem which will enhance both the Board’s oversight of its business as well as Adtalem’s
internal technology matters.
14
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Lyle Logan, Independent
Executive Vice President and Managing Director, The Northern Trust Company
Age: 61
Director since: 2007
Committees:
Academic Quality (Chair)
External Relations
Compensation
Career Highlights
Mr. Logan has been a director of Adtalem since November 2007. Mr. Logan has been Executive Vice President and
Managing Director, Global Financial Institutions Group of The Northern Trust Company since 2009. He previously
served as Senior Vice President and Head of Chicago Private Banking within the Personal Financial Services
business unit of The Northern Trust Company from 2000 to 2005. Prior to 2000, he was Senior Vice President in
the Private Bank and Domestic Portfolio Management Group at Bank of America.
Mr. Logan received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Economics from Florida A&M University and his
Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
Board Service
Mr. Logan has served as a director of Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. (Nasdaq: HSII), an international executive
search firm, since 2015. In addition to being the lead independent director at Heidrick & Struggles International Inc., he
also serves on its audit and finance committee and nominating and board governance committee.
Relevant Experience
Mr. Logan’s experience in senior leadership positions with leading banking and investment management
organizations adds perspective and an understanding of global investment markets to the Board’s consideration of
finance and investment management matters.
15
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Michael W. Malafronte, Independent
Managing Partner, International Value Advisers and President of IVA Funds
Age: 46
Director since: 2016
Committees:
Compensation (Chair)
Audit and Finance
Career Highlights
Mr. Malafronte has been a director of Adtalem since June 2016. Mr. Malafronte is a Founding Partner of International
Value Advisers, LLC (“IVA”) and serves as Managing Partner. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of IVA,
including company strategy and managing resources. He also serves as President of IVA Funds. Prior to founding
IVA in 2007, Mr. Malafronte was a Senior Vice President at Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC where he
worked for two years as a senior analyst for the First Eagle Funds, owned by Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Advisers,
LLC. There he worked under Charles de Vaulx and Jean-Marie Eveillard within the Global Value Group for the value
funds, including the First Eagle Overseas, Global, U.S. Value Funds as well as the offshore funds, inclusive of the
Sofire Fund Ltd. Similarly, he was responsible for covering the oil and gas, media, real estate, financial services, and
retail industries on a global basis, as well as companies within the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. Moreover,
Mr. Malafronte was responsible for covering the larger names within the portfolio such as Pargesa Holdings,
ConocoPhillips, Petroleo Brasileiro, SK Corp., News Corp., Dow Jones, and Comcast.
Prior to the First Eagle Funds, Mr. Malafronte worked for nine years as a Portfolio Manager at Oppenheimer & Close,
a dually-registered broker dealer and investment adviser; an adviser on three domestic hedge funds, one offshore
partnership and a registered investment adviser and broker dealer. While at Oppenheimer & Close, Mr. Malafronte
assisted in the launch of a domestic hedge fund in 1996 and an offshore partnership in 1998. Mr. Malafronte was
responsible for all facets of portfolio management for the investment partnerships, including idea generation,
in-depth research, and stock selection. In addition to that, he was also responsible for hiring and training both
operations staff and research analysts.
Mr. Malafronte earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Babson College.
Board Service
Mr. Malafronte currently serves as a director of IVA Fiduciary Trust. Mr. Malafronte previously served on the boards of
two publicly traded companies: Bresler & Reiner Inc. (2002-2008) and Century Realty Trust (2005-2006).
Relevant Experience
Mr. Malafronte’s experience as a financial analyst covering institutions globally, and as a founder of a global
investment firm, provides the Board with a firm understanding of Adtalem’s shareholders’ perspective and deeply
informs Adtalem’s financial planning.
16
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Sharon L. O’Keefe, Independent
Retired President, University of Chicago Medical Center
Age: 68
Director since: 2020
Committees:
Academic Quality
External Relations
Career Highlights
Ms. O’Keefe served as the President of the University of Chicago Medical Center from February 2011 through
July 2020. From April 2009 through February 2011, Ms. O’Keefe served as President of Loyola University Medical
Center. Prior to her role at Loyola, she served from July 2002 to April 2009 as Chief Operating Officer for Barnes
Jewish Hospital, a member of BJC Healthcare, St. Louis. In addition, Ms. O’Keefe has served in a variety of senior
management roles at The Johns Hopkins, Montefiore Medical Center, University of Maryland Medical System, and
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. She has also served
as a healthcare consultant with Ernst & Young. In addition, Ms. O’Keefe has served on the National Institutes of
Health Advisory Board for Clinical Research, the Finance Committee of the National Institutes of Health Advisory
Board, the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Hospital Association, and an Examiner for the Malcolm Baldridge National
Quality Award. Ms. O’Keefe holds a M.S. degree in Nursing from Loyola University of Chicago and a B.S. degree in
Nursing from Northern Illinois University.
Board Service
Since 2012 Ms. O’Keefe has served as a director of Vocera Communications Inc. (NYSE: VCRA), a provider of clinical
communications and workforce solutions, where she is a member of the compensation committee. Ms. O’Keefe
previously served on the board of Aviv Reit Inc. from 2013 through 2015.
Relevant Experience
Ms. O’Keefe’s leadership roles at University of Chicago Medical Center and formerly Loyola University of Chicago
Medical Center provides the Board with valuable perspectives to serve the needs of Adtalem’s employer partners
and drive superior student outcomes for our healthcare and medical students and graduates.
17
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Kenneth J. Phelan, Independent
Former Chief Risk Officer, United States Department of Treasury
Age: 61
Director since: 2020
Committees:
Compensation
External Relations
Career Highlights
Mr. Phelan served as the first Chief Risk Officer for the United States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) from
2014 to 2019. As Chief Risk Officer of the Treasury, he was responsible for establishing and building the Treasury’s
Office of Risk Management to provide senior Treasury and other administration officials with analysis of key risks
including credit, market, liquidity, operational, governance, and reputational risk. From 2018 to 2019, Mr. Phelan also
served as Acting Director for the Office of Financial Research, an independent bureau within the Treasury charged
with supporting the Financial Stability Oversight Council and conducting research about systemic risk. Prior to
joining the Treasury, Mr. Phelan served as the chief risk officer for RBS America from 2011 to 2014, as chief risk officer
for Fannie Mae from 2009 to 2011, and as chief risk officer for Wachovia Corporation from 2008 to 2009. Earlier in
his career, Mr. Phelan held a variety of senior risk roles at JPMorgan Chase, UBS, and Credit Suisse. Mr. Phelan holds
a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance from Old Dominion University, a M.S. in Economics from
Trinity College, and a J.D. from Villanova University.
Board Service
Since 2019 Mr. Phelan has served as a director of Huntington Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ. HBAN), a regional
bank holding company whose primary subsidiary is The Huntington National Bank. Mr. Phelan is a member of
Huntington’s risk oversight and compensation committees.
Relevant Experience
Mr. Phelan’s expansive financial and risk management experience adds valuable perspective as we enhance and
expand our global financial services offerings to serve customers’ governance, risk, and compliance needs.
18
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Lisa W. Wardell, Chief Executive Officer
Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Adtalem Global Education
Age: 51
Director since: 2008
Career Highlights
Ms. Wardell has been a director of Adtalem since November 2008 and was appointed as the President and CEO of
Adtalem in 2016 and Chairman of the Board in 2019. Ms. Wardell was previously the Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer of The RLJ Companies (“RLJ”), a diversified holding company with portfolio companies in
the financial services, asset management, real estate, hospitality, media and entertainment, and gaming industries
for 12 years. In her role at RLJ, Ms. Wardell closed $40 million in automotive dealership acquisitions and served
as the Executive Vice President of RML Automotive, the 19th largest automotive dealership group in the U.S., and
served on the Board of Naylor, Inc., an RLJ Equity Partners’ portfolio company. In addition, Ms. Wardell served as
the primary RLJ fundraiser for a $610 million money management fund and managed a hotel development project
in West Africa. In 2010, Ms. Wardell served as the Chief Financial Officer of a special purpose acquisition company
that formed RLJ Entertainment, Inc., where she subsequently served as a director. Prior to joining RLJ, Ms. Wardell
was a Principal at Katalyst Venture Partners, a private equity firm that invested in start-up technology companies
in the media and communications industries from 1999 to 2003. From 1998 to 1999, Ms. Wardell worked as a senior
consultant for Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company. From
1994 to 1996, Ms. Wardell was an attorney with the Federal Communications Commission where she worked in the
commercial wireless division.
Ms. Wardell received her undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Political Science and African studies from Vassar
College, her J.D. degree from Stanford University, and her Master’s Degree in Finance and Entrepreneurial
Management from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Among numerous recognitions, she was recently selected by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the “300 Most
Powerful Executives in Corporate America” (2017) and has been featured on Savoy Magazine’s™ Power 300: Most
Influential Black Corporate Directors list (2017 and 2016). Ms. Wardell is often featured for her strategic insights by
media outlets, including Bloomberg, Fortune, Politico, Investor’s Business Daily, Inside Higher Ed, and the Chronicle
of Higher Education, among others.
Board Service
In addition to her work at Adtalem, Ms. Wardell serves on the boards for Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW),
a Fortune 50 home improvement company, since 2018; and THINK450, the innovation engine of the National
Basketball Players Association, supporting NBA players and their development away from the game, since 2018. She
is also a member of The Business Council, the Executive Leadership Council, CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion
and the Fortune CEO Initiative. Ms. Wardell served on the board of directors of Christopher and Banks, Inc. from 2011
to 2017. She also served as a director of RLJ Entertainment, Inc. from 2012 to 2015.
Relevant Experience
Ms. Wardell’s role as CEO of Adtalem, which gives her deep and current knowledge of Adtalem’s academic and
business operations and strategy, makes her an essential member of the Board. Additionally, her experience as
a senior business executive in private equity, operations, and strategy and financial analysis, including mergers
and acquisitions, together with her previous experience with a federal regulatory agency, give her important
perspectives on the issues that come before the Board. These include business, strategic, financial, and
regulatory matters.
19
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
James D. White, Independent
Retired Chairman, CEO and President, Jamba, Inc.
Age: 59
Director since: 2015
Committees:
Nominating & Governance (Chair)
Academic Quality
Career Highlights
Mr. White has been a director of Adtalem since June 2015. In 2016, he retired from his role as Board Chair, President
and CEO of Jamba, Inc., where he successfully led the company turnaround and the transformation of Jamba Juice
from a made-to-order smoothie shop to a healthy active lifestyle brand with over 850 retail locations globally. Prior
to Jamba, Inc., Mr. White served as Senior Vice President of Consumer Brands at Safeway, Inc. from 2005 to 2008.
Prior to Safeway, Mr. White served as Senior Vice President of Business Development, North America at the Gillette
Company from 2002 to 2005. He also served in executive positions at Nestle Purina from 1987 to 2005, including
Vice President, Customer Interface Group from 1999 to 2002. Mr. White began his career at the Coca-Cola Company.
Mr. White received his MBA from Fontbonne University and holds a bachelor’s of science degree from the University
of Missouri, Columbia and was a 2018 Fellow in Stanford’s Distinguished Careers Institute.
Board Service
Mr. White joined the board of Medallia, Inc. (NYSE:MDLA), a customer experience management company in
June 2020, where he serves on the audit committee. Mr. White has also served on the board of The Simply Good
Foods Company (Nasdaq: SMPL), a food company, since 2019, where he serves on the nominating and corporate
governance committee. He previously served as board chair of Jamba, Inc. from December 2008 until January 2016.
He was a director of Daymon Worldwide, Inc. from February 2010 until March 2017 and was appointed as board
chair in 2016. He served on the board of Panera Bread from January 2016 until July 2017. Mr. White also served
on the board of CallidusCloud from 2016 to 2018, and on the board of Hillshire Brands Company and Keane Inc.
He currently serves on the board of Panera Bread Company (a subsidiary of JAB Holdings), a private restaurant
company, and Schnucks Markets, Inc., a private grocery company.
Relevant Experience
Mr. White brings to the Board a background in marketing and strategic planning, gained in senior business
leadership roles with Jamba, Inc., Safeway, Inc., and The Gillette Company, Inc. His global leadership experience also
adds important perspectives to matters that come before the Board.
20
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
DIRECTOR NOMINATING PROCESS
The Nominating & Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations of nominees for directors
to the Board. The Nominating & Governance Committee’s goal is to put before our shareholders candidates who,
with the incumbent directors, will constitute a board that has the characteristics necessary to provide effective
oversight for the growing, complex, global educational operations of Adtalem and reflects the broad spectrum
of students and members that Adtalem serves. The Nominating & Governance Committee seeks a diversity of
thought, background, experience, and other characteristics in its candidates. To this end, Adtalem’s Governance
Principles provide that nominees are to be selected on the basis of, among other things, knowledge, experience,
skills, expertise, diversity, personal and professional integrity, business judgment, time availability in light of other
commitments, absence of conflicts of interest, and such other relevant factors that the Nominating & Governance
Committee considers appropriate in the context of the interests of Adtalem, its Board and its shareholders.
BOARD SUCCESSION PLANNING
We are committed to ensuring that our Board
represents the right balance of experience, tenure,
independence, age, and diversity. Additionally,
our Governance Principles provide that a director
is required to retire from our Board when he
or she reaches the age of 72, although on the
recommendation of the Nominating & Governance
Committee, our Board may waive this requirement
if a waiver is in the best interests of Adtalem. Over
the last five years, our Nominating & Governance
Committee has led the gradual transformation of
our Board, with seven of our nine directors joining
the Board since 2015.
When considering nominees, the Nominating
& Governance Committee seeks to ensure that
the Board as a whole possesses, and individual
members possess at least two of, the following
characteristics or expertise in the following areas:
• Leadership
• Strategic vision
• Business judgment
• Management experience
• Experience as a CEO or similar function
• Experience as a CFO or accounting and
finance expertise
• Industry knowledge
• Healthcare, medical, and related education
and services
• Education sector and accreditation
• Financial services
• Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and
strategic alliances
• Public policy experience, particularly in
higher education
• Regulatory experience
• Human capital management and/or
compensation expertise
• Global markets and international experience
• Corporate governance
BOARD REFRESHMENT
8 New Directors
2015 2016 2017
2018
2020
7 Retirements
2016
2017
2018 2019 2020
ANNUAL PROCESS FOR NOMINATION
1 Identify Candidates
• Directors
• Management
• Shareholders
• Independent Search Firm
2 Nominating & Governance Committee Review
• Review qualifications
• Consider diversity
• Examine Board composition and balance
• Review independence and potential conflicts
• Meet with potential nominees
3 Recommend Slate
4 Full Board Review and Nomination
5 Shareholder Review and Election
21
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
The Nominating & Governance Committee has implemented this policy by evaluating each prospective director
nominee as well as each incumbent director on the criteria described above, and in the context of the composition
of the full Board, to determine whether she or he should be nominated to stand for election or re-election. In
screening director nominees, the Nominating & Governance Committee also reviews potential conflicts of interest,
including interlocking directorships and substantial business, civic, and social relationships with other members of
the Board that could impair the prospective nominee’s ability to act independently.
IDENTIFICATION AND CONSIDERATION OF NEW NOMINEES
In identifying potential nominees and determining which nominees to recommend to the Board, the Nominating &
Governance Committee has retained the advisory services of Russell Reynolds Associates, an international executive
search firm. In connection with each vacancy, the Nominating & Governance Committee develops a specific set of
ideal characteristics for the vacant director position. The Nominating & Governance Committee looks at director
candidates that it has identified and any identified by shareholders on an equal basis using these characteristics and
the general considerations identified above.
SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS
The Nominating & Governance Committee will not only consider nominees that it identifies, but will consider
nominees submitted by shareholders in accordance with the advance notice process for shareholder nominations
identified in the By-Laws. Under this process, all shareholder nominees must be submitted in writing to the attention
of Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, 500 West Monroe Street, Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60661,
not less than 90 days prior to the anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. As a
result, a shareholder nomination must be submitted by August 19, 2021. Such shareholder’s notice shall be signed by
the shareholder of record who intends to make the nomination (or his duly authorized proxy) and shall also include,
among other things, the following information:
• the name and address, as they appear on Adtalem’s books, of such shareholder and the beneficial owner or
owners, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made;
• the number of shares of Adtalem’s Common Stock which are beneficially owned by such shareholder or beneficial
owner or owners;
• a representation that such shareholder is a holder of record entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to
appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make the nomination;
• the name and residence address of the person or persons to be nominated;
• a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder or beneficial owner or owners
and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the
nomination is to be made by such shareholder;
• such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for elections of directors, or would otherwise be required to be disclosed, in
each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), including any information that would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A had the nominee been nominated by the Board; and
• the written consent of each nominee to be named in a proxy statement and to serve as a director if so elected.
In addition to candidates submitted through this advance notice By-Law process for shareholder nominations,
shareholders may also request that a director nominee be included in Adtalem’s proxy materials in accordance
with the proxy access provision in the By-Laws. Any shareholder or group of up to 20 shareholders holding both
investment and voting rights to at least 3% of Adtalem’s outstanding Common Stock continuously for at least three
years may nominate the greater of (i) two or (ii) 20% of the Adtalem directors to be elected at an annual meeting of
shareholders. Such requests must be received not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the anniversary
date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of
a shareholder pursuant to these provisions of the By-Laws (and not pursuant to Rule 14a-18 of the Exchange Act)
must be received no earlier than June 21, 2021 and no later than July 20, 2021. However, if we hold our 2021 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders more than 30 days from the first anniversary of this year’s Annual Meeting, then in order
for notice by the shareholder to be timely, such notice must be received not later than the close of business on the
tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of
the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
22
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
In addition to candidates submitted through the By-Laws process for shareholder nominations, shareholders may
also recommend candidates by following the procedures set forth below under the caption “Communications
with Directors.”
Director Independence
The Board annually reviews the continuing independence of Adtalem’s non-employee directors under applicable
laws and rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The Board, excluding any director who is the subject of
an evaluation, reviews and evaluates director transactions or relationships with Adtalem, including the results of
any investigation, and makes a determination with respect to whether a conflict or violation exists or will exist or
whether a director’s independence is or would be impaired.
The Board has considered whether each director has any material relationship with Adtalem (either directly or as a
partner, shareholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Adtalem) and has otherwise complied
with the requirements for independence under the applicable listing standards of the NYSE.
As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that, with the exception of Ms. Wardell, all of Adtalem’s
current directors, and all of Adtalem’s former directors who served as a director during fiscal year 2020, are
“independent” of Adtalem and its management within the meaning of the applicable NYSE rules. Ms. Wardell is
considered an inside director because of her employment as President and CEO of Adtalem.
The Board considered the relationship between Adtalem and The Northern Trust Company, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation. Adtalem maintains depository accounts with The Northern Trust Company
and conducts a significant portion of its disbursement activity through these accounts. Mr. Logan, one of our
directors, is Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Global Financial Institutions Group, with Northern
Trust Global Investments, a business unit of The Northern Trust Company. In fiscal year 2020, Adtalem incurred
approximately $80,000 in fees to The Northern Trust Company, which were partially offset against compensating
balance credits earned on an average monthly outstanding balance of approximately $25.9 million. The Board
concluded, after considering (i) that the relationship with The Northern Trust Company predates Mr. Logan
joining the Board, (ii) that Mr. Logan has had no involvement in the Adtalem banking transactions, (iii) the lack of
materiality of the transactions to Adtalem and to The Northern Trust Company, and (iv) the fact that the terms of
the transactions are not preferential either to Adtalem or to The Northern Trust Company, that the relationship is not
a material one for purposes of the NYSE listing standards and would not influence Mr. Logan’s actions or decisions
as a director of Adtalem.
BOARD STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS
Summary of Board and Committee Structure
Adtalem’s Board held 9 meetings during fiscal year 2020, consisting of 4 regular meetings and 5 special meetings.
Currently, the Board has five standing committees: Academic Quality, Audit and Finance, Compensation, External
Relations, and Nominating & Governance. The following table identifies each standing committee, its members
and chairs, its key responsibilities and the number of meetings held during fiscal year 2020. Current copies of
the charters of each of these committees, a current copy of Adtalem’s Governance Principles, and a current copy
of Adtalem’s Code of Conduct and Ethics can be found on Adtalem’s website, www.adtalem.com, and are also
available in print to any shareholder upon request from Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
500 West Monroe Street, Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60661. The Board has determined that each of the members of the
Audit and Finance, Compensation, and Nominating & Governance committees is independent within the meaning of
applicable laws and NYSE listing standards in effect at the time of determination. The standing Audit and Finance
Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations
of the SEC, and the listing standards of the NYSE.
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2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Academic Quality Committee
Members*
Lyle Logan (Chair)
Sharon L. O’Keefe
James D. White
Meetings in fiscal year 2020
4
* Steven M. Altschuler served as Chair during fiscal year 2020 until his retirement from the Board on May 6, 2020. Mr. Logan
was appointed the Chair on August 24, 2020. Donna J. Hrinak also served on the Academic Quality Committee until
August 24, 2020. Sharon O’Keefe was appointed to the Academic Quality Committee on August 24, 2020.
Key Responsibilities
• Supports improvement in academic quality and assures that the academic perspective is heard and represented
at the highest policy-setting level and incorporated in all of Adtalem’s activities and operations
• Reviews the academic programs, policies, and practices of Adtalem’s institutions
• Evaluates the academic quality and assessment process and evaluates curriculum and programs
Audit and Finance Committee
Members*
Meetings in fiscal year 2020
William W. Burke (Chair)
Donna J. Hrinak
Michael W. Malafronte
11
Report
Page 35
* Steven M. Altschuler served on the Audit and Finance Committee until his retirement from the Board on May 6, 2020.
Key Responsibilities
• Monitors Adtalem’s financial reporting processes, including its internal control systems and the scope, approach,
and results of audits
• Selects and evaluates Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm, subject to ratification by
the shareholders
• Reviews and recommends to the Board Adtalem’s financing policies and actions related to investment, capital
structure, and financing strategies
• Reviews and approves any potential related party transactions
The Board has determined that Mr. Burke and Mr. Malafronte are qualified as audit committee financial experts.
24
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Compensation Committee
Members*
Meetings in fiscal year 2020
Michael W. Malafronte (Chair)
William W. Burke
Lyle Logan
Kenneth J. Phelan
5
Report
Page 56
* Kenneth J. Phelan was appointed to the Compensation Committee on August 24, 2020.
Key Responsibilities
• Oversees all compensation practices and reviews eligibility criteria and award guidelines for Adtalem’s
compensation program
• Reviews and approves, following discussions with the other independent members of the Board, CEO annual
goals and objectives
• Evaluates the CEO’s performance against established annual goals and objectives
• Recommends CEO compensation to the other independent members of the Board for approval
• Reviews and approves recommendations made by the CEO for executive officers, including base salary, annual
incentive, and equity compensation
• Approves all LTI grants delivered in the form of options
• Reviews and recommends to the Board compensation paid to non-employee directors
External Relations Committee
Members*
Meetings in fiscal year 2020
Georgette Kiser (Chair)
Lyle Logan
Sharon L. O’Keefe
Kenneth J. Phelan
4
* Georgette Kiser was appointed Chair on August 24, 2020. Lyle Logan served as Chair until Ms. Kiser’s appointment
as Chair. Sharon L. O’Keefe and Kenneth J. Phelan were appointed to the External Relations Committee on
August 24, 2020.
Key Responsibilities
• Provides awareness and oversight of Adtalem’s external relations strategy, policy, and practice
• Monitors, analyzes, and effectively manages legislative and regulatory policy trends, issues, and risks
• Develops recommendations to the Board with regard to formulating and adopting policies, programs, and
communications strategy related to legislative, regulatory, and reputational risk
• Oversees risks and exposures related to higher education public policy, as well as compliance with laws and
regulations applicable to Adtalem
• Provides oversight regarding significant public policy issues including environmental, health and safety, and public
and community affairs
• Reviews Adtalem’s sustainability strategy, including initiatives and policies relating to environmental stewardship,
corporate social responsibility, and corporate culture
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2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Nominating & Governance Committee
Members*
James D. White (Chair)
Donna J. Hrinak
Georgette Kiser
Meetings in fiscal year 2020
4
* Michael W. Malafronte also served on this committee during fiscal year 2020.
Key Responsibilities
• Reviews Board and committee structures and leads the Board self-evaluation process
• Assesses Board needs and periodically conducts director searches and recruiting to ensure appropriate
Board composition
• Recommends candidates for nomination as directors to the Board
• Oversees and conducts planning for CEO and director succession and potential related risks
• Recommends governance policies and procedures
Board Leadership Structure
Pursuant to our Governance Principles, the Board believes that it should be free to make its selection of the
Chairman of the Board and the CEO in the way that it deems best for Adtalem and its shareholders at any given
point of time. In order to ensure continued Board independence, the Board has adopted a policy that, in the
event the Chairman of the Board and CEO roles are combined, or the Chairman of the Board is not otherwise
independent, the Board shall appoint a Lead Independent Director. In July 2019, the Board elected Lisa W. Wardell,
who has served on our Board since November 2008 and as our President and CEO since May 2016, as Chairman
of the Board. In accordance with our Governance Principles, the Board concurrently appointed William W. Burke
to serve as our Lead Independent Director. In evaluating the Board’s leadership structure, the Board considered
the relevant merits of combining the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and appointing a
strong Lead Independent Director, compared with keeping the roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO separate.
The Board concluded that Ms. Wardell was the person best suited to serve as Chairman of the Board at this time,
providing consistent leadership, alignment between the Board and management, and a unified voice for Adtalem
as it continues its transformation to a leading workforce solutions provider. In addition, the Board reaffirmed its
commitment to independent board leadership by appointing Mr. Burke as our Lead Independent Director. During
fiscal year 2020, the Board met in executive session without employee directors or other employees present at each
regular Board meeting. Mr. Burke, as Adtalem’s Lead Independent Director, presided over these sessions.
In furtherance of our Board’s role in overall strategy and succession planning, our Lead Independent Director
actively engages with our Chairman/CEO on such matters. In addition, our Governance Principles provide that the
Lead Independent Director:
• sets the agenda for, calls meeting of and leads executive sessions of the independent directors and reports to the
Chairman of the Board, as appropriate, concerning such meetings;
• acts as a liaison between the Chairman of the Board and the independent directors;
• advises the Chairman of the Board as to the quality, quantity, and timeliness of the flow of information from
management that is necessary for the independent directors to effectively and responsibly perform their duties;
• when appropriate, makes recommendations to the Chairman of the Board about calling full meetings of
the Board;
• serves as a resource to consult with the Chairman of the Board and other Board members on corporate
governance practices and policies and assumes the primary leadership role in addressing issues of this nature if,
under the circumstances, it is inappropriate for the Chairman of the Board to assume such leadership; and
• performs such other duties as requested by the Board or Nominating & Governance Committee and as set forth
in the Governance Principles.
26
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
OUR LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
During his career, Mr. Burke has served in executive leadership roles at several companies and, during his service
on multiple public company boards, has served as a lead independent director, audit committee chairman and
compensation committee chairman. Mr. Burke also continues to serve as Chair of our Audit and Finance Committee.
Director Attendance
During fiscal year 2020, our Board met nine (9) times. Each of Adtalem’s directors attended at least 93% of the
meetings of the Board and Board committees on which they served that occurred during their respective time of
service on the Board in fiscal year 2020.
All of our directors who were directors at the time were present at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, held
in November 2019. Our Board encourages all of its members to attend the Annual Meetings but understands there
may be situations that prevent such attendance.
Director Continuing Education
Members of the Board are encouraged to participate in continuing education and enrichment classes and seminars.
During fiscal year 2020, the following directors attended the following classes and seminars: (i) Mr. Burke is National
Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”) Directorship Certified and attended (a) PwC Annual Corporate
Directors Exchange, and (b) the NACD Advanced Director Professionalism course; (ii) Ms. Kiser is a NACD Board
Leadership Fellow; (iii) Ms. O’Keefe attended (a) Vizient Board of Managers meeting, (b) Vizient Academic Medical
Center consortium, and (c) Leadership Institute meeting; and (iv) Mr. White attended and was a panelist at (a) the
Stanford Directors College, and (b) the Directors Academy NextGen Directors Program.
Board Self-Evaluation
Each year our Board undertakes a self-evaluation process to critically evaluate its performance. Additionally, each
committee conducts a self-evaluation to monitor its performance and effectiveness. Results of the evaluations are
summarized and discussed at Board and committee meetings.
KEY BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Oversight
The Board has an active role in our overall strategies. The Board actively reviews and provides guidance on
Adtalem’s long-term strategies and annual operating plan. Management reports its progress in executing on
Adtalem’s strategies and operating plan throughout the year. In addition, throughout the year, segment leadership
will report to the Board regarding individual segment strategies and operating plans. The Board, in conjunction with
the External Relations Committee, also reviews and provides oversight to management on Adtalem’s ESG strategy.
27
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Risk Oversight
Adtalem’s full Board is responsible for assessing major risks facing Adtalem and overseeing management’s plans
and actions directed toward the mitigation and/or elimination of such risk. The Board has assigned specific
elements of the oversight of risk management of Adtalem to committees of the Board, as summarized below. Each
committee meets periodically with members of management and, in some cases, with outside advisors regarding
the matters described below and, in turn, reports to the full Board at least after each regular meeting regarding
any findings. The Board and management’s proactive approach to risk management has been evidenced with
the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic began, our leadership team has been closely monitoring the
impact of the pandemic on our business and operations, our students, and our employees. We have implemented
measures for the continuous and safe operation of the Company, while also monitoring market developments and
implementing measures to manage credit, liquidity and other risks. Management has been and continues to be in
regular communications with the Board about the assessment and management of significant risks to the Company
and impact on our business resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Primary Areas of Risk Oversight
• Reputation
• Legal and regulatory compliance and ethical business practices
• Strategic planning
• Major organizational actions
• Education public policy
• Academic quality
• Accreditation
• Curriculum development and delivery
• Student persistence
• Student outcomes
• Accounting and disclosure practices
• Information technology
• Cybersecurity
• Financial controls
• Risk management policies and procedures
• Legal and regulatory compliance, including compliance and ethics program
• Related party transactions
• Capital structure
• Investments
• Foreign exchange
• Compensation practices
• Talent development
• Retention
• Management succession planning
• Accreditation
• Higher education public policy
• Compliance with laws and regulations applicable to Adtalem
• Sustainability, environmental, corporate social responsibility, and public and
community affairs
• Corporate and institutional governance structures and processes
• Board composition and function
• Board and Chairman of the Board succession
Board/Committee
Full Board
Academic
Quality Committee
Audit and
Finance Committee
Compensation
Committee
External
Relations Committee
Nominating &
Governance Committee
28
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Succession Planning and Human Capital Management
The Board recognizes that one of its most important duties is to ensure continuity in Adtalem’s senior leadership by
overseeing the retention and development of executive talent and planning for the effective succession of our CEO
and the executive leadership team. In order to ensure that the succession planning and leadership development
process supports and enhances our long-term strategic objectives, the Board periodically consults with our CEO
and Senior Vice President of Human Resources on Adtalem’s business goals, the skills and experience necessary to
help Adtalem achieve those goals, our organizational needs, our leadership pipeline, the succession plans for critical
leadership positions, and our talent development and leadership initiatives. Talent and leadership development,
including succession planning, is a top priority of our CEO and the senior executive team. Our CEO seeks input from
members of our Board regarding candidates for executive positions and other key roles.
Sustainability
We recognize that ESG practices and goals are at the forefront of our shareholders’ minds because our approach
to these areas can provide insight into our corporate behavior, long-term performance, and sustainability. Our ESG
practices support our purpose – to empower students and members to achieve their goals, find success, and make
inspiring contributions to our global community. We aim to empower and enhance the communities in which we
teach, learn, and work by operating sustainably, maintaining responsible governance standards, and supporting our
global community. We continue to measure our performance and set new goals in areas including academic and
policy standards; diversity and inclusion of Adtalem suppliers; and energy and waste reduction programs. In August
2020, our External Relations Committee amended its charter to specifically document that it assists the Board in
providing oversight regarding significant public policy issues such as environmental and health and safety issues,
and reviews Adtalem’s sustainability strategy, including initiatives and policies relating to environmental stewardship,
corporate social responsibility and corporate culture.
Adtalem is committed to confronting the challenges of climate change by reducing the impact of our operations.
We launched a multi-year environmental initiative with the following three strategic goals to define our Energy
Conservation Measures (“ECMs”) and Green House Gas (“GHG”) reduction activities through 2024:
1) By the end of fiscal year 2023, to complete a set of defined ECMs to achieve a 10 percent reduction (when
compared to 2019 calendar year levels) of controllable energy use and GHG emission levels across Adtalem’s
U.S. properties by 2024
2) Initiate an average of one renewable energy project per year at an owned location
3) By the end of 2024 implement an enhanced waste and recycling initiative across Adtalem’s controllable waste portfolio
Since the program was implemented in November 2019, the actions completed toward Adtalem’s environmental
goals resulted in reductions in total energy and water usage. Energy was reduced by 2.40% kBtu and Adtalem
achieved 0.21% water reduction. These results are through February 2020 as the shift to remote work created a
larger decrease in usage.
Adtalem’s partnership with InstallNet allows us to recycle furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other materials required
to be removed from a site at the end of a lease or when a location is sold. Through this partnership, 155,000 pounds
of material were diverted from landfills in fiscal year 2020, with 62 percent of materials recycled and 38 percent
donated to be reused.
We are also committed to the responsible marketing of our products and services and to transparency and
honesty in our advertising messages and promotional communications. As part of this commitment we developed
our Responsible Marketing and Communications Statement (https://www.adtalem.com/sites/g/files/krcnkv321/
files/2019-09/Responsible-Marketing-and-Comms-Statement.pdf), which consolidates Adtalem’s standards from its
Code of Conduct, Student Commitments and other policies, during fiscal year 2020.
The initiatives described above along with a detailed discussion of our Sustainability Strategy and its core pillars
– Reducing Environmental Impact; Empowering Students and Members; Adhering to Corporate Governance; and
Making a Global Impact can be found in Adtalem’s 2020 Sustainability Report (https://www.adtalem.com/sites/g/
files/krcnkv321/files/2020-10/Adtalem%20Sustainability%20Report%202020%20FINAL.pdf).
29
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Outreach and Engagement
We value the opinions of our shareholders and believe regular, proactive communications with our shareholders
to be in the long-term best interests of Adtalem. Our investor communications and outreach include investor day
meetings, investor conferences, and quarterly conference calls. These calls are open to the public and are available
live and as archived webcasts on our website. Additionally, we reach out at least annually to our largest shareholders
to invite feedback. We hold individual calls with shareholders who accept our invitation to allow for open,
meaningful discussions. In the late summer of 2020, we spoke with shareholders holding approximately 40% of
our shares. These included discussions of compensation matters, as well as environmental, social, and governance
issues. We share any feedback received from our shareholders with our Board.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
Shareholders and other interested parties wishing to communicate with the Board, our Lead Independent Director,
or any member or committee of the Board are encouraged to send any communication to our General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary, Adtalem Global Education Inc., 500 West Monroe Street, Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60661
and should prominently indicate on the outside of the envelope that it is intended for the Board, the independent
directors as a group, or a committee or an individual member of the Board. Any such communication must be
in writing, must set forth the name and address of the shareholder (and the name and address of the beneficial
owner, if different), and must state the form of stock ownership and the number of shares beneficially owned by
the shareholder making the communication. Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary will compile and
promptly forward all communications to the Board except for spam, junk mail, mass mailings, resumes, or other
forms of job inquiries, surveys, business solicitations, or advertisements.
Communicating Accounting Complaints
Shareholders, Adtalem employees and other interested persons are encouraged to communicate or report any
complaint or concern regarding financial statement disclosures, accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing
matters, or violations of Adtalem’s Code of Conduct and Ethics (collectively, “Accounting Complaints”) to the
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Adtalem at the following address:
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Adtalem Global Education
500 West Monroe Street, Suite 2800
Chicago, IL 60661
Accounting Complaints also may be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to the Chair of the Audit and Finance
Committee, in care of the General Counsel, at the address indicated above, and labeled with a legend such as: “To
Be Opened Only by the Audit and Finance Committee.” Any person making such a submission who would like to
discuss an Accounting Complaint with the Audit and Finance Committee should indicate this in the submission
and should include a telephone number at which he or she may be contacted if the Audit and Finance Committee
deems it appropriate.
Adtalem employees may also report Accounting Complaints using any of the reporting procedures specified in
Adtalem’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. All reports by employees shall be treated confidentially and may be made
anonymously. Adtalem will not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or in any manner discriminate against
any employee in the terms and conditions of his or her employment based upon any lawful actions taken by such
employee with respect to the good faith submission of Accounting Complaints.
BOARD PRACTICES AND POLICIES
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions
It is Adtalem’s policy that the Audit and Finance Committee review, approve, or ratify all related party transactions
in which Adtalem participates and in which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest and the
transaction involves or is expected to involve payments of $120,000 or more in the aggregate per fiscal year. Our
legal staff is primarily responsible for gathering information from the directors and executive officers, including annual
questionnaires completed by all our directors, director nominees, and executive officers. The Audit and Finance
30
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Committee will review the relevant facts and circumstances of all related party transactions, including whether the
transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm’s length dealings with an unrelated third
party and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction. No member of the Audit and Finance Committee
may participate in any approval of a related party transaction to which he or she is a related party.
Various Adtalem policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct and Ethics, which applies to Adtalem’s
directors, officers, and all other employees, and annual questionnaires completed by all Adtalem directors,
director nominees, and executive officers, require disclosure of related person transactions or relationships that
may constitute conflicts of interest or otherwise require disclosure under applicable Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) rules.
There were no related party transactions in fiscal year 2020 that required approval under our policies and
procedures or the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Governance Principles/Code of Ethics
Our Board has adopted Governance Principles that set forth expectations for directors, director qualifications,
director retirement, director independence standards, board committee structure, and functions and other policies
for Adtalem’s governance. We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics applicable to all colleagues including
directors, officers, and full- and part-time colleagues and faculty of Adtalem Global Education Inc. and its subsidiaries.
These documents are available on Adtalem’s website at https://www.adtalem.com/media/166/governance-principles
and https://www.adtalem.com/media/156/code_of_conduct.pdf. Any amendments or waivers of the Code of Conduct
and Ethics will be disclosed at this website address.
Compensation Committee Independence and Insider Participation
During 2020, Michael W. Malafronte, William W. Burke, Lyle Logan, and Kenneth J. Phelan served on the
Compensation Committee. No member of the Compensation Committee was, during 2020, an officer or employee
of Adtalem, was formerly an officer of the Company or had any relationship requiring disclosure by Adtalem as
a related person transaction under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. During 2020, none of the Company’s executive
officers served on the board of directors of compensation committee of any other entity, any officers of which
served on Adtalem’s Board or our Compensation Committee.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The director compensation program was reviewed in the second half of fiscal year 2020 and no changes were
made for the year. In fiscal year 2020, non-employee directors continued to receive an annual retainer of $85,000,
paid quarterly. In fiscal year 2020, the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee received an additional annual
retainer of $22,500, the Chair of the Compensation Committee was entitled to receive an additional retainer of
$17,500, and the chairs of each of the other committees received an additional annual retainer of $10,000 for their
roles as committee chairs. During fiscal year 2020, Ms. Wardell, our Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, did
not receive, and will not receive in fiscal year 2021, any additional compensation for her service as Chairman of the
Board and Mr. Burke received an additional annual retainer of $35,000 for his service as Lead Independent Director.
Directors were reimbursed for any reasonable and appropriate expenditures attendant to Board membership. Mr.
Malafronte, who was originally appointed to the Board in 2016 pursuant to a Support Agreement, has declined all
compensation for his service.
Under the Adtalem Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, a director could elect to defer all or a portion of
the cash retainer. Any amount so deferred is, at the director’s election, valued as if invested in various investment
choices made available by the Compensation Committee for this purpose, and is payable in cash installments,
or as a lump-sum on or after termination of service as a director, or at a later date specified by the director. No
non-employee directors deferred any portion of their compensation in fiscal year 2020.
As long-term incentive compensation for directors, each non-employee director received RSUs with an approximate
value of $125,000 directly following the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each RSU represents the right to
receive one share of Common Stock following the satisfaction of the vesting period. All RSUs granted in November
2019 vest upon the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
31
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
This table discloses all director compensation provided in fiscal year 2020 to the directors of Adtalem for their
service as directors (other than Ms. Wardell who received no compensation for her service as a director and will
receive no additional compensation as Chairman of the Board; Ms. Wardell’s compensation as President and CEO is
set forth in the 2020 Summary Compensation Table).
Name
Steven M. Altschuler(3)
William W. Burke
Donna J. Hrinak
Georgette Kiser
Lyle Logan
Michael W. Malafronte
Sharon L. O’Keefe(6)
Kenneth J. Phelan(7)
James D. White
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)
71,250
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
Total
($)
125,056 196,306
161,875(4) 125,056 286,931
85,000
125,056 210,056
85,000
125,056 210,056
119,000(5) 125,056 244,056
—
21,250
21,250
—
—
— 21,250
— 21,250
95,000
125,056 220,056
(1)
Includes all retainer fees paid or deferred pursuant to the Adtalem Global Education Inc. Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Plan.
(2) The amounts reported in the Stock Awards column represent the grant date fair value of 3,940 RSUs granted on
November 6, 2019 to each of the directors named above, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The
assumptions made in determining the valuations of these awards can be found at Note 17: Stock-Based Compensation
to our audited financial statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2020. The
number of RSUs granted to each of the directors named above was determined by dividing $125,000 by $31.74, which
represents the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the November 6, 2019 award date, and rounding to the
nearest 10 shares.
(3) Mr. Altschuler retired from the Board effective May 6, 2020. Mr. Altschuler’s stock awards were forfeited upon
his retirement.
(4) This amount includes $15,000 in cash Mr. Burke received as compensation for his services as a member of the board of
trustees of an Adtalem institution.
(5) This amount includes $24,000 in cash Mr. Logan received as compensation for his services as a member of the board of
trustees of an Adtalem institution.
(6) Ms. O’Keefe was appointed to the Board effective April 29, 2020.
(7) Mr. Phelan was appointed to the Board effective April 29, 2020.
The table below discloses the aggregate number of RSUs outstanding at June 30, 2020 for each non-employee director
listed above.
Name
Steven M. Altschuler(1)
William W. Burke
Donna J. Hrinak
Georgette Kiser
Lyle Logan
Michael W. Malafronte
Sharon L. O’Keefe(2)
Kenneth J. Phelan(3)
James D. White
(1) Mr. Altschuler retired from the Board effective May 6, 2020.
(2) Ms. O’Keefe was appointed to the Board effective April 29, 2020.
(3) Mr. Phelan was appointed to the Board effective April 29, 2020.
32
RSUs
Outstanding
(#)
—
3,940
3,940
3,940
3,940
—
—
—
3,940
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
Ratify Selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
Subject to shareholder ratification, the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board has reappointed
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), as independent registered public accounting firm for Adtalem and
its subsidiaries for fiscal year 2021. The Board recommends to the shareholders that the selection of PwC as
independent registered public accounting firm for Adtalem and its subsidiaries be ratified. If the shareholders
do not ratify the selection of PwC, the selection of independent registered public accounting firm will be
reconsidered by the Audit and Finance Committee. Representatives of PwC are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and to be available to respond
to appropriate questions from shareholders.
APPROVAL BY SHAREHOLDERS
Proposal No. 2 to ratify the selection of PwC as independent registered public accounting firm for Adtalem for fiscal
year 2021 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock of Adtalem represented
at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted FOR ratification of the
selection of PwC as independent registered public accounting firm for Adtalem for fiscal year 2021.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of PwC as Adtalem’s
independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021.
SELECTION AND ENGAGEMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit and Finance Committee, at each of its regularly scheduled meetings, and on an interim basis as required,
reviews all engagements of PwC for audit and all other services. Prior to the Audit and Finance Committee’s
consideration for approval, management provides the Audit and Finance Committee with a description of the
reason for and nature of the services to be provided along with an estimate of the time required and approximate
cost. Following such review, each proposed service is approved, modified, or denied as appropriate. A record
of all such approvals is maintained in the files of the Audit and Finance Committee for future reference. All
services provided by PwC during the past two years were approved by the Audit and Finance Committee prior to
their undertaking.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES
The Audit and Finance Committee has adopted a policy for approving all permitted audit, audit-related, tax, and
non-audit services to be provided by PwC in advance of the commencement of such services, except for those
considered to be de minimis by law for non-audit services. Information regarding services performed by the
independent registered public accounting firm under this de minimis exception is presented to the Audit and
Finance Committee for information purposes at each of its meetings. There is no blanket pre-approval provision
within this policy. For fiscal years 2019 and 2020, none of the services provided by PwC were provided pursuant
to the de minimis exception to the pre-approval requirements contained in the applicable rules of the SEC. Audit
and Finance Committee consideration and approval generally occurs at a regularly scheduled Audit and Finance
Committee meeting. For projects that require an expedited decision because the independent registered public
accounting firm should begin prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting, requests for approval may be circulated
to the Audit and Finance Committee by mail, telephonically or by other means for its consideration and approval.
When deemed necessary, the Audit and Finance Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chair.
Any engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm under this delegation will be presented for
informational purposes to the full Audit and Finance Committee at their next meeting.
33
2020 Proxy Statement
Proposal No. 2 Ratify Selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
Proposal No. 2 Ratify Selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
AUDIT FEES AND OTHER FEES
The Audit and Finance Committee appointed PwC as Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. Adtalem’s shareholders ratified the engagement at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders on November 6, 2019. In addition to engaging PwC to audit the consolidated financial statements for
Adtalem and its subsidiaries for the year and review the interim financial statements included in Adtalem’s Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, the Audit and Finance Committee also engaged PwC to provide various other
audit and audit-related services — e.g., auditing of Adtalem’s compliance with student financial aid program regulations.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 prohibits an independent public accountant from providing certain non-audit
services for an audit client. Adtalem engages various other professional service providers for these non-audit
services as required. Other professional advisory and consulting service providers are engaged where the required
technical expertise is specialized and cannot be economically provided by employee staffing. Such services
include, from time to time, business and asset valuation studies, and services in the fields of law, human resources,
information technology, employee benefits and tax structure, and compliance.
Audit fees declined in 2020 as a result of the divestitures of DeVry University and Carrington College. However, in
fiscal year 2020, we incurred significant tax fees related to the divestiture of Adtalem Brazil. The aggregate amounts
included in Adtalem’s financial statements for fiscal year 2020 and 2019 for fees billed or to be billed by PwC for
audit and other professional services, respectively, were as follows:
Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
Total
Fiscal Year
2020
$2,825,500
Fiscal Year
2019
$3,256,546
$
—
$
—
$1,102,734
$ 495,707
$
18,000
$
18,000
$3,946,234
$3,770,253
AUDIT FEES — Includes all services performed to comply with generally accepted accounting principles in
conjunction with the annual audit of Adtalem’s financial statements and the audit of internal controls over financial
reporting. In addition, this category includes fees for services in connection with Adtalem’s statutory and regulatory
filings, consents, and review of filings with the SEC such as the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. Also included are services rendered in connection with the required
annual audits of Adtalem’s compliance with the rules and procedures promulgated for the administration of federal
and state student financial aid programs.
AUDIT-RELATED FEES — No audit-related fees were billed to us by PwC for fiscal years 2019 and 2020.
TAX FEES — Includes all services related to tax compliance, tax planning, tax advice, assistance with tax audits,
and responding to requests from Adtalem’s tax department regarding technical interpretations, applicable laws
and regulations, and tax accounting. Adtalem’s Audit and Finance Committee has considered the nature of these
services and concluded that these services may be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm
without impairing its independence.
ALL OTHER FEES — Includes subscriptions for online accounting research services, fees for access to disclosure
checklist, and fees to prepare a human resource benchmarking study.
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Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 2 Ratify Selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
To Our Shareholders:
The Audit and Finance Committee of Adtalem consists of three independent directors. The members of the Audit
and Finance Committee meet the independence and financial literacy requirements of the NYSE and additional
heightened independence criteria applicable to members of the Audit and Finance Committee under SEC and NYSE
rules. In fiscal year 2020, the Audit and Finance Committee held eleven meetings. The Audit and Finance Committee
has adopted, and annually reviews, a charter outlining the practices it follows. The charter conforms to the SEC’s
implementing regulations and to the NYSE listing standards.
Management is responsible for Adtalem’s internal controls and the financial reporting process by which it prepares
the financial statements. Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an
independent audit of the annual financial statements of Adtalem and expressing an opinion on those statements.
The principal duties of the Audit and Finance Committee include:
• Monitoring Adtalem’s financial reporting processes, including its internal control systems;
• Selecting Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm, subject to ratification by the shareholders;
• Evaluating the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence;
• Monitoring the scope, approach, and results of the annual audits and quarterly reviews of financial statements,
and discussing the results of those audits and reviews with management and the independent registered public
accounting firm;
• Overseeing the effectiveness of Adtalem’s internal audit function and overall risk management processes;
• Discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the nature and effectiveness
of Adtalem’s internal control systems; and
• Reviewing and recommending to the Board Adtalem’s financing policies and actions related to investment, capital
structure, and financing strategies.
During fiscal year 2020, at each of its regularly scheduled meetings, the Audit and Finance Committee met with
the senior members of the Adtalem’s financial management team. Additionally, the Audit and Finance Committee
had separate private sessions, on a quarterly basis, with Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting
firm, Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Adtalem’s Chief Financial Officer, and Adtalem’s Senior
Director, Internal Audit.
The Audit and Finance Committee is updated periodically on the process management uses to assess the adequacy
of Adtalem’s internal control systems over financial reporting, the framework used to make the assessment and
management’s conclusions on the effectiveness of Adtalem’s internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit
and Finance Committee also discusses with Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm Adtalem’s
internal control assessment process, management’s assessment with respect thereto and the evaluation by
Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm of its system of internal controls over financial reporting.
The Audit and Finance Committee annually evaluates the performance of Adtalem’s independent registered
public accounting firm, including the senior audit engagement team, and determines whether to reengage the
current independent registered public accounting firm. As a threshold matter, the Audit and Finance Committee
satisfies itself that the most recent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) inspection report
pertaining to the current firm does not contain any information that would render inappropriate its continued
service as Adtalem’s independent public accountants, including consideration of the public portion of the report
and discussion in general terms of the types of matters covered in the non-public portion of the report. The Audit
and Finance Committee also considers the quality and efficiency of the previous services rendered by the current
auditors and the auditors’ technical expertise and knowledge of Adtalem’s global operations and industry. Based
on this evaluation, the Audit and Finance Committee decided to reengage, and recommend ratification of, PwC as
Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021. The Audit and Finance Committee
reviewed with members of Adtalem’s senior management team and PwC the overall audit scope and plans, the
results of internal and external audit examinations, evaluations by management and PwC of Adtalem’s internal
controls over financial reporting, and the quality of Adtalem’s financial reporting. Although the Audit and Finance
Committee has the sole authority to appoint Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit
35
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 2 Ratify Selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
and Finance Committee recommends that the Board ask the shareholders, at their annual meeting, to ratify the
appointment of Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm. With respect to Adtalem’s audited
financial statements for fiscal year 2020, the Audit and Finance Committee has:
• Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management;
• Met with PwC, Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm, and discussed the matters required to
be discussed by the PCAOB and the SEC; and
• Received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB
regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit and Finance Committee concerning
independence, and has discussed its independence with PwC.
In reliance upon the Audit and Finance Committee’s reviews and discussions with both management and PwC,
management’s representations and the report of PwC on Adtalem’s audited financial statements, the Audit and
Finance Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2020 be included in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
In addition, the Audit and Finance Committee has re-appointed, subject to shareholder ratification, PwC as
Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021.
This Audit and Finance Committee Report is not to be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Adtalem specifically incorporates this Audit and Finance
Committee Report by reference, and is not otherwise to be deemed filed under such acts.
William W. Burke, Chair
Donna J. Hrinak
Michael W. Malafronte
36
Adtalem Global Education Inc. PROPOSAL NO. 3
Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the
Compensation of Our Named Executive
Officers (“NEOs”)
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
The following pages summarize our executive compensation program for our NEOs. Our 2020 NEOs are:
Lisa W. Wardell
Chairman of the
Board, President
and Chief
Executive Officer
Michael O. Randolfi
Senior Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer
Stephen W. Beard
Chief Operating
Officer
Kathy Boden Holland
Group President,
Medical and
Healthcare Education
Karen S. Cox
President,
Chamberlain
University
Former NEOs (not pictured):
Patrick J. Unzicker, Former Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer through August 30, 2019
Mehul R. Patel, Former Group President, Financial Services through February 29, 2020
Executive Summary
Adtalem’s executive compensation program is designed to reward leaders for delivering strong financial results
and building shareholder value. We firmly believe that academic quality and a strong student-centric focus lead
to growth and, therefore, we have incorporated measures into our executive compensation program to recognize
leadership for their roles in improving student academic performance and outcomes.
This executive compensation program structure enables us to provide a competitive total compensation package
while aligning our leaders’ interests with those of our shareholders and other stakeholders. The following chart
highlights key objectives behind the development, review and approval of our NEOs’ compensation.
37
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to
Approve the Compensation of Our Named
Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
COMPENSATION OBJECTIVES
Our executive compensation program is designed to:
ALIGN INCENTIVES
COMPETE FOR TALENT
REWARD PERFORMANCE
Our compensation program
is designed to attract, retain
and motivate high-performing
employees, particularly our
key executives who are
critical to our operations. Our
compensation decisions take
into account the competitive
landscape for talent.
Our purpose is to empower our
students to achieve their goals,
find success and make inspiring
contributions to the global
community. Success in realizing
our purpose drives growth,
which leads to the creation
of sustainable, long-term
value for our shareholders.
Our compensation program is
distinguished by its alignment
not only with our shareholders,
but also with our students,
whose success is critical to our
organization’s success.
We reward outstanding
performance through:
• A short-term incentive
program focusing our
executives on achieving
strong financial results and
superior academic and student
outcomes, through individual
performance objectives, and
• A long-term incentive
program providing a mix of
equity vehicles designed to
reward long-term financial
performance and shareholder
value creation.
As introduced by the Compensation Committee last year, fiscal year 2020 marks the second year in our journey
of delivering a series of changes to our executive compensation program aimed at reinforcing performance and
results that will facilitate achievement of our business transformation and growth objectives, while also delivering
meaningful rewards over both short- and long-term performance periods. The Compensation Committee believes
this approach appropriately focuses executive attention on our strategic priorities and provides more upside
potential and downside risk to compensation rewards based on actual performance over time.
Our program, particularly how we measure performance through both annual incentives and our long-term
performance share plan, employs measures that parallel with our fundamental shift in strategic focus for
management and our organization at large.
Fiscal year 2020 highlights underscored by our commitment to business transformation
and growth
Key Achievements
How this positions us for growth
Divestiture of Adtalem Brazil
• Shifts focus off a business with significant challenges beyond
management’s control and frees up capital for reinvestment
Strengthening Our Bench
and Focus on Excellence
in Talent
• Refines the senior executive team, reducing from nine to seven senior
executives, streamlining decision making; and
• Improves the succession pipeline in certain functional areas with several
key senior leadership changes
Business Continuity ~
Pandemic Response
• Demonstrates agility with limited time and resources and despite the
uncertainty during unprecedented times;
• Maintained relatively strong financial performance despite significant
headwinds and challenges to our business;
• Recovered quickly at Chamberlain and the medical schools where clinical
exposure is key for student success;
• Moved to a completely remote workforce temporarily due to the pandemic and
significantly expanded our remote work capabilities in the longer term; and
• Consolidated office operations, where appropriate.
38
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
CONTINUED SHAREHOLDER OUTREACH
Adtalem employs a proactive investor relations approach, involving management and the Board, with ongoing
outreach and interactive dialogue with investors to seek input on topics including corporate governance, executive
compensation, and strategy. Our goal is to provide transparency to ensure there is a clear understanding of our
business and our operating and financial performance – as set forth in our public filings, through one-on-one
discussions, non-deal road shows, and investor conferences.
While we are very pleased by the positive response to the executive compensation program changes introduced
last year as substantiated by our 97% ‘say on pay’ approval rating, our ongoing commitment included proactive
outreach to our top 25 shareholders in 2020. Those shareholders that did provide feedback (which collectively hold
approximately 40% of our shares) responded favorably to our executive compensation program, did not express
any particular areas of concern and reiterated their support for the positive changes implemented last year.
Adtalem and the Compensation Committee will continue to engage its shareholder base in the future to understand
shareholder concerns, particularly in connection with potential changes to its compensation or governance practices.
Impact of COVID-19 on our Executive Compensation Program
The Adtalem organization remained agile, innovative, and dedicated to our mission, vision, and values, successfully
weathering the pandemic in fiscal year 2020. Payouts under our annual Management Incentive Plan (MIP), as well as
performance shares (PSU) vesting in 2020, reflected actual performance despite the effects of the pandemic on business.
We will continue to monitor the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and will take steps to address the
challenges of long-term goal setting in the executive compensation program.
PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE FOCUS
We use both short- and long-term incentives to reward NEOs for delivering strong business results, increasing
shareholder value and improving student outcomes. With our pay-for-performance philosophy, an executive can earn
in excess of target levels when his or her performance exceeds established objectives. And, if performance falls below
established objectives, our incentive plans pay below target levels, which in some cases could be nothing at all.
CEO 2020 TARGET COMPENSATION MIX
OTHER NEO 2020 TARGET
COMPENSATION MIX(1)(2)
16%
Salary
67%
Long Term
Incentive
17%
Annual
Incentive
52%
Long-Term
Incentives
28%
Salary
20%
Annual
Incentive
(1) Excludes perquisites.
(2)
Illustration represents target compensation mix for NEOs who were actively employed as of June 30, 2020.
Program Design:
• The actual value realized from the annual MIP award can range from zero, if threshold performance targets are
not met, to up to 200% of targeted amounts for exceptional organizational performance.
• Our long-term incentive program consists of equity-based awards whose value ultimately depends on our stock
price growth. A significant portion of the long-term component (40% for the CEO’s and 30–40% of the other
NEOs annual awards) is granted in the form of PSUs, the number of which are earned based on our three-year
performance versus return on invested capital (ROIC) and free cash flow (FCF) per share goals. If the minimum
levels of performance are not met, no PSUs are earned; if the minimum levels of performance are met, payout can
range from 50% to 150% of the target number of PSUs.
39
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Performance Assessment: Our Compensation Committee uses a comprehensive, well-defined and rigorous process
to assess organizational and individual performance. We believe the performance measures for our incentive plans
focus management on the appropriate objectives for the creation of short- and long-term shareholder value as well
as academic quality and organizational growth.
2020 COMPENSATION DECISIONS AND ACTIONS
Key Fiscal Year 2020 Compensation Decisions
BASE SALARY Page 43
Reflecting Adtalem’s commitment to offering market competitive compensation to our key executives, the
Compensation Committee approved salary increases for certain NEOs going into fiscal year 2020 to reward
performance and maintain market competitiveness.
ANNUAL INCENTIVES Page 44
For fiscal year 2020 for the CEO, 85% of the MIP award was based on Adtalem’s financial performance as
reflected in earnings per share and revenue, reflecting our CEO’s key responsibility in leading Adtalem’s financial
growth. The remaining 15% was based on individual performance. For fiscal year 2020 for the other NEOs,
70% of the MIP award was based on financial performance at Adtalem (earnings per share and revenue) or at
the institutions for which the NEO is responsible (operating income and revenue), and the remaining 30% was
based on individual performance.
Following the end of fiscal year 2020, the MIP award in total across all measures was paid at 99% of target
for the CEO and between 87% and 117% of target for the other NEOs, reflecting the financial performance of
Adtalem and its institutions and individual contributions for fiscal year 2020.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES Page 48
In fiscal year 2020, the CEO and other NEOs received long-term incentive grants consisting of service-vesting
stock options, performance-vesting PSUs, and service-vesting RSUs.
Performance share awards granted in 2017 to Ms. Wardell, which included both financial and mission-based
PSUs, vested in 2020. The financial-based PSUs to Ms. Wardell were based on ROIC over a three-year period
and based on our financial performance, vested with an overall payout of 85% of target. The mission-based
PSUs to Ms. Wardell, which were based on both absolute and relative academic goals at our various institutions,
vested with an overall payout of 105% of target. None of the other NEO’s had performance shares that vested in
fiscal year 2020.
Factors Guiding our Decisions
• Executive compensation program objectives, philosophy and principles;
• Shareholder input, including say-on-pay vote;
• Adtalem’s mission, vision, purpose and “TEACH” values;
• The competitive landscape, trends and best pay practices;
• Financial performance of Adtalem and its individual institutions;
• Advice of independent outside compensation consultant; and
• Student academic performance and outcomes.
The following provides a more in-depth discussion of our performance in these areas that helped drive the
Compensation Committee’s evaluation of performance, and ultimately, compensation decisions for fiscal year 2020.
40
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
2020 Financial and Operational Highlights
Adtalem’s fiscal year 2020 financial results reflect continued growth in its Medical and Healthcare and Financial Services
segments, with revenue increasing 1.9% and 11.0%, respectively, despite the effects of COVID-19. COVID-19 resulted in
estimated revenue losses of approximately $29 million, operating income losses of approximately $19 million and loss of
earnings per share in the range of approximately $0.27 to $0.29 in fiscal year 2020. Through efforts to manage salary,
travel, and discretionary spending, Adtalem was able to partially offset the effects of COVID-19 and achieve fiscal year
2020 earnings per share, excluding special items, of $2.28. See Appendix A for a reconciliation to reported results.
Significant progress was made in transforming Adtalem into a leading workforce solutions provider in fiscal year
2020. We completed the divestiture of Adtalem Brazil and streamlined our two core verticals to support our
enterprise growth strategy.
The results of Adtalem Brazil, DeVry University and Carrington College are presented as discontinued operations
within Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K attached herein. Also see “Note 4: Discontinued Operations and
Assets Held for Sale” to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion. Adtalem Brazil’s revenue
and operating income were not included in actual fiscal year 2020 results for MIP performance purposes. See
Appendix A for a reconciliation to reported results.
Fiscal year 2020 revenue and earnings per share were below our expectations, as reflected in our fiscal year 2020
operating plan, which served as the basis for our fiscal year 2020 MIP financial performance targets. As a result, the
portions of executive officer MIP awards based on Adtalem revenue and earnings per share paid out at 74.1% and
87.5% of target, respectively.
FY 2020 REVENUE
FY 2020 EARNINGS PER SHARE
$1,052*
$1,109.5
$2.28*
$2.40
Actual
Plan
Actual
Plan
* Adjusted results exclude impact of special items. See Appendix A for a reconciliation to reported results.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION GOVERNANCE AND PRACTICES
WHAT WE DO
WHAT WE DON’T DO
% Pay for economic and academic performance
% Solicit and value shareholder opinions about our
compensation practices
% Deliver total direct compensation primarily
through variable pay
% Set challenging short- and long-term incentive
award goals
% Provide strong oversight that ensures adherence
to incentive grant regulations and limits
% Maintain robust stock ownership requirements
% Adhere to an incentive compensation
recoupment (clawback) policy
% Offer market-competitive benefits
% Consult with an independent advisor on
executive pay practices, plan designs and
assessing external competitive pay levels
X Provide guaranteed salary increases
X Provide tax gross-ups
X Provide single-trigger change-in-control severance
X Re-price stock options or exchange underwater
options for other awards or cash
X Pay dividends on unvested performance-
based RSUs
X Provide excessive perquisites
X Offer a defined benefit pension or supplemental
executive retirement plan
X Permit hedging or pledging of Adtalem
Common Stock
X Reward executives without a link to performance
41
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Executive Compensation
PRINCIPLES OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee uses the following Principles of Executive Compensation to assess Adtalem’s
executive compensation program and to provide guidance to management on the Compensation Committee’s
expectations for the overall executive compensation structure:
Principle
Stewardship/Sustainability
Purpose
• Reinforce Adtalem’s purpose and long-term vision
• Motivate and reward sustained long-term growth in shareholder value
• Uphold long-term interests of all stakeholders (including students, employees,
employers, shareholders and taxpayers)
• Focus on sustaining and enhancing the quality and outcomes of
education programs
• Promote continued differentiation and expansion of Adtalem’s programs
Accountability
• Ensure financial interests and rewards are tied to executive’s area of impact and
responsibility (division, geography and function)
• Require timing of performance periods to match timing of employee’s impact and
responsibility (short-, medium- and long-term)
• Emphasize quality, service and academic and career results
• Articulate well defined metrics, goals, ranges, limits and results
• Motivate and reward achievement of strategic goals, with appropriate
consequences for failure
• Comply with legislation and regulation
Alignment
• Promote commonality of interest with all stakeholders (including students,
employees, employers, owners and taxpayers)
• Reflect and reinforce Adtalem’s values and culture
• Promote commonality of interests across business units, geography and up, down
and across chain of command
• Provide a balance between short- and long-term performance
Engagement
• Attract and retain high quality talent and provide for organizational succession
• Provide market competitive total compensation and benefits packages at all levels
• Promote consistent employee development at all levels
• Motivate urgency, creativity and dedication to Adtalem’s purpose
Transparency
• Clearly communicate the link between pay and performance
• Clear communication of compensation structure, rationale and outcomes to all
employees and shareholders
• Simple and understandable structure that is easy for internal and external parties
to understand
• Reasonable and logical relationship between pay at different levels
• Based on systematic goals that are objective and clear, with appropriate level
of discretion
42
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
2020 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK
Adtalem’s fiscal year 2020 incentive compensation program for executives was designed to link compensation
performance with the full spectrum of our business goals, some of which are short-term, while others take several
years or more to achieve:
COMPENSATION SNAPSHOT
Salary
(cash)
MIP
Annual
Incentive
(cash)
Objective
Reflect experience,
market competition
and scope of
responsibilities
Time
Horizon
Reviewed
Annually
Performance
Measures
Assessment of
performance in
prior year
Additional Explanation
• Represents 16% and 28% of
Total Direct Compensation
for the CEO and other NEOs
(on average), respectively.
Reward achievement
of short-term
operational
business priorities
1 year
• Revenue*
• Adjusted Earnings
Per Share*
• Individual Goals
• Represents 17% and 20% of
Total Direct Compensation
for the CEO and other NEOs
(on average), respectively.
Long Term
Incentive
(equity)
Stock Options Reward stock price
• Represents 40% of NEO LTI
RSUs
ROIC PSUs
FCF PSUs
growth and retain
key talent
Align interests of
management and
shareholders, and
retain key talent
Reward
achievement of
multi-year financial
goals, align interests
of management and
shareholders, and
retain key talent
4 year
ratable
• Stock price growth
• Represents 20-30% of
NEO LTI
• ROIC
3 year
• FCF per share
• Represents 30-40% of
NEO LTI
* A portion of the MIP payout for executive leadership of business segments and business units is also based on the
revenue and operating income at such executive’s business segment or business unit.
ANALYSIS OF 2020 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Annual Base Salary
Annual base salaries for NEOs are intended to reflect the scope of their responsibilities, the experience they bring to their
roles, and the current market compensation for similar roles outside Adtalem. Once established, base salaries are reviewed
annually to reflect the executive’s prior performance and respond to changes in market conditions. The table below lists the
seven criteria the Compensation Committee uses to determine changes to salary from one year to the next.
Base salary adjustments are made based on seven criteria:
1. Adtalem’s overall financial performance compared to operating plan
2. Executive’s performance against established individual goals and objectives
3. Executive’s effectiveness in instilling a culture of academic quality, teamwork, student service and integrity
4. Executive’s expected future contributions
5. Comparison to peer group and other available market data
6. Merit increase parameters set for all colleagues in the organization
7. Discretion based on interaction and observation through the year
Fiscal Year 2020 Base Salary Decisions
In August 2019, the Board, based on the Compensation Committee’s recommendation in consultation with its
independent consultant FW Cook, determined to maintain the base salary of Ms. Wardell, Adtalem’s President,
Chairman and CEO, at the current level of $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2020. This decision was made considering a
competitive review of compensation practices among Adtalem’s peer companies.
43
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Based upon relevant, available market data and Ms. Wardell’s assessment of each NEO’s performance for the prior
year, Ms. Wardell recommended to the Compensation Committee the annual base salary of each of the other NEOs at
the outset of fiscal year 2020. Ms. Wardell’s recommendations regarding the other NEOs were made in consultation
with the Senior Vice President of Human Resources. These recommendations were based upon their experience with
and analysis of the market at that time, their monitoring of the compensation levels at other organizations in Adtalem’s
market and Ms. Wardell’s assessment of each of the other NEO’s performance for the prior year. Our CEO does not
participate in discussions regarding her own compensation.
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi(1)
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Patrick J. Unzicker
Mehul R. Patel
FY2019
FY2020
$1,100,000 $1,100,000
$
— $ 600,000
$ 587,219 $ 600,020
$ 575,000 $ 592,250
$ 430,000 $ 438,600
$ 525,313 $ 525,313
$ 447,200 $ 500,864
Percent
Change
—
—
2.2%
3.0%
2.0%
—
12%
(1) Mr. Randolfi was hired on August 26, 2019 and therefore did not receive a salary increase for fiscal year 2020.
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation
The annual cash incentive, delivered through the MIP, provides NEOs with the
opportunity to earn rewards based on the achievement of organizational and
institutional performance, as well as, individual performance.
How the MIP Works
MIP target award opportunities for each NEO are set by the Compensation
Committee based on factors including external surveys of practices for
positions with similar levels of responsibility. These targets, which are
expressed as a percentage of base salary, are then reviewed at the beginning
of each fiscal year based on updated market compensation data.
For fiscal year 2020, the MIP provided Adtalem’s NEOs (other than the CEO)
with a target award opportunity ranging from 60% to 80% of base salary. For
this period, the target award opportunity for Ms. Wardell increased to 110%
(from 105% in fiscal year 2019). Additionally, the award opportunity for Mr.
Beard increased to 80% (from 70% in fiscal year 2019). No other changes were
made to the MIP target award opportunity as a percentage of base salary for
the other NEOs.
Actual awards can be higher or lower than the target opportunity based on
the results for each performance measure. Performance below the threshold
for the goal will result in no payment for that performance goal. Performance
at or above threshold can earn an award ranging from 50% to 200% of the
target amount. The maximum amount of 200% of target rewards exceptional
performance compared to expectations, over-delivery of strategic initiatives,
and/or achievement of initiatives not contemplated at the time goals were set.
Actual earned awards are determined after the fiscal year has ended and audited
financial results have been substantially completed (i.e., in the beginning of the
next fiscal year). Thus, MIP awards for fiscal year 2020 were determined and paid
in the early part of fiscal year 2021, after the results for the fiscal year ended June
30, 2020 were confirmed. The payout is based on specific Adtalem adjusted
earnings per share, Adtalem revenue, institution operating income and institution
revenue measures set by the Compensation Committee prior to the start of the
year in which the performance is measured, in addition to individual performance.
44
Creating a Strong Link to Pay-
for-Performance
We believe the MIP payouts
made to our NEOs for fiscal
year 2020 support our
executive compensation
objective of pay-for-
performance by rewarding our
NEOs to the extent they met
or exceeded pre-established
individual performance goals
and financial performance
goals related to the institutions
they oversee.
MIP Performance Measures
The Compensation Committee
determined that Adtalem
adjusted earnings per share
and revenue, along with
institution operating income
and revenue, effectively
balance top line revenue
growth and bottom-line
profitability and results and
are the most appropriate
short-term metrics to support
our business objectives.
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
In measuring performance, the Compensation Committee may adjust results for certain unusual, non-recurring
or other items to ensure the MIP rewards true operational performance as it is perceived by investors and as
consistently measured. Appendix A details the adjustments made in the last three fiscal years.
In instances where an institution has not demonstrated performance commensurate with the potential award, the
Compensation Committee may exercise negative discretion and reduce MIP payouts for individuals with oversight
over the applicable institution. In the case of acquisitions and dispositions, the Compensation Committee does not
include revenue, and corresponding earnings per share or operating income, in their evaluation of achievement
against targets unless such expected revenue, and corresponding earnings per share or operating income, had been
factored into the performance target. Similarly, revenue, and corresponding earnings per-share or operating income
performance is adjusted for dispositions during the year.
In addition to the actual results achieved, the Compensation Committee also considers individual performance over
the course of that fiscal year for each NEO. Individual performance goals reflect functional results and/or institution
performance appropriate for the executive, as well as academic outcomes, organizational strength and the
advancement of Adtalem’s core values. Individual performance goals are designed to drive initiatives that support
Adtalem’s strategy and further align leadership with Adtalem’s student-focused purpose.
The relative percentages assigned to the measures for each NEO(1) for fiscal year 2020 are as follows:
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Organizational, Institution and Individual Performance
Measure Allocation
Adtalem
Adj.Earnings
Per Share
45%
40%
40%
20%
20%
Adtalem
Revenue
40%
30%
30%
10%
10%
Institution
Operating
Income
Institution
Revenue
Individual
Performance
15%
25%
25%
15%
15%
30%
30%
30%
30%
(1) Messrs. Unzicker and Patel did not receive an incentive payment under the FY20 MIP and are therefore excluded from
the above table.
2020 Performance Goals
Financial goals set for our MIP participants are derived from Adtalem’s fiscal year operating plans, which are
recommended by Adtalem’s executive management team and approved by the Board at the beginning of each
fiscal year. For fiscal year 2020, these plans translated to financial performance goals of $2.40 of adj. EPS and
revenue of $1,109.5 million. Both of these financial performance goals have been adjusted to exclude Adtalem Brazil.
The table below shows the threshold, target, and maximum goals for earnings per share and revenue under the
fiscal 2020 MIP, the performance achieved, and the resulting payout.
Metric
Adtalem Revenue
Plan
Threshold
$998.5 $1,109.5
Target Maximum
$1,331.4
Actual Results
(excluding
special items)(1)
$1,052.0
Performance
Relative to Plan Payout %
74.1%
94.8%
Adtalem Adjusted Earnings Per Share
$ 1.92 $
2.40
$
3.36
$
2.28
95.0%
87.5%
(1) See Appendix A for a reconciliation to reported results.
The fiscal year 2020 revenue target under the MIP was 9.4% higher than fiscal year 2019 actual results of $1,013.8 million
(as restated from $1,239.7 million reported in last year’s proxy to reflect the inclusion of the May 31, 2019 OnCourse
Learning acquisition and the completed divestiture of Adtalem Brazil) which reflected expected growth in the Medical
and Healthcare and Financial Services segments. The 2020 earnings per share target goal under MIP was 4.8% higher
than 2019 actual results of $2.29 (as restated from $2.84 reported in last year’s proxy to reflect the inclusion of the
May 31, 2019 OCL acquisition and the completed divestiture of Adtalem Brazil), which, again reflected expected growth
in the Medical and Healthcare and Financial Services segments and cost control measures across all segments and home
office.
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2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
The focus in fiscal year 2020 was to align Adtalem’s portfolio to be positioned for growth as a leading workforce
solutions provider and to complete the divestiture of Adtalem Brazil. Adtalem does not disclose the institution
or segment performance goals utilized in its MIP due to the confidential nature of such information and the
competitive harm that could result from its disclosure. The Compensation Committee considers the organization’s
performance goals to represent the best estimate of what the organization could deliver if management,
individually and collectively, were to materially satisfy its goals and objectives for the year. All goals are designed
to be aggressive yet achievable, with the expectation that it would take extraordinary performance on the part of
management to exceed them to the extent necessary to yield maximum incentive payouts under the MIP.
The Compensation Committee approves individual performance goals and objectives for the CEO at the beginning
of each fiscal year. The CEO also works collaboratively with the other NEOs in developing their respective
individual performance goals and in assigning weightings to such goals to place additional emphasis on tactical
priorities. Individual performance goals are factors in determining base salary adjustments, annual cash incentive
compensation and future awards of long-term incentive compensation. Individual performance goals intentionally
include elements that can be rated objectively as well as, to a lesser extent, elements that are of a subjective
nature. Individual performance goals are used to drive stretch performance across a broad range of areas
considered critical to our strategy and purpose. This mix of objective and subjective criteria allows the evaluator
— the independent members of the Board in the case of the CEO, and the CEO with input and approval from the
Compensation Committee in the case of the other NEOs — to assess the individual’s performance against objective
criteria, while utilizing his or her discretion to make adjustments based on the individual’s perceived contributions
and other subjective criteria.
A summary of the primary individual performance goals and objectives established for each of our NEOs follows:
Lisa W. Wardell
(Chairman of the Board,
President and CEO)
• Achieve FY20 Operating Plan with an emphasis on top-line revenue growth and
high-performance culture
• Drive the “talent first” agenda with a focus on the skill competencies needed for a
growth organization
• Continued focus on academic outcomes and student success
• Drive strategic growth initiatives
• Achieve FY20 Operating Plan with an emphasis on top-line revenue growth and
develop a high-performance culture
• Improve performance of the Student Operations Center of Excellence
• Optimize financial systems, tools and processes
• Drive the “talent first” agenda in Finance
• Drive execution of the strategic plan
• Drive decision-making and execution that accelerates performance
• Build capabilities necessary to outperform our value agenda
• Ensure proactive risk assessment, risk mitigation and on-going improvements
to governance
• Achieve vertical FY20 Plan for revenue and operating income and build organic
growth momentum
• Achieve academic quality outcome targets
• Execute the enterprise strategy within the Medical & Healthcare vertical
• “Raise the bar” on talent and development expectations and drive
structure effectiveness
• Achieve FY20 Plan for revenue and operating income and ensure organic growth
initiatives stay on track
• Drive progress on new programs, maintaining a “student first” approach
• Ensure adequate resources and academic review processes support our
achievement of academic goals
• Continue Chamberlain’s position as a thought leader in nursing and
health professions
Michael O. Randolfi
(SVP and CFO)
Stephen W. Beard
(Chief Operating Officer)
Kathy Boden Holland
(Group President, Medical
& Healthcare Education)
Karen S. Cox
(President, Chamberlain
University)
46
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to
Approve the Compensation of Our Named
Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Fiscal Year 2020 MIP Decisions
Based on an evaluation of organizational performance relative to MIP measures set at the beginning of fiscal year
2020, the final MIP awards were partially based on the following financial results, as adjusted for special items
described in Appendix A:
• Adtalem achieved 87.5% payout for the fiscal year 2020 adjusted earnings per share component; and
• Adtalem achieved 74.1% payout for the fiscal year 2020 revenue component.
In addition, a portion of the MIP awards for Ms. Boden Holland and Ms. Cox were based on results from the
performance of the institutions they oversee. Final MIP award calculations also took into consideration evaluations
of individual performance for each NEO during the course of the fiscal year. Based on all of these applicable factors,
the Compensation Committee approved the following MIP awards to the NEOs:
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Annual
Target as a
Percentage of
Base Salary
110%
FY2020
Target Award
Opportunity
$1,210,000
FY2020
Actual Award
$1,198,082
Percent of Target
Paid Based on
FY2020 Performance
99%
80%
80%
70%
60%
$ 406,557
$ 354,640
$ 480,016
$ 562,723
$ 414,575
$ 378,611
$ 263,160
$ 249,660
87%
117%
91%
95%
Set forth below, as an example of the MIP calculation for NEOs, is a summary of the calculation of the fiscal year
2020 award for Ms. Wardell:
Target Award
Opportunity
(Weighting)
45% $
Target
2.40
Performance
Achieved
(Excluding
Special Items)
2.28
$
Performance
Relative
to Target
95.0%
40% $1,109.5M
$1,052.0M
94.8%
Adtalem Earnings
Per Share
Adtalem Revenue
Individual Performance
15%
TOTAL
Payout
as a % of
Target Award
Opportunity
based on
Performance
Relative
to Target
87.5%
Target Award
Actual
Opportunity
($ Amount)
Award
$ 544,500 $ 476,438
74.1%
200%
$ 484,000 $ 358,644
$ 181,500 $ 363,000
99%
$1,210,000 $1,198,082
In reviewing the CEO’s performance, the Compensation Committee evaluated Ms. Wardell’s performance against
each of her individual goals and determined a 200% payout for the individual performance component of her
MIP award (which represents 15% of the total MIP opportunity) was appropriate. Specifically, the Compensation
Committee wanted to recognize the CEO’s continued role in the transformation of the Company, and in particular,
completing the divestiture of Adtalem Brazil in April 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. The divestiture – which
was completed at an attractive valuation and thoughtfully hedged against currency risk – was a significant step
in repositioning Adtalem as a leading workforce solutions provider. It further streamlined the enterprise, reduced
portfolio risk and complexity, and advanced opportunities for growth and innovation in our core healthcare and
financial services verticals. Additionally, the Committee felt the CEO had exceeded expectations in leading the
Company through the disruptions of a global pandemic while preserving the organization’s financial performance.
At the same time, the CEO outperformed in the delivery of superior academic outcomes with outstanding results
for the NCLEX and USMLE exams, as well as the highest residency attainment rates in the history of the Company’s
two medical schools. Finally, the Compensation Committee wanted to recognize the important talent moves the
CEO had made during the year to continue to build a high performing executive team.
47
2020 Proxy Statement
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
The Compensation Committee evaluated the other NEOs against their individual goals taking into consideration the
following performance highlights:
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Instituted effective financial systems, processes and cost containment initiatives to drive
focus on delivering the operating plan, particularly as the ATGE team managed the impacts
of the pandemic. Successfully drove operating improvements in the Shared Operations
Center of Excellence, drove significant improvements in the level of financial talent across the
enterprise and created a collaborative, team-oriented, accountable culture in Finance.
Managed the successful divestiture of Adtalem Brazil and furthered the enterprise
strategy, including the initiation of a communications and change process.
Responsibilities expanded to include management of the Financial Services vertical
with important and decisive talent decisions.
Achieved strong academic outcomes across the Medical and Healthcare vertical,
consolidated medical school operations to ensure leveraging of best practices and
organizational effectiveness, and excellent management of the impact of the pandemic
for the medical and healthcare institutions.
Drove superior academic outcomes in Chamberlain University with strong gains in student
net promoter score, made impactful changes to the leadership team and continued to
provide thought leadership related to teaching and learning for nursing students.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Long-term incentive compensation at Adtalem consists of stock options, RSUs, and PSUs. The Compensation
Committee targets the value of long-term incentive compensation for NEOs to represent a substantial percentage
of their total compensation opportunity. These incentives are intended to serve three complementary objectives of
our compensation program:
• Promote long-term retention of key executives who are critical to our operations,
• Reward executives for the delivery of long-term business results, and
• Align executives’ long-term interests with those of our shareholders.
How The Long-Term Incentive Plan Works
The Compensation Committee granted equity awards to each of the NEOs in August 2019 based on both retrospective
and prospective considerations and organizational and individual considerations. The Compensation Committee took into
account the same seven criteria described in the “Annual Base Salary” section above in determining the amount of these
awards. Awards were delivered through a mix of stock-based vehicles to provide a reasonable balance to the equity portfolio:
Tier
CEO, CFO, COO and Group Presidents
Name
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Stock Options
40%
RSUs PSUs
20% 20% ROIC/20% FCF
per share
Other Senior Leadership Team
Karen S. Cox
40%
30% 15% ROIC/15% FCF
Stock Options: Stock options reward long-term value creation through
increases in stock price. To promote retention, stock option grants vest in
equal installments over a four-year period beginning on the first anniversary
of the grant date, subject to the NEO’s continuous service at Adtalem. The
Compensation Committee granted incentive stock options (“ISOs”) with
a value of up to the $100,000 Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) limitation
applicable to each one-year vesting period. To the extent this limitation was
met for any NEO, the remaining portion of the stock option award was issued
in the form of non-qualified stock options. The Compensation Committee
recognizes that Adtalem may not receive a tax deduction for ISOs, but
weighed this consideration against the tax benefit ISOs provide to employees
and the additional enhancement to Adtalem’s ability to attract and retain
executives. The Compensation Committee determined it was in Adtalem’s
best interest to continue utilizing ISOs in the manner described.
48
per share
Focusing on Long-Term Results
The Compensation Committee
believes that long-term equity
compensation is an important
retention tool and, therefore,
chose to use a four-year ratable
vesting schedule for grants of
stock options and RSUs and a
three-year cliff vesting schedule
for PSUs, to encourage longer-
term focus and retention.
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): RSUs align the interests of management with those of shareholders and reward
long-term value creation. To promote retention, RSUs vest in equal installments over a four-year period beginning on
the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to the NEO’s continuous service at Adtalem.
Performance Share Units (PSUs): PSUs are designed to reward strong performance based on two financial
indicators, ROIC and FCF per share, to focus executives on profitability and effective capital allocation. In fiscal
year 2020, PSUs granted to the NEOs were split equally among these two components. These PSUs vest after
three years based on ROIC and FCF per share performance, respectively, as compared to the goals outlined in the
following tables:
Performance Period
3-Year Goal for Fiscal Years 2020 - 2022
Performance Period
3-Year Goal for Fiscal Years 2020 - 2022
ROIC Performance Goals (FY20-22)
Threshold
(50% Payout)
8.67 %
Target
(100% Payout)
11.17 %
Maximum
(150% Payout)
13.67 %
FCF Per Share Performance Goals (FY20-22)
Threshold
(50% Payout)
$2.84
Target
(100% Payout)
$4.05
Maximum
(150% Payout)
$5.27
At the start of the performance period, average ROIC and FCF per share goals are set for the three-year period.
Similar to goals for the MIP, these goals are based on the multi-year strategic plan. In some cases, stretch goals are
built in to help bridge to out-year targets to ensure we are appropriately working towards our long-term strategic
plan. In addition, in some cases, we conduct a “nearest neighbor” analysis, examining our closest competitors to
ensure we are positioning ourselves appropriately in the market compared to peers in the industry.
Vesting for performance between threshold and target and between target and maximum is determined by
straight-line interpolation.
The 2020 PSU grants also introduced a change in design such that vesting will be based only on performance
averaged over the three-year period rather than the greater of the three-year average and the sum of the three
single years individually, which applies to the 2019 PSUs. This design change is the result of shareholder questions
regarding the need for two separate performance calculations and also serves to simplify the PSU construct.
Fiscal Year 2020 Long-Term Incentive Decisions
For fiscal year 2020, NEOs received the following stock-based awards:
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi(1)
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Patrick J. Unzicker(2)
Mehul R. Patel(3)
Stock
Options
RSUs
$1,720,074 $ 939,827
PSUs
$1,879,654
2020 Long-Term
Incentive Grant
$4,539,555
$ 457,611 $1,999,845
$ 499,852
$ 365,919 $ 200,028
$ 400,056
$ 329,412 $ 180,069
$ 360,138
$ 157,490 $ 128,868
$ 129,302
$
— $
— $
—
$ 285,264 $ 156,204
$ 312,408
$2,957,308
$ 966,003
$ 869,619
$ 415,660
$
—
$ 753,876
(1)
Includes additional sign-on grant value of $1,749,919 delivered in restricted shares.
(2) Mr. Unzicker did not receive a grant based on his separation from the Company in August 2019.
(3) Mr. Patel forfeited these awards when he separated from the Company in February 2020.
49
2020 Proxy Statement
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Review of Performance Share Payouts from Fiscal Year 2018 Awards
Performance share awards granted in August 2017 to Ms. Wardell and Mr. Unzicker, which included both financial
and mission-based PSUs, vested in 2020. The financial measure was ROIC, and the academic measures were
based on achieving various academic milestones. The tables below show the performance measures and targets
established for the August 2017 PSUs, the performance achieved, and the resulting payout.
Weighting
Threshold
(50% Payout)
Target
(100% Payout)
Maximum
(150% Payout)
Performance Goals
Payout
(as a %
of Target)
Goal
Financial-Based PSUs
ROIC
Academic-Based PSUs
DeVry University - Undergraduate
Session to Session Persistence(1)
Chamberlain - BSN NCLEX(2)
1st Time Pass Rate
RUSM & AUC - USMLE 1st Time
Pass Rate (Step1)(3)
RUSM & AUC - USMLE 1st Time
Pass Rate (Step2 - CK)(3)
RUSM & AUC - USMLE 1st Time
Pass Rate (Step2 - CS)(3)
Carrington - Retention(1)
Adtalem Brasil - General Course
Index (“IGC”)
15%
25%
10%
10%
10%
10%
20%
100%
8.3%
9.5%
10%
56%
56%
12%
57%
55%
87%
86%
91%
96%
95.3%
80.17%
88.08%
96.00%
90.57%
84.90%
90.78%
96.67%
87.96%
78.23%
86.78%
95.33%
83.33%
80.00%
82.50%
85.00%
72nd Percentile
50th
Percentile
60th
Percentile
75th
Percentile
85.4%
100%
60.9%
145.6%
98.2%
106.9%
116.7%
139.1%
Total Payout as a % of Target (Academic PSUs):
104.8%
(1) For the above three-year calculation, DeVry University and Carrington performance was deemed to be met at the
target level for fiscal year 2019 and 2020 due to the timing of the divestitures.
(2) Chamberlain goals shown reflect the following for the three-year performance period: threshold is 500 bps less than the
national nursing school pass rate norm; target is the national nursing school pass rate norm; and maximum is 500 bps
above the national nursing school pass rate norm.
(3) Medical school goals shown reflect the following for the three-year performance period: threshold is equal to the
international medical school pass rate norm; maximum is equal to the US medical school pass rate norm; and target is
equal to the midpoint between threshold and maximum.
COMPENSATION SETTING PROCESS
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee determines the appropriate level of compensation for the CEO and other NEOs. The
Compensation Committee reviews and approves all components of annual compensation (base salary, annual cash
incentive and long-term incentive) to ensure they align with the principles of Adtalem’s compensation program. In addition,
the Compensation Committee meets periodically to review the design of the overall compensation program, approve
performance targets and review management performance, and it assists in establishing CEO goals and objectives.
50
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Each year, the Compensation Committee recommends CEO compensation to the Board, taking into consideration the
CEO’s performance evaluation and advice from the independent executive compensation consulting firm engaged
by the Compensation Committee. In determining the CEO’s long-term incentive compensation, the Compensation
Committee considers Adtalem’s absolute and relative performance, incentive awards to CEOs at comparable
companies, past awards and the CEO’s expected future contributions, as well as other factors it deems appropriate.
The Compensation Committee approves base salary, annual cash incentive and long-term incentive compensation
for Adtalem’s NEOs, except for the CEO whose compensation package is recommended by the Compensation
Committee and approved by the independent members of the Board during executive session.
Role of the Executive Officers and Management
The CEO, in consultation with the Senior Vice President, Human Resources, provides the Compensation Committee
with compensation recommendations for the other NEOs, including recommendations for annual base salary
increases, annual cash incentive awards, and long-term incentive awards. None of our NEOs participate in
discussions regarding their compensation. These recommendations are based on market-competitive compensation
data and the CEO’s assessment of each NEO’s performance in the prior year. While these recommendations are
given significant weight, the Compensation Committee retains full discretion when determining compensation.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves, with any modifications it deems appropriate, base salary,
annual cash incentive awards and long-term incentive awards for Adtalem’s NEOs. The compensation package for
the CEO is recommended by the Compensation Committee and approved by the independent members of the full
Board during executive session.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee retains ultimate responsibility for compensation-related decisions. To add objectivity
to the review process and inform the Compensation Committee of market trends and practices, the Compensation
Committee engages the services of an independent executive compensation advisory firm. For fiscal year 2020, the
Compensation Committee engaged FW Cook as its independent executive compensation consultant.
FW Cook analyzed Adtalem’s executive compensation structure and plan designs and assessed whether the
executive compensation program is competitive and supports the Compensation Committee’s goal to align the
interests of executive officers with those of shareholders, students and other stakeholders.
For fiscal year 2020, FW Cook’s primary areas of assistance were:
• Gathering information related to current trends and practices in executive compensation, including peer group
and broader market survey data;
• Reviewing, analyzing and providing recommendations for Adtalem’s list of peer group companies;
• Reviewing information developed by management for the Compensation Committee and providing input on such
information to the Compensation Committee;
• Attending and participating in all Compensation Committee meetings and most non-employee director executive
sessions, as well as briefings with the Compensation Committee chair and management prior to meetings; and
• Reviewing with management and the Compensation Committee the materials to be used in Adtalem’s
Proxy Statement.
In the second half of fiscal year 2020, FW Cook also conducted a review of our non-employee director
compensation program and recommended an annual retainer rate that was applicable throughout fiscal year 2020.
Refer to “Director Compensation” beginning on page 31 for more detail.
The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to approve the independent compensation consultant’s fees
and terms of the engagement. Thus, the Compensation Committee annually reviews its relationship with, and
assesses the independence of, FW Cook to ensure executive compensation consulting independence. The process
includes a review of the services FW Cook provides, the quality of those services, and fees associated with the
services during the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of FW Cook pursuant
to applicable SEC rules and NYSE listing standards and has concluded that FW Cook’s work for the Compensation
Committee does not raise any conflict of interest.
51
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Executive Compensation Peer Group
To ensure Adtalem continues to provide total executive compensation that is fair and competitively positioned in
the marketplace, the Compensation Committee reviews the pay level, mix and practices of peer group companies.
The Compensation Committee does not target any specific percentile levels in establishing compensation levels
and opportunities.
While including all large publicly-held, private sector higher education schools, Adtalem’s peer group also
includes a broader group of organizations in order to provide more comprehensive compensation data. Adtalem’s
expanded peer group includes publicly-held organizations that provide services over an extended period of time.
In consideration of Adtalem’s significant focus on healthcare education, which requires attracting and retaining
seasoned healthcare professionals and executives, the peer group also includes healthcare services companies.
Revenue of most of the peer group organizations is generally between one-half and two times Adtalem’s revenue.
Based on the recommendation of FW Cook, in February 2020, the Compensation Committee approved changes to
the peer group. The Compensation Committee removed the following company from the prior year analysis due to
their disparate size and/or lack of customer or human resources market alignment:
• Service Corp. International
Additionally, the Compensation Committee added the following company to the prior year analysis, due to their
stronger market alignment for executive talent and business focus:
• 2U Inc.
Adtalem’s resulting peer group is composed of:
2U Inc.
Amedisys
Cross Country Healthcare
Laureate Education
Ensign Group
MEDNAX, Inc.
AMN Healthcare
Graham Holdings Company
Perdoceo Education
Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
Strategic Education
Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Tivity Health
Chegg
Chemed
John Wiley & Sons
WW International
K12
ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PRACTICES
Deferred Compensation
Adtalem maintains the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan that allows certain employees, including the
NEOs, to defer up to 50% of salary and 100% of the MIP compensation until termination of service or certain other
specified dates. Adtalem credits matching contributions to participants’ accounts to the extent they have elected
to defer the maximum contributions under Adtalem’s Retirement Plan, which is a 401(k) plan, and their matching
contributions are limited by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) provisions.
The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan enables the NEOs and other eligible employees with a certain level
of annual compensation to save a portion of their income for retirement on a scale consistent with other employees
not subject to IRS limits.
The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan is not 100% funded by Adtalem and participants have an unsecured
contractual commitment by Adtalem to pay the amounts due under such plan.
The value of deferred compensation amounts is quantified each year and this program is periodically reviewed for
its competitiveness.
52
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Other Benefits
NEOs are eligible to participate in a number of broad-based benefit programs, which are the same ones offered to
most employees at Adtalem, including health, disability and life insurance programs.
We do not offer a defined benefit pension plan, and, therefore, our Retirement Plan and the Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Plan are the only retirement savings vehicles for executives.
In general, we do not provide benefits or perquisites to our NEOs that are not available to other employees, with the
exception of personal financial planning services.
Benefits and perquisites make up the smallest portion of each NEO’s total compensation package. The nature
and quantity of perquisites provided by Adtalem did not change materially in fiscal year 2020 versus 2019,
consistent with our philosophy that benefits and perquisites should not represent a meaningful component of our
compensation program. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the benefit and perquisite program to
determine if adjustments are appropriate.
The “All Other Compensation” column of the 2020 Summary Compensation Table shows the amounts of benefit and
perquisite compensation we provided for fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020 to each of the NEOs.
Employment Agreements
Adtalem has entered into employment agreements with each employed NEO that provide for:
• Initial annual base salary, subject to annual increases (no decreases except in the case of an across-the-board
reduction affecting all executives equally);
• Annual cash incentive opportunity under the MIP, targeted at a percentage of base salary;
• Benefits and perquisites generally available to senior management;
• Reimbursement of expenses consistent with Adtalem’s policy in effect at the time; and
• Severance benefits that will be provided upon certain terminations of employment, as further described on
pages 64-66 under the caption “2020 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”
Employment Agreements
Employment agreements provide NEOs with a guaranteed level of financial protection upon loss of employment.
Adtalem believes that providing for such income continuity results in greater management stability and lower
unwanted management turnover.
The Compensation Committee believes that agreements provide:
• Security and incentives that help retain and attract top executives;
• Greater ability for Adtalem to retain key executives following an extraordinary corporate transaction; and
• Benefits to Adtalem including non-competition and non-solicitation covenants by NEOs.
Separation Agreements
Adtalem entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Unzicker in connection with his separation as SVP, CFO &
Treasurer on August 30, 2019. The agreement provides for the following:
• Salary continuance equivalent to one and one-half times base salary delivered in monthly installments over
18 months;
• One and one-half times the target value of Mr. Unzicker’s annual incentive award opportunity under the
Management Incentive Plan (MIP), delivered in monthly installments over 18 months;
• Accelerated vesting of the portion of Mr. Unzicker’s outstanding awards that would have vested between
his separation date and August 30, 2020 (with performance shares vesting based on actual achievement of
performance goals during the applicable performance period); and
• If he elected COBRA, premiums at active employee rates until the earlier of December 31, 2020 or coverage under
another employer’s plan.
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2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
The severance benefits were conditioned on Mr. Unzicker signing a release of claims, and Mr. Unzicker is subject to a
non-compete and non-solicitation provisions until August 30, 2020.
Adtalem did not enter into a separation agreement with Mr. Patel in connection with his voluntary resignation as
Group President, Financial Services effective February 29, 2020.
Change-in-Control
Adtalem provides benefits to its NEOs upon termination of employment from Adtalem in specific circumstances.
These benefits are in addition to the benefits to which these NEOs would be generally entitled upon a termination
of employment (e.g., vested retirement benefits accrued as of the date of termination, stock-based awards that
are vested as of the date of termination and the right to elect continued health coverage pursuant to COBRA). In
addition, as of November 8, 2017, when our shareholders approved the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive
Plan of 2013 (the “2013 Incentive Plan”), Adtalem’s equity compensation plans, and the award agreements used to
implement them, provide for accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards in the event of a change-in-control of
Adtalem, only in the event (a) Adtalem (or its successor) ceases to be publicly traded, (b) the successor to Adtalem
fails to assume outstanding awards or to issue new awards in replacement of outstanding awards, or (c) if the
participant is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within two years following the change-in-control.
Awards issued prior to November 8, 2017 provide for accelerated vesting in the event of a change-in-control.
See “2020 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” on pages 64-66 for a detailed description
of potential payments and benefits to the NEOs under Adtalem’s compensation plans and arrangements upon
termination of employment or a change of control of Adtalem.
OTHER EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CONSIDERATIONS AND POLICIES
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Stock ownership guidelines have been in place for our directors and
executive officers since 2010 and are intended to align their interests with our
shareholders by requiring them to be subject to the same long-term stock
price volatility our shareholders experience. Each of our non-employee Board
members, except for Mr. Malafronte, are expected to maintain ownership of
Adtalem Common Stock valued equal to or in excess of five times their annual
retainer. Mr. Malafronte, who was appointed to the Board pursuant to a Support
Agreement between Adtalem and a shareholder, IVA, and has declined all
compensation for his service, is not subject to the ownership guidelines.
In February 2019, our Board increased the required ownership values for certain
executive officers, including certain of our NEOs, to better reflect market
practice and the scope of their roles. For fiscal year 2020, these ownership
levels remained consistent as described in the table below:
Position
CEO
CFO
COO
Key operational leaders
All other executive officers
NEOs
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Linking Compensation to
Stock Performance
Stock ownership guidelines tie
the compensation of the NEOs
to our stock performance,
since the increase or decrease
in our stock price impacts their
personal holdings. Currently,
all NEOs and directors who are
no longer subject to a phase-in
period have met the minimum
ownership requirements.
Number of Shares Equivalent to:
5 times base salary
3 times base salary
3 times base salary
2 times base salary
1 1/2 times base salary
Our directors and executive officers have five years following their election, date of appointment or promotion to
an executive officer position, as the case may be to achieve their stock ownership level. Additionally, our executive
officers have until the later of five years from their appointment or adoption of the increased guidelines to achieve
the new stock ownership levels.
Shares that count toward satisfaction of the guidelines include Adtalem’s Common Stock directly and/or beneficially
owned, Adtalem’s Common Stock held in Adtalem’s Retirement Plan, Adtalem’s Common Stock held in Adtalem’s
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, and the after-tax value of unvested RSUs and PSUs and/or vested in-the-
money options, provided that these make up no more than 50% of the ownership expectation.
54
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Our stock ownership guidelines are deemed to continue to be met by an individual who has achieved the required ownership
level but then falls below solely due to a decline in Adtalem’s Common Stock price. Absent exigent circumstances, executives
who have not yet met the guidelines at the end of their five-year phase-in period are required to retain, until the guidelines are
satisfied, 100% of the after-tax shares received from option exercises or the vesting of RSUs or PSUs.
Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy
Adtalem has adopted an incentive compensation recoupment policy that applies to all executive officers. The policy
provides that, in addition to any other remedies available to Adtalem (but subject to applicable law), if the Board
or any committee of the Board determines that it is appropriate, Adtalem may recover (in whole or in part) any
incentive payment, commission, equity award or other incentive compensation received by an executive officer of
Adtalem to the extent that such incentive payment, commission, equity award or other incentive compensation is or
was paid on the basis of any financial results that are subsequently restated due to executive officer conduct that is
determined by the independent directors to have been knowingly or intentionally, fraudulent or illegal.
Deductibility of Compensation
Adtalem analyzes the overall expense arising from aggregate executive compensation, as well as the accounting and tax
treatment of such programs. Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction to publicly traded companies
for certain compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to “covered employees.” “Covered employees” include the
Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated officers. Once an executive
officer qualifies as a covered employee, he or she will continue to be treated as a covered employee indefinitely, even after
ceasing to serve as an executive officer or separating from Adtalem. Historically, the company’s compensation plans were
structured so that compensation would be performance-based and deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code. However,
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 eliminated the performance-based compensation exemption
from the Section 162(m) $1 million per year dollar deduction limit, with an exception for certain “grandfathered agreements”
in effect on November 2, 2017. The company intends to administer outstanding “grandfathered agreements” and plans to
the extent compatible with business needs to preserve potential deductions.
The Compensation Committee views the tax deductibility of executive compensation as one factor to be considered
in the context of its overall compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee reviews each material element
of compensation on a continuing basis and believes that shareholder interests are best served by not restricting the
Compensation Committee’s discretion and flexibility in crafting compensation programs, even though such programs
may result in certain non-deductible compensation expenses. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee has approved
and may in the future approve compensation arrangements for executive officers that are not fully deductible.
Compensation Risk Analysis
The Compensation Committee, with the assistance of its consultant, FW Cook, conducted an annual assessment of
our compensation program to ensure it does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking that could have an
adverse effect on Adtalem.
The risk assessment covered all compensation programs, including those in which our top executives and NEOs participate.
Through this process, FW Cook and the Compensation Committee have concluded that Adtalem’s compensation
programs do not encourage behaviors that could create material risk to the organization. More specifically, the
Compensation Committee concluded that:
• Adtalem’s compensation programs are well-designed to encourage behaviors aligned with the long-term interests
of shareholders.
• There is appropriate balance in the executive compensation program structure to mitigate compensation-related
risk with fixed and variable pay, cash and equity, corporate and business unit goals, financial and non-financial
goals, and formulas and discretion.
• The Compensation Committee has approved policies to mitigate compensation risk, including stock ownership
guidelines, insider-trading prohibitions, and clawbacks.
• Additionally, the Compensation Committee exercises an appropriate level of independent oversight into
compensation decisions and related risk.
55
2020 Proxy Statement Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging
Our insider trading policy prohibits employees and directors from engaging in any transaction that is designed
to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of equity securities issued by Adtalem. In addition, except as
expressly approved by our general counsel, employees and directors may not hold Adtalem securities in a margin
account or pledge Adtalem securities as collateral for a loan. None of our executive officers or directors have
requested approval to hold Adtalem securities in a margin account or to pledge Adtalem securities.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Board hereby furnishes the following report to the shareholders of Adtalem
in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the
Compensation Discussion & Analysis of this Proxy Statement with Adtalem’s management and, based on such
review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation
Discussion & Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
This report is submitted on behalf of the members of the Compensation Committee:
Michael W. Malafronte, Chair
William W. Burke
Lyle Logan
Kenneth J. Phelan
56
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Executive Compensation Tables
2020 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
This table shows the compensation of each of our NEOs for fiscal years ended June 30, 2020, June 30, 2019 and
June 30, 2018, respectively.
Salary
Year
($)(1)
2020 1,100,000
Bonus
($)(2)
Stock
Awards
($)(3)
Option
Awards
($)(4)
— 2,819,481 1,720,074
2019 1,083,654
—
—
—
2018 1,000,529
— 4,499,886 4,915,314
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(5)
1,198,082
1,135,605
1,190,869
All Other
Compensation(6)
($)
Total
($)
133,442 6,971,079
153,935 2,373,194
115,611 11,722,209
2020
484,615 400,000 2,499,697
457,611
354,640
14,985 4,211,548
2020
2019
2020
2019
597,558
535,700
588,933
575,000
— 600,084
365,919
— 449,790
324,666
— 540,207
329,412
— 450,279
324,666
562,723
388,913
378,611
405,226
40,534 2,166,818
23,341 1,722,410
52,527 1,889,690
39,054 1,794,225
2020
436,946
— 258,170
157,490
249,660
40,566 1,142,832
Name and
Principal Position
Lisa W. Wardell
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer
and President
Michael O. Randolfi(7)
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer
Stephen W. Beard(8)
Chief Operating Officer
Kathy Boden Holland
Group President,
Medical and Healthcare
Karen S. Cox
President, Chamberlain
University
Patrick J. Unzicker(9)
Former Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
Mehul R. Patel(9)
Former Group President,
Financial Services
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
111,124
522,849
492,788
346,064
443,892
—
—
—
— 419,379
303,161
— 540,027
393,181
— 468,612
285,264
— 347,274
251,236
337,385 250,000
529,816
—
—
322,689
433,813
370,808
407,289
—
344,772
215,827
51,545 1,667,742
42,733 1,876,018
45,941 1,145,881
46,337 1,433,511
13,490 1,346,518
(1) This column shows the salaries earned by Adtalem to its NEOs in fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018. The following
NEOs have elected to defer a portion of their salaries under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan: Ms. Wardell
($261,230 for 2020, $32,510 for 2019 and $30,016 for 2018); Mr. Beard ($9,975 for 2020); Ms. Boden Holland ($485,124
for 2020 and $35,385 for 2019); Ms. Cox ($18,726 for 2020); Mr. Unzicker ($9,020 for 2020, $10,457 for 2019 and $9,856
for 2018); and Mr. Patel ($28,620 for 2020, $13,317 for 2019 and $10,237 for 2018). Amounts shown are inclusive of
these deferrals.
(2) This column includes the $400,000 signing bonus paid to Mr. Randolfi in fiscal year 2020 and the $250,000 signing
bonus paid to Mr. Patel in fiscal year 2018.
(3) This column includes a sign-on grant value of $1,749,919 to Mr. Randolfi delivered in restricted shares. The amounts
reported in the Stock Awards column represents the grant date fair value of awards of both PSUs and RSUs, which is
an estimated value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used for fiscal years 2020,
2019 and 2018 calculations can be found at Note 17: Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial statements in
Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2020; Note 5: Stock-Based Compensation to our
audited financial statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019; and Note 5:
Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The grant date fair values of the PSUs are based on the probable outcome of the
performance conditions to which the PSUs are subject, and the shares the recipient would receive under such outcome.
The 2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards shows the values of PSU awards, assuming that the highest levels of the
performance conditions are achieved.
57
2020 Proxy Statement
Executive Compensation Tables
(4) The amounts reported in the Options Awards column represent the grant date fair value, which is an estimated
value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018
calculations can be found at Note 17: Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial statements in Adtalem’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2020; Note 5: Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial
statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019; and Note 5: Stock-Based
Compensation to our audited financial statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30,
2018, respectively.
(5) The MIP compensation reported in this column was earned in fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018 and paid in fiscal years
2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, based upon the MIP guidelines. Certain NEOs have elected to defer a portion of their
MIP compensation under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, specifically: Ms. Wardell ($119,808 for 2020,
$113,560 for 2019 and $119,087 for 2018), Mr. Beard ($56,272 for 2020) and Ms. Boden Holland ($189,305 for 2020 and
$392,246 for 2019). Amounts shown are inclusive of these deferrals.
(6) The amounts indicated in the “all other compensation” column for 2020 include the following:
• Matching contributions credited under the Retirement Plan for Ms. Wardell ($18,031); Mr. Randolfi ($14,331); Mr. Beard
($19,749); Ms. Boden Holland ($19,513); Ms. Cox ($22,173); Mr. Unzicker ($3,494) and Mr. Patel ($10,000).
• Company contributions credited under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Ms. Wardell ($98,169);
Mr. Beard ($3,975); Ms. Boden Holland ($31,772); Ms. Cox ($9,326); Mr. Unzicker ($6,501) and Mr. Patel ($17,709).
• Group life insurance premiums paid by Adtalem for Ms. Wardell ($1,242); Mr. Randolfi ($654); Mr. Beard ($810);
Ms. Boden Holland ($1,242); Ms. Cox ($3,067); Mr. Unzicker ($187) and Mr. Patel ($574).
• Personal financial planning services for Ms. Wardell ($16,000), Mr. Beard ($16,000) and Ms. Cox ($6,000).
• Severance compensation for Mr. Unzicker ($297,677).
• Lump sum payout of unused vacation days for Mr. Unzicker ($14,830) and Mr. Patel ($17,658).
(7) Mr. Randolfi succeeded Mr. Unzicker as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in August 2019.
(8) Mr. Beard accepted an expanded role as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Financial Services in February 2020 and
was succeeded by Mr. Chaka Patterson as SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
(9) Mr. Unzicker’s employment ended on August 30, 2019. Mr. Patel resigned from his position effective February 29, 2020.
Employment Agreements with Chief Executive Officer and
Other Named Executive Officers
Adtalem has entered into employment agreements with each of its NEOs, which are described on pages 64-65
under the caption “Employment Agreements.”
58
Adtalem Global Education Inc. 2020 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
This table sets forth information regarding non-equity incentive plan awards, equity incentive plan awards, RSUs and
stock options granted to the NEOs in fiscal year 2020.
Executive Compensation Tables
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(5)
Threshold
($)(2)
Target
($)(3)
Maximum
($)(4)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
605,000 1,210,000 2,420,000
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(6)
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/sh)(7)
Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards(8)
21,660 43,320
64,980
101,300
21,660
$1,879,654
43.39 $1,720,074
$ 939,827
203,279
406,557
813,114
240,008
480,016
960,032
207,288
414,575
829,150
131,580
263,160
526,320
175,303
350,605
701,210
5,760 11,520
17,280
26,950
46,090(9)
$ 499,852
43.39 $ 457,611
$1,999,845
4,610
9,220
13,830
21,550
4,610
$ 400,056
43.39 $ 365,919
$ 200,028
4,150
8,300
12,450
19,400
4,150
$ 360,138
43.39 $ 329,412
$ 180,069
1,490
2,980
4,470
9,275
$ 129,302
43.39 $ 157,490
$ 128,868
2,970
3,600
7,200
10,800
16,800
3,600
$ 312,408
43.39 $ 285,264
$ 156,204
Grant Date
Lisa W. Wardell
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
Michael O. Randolfi(9)
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
Stephen W. Beard
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
Kathy Boden Holland
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
Karen S. Cox
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
Mehul R. Patel
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
(1) Payouts under the MIP were based on performance in fiscal year 2020. Therefore, the information in the “Threshold,”
“Target” and “Maximum” columns reflect the range of potential payouts when the performance goals were set on
August 28, 2019. The amounts actually paid under the MIP for fiscal year 2020 appear in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation” column of the 2020 Summary Compensation Table.
(2) Pursuant to the MIP, performance below a performance goal threshold will result in no payment with respect to that
performance goal. If a performance goal threshold is met, then the amount shown in this column represents the
minimum incentive payment, 50% of the target.
(3) The amount shown in this column represents the target incentive payment under the MIP, which is calculated as a set
percentage of base salary.
59
2020 Proxy Statement Executive Compensation Tables
(4) Pursuant to the MIP, the amount shown in this column represents the maximum incentive payment, 200% of the target.
(5) PSUs were granted under the 2013 Incentive Plan. The awards consist of 50% with a target based on ROIC over a period
of three fiscal years and 50% with a target based on FCF per share over a period of three fiscal years. PSUs will pay
out 0% for below threshold performance, and between 50% of target payout for threshold performance and 150% of
target for achieving maximum performance or above. Straight-line interpolation will be used to determine achievement
between threshold and target.
(6) Stock option awards on August 28, 2019 were issued as part of the annual incentive award under the 2013 Incentive
Plan, which become exercisable at 25% per year for four years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant
and have a maximum term of ten years.
(7) All options granted on August 28, 2019 have an exercise price equal to the closing sales price of the Common Stock on
the date of grant.
(8) This column shows the grant date fair value of PSUs (assuming payout at target value), RSUs and stock options granted
on August 28, 2019, in fiscal year 2020, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, which was $16.98 for stock
options and $43.39 for each of RSUs and PSUs. Also see Note 17: Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial
statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2020 for an explanation of the
assumptions made by Adtalem in the valuation of stock option awards.
(9) 40,330 of these RSUs were delivered in connection with Mr. Randolfi’s onboarding package when joining Adtalem.
60
Adtalem Global Education Inc. 2020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
This table sets forth information for each NEO with respect to stock options, RSUs and PSUs held by the NEOs as of
June 30, 2020.
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Executive Compensation Tables
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(5)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)(4)
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(2)
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)
31,123
969,481
176,060
5,484,269
46,090 1,435,704
11,520
358,848
10,748
334,800
13,800
429,870
9,160
285,334
19,850
618,328
4,830
150,455
5,460
170,079
Name
Lisa W. Wardell
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
194,569
143,681
—
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
—
47,894
335,975
101,300
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
Option
Expiration
Date(1)
17.54 5/26/2026
23.78 8/25/2026
33.90 8/23/2027
43.39 8/28/2029
Michael O. Randolfi
—
26,950
43.39 8/28/2029
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Patrick J. Unzicker
3,868
—
3,868
—
2,093
—
3,225
3,775
4,875
7,225
11,607
21,550
49.05 8/22/2028
43.39 8/28/2029
11,607
19,400
49.05 8/22/2028
43.39 8/28/2029
6,282
9,275
48.40 8/27/2028
43.39 8/28/2029
—
—
—
—
38.71 8/27/2020
41.87 8/30/2020
43.47 8/30/2020
49.05 8/30/2020
—
—
—
Mehul R. Patel
(1) The table below details the vesting schedule for stock option grants based on the termination date of the relevant grant.
In general, option grants vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, except for Ms. Wardell’s
August 23, 2027 expiration dated grant related to a double grant awarded that vests 50% on each of the third and
fourth anniversaries of the date of grant. Ms. Wardell’s May 26, 2026 expiration dated grant relates to an option granted
to her as part of an initial sign-on award granted upon her appointment as President and CEO to compensate for
forgone compensation at her prior employer and to align her compensation with Adtalem’s performance.
—
—
—
—
—
10,620
—
330,813
—
Option Expiration Dates
Grant Dates
Options Vesting Dates
8/27/2020
8/24/2021
8/29/2022
8/21/2023
8/20/2024
8/26/2025
5/26/2026
8/25/2026
8/23/2027
8/22/2028
8/27/2028
8/28/2029
8/27/2010
8/27/2011
8/27/2012
8/27/2013
8/27/2014
8/24/2011
8/24/2012
8/24/2013
8/24/2014
8/24/2015
8/29/2012
8/29/2013
8/29/2014
8/29/2015
8/29/2016
8/21/2013
8/21/2014
8/21/2015
8/21/2016
8/21/2017
8/20/2014
8/20/2015
8/20/2016
8/20/2017
8/20/2018
8/26/2015
8/26/2016
8/26/2017
8/26/2018
8/26/2019
5/26/2016
5/26/2017
5/26/2018
5/26/2019
5/26/2020
8/25/2016
8/25/2017
8/25/2018
8/25/2019
8/25/2020
8/23/2017
8/23/2018
8/23/2019
8/23/2020
8/23/2021
8/22/2018
8/22/2019
8/22/2020
8/22/2021
8/22/2022
8/27/2018
8/27/2019
8/27/2020
8/27/2021
8/27/2022
8/28/2019
8/28/2020
8/28/2021
8/28/2022
8/28/2023
61
2020 Proxy Statement Executive Compensation Tables
(2) The table below details the vesting schedule for RSUs, which vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the
date of grant, except for Mr. Randolfi’s August 28, 2019 dated grant. In addition to the annual grant, Mr. Randolfi
received a second RSU grant as part of an initial sign-on award granted upon his appointment as Chief Financial Officer
to compensate for forgone compensation at his prior employer, which vests 40% on each of the first and second
anniversaries and 20% on the third anniversary of the date of grant.
Name
Grant Date
Number of RSUs Vesting
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Lisa W. Wardell
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Stephen W. Beard
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Kathy Boden Holland
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Karen S. Cox
8/25/2016
8/28/2019
8/28/2019
—
5,415
1,440
—
5,415
1,440
8/28/2019
16,132
16,132
2/13/2018
8/22/2018
—
—
8/28/2019
1,152
5/9/2018
8/22/2018
—
—
—
1,148
1,153
—
765
—
5,415
1,440
8,066
1,347
1,147
1,152
1,357
765
9,463
5,415
1,440
1,348
1,148
1,153
1,358
765
8/28/2019
1,037
1,038
1,037
1,038
8/27/2018
8/28/2019
—
742
620
743
620
742
620
743
—
40,330
Total
9,463
21,660
5,760
2,695
3,443
4,610
2,715
2,295
4,150
1,860
2,970
(3) Represents the value derived by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock covered by RSUs granted by $31.15
(the closing market price of Adtalem’s Common Stock on June 30, 2020).
(4) The table below details the vesting schedule for PSUs. In general, PSUs vest following the third anniversary of their
grant date.
Name
Lisa W. Wardell
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Kathy Boden Holland
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Karen S. Cox
Patrick J. Unzicker
Grant Date
Vesting
Date
Number of
PSUs Vesting
8/23/2017
8/23/2020
8/28/2019
8/28/2022
8/28/2019
8/28/2022
8/22/2018
8/22/2021
8/28/2019
8/28/2022
5/9/2018
8/22/2021
8/22/2018
8/22/2021
8/28/2019
8/28/2022
8/27/2018
8/27/2021
8/28/2019
8/28/2022
132,740
43,320
11,520
4,580
9,220
5,430
6,120
8,300
2,480
2,980
8/23/2017
8/23/2020
10,620
(5) Represents the value derived by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the PSUs by $31.15 (the closing
market price of Adtalem’s Common Stock on June 30, 2020). The value provided assumes a PSU payout at target value.
62
Adtalem Global Education Inc. 2020 OPTIONS EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
This table provides information for the NEOs concerning stock options that were exercised and PSUs and RSUs that
vested during fiscal year 2020.
Executive Compensation Tables
Name
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Patrick J. Unzicker
Mehul R. Patel
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
—
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)(1)
—
Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
106,381
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2)
4,534,878
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
63,953
—
531,904
—
—
2,495
2,123
620
15,929
2,378
—
105,119
86,039
27,193
703,489
86,961
(1) Value Realized on Exercise. If the exercise was executed as part of a cashless transaction where the shares acquired
were immediately sold, this represents the difference between the sales price of the shares acquired and the option
exercise price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the options exercised. If the exercise
was executed as part of a buy and hold transaction, this represents the difference between the closing market price
of the Common Stock for the date of exercise of the option and the option exercise price multiplied by the number of
shares of Common Stock covered by the options held.
(2) Value Realized on Vesting. For Ms. Wardell, this amount represents PSUs originally granted in August 2016 that
vested in August 2019, RSUs originally granted in May 2016 that vested in May 2020, and RSUs originally granted in
August 2016 that vested in August 2019. For Mr. Beard, this amount represents RSUs originally granted in February 2018
that vested in February 2020 and RSUs originally granted in August 2018 that vested in August 2019. For Ms. Boden
Holland, this amount represents RSUs originally granted in May 2018 that vested in May 2020 and RSUs originally
granted in August 2018 that vested in August 2019. For Ms. Cox, this amount represents RSUs originally granted in
August 2018 that vested in August 2019. For Mr. Patel, this amount represents RSUs originally granted in November 2017
that vested in November 2019 and RSUs originally granted in August 2018 that vested in August 2019. For Mr. Unzicker,
this amount represents PSUs originally granted in August 2016 that vested in August 2019 and RSUs originally granted
in August 2015, August 2016, August 2017, and August 2018 that vested in August 2019.
2020 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
This table sets forth information about activity for NEOs in our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan during
fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.
Name
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Patrick J. Unzicker
Mehul R. Patel
Executive
Contributions
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(1)
163,060
Registrant
Contributions
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(2)
98,169
Aggregate
Earnings
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(3)
16,227
Aggregate
Balance at
Last Fiscal
Year End
($)(4)
1,142,409
—
6,000
453,351
9,400
2,519
10,912
—
3,975
31,772
9,326
6,501
17,709
—
611
3,497
957
(24,537)
659
—
10,586
699,488
23,428
135,789
83,307
(1) Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. The amount of executive contributions made by each NEO and reported
in this column is included in each NEO’s compensation reported on the 2020 Summary Compensation Table, either
in the “Salary” or “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column. See footnotes 1 and 5 of the 2020 Summary
Compensation Table for specific deferrals made by each NEO.
63
2020 Proxy Statement Executive Compensation Tables
(2) Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. The amount of Adtalem contributions made and reported in this column
is included in each NEO’s compensation reported on the 2020 Summary Compensation Table in the “All Other
Compensation” column.
(3) Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts represent the earnings in the Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Plan for fiscal year 2020. These amounts are not reported in the 2020 Summary Compensation Table.
(4) Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End. The aggregate balance as of June 30, 2020 reported in this column
for each NEO reflects amounts that either are currently reported or were previously reported as compensation
in the 2020 Summary Compensation Table for current or prior years, except for the aggregate earnings on
deferred compensation.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan covers directors and selected key employees approved for
participation by the Compensation Committee. All of the NEOs are eligible to participate in the Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Plan. Under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan as it applies to employees,
participants may make an advance election to defer up to 50% of salary and up to 100% of MIP compensation
until termination of service with Adtalem or certain other specified dates. Adtalem credits matching contributions
to participants’ accounts under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan to the extent they have elected to
defer the maximum amount under Adtalem’s Retirement Plan, and their matching contributions to the Retirement
Plan are limited by applicable Code provisions. Adtalem may also credit participants’ accounts with discretionary
contributions. Participants are fully vested in their own deferral and matching contributions, plus earnings, and will
vest in discretionary contributions, if any, as determined by the Compensation Committee. Participants may elect to
have their Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan accounts credited with earnings based on various investment
choices made available by the Compensation Committee for this purpose. Participants may elect to have account
balances paid in a lump sum or in installments. Distributions are generally made or commence in January of the year
following termination of employment (but not earlier than six months after termination) or January of the year in
which the specified payment date occurs. In the event of death before benefits commence, participants’ accounts
will be paid to their beneficiaries in a lump sum.
2020 POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
Adtalem provides benefits to the NEOs upon termination of employment from Adtalem in specific circumstances.
These benefits are in addition to the benefits to which these NEOs would be generally entitled upon a termination
of employment (i.e., vested retirement benefits accrued as of the date of termination, stock-based awards that
are vested as of the date of termination and the right to elect continued health coverage pursuant to COBRA). In
addition, Adtalem’s equity compensation plans and the stock award agreements used to implement them provide
for accelerated vesting of outstanding stock awards in the event of a change-in-control of Adtalem, regardless of
whether a termination of employment occurs for awards granted prior to November 8, 2017.
Employment Agreements
MS. WARDELL
Adtalem entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Wardell effective as of her May 24, 2016 appointment as
President and CEO. The employment agreement provides, among other things, that if her employment is terminated
by Adtalem without “cause” or by Ms. Wardell with “good reason,” and if she executes a release of claims, she will
be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of base salary and a prorated MIP award based on actual
performance for the fiscal year and paid in a lump sum at the same time MIP awards are paid to other employees.
If such termination of employment occurs within 12 months of a “change-in-control,” and she executes a release of
claims, she will be entitled to (i) a lump sum payment equal to two times base salary and the average of the MIP
award paid to her for the prior two fiscal years; and (ii) accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock options.
64
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Executive Compensation Tables
OTHER NEOs
Adtalem has entered into similar employment arrangements with each of the other NEOs, Mr. Randolfi, Mr. Beard,
Ms. Boden Holland and Ms. Cox. Adtalem also had employment agreements with Mr. Unzicker and Mr. Patel. These
employment agreements provide, among other things, that if the NEO’s employment with Adtalem is terminated
by Adtalem without “cause” or by the NEO with “good reason”, and the NEO executes a release of claims, then the
NEO will be entitled to the following benefits:
• One and one-half times the sum of their base salary plus target MIP award, payable in 18 equal monthly payments
for Mr. Randolfi, Mr. Beard and Ms. Boden Holland and one times the sum of base salary plus target MIP award,
payable in 12 equal monthly payments for Ms. Cox.
• A pro-rated MIP award (if employed for at least six months in the fiscal year during which termination occurs) based on
actual performance for the relevant fiscal year, paid in a lump sum at the time MIP awards are paid to other employees;
• 18 months of continued health benefit plan coverage for Ms. Boden Holland and Mr. Beard and Mr. Randolfi and
12 months for Ms. Cox at active employee rates following the termination date; and
• Access to a senior executive level outplacement program for 9 months for Mr. Randolfi, Mr. Beard and Ms. Boden
Holland and 6 months for Ms. Cox.
In addition, the employment arrangements provide that if such termination occurs within 12 months of a “change-in-
control”, and the NEO executes a release of claims, then the NEO will be entitled to the following benefits:
• Two times the sum of their base salary plus target MIP award, payable in 24 equal monthly payments for
Mr. Randolfi, Mr. Beard and Ms. Boden Holland and one and one-half times the sum of base salary plus target MIP
award payable in 18 months for Ms. Cox.
• A pro-rated MIP award (if employed for at least six months in the fiscal year during which termination occurs) based on
actual performance for the relevant fiscal year, paid in a lump sum at the time MIP awards are paid to other employees;
• 24 months of continued health benefit plan coverage for Ms. Boden Holland, Mr. Beard and Mr. Randolfi and 18
months for Ms. Cox at active employee rates following the termination date; and
• Access to a senior executive level outplacement program for 12 months and 9 months for Ms. Cox.
For purposes of all employment agreements:
• “cause” means (i) the commission of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act
or omission involving misappropriation, dishonesty, fraud, illegal drug use or breach of fiduciary duty, (ii) willful failure to
perform duties as reasonably directed by the CEO, (iii) the NEO’s gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the
performance of the NEO’s duties under the employment agreement, (iv) obtaining any personal profit not fully disclosed to
and approved by Adtalem’s Board in connection with any transaction entered into by, or on behalf of, Adtalem, or (v) any
other material breach of the employment agreement or any other agreement between the NEO and Adtalem;
• “change-in-control” shall have the meaning set forth in the 2013 Incentive Plan; and
• “good reason” means, without the NEO’s consent, (i) material diminution in title, duties, responsibilities or authority, (ii)
reduction of base salary, MIP target or employee benefits except for across-the-board changes for executives at the NEO’s
level, (iii) exclusion from executive benefit/compensation plans, (iv) material breach of the employment agreement that
Adtalem has not cured within 30 days after the NEO has provided Adtalem notice of the material breach which shall be
given within 60 days of the NEO’s knowledge of the occurrence of the material breach, or (v) resignation in compliance
with securities, corporate governance or other applicable law (such as the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act) as specifically applicable
to the NEO. For Mr. Beard and Ms. Boden Holland, the definition of “good reason” also includes, without the NEO’s consent,
requiring the NEO to relocate to an employment location more than 50 miles from the NEO’s current employment location.
EQUITY AWARD PLANS
The equity award agreements under which options, RSUs and PSUs are held by employees, including the NEOs,
provide for the immediate vesting of unvested options and RSUs and of PSUs at the target levels in the event of a
change-in-control of Adtalem. The provisions of the equity award agreements under which options, RSUs and PSUs
were granted to employees, including the NEOs, provide the following:
• If the participant’s employment is terminated due to death or disability (as defined in the agreement), options
will become fully vested and exercisable for the remaining term of the option, RSUs will fully vest, and PSUs will
continue to vest in accordance with their terms.
• If the participant’s employment terminates due to mutual agreement, the participant will be credited with one
additional year of service for the purpose of determining vesting of options, RSUs and PSUs. The participant’s
options will remain exercisable until the earlier of one year from termination or the expiration of the term of the
option. PSUs that vest following a termination will be paid out when paid out to other PSU recipients.
65
2020 Proxy Statement Executive Compensation Tables
• If the participant’s employment terminates due to retirement, options will continue to vest and be exercisable, and
RSUs and PSUs will continue to vest in accordance with their respective terms. Retirement means the participant’s
termination without cause after age 55 when the sum of his or her age and full years of service equals or exceeds 65.
In August 2017, the Board adopted double-trigger vesting of equity awards as part of the 2013 Incentive Plan.
In November 2017, Adtalem’s shareholders approved the 4th Amended 2013 Incentive Plan. As a result, vesting
of equity awards granted since November 2017 (the “Awards”) will accelerate upon a change-in-control only in
the event Adtalem (or its successor) ceases to be publicly traded, or the successor to Adtalem fails to assume
outstanding Awards or to issue new awards in replacement of outstanding Awards. Under the new double-trigger
vesting rules, newly issued Awards will vest if a participant is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason
within two years following a change-in-control. All Awards issued prior to shareholder approval in November 2017
will continue to have a single-trigger vesting rules as described above.
2020 Potential Severance Payments
The tables set forth below quantify the additional benefits as described above that would be paid to each NEO under
the following termination of employment or change-in-control events, had such an event occurred on June 30, 2020.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT — NO CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
Name:
Salary:
Lisa W.
Wardell
$1,100,000
Michael O.
Randolfi
900,000
Stephen W.
Beard
900,030
Karen S.
Kathy Boden
Holland
Cox
888,375 438,600
Patrick J.
Unzicker(1)
787,969
Mehul R.
Patel(2)
—
MIP Target Amount:
Pro-Rated MIP:
$
—
$1,198,082
Continued Health Coverage:
Outplacement Services:
$
$
—
—
609,836
354,640
23,490
15,000
720,024
562,723
26,226
15,000
621,863 263,160
551,578
378,611 249,660
23,490
11,250
12,468
7,500
—
25,140
—
TOTAL
$2,298,082
1,902,966
2,224,003
1,923,589 971,388
1,364,687
—
—
—
—
—
(1) Represents the actual value of termination payments made to Mr. Unzicker in connection with his separation from the
Company in August 2019.
(2) Mr. Patel received no compensation in connection with his voluntary separation from the Company in February 2020.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING A CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
Name:
Salary:
MIP Target Amount:
Pro-Rated MIP:
Continued Health Coverage:
Outplacement Services:
Value of Vesting of Unvested Stock
Options, RSUs and PSUs (1)
Lisa W.
Wardell
$ 2,200,000
$ 1,166,843
$
$
$
—
—
—
Michael O.
Randolfi
1,200,000
Stephen W.
Beard
1,200,040
Kathy Boden
Holland
1,184,500
813,115
354,640
31,320
20,000
960,032
562,723
34,968
20,000
829,150
378,611
31,320
15,000
Karen S.
Cox
657,900
394,740
249,660
18,702
11,250
$ 6,806,729
1,794,552
764,670
903,662
320,534
TOTAL
$10,173,572
4,213,627
3,542,433
3,342,243
1,652,786
(1) The value of the unvested stock options is based on the difference between the exercise price and $31.15 (the closing
market price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2020). The value of the RSUs and PSUs is based on the closing market
price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2020. PSUs vest at the target level.
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Adtalem Global Education Inc. Executive Compensation Tables
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL — NO TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Name:
Value of Vesting of Unvested Stock
Options, RSUs and PSUs(1):
Lisa W.
Wardell
$6,806,729
Michael O.
Randolfi
$1,794,552
Stephen W.
Beard
$764,670
Kathy Boden
Holland
$903,662
Karen S.
Cox
$320,534
(1) The value of the unvested stock options is based on the difference between the exercise price and $31.15 (the closing
market price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2020). The value of RSUs and PSUs is based on the closing market
price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2020. PSUs vest at target level.
CEO PAY RATIO
Pursuant to Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u)
of Regulation S-K, we are required to disclose the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees
(except our CEO) and the ratio of the annual total compensation of our President and CEO, Ms. Wardell, as
disclosed in the 2020 Summary Compensation Table, to the annual total compensation of our median employee.
In 2020, we identified the median employee by comparing the annual salary rate of pay for all individuals, excluding
our CEO, who were employed by Adtalem on June 30, 2020 using information from our company payroll system.
We included all full-time and part-time employees, including adjunct faculty and federal work-study student
workers, but did not include independent contractors and leased workers. Compensation was annualized for all
employees who were hired by us in fiscal year 2020 but did not work for us for the entire year. No annualization was
applied to any adjunct faculty or federal work-study student workers as permitted under the rules. Fiscal year 2020
annual total compensation for the median was calculated in the same manner as reflected in the 2020 Summary
Compensation Table for our CEO.
Based on the methodology described above, we have determined that our estimation of the fiscal year 2020 annual
total compensation of our median employee was $55,192 and our estimation of the ratio of our CEO’s fiscal year
2020 annual total compensation to the fiscal year 2020 annual total compensation of our median employee is 126:1.
This CEO pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules. The CEO pay ratio
reported by other companies may not be comparable to our CEO pay ratio reported above, because SEC rules for
identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio allow companies to use different methodologies,
apply certain exclusions and make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices.
67
2020 Proxy Statement Voting Securities and Principal Holders
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
Adtalem currently maintains two equity compensation plans: the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005
(the “2005 Incentive Plan”) and the 2013 Incentive Plan. Adtalem’s shareholders have approved each of these plans.
The following table summarizes information, as of June 30, 2020, relating to these equity compensation plans under
which Adtalem’s Common Stock is authorized for issuance.
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved by
security holders
Total
Number of
securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options, awards,
warrants and rights
(a)(1)
2,207, 603
Weighted-average
exercise price
of outstanding
options, awards,
warrants and rights
(b)
$31.95
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column
(a))(c)(2)
4,374,281
—
—
—
2,207,603
$31.95
4,374,281
(1) The number shown in column (a) is the number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options
and other equity awards granted under the shareholder-approved 2005 Incentive Plan (133,658 shares) and the 2013
Incentive Plan (2,073,945 shares).
(2) The number shown in column (c) is the number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of options or stock
appreciation rights and other equity awards granted in the future under the 2013 Incentive Plan. All of the shares
remaining available for the grant of future awards of options, warrants and rights are available under the 2013 Incentive
Plan. No new awards may be granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The table below sets forth the number and percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned
by each person known by Adtalem to own beneficially more than 5% of our Common Stock, in each case as of
September 30, 2020, except as otherwise noted.
Name
BlackRock, Inc.
The Vanguard Group
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
WEDGE Capital Management L.L.P.
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
6,301,871(2)
4,968,273(3)
4,580,259(4)
3,008,121(5)
Percentage
Ownership(1)
12%
9.5%
8.8%
5.7%
(1) The percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 52,088,658 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
September 30, 2020.
(2) The information shown was provided by BlackRock, Inc. in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the SEC on February 4, 2020,
indicating its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2019 of 6,301,871 shares. BlackRock reported that it has sole
voting power over 6,167,515 of these shares and sole dispositive power over all of these shares. The address of the
principal business office of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.
(3) The information shown was provided by The Vanguard Group in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the SEC on February 12,
2020, indicating its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2019 of 4,968,273 shares. The Vanguard Group reported
that it has sole voting power over 53,655 of these shares, shared voting power over 12,952 of these shares, sole
dispositive power over 4,909,925 of these shares and shared dispositive power over 58,348 of these shares. The
address of the principal business office of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.
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Adtalem Global Education Inc. Voting Securities and Principal Holders
(4) The information shown was provided by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the SEC on
January 16, 2020, indicating its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2019 of 4,580,259 shares. Dimensional Fund
Advisers reported that it has sole voting power over 4,502,782 of these shares and sole dispositive power over all of
these shares. The address of the principal business office of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is Building One, 6300 Bee
Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746.
(5) The information shown was provided by WEDGE Capital Management L.L.P. in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the SEC
on February 13, 2019, indicating its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2019 of 3,008,121 shares. WEDGE Capital
Management L.L.P. reported that it has sole voting power over 2,421,494 of these shares and sole dispositive power over
all of these shares. The address of the principal business office of WEDGE Capital Management L.L.P. is 301 S. College
Street, Suite 3800, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below sets forth the number and percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned
by (1) each director of Adtalem, (2) each NEO listed on page 37, and (3) all directors and executive officers of
Adtalem as a group, in each case as of September 30, 2020. Adtalem believes that each individual named has sole
investment and voting power with respect to the shares of Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned by such
person, except as otherwise noted. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner in the table
below is care of Adtalem Global Education Inc. 500 West Monroe Street, Suite 2800, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned Excluding
Options and
RSUs(1)
Stock Options
Exercisable as of
September 30, 2020
and PSUs and
RSUs Scheduled to
Vest within 60 days of
September 30, 2020(1)
Total Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned
Percentage
Ownership(2)
4,313
1,739
2,230
19,789
—
—
—
5,804
230,367
44,423
4,318
8,093
1,379
—
—
379,201
3,940
3,940
3,940
3,940
—
—
—
3,940
579,457
6,737
13,124
12,587
6,505
—
—
792,177
8,253
5,679
6,170
23,729
—
—
—
9,744
809,824
51,160
17,442
20,680
7,884
—
—
1,171,378
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
1.6
*
*
*
*
*
*
2.2
Name of Beneficial Owner
Non-Employee Directors
William W. Burke
Donna J. Hrinak
Georgette Kiser
Lyle Logan
Michael W. Malafronte
Sharon L. O’Keefe(3)
Kenneth J. Phelan(3)
James D. White
Named Executive Officers
Lisa W. Wardell
Michael O. Randolfi
Stephen W. Beard
Kathy Boden Holland
Karen S. Cox
Patrick J. Unzicker(4)
Mehul R. Patel(5)
All directors and executive officers as
a group (20 Persons)
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock.
(1) “Common Stock Beneficially Owned Excluding Options and RSUs” includes stock held in joint tenancy, stock owned as
tenants in common, stock owned or held by spouse or other members of the holder’s household, and stock in which
the holder either has or shares voting and/or investment power, even though the holder disclaims any beneficial interest
in such stock. Options exercisable as of September 30, 2020 and PSUs and RSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60
days after September 30, 2020 are shown separately in the “Stock Options Exercisable as of September 30, 2020 and
PSUs and RSUs Scheduled to Vest within 60 days of September 30, 2020” column.
(2)
In accordance with SEC rules, the securities reflected in the “Stock Options Exercisable as of September 30, 2020 and
PSUs and RSUs Scheduled to Vest within 60 days of September 30, 2020” column are deemed to be outstanding for
purposes of calculating the percentage of outstanding securities owned by such person but are not deemed to be
outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage owned by any other person. The percentages of beneficial
ownership set forth below are calculated as of September 30, 2020 based on outstanding shares of 52,088,658.
(3) Ms. O’Keefe and Mr. Phelan were appointed to the Board effective April 29, 2020.
(4) Mr. Unzicker resigned effective August 30, 2019.
(5) Mr. Patel resigned effective February 29, 2020.
69
2020 Proxy Statement Additional Information
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
You may vote shares of Common Stock that you owned as of September 30, 2020, which is the record date for the
Annual Meeting. You may vote the following ways:
BY TELEPHONE
In the United States or
Canada, you can vote
your shares by calling
1-800-690-6903
BY INTERNET
You can vote your
shares online at
www.proxyvote.com
VIRTUALLY
Attend the Annual Meeting online at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/
ATGE2020.
BY MAIL
You can vote by mail
by marking, dating and
signing your proxy card
or voting instruction
form and returning it
in the accompanying
postage-paid envelope
For telephone and internet voting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or in the
instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.
Telephone and internet voting are available through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, November 16, 2020.
Attending the Annual Meeting
To join the Annual Meeting, login at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2020. You will need the 16-digit
control number included on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The
Annual Meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. Central Standard Time. Online check-in will be available beginning at 8:15 a.m.
Central Standard Time to allow for shareholders to log in and test the computer audio system. Please allow ample
time for the online check-in process. A replay of the Annual Meeting will also be posted on our website at for at
least thirty (30) days after the meeting concludes.
Voting at the Annual Meeting
The way you vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting will not limit your right to change your vote at the Annual
Meeting if you attend virtually and vote by ballot. If you hold shares in street name and you want to vote at the
Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid legal proxy from the record holder of your shares at the close of business
on the record date indicating that you were a beneficial owner of shares, as well as the number of shares of which
you were the beneficial owner, on the record date, and appointing you as the record holder’s proxy to vote these
shares. You should contact your bank, broker or other intermediary for specific instructions on how to obtain a
legal proxy.
Record Date
You may vote all shares of Common Stock that you owned as of the close of business on September 30, 2020,
which is the record date for the Annual Meeting. On the record date, we had 52,088,658 shares of Common Stock
outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly
brought before the Annual Meeting.
70
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Additional Information
Submitting A Question at the Annual Meeting
You may submit a question before the meeting or during the meeting via our virtual shareholder meeting website,
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2020. If your question is properly submitted, we intend to respond to
your question during the Annual Meeting. Questions on similar topics will be combined and answered together.
Technical Difficulties During the Annual Meeting
If we experience technical difficulties during the Annual Meeting (e.g. a temporary or prolonged power outage), our
Chairman will determine whether the meeting can be promptly reconvened (if the technical difficulty is temporary) or
whether the meeting will need to be reconvened on a later date (if the technical difficulty is more prolonged). In any
situation, we will promptly notify shareholders of the decision via www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2020.
If you encounter technical difficulties accessing our Annual Meeting or asking questions during the Annual
Meeting, a support line will be available on the login page of the virtual shareholder meeting website:
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2020.
Ownership of Shares
You may own shares of Common Stock in one or more of the following ways:
• Directly in your name as the shareholder of record, including shares purchased through our Colleague Stock
Purchase Plan or restricted stock unit awards issued to employees under our long-term incentive plans.
• Indirectly through a broker, bank or other intermediary in “street name.”
• Indirectly through the Adtalem Stock Fund of our Retirement Plan.
Your shares are registered directly in your name, you are the holder of record of these shares and we are sending
proxy materials directly to you. As the holder of record, you have the right to give your proxy directly to our
tabulating agent. If you hold your shares in street name, your broker, bank, or other intermediary is sending proxy
materials to you and you may direct them how to vote on your behalf by completing the voting instruction form
that accompanies your proxy materials.
Revocation of Proxies
You can revoke your proxy at any time before your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting if you:
• Submit a written revocation to our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
• Submit a later-dated proxy or voting instruction form,
• Provide subsequent telephone or Internet voting instructions, or
• Vote virtually at the Annual Meeting.
If you sign and return your proxy card or voting instruction form without any voting instructions with respect
to a matter, your shares will be voted by the proxy committee appointed by the Board (and each of them, with
full powers of substitution) in accordance with the Board’s recommendation. With respect to any other matters
properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxy committee appointed by the Board (and each of them, with
full powers of substitution) will vote in accordance with the Board’s recommendation, or if no recommendation is
given, in their own discretion.
VOTING INFORMATION
Effect of Not Casting Your Vote
If you hold your shares in street name, you will receive a voting instruction form that lets you instruct your bank,
broker, or other nominee how to vote your shares. Under NYSE rules, brokers are permitted to exercise discretionary
voting authority on “routine” matters when voting instructions are not received from a beneficial owner ten days
prior to the shareholder meeting. The only “routine” matter on this year’s Annual Meeting agenda is Proposal No. 2
(Ratify selection of PwC as independent registered public accounting firm).
71
2020 Proxy Statement Additional Information
If you hold your shares in street name, and you wish to have your shares voted on all matters in this Proxy
Statement, please complete and return your voting instruction form. If you do not return your voting instruction
form, your shares will not be voted on any matters with the exception that your broker may vote in its discretion on
Proposal No. 2. If you are a shareholder of record and you do not cast your vote, your shares will not be voted on
any of the proposals at the Annual Meeting, which will have no the effect on the outcome.
If you are the holder of record of your shares, if you return your proxy to us by any of these means outlined above
under the heading “Voting Instructions” without choices for each proposal, the proxy committee appointed by the
Board will vote your shares on the unmarked proposals in the same proportion as shares for which instructions have
been received. Abstentions, directions to withhold authority and broker non-votes (where a named entity holds
shares for a beneficial owner who has not provided voting instructions) will be considered present at the Annual
Meeting for purposes of a quorum.
Quorum and Required Vote
We will have a quorum and will be able to conduct the business of the Annual Meeting if the holders of a majority
of the votes that shareholders are entitled to cast are present at the Annual Meeting, either virtually or by proxy. For
the 2020 Annual Meeting, to elect directors and adopt the other proposals, the following votes are required under
our governing documents and Delaware corporate law:
PROPOSAL
1 Election of directors
2 Ratify selection of PwC as independent
registered public accounting firm*
3 Advisory vote to approve the compensation
of our named executive officers**
VOTE REQUIRED
Approval of the majority
of shares represented at
the Annual Meeting
Approval of the majority
of shares represented at
the Annual Meeting
Approval of the majority
of shares represented at
the Annual Meeting
EFFECT OF
ABSTENTION
EFFECT OF
BROKER NON-VOTE*
Treated as
vote against
No effect on
the outcome
Treated as
vote against
No effect on
the outcome
Treated as
vote against
No effect on
the outcome
* A broker non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy but does not vote for an item because it is not a “routine”
item and the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. As described under “Effect of Not
Casting Your Vote” above, your broker may vote in its discretion only on Proposal No. 2, ratify selection of PwC as
independent registered public accounting firm. Because brokers are entitled to vote on Proposal No. 2 without voting
instructions from the beneficial owner, there will be no broker non-votes on this proposal.
** Advisory/Non-binding. In accordance with Adtalem’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the shares
represented at the Annual Meeting must be voted “FOR.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adtalem will take into account
the weight of investor support for the compensation for its NEOs based on the percentage of shares that are present
at the meeting or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal that have voted “FOR” the
proposal. In evaluating the weight of investor support for the compensation of Adtalem’s NEOs, abstentions will be
counted as shares present at the meeting and will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes will
not be counted as shares entitled to vote on the matter and will have no impact on the vote’s outcome.
PROXY SOLICITATION
Officers and other employees of Adtalem may solicit proxies by mail, personal interview, telephone, facsimile,
electronic means, or via the Internet without additional compensation. None of these individuals will receive special
compensation for soliciting votes, which will be performed in addition to their regular duties, and some of them may
not necessarily solicit proxies. Adtalem also has made arrangements with brokerage firms, banks, record holders,
and other fiduciaries to forward proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares they hold on your
behalf. Adtalem will reimburse these intermediaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We have hired Alliance
Advisors to help us distribute and solicit proxies. Adtalem will pay them $24,000 plus expenses for these services.
Adtalem will pay the cost of all proxy solicitation.
72
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Additional Information
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2021 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in reliance on
Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received by Adtalem no later than June 17, 2021, to be eligible for
inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy for the meeting. Any such proposal also must meet the other
requirements of the rules of the SEC relating to shareholder proposals. Also, under Adtalem’s By-Laws, other
proposals and director nominations by shareholders that are not included in the proxy statement will be considered
timely and may be eligible for presentation at that meeting only if they are received by Adtalem in the form of
a written notice, directed to the attention of Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, not later than
August 19, 2021. The notice must contain the information required by the By-Laws.
AVAILABILITY OF FORM 10-K
A copy of Adtalem’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K (including the financial statements and financial statement
schedules), as filed with the SEC, may be obtained without charge upon written request to the attention of
Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Adtalem Global Education Inc., 500 West Monroe Street,
Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60661. A copy of Adtalem’s Form 10-K and other periodic filings also may be obtained
on Adtalem’s investor relations website at investors.adtalem.com/financials/sec-filing and from the SEC’s EDGAR
database at www.sec.gov.
HOUSEHOLDING
Adtalem delivers only one Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and the 2020 Annual Report to multiple
shareholders sharing the same address unless it has received different instructions from one or more of them. This
method of delivery is known as “householding.” Householding reduces the number of mailings you receive, saves on
printing and postage costs and helps the environment. Adtalem will, upon written or oral request, promptly deliver
a separate copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and 2020 Annual Report to a shareholder at
a shared address. If you would like to change your householding election, request that a single copy of this or future
proxy materials be sent to your address, or request a separate copy of this or future proxy materials, you should
submit this request by writing Broadridge Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717
or calling 1-866-540-7095.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board is aware of no other matter that will be presented for action at this Annual Meeting. If any other matter
requiring a vote of the shareholders properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxy committee will vote and
act according to their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Chaka M. Patterson
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
73
2020 Proxy Statement
Appendix A – Summary of Special Items
Excluded for Performance Assessment
The Compensation Committee has the discretion to adjust the financial inputs used in calculating the target
award percentages for the MIP and long-term incentive plans. The Compensation Committee evaluates potential
adjustments using the following framework:
1. Align treatment with shareholders’ view of results;
2. Encourage management to make the best long-term decisions for Adtalem’s stakeholders; and
3. Remain generally consistent with past practice.
Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”), which is used as a performance threshold for PSUs granted in fiscal years 2018,
2019 and 2020 and is expressed as a percentage, is calculated as Adjusted Net Income divided by the average of
the beginning and ending balances of the summation of Long-term Debt and Shareholders’ Equity.
RECONCILIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2020 ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS TO REPORTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
For fiscal year 2020, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted Net Income, which is a performance metric factoring in ROIC,
and Adjusted Earnings per Share, which is a performance metric factoring in the determination of MIP payouts, were
adjusted from reported Net (Loss) Income and Earnings per Share for the following special items:
• Exclusion of restructuring charges primarily related to the sale of Becker Professional Education’s courses for
healthcare students, Adtalem’s home office and ACAMS real estate consolidations and workforce reductions
across the organization, which were not primarily related to COVID-19;
• Exclusion of a gain related to the sale of Adtalem’s Columbus, Ohio campus facility;
• Exclusion of a gain on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in connection
with the sale of Adtalem Brazil to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated purchase price through
mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk;
• Exclusion of adjustments to the income tax charges related to implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017;
• Exclusion of a net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment loss;
• Exclusion of discontinued operations including the operations of Adtalem Brazil, Carrington College and DeVry
University; and
• Inclusion of the first three quarter of income for actual performance of Adtalem Brazil prior to its sale in
April 2020 and three months of forecasted income of Adtalem Brazil to annualize Adtalem Brazil’s results (for
ROIC payout only).
A-1
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Appendix A – Summary of Special Items Excluded for Performance Assessment
The following table reconciles these adjustments to the most directly comparable GAAP information:
Net Loss, as reported
Exclusions:
Restructuring charges (pretax)
Gain from real estate sale (pretax)
Gain on derivative (pretax)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment loss
Income tax impact of above exclusions
Discontinued operations (after tax)
Net Income, as adjusted for determination of MIP payout
Inclusion of Adtalem Brazil
Net Income, as adjusted for determination of ROIC
Long-term Debt and Shareholder’s Equity:
Fiscal year 2020, as reported
Fiscal year 2019, as reported
Average for determination of ROIC
ROIC
FISCAL YEAR 2020 FCF PER SHARE FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations
Capital Expenditures
Free Cash Flow (“FCF”)
Inclusion of Adtalem Brazil
FCF, as adjusted for determination of FCF
Diluted shares
FCF per Share
in thousands
(85,334)
$
per share
$(1.58)
$ 0.53
$(0.09)
$(2.05)
$(0.04)
$(0.47)
$(0.10)
$ 6.09
$ 2.28
$
$
28,628
(4,779)
$ (110,723)
$
$
$
(2,230)
(25,668)
(5,648)
$ 329,315
$ 123,541
$
26,341
$ 149,882
$1,604,421
$1,798,530
$1,701,476
8.8%
(in thousands, except
per share amounts)
$149,565
$ (44,137)
$105,428
$ 34,714
$140,142
$ 54,094
$
2.59
RECONCILIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2019 ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS TO REPORTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
For fiscal year 2019, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted Net Income, which is a performance metric factoring in ROIC,
and Adjusted Earnings per Share, which is a performance metric factoring in the determination of MIP payouts, were
adjusted from reported Net Income and Earnings per Share for the following special items:
• Exclusion of restructuring charges, including asset write-offs, primarily related to the closing of the Ross
University School of Medicine campus in Dominica, and real estate consolidations and workforce reductions at
Adtalem Brazil and Adtalem’s home office;
• Exclusion of insurance settlement gain related to the final proceeds received for damages from Hurricanes Irma
and Maria at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine;
• Exclusion of a gain related to a lawsuit settlement against the Adtalem Board;
• Exclusion of adjustments to the preliminary income tax charges related to implementation of the Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act of 2017 and tax charges relating to the sale of DeVry University;
• Exclusion of discontinued operations including the operations of Carrington College and DeVry University; and
• Exclusion of the results of OCL acquired in the second half of fiscal year 2019 (for MIP payout only).
A-2
2020 Proxy Statement Appendix A – Summary of Special Items Excluded for Performance Assessment
The following table reconciles these adjustments to the most directly comparable GAAP information:
Net Income, as reported
Exclusions:
Restructuring charges (pretax)
Settlement gains (pretax)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and tax charges relating to divestiture of
DeVry University
Income tax impact of above exclusions
Discontinued operations (after tax)
Net Income, as adjusted for determination of ROIC
Net Loss from OCL acquired in the second half of fiscal year 2019
Net Income, as adjusted for determination of MIP payout
Long-term Debt and Shareholder’s Equity:
Fiscal year 2019, as reported
Fiscal year 2018, as reported
Average for determination of ROIC
ROIC
in thousands
95,168
$
per share
$ 1.60
$ 0.94
$(0.44)
$ 0.06
$(0.03)
$ 0.68
$ 2.82
$ 0.02
$ 2.84
$
$
$
$
$
55,925
(26,178)
3,584
(1,732)
40,443
$ 167,210
$
944
$ 168,154
$1,798,530
$1,819,286
$1,808,908
9.2%
A-3
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Appendix A – Summary of Special Items Excluded for Performance Assessment
FISCAL YEAR 2019 FCF PER SHARE FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations
Capital Expenditures
Free Cash Flow (“FCF”)
Diluted shares
FCF per Share
(in thousands, except
per share amounts)
$ 226,449
$ (64,751)
$ 161,698
59,330
$
2.73
RECONCILIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2018 ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS TO REPORTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
For fiscal year 2018, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted Net Income, which is a performance metric factoring in ROIC,
and Adjusted Earnings per Share, which is a performance metric factoring in determination of MIP payouts, were
adjusted from reported Net Income and Earnings per Share for the following special items:
• Exclusion of restructuring charges related to real estate consolidations and workforce reductions at DeVry
University, Carrington College, the medical and veterinary schools, Becker Professional Education and Adtalem’s
home office to align its cost structure with operating changes;
• Exclusion of income tax charges related to implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017;
• Exclusion of a net tax benefit for the loss on Adtalem’s investment in Carrington College;
• Exclusion of deductibles on insurance policies resulting from Hurricanes Irma and Maria affecting operations at
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine; and
• Exclusion of separation costs incurred for the pending sale of DeVry University.
The following table reconciles these adjustments to the most directly comparable GAAP information:
Net Income, as reported
Exclusions:
Restructuring charges (pretax)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Net tax benefit on Carrington College investment loss
Asset impairment charges (pretax)
Income tax impact of above exclusions
Hurricane deductibles (after tax)
DeVry University separation costs (after tax)
Adjusted Net Income
Long-term Debt and Shareholder’s Equity:
Fiscal year 2018, as reported
Fiscal year 2017, as reported
Average for determination of ROIC
ROIC
in thousands
33,769
$
per share
$ 0.54
$ 0.38
$ 1.67
$(0.79)
$ 1.54
$(0.66)
$ 0.19
$ 0.18
$ 3.06
$
23,804
$ 103,878
$
$
$
$
$
(48,903)
96,013
(41,011)
11,567
11,154
$ 190,271
$1,819,286
$1,794,039
$1,806,663
10.5%
A-4
2020 Proxy Statement UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020
or
For the transition period from _____to _____
Commission file number: 001-13988
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
500 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois
(Address of principal executive offices)
36-3150143
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
60661
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number; including area code (866) 374-2678
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
( )
Title of each class
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol(s)
ATGE
Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
NYSE Chicago
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of
Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an
emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company”
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
☐
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new
or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of December 31, 2019, was $1,833,712,343 based on the closing
price of $34.97 per share of Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
As of August 11, 2020, there were 51,876,303 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share outstanding.
Part III incorporates information by reference to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within
120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Form 10-K
Table of Contents
Business
PART I
Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Information About Our Executive Officers
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Selected Financial Data
Item 6.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Signatures
Page
1
21
35
35
36
36
36
39
41
42
73
74
127
127
127
127
128
128
128
128
128
132
133
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based
on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact, which
includes statements regarding the future impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19” or “virus”) pandemic. Forward-
looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,”
“intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “continue,” “preliminary,” “range,” and similar terms. These forward-
looking statements are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the statements. These risk and uncertainties include the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk
Factors,” which should be read in conjunction with the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date any such statements are made,
and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.
PART I
Item 1. Business
Overview
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Adtalem Global Education Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is collectively
referred to as “Adtalem,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or similar references. Adtalem was incorporated under the laws of the State
of Delaware in August 1987. Adtalem’s executive offices are located at 500 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60661,
and the telephone number is (866) 374-2678.
Adtalem is a leading workforce solutions provider. The purpose of Adtalem is to empower students and members to
achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Adtalem’s institutions and
companies offer a wide array of programs across medical and healthcare and financial services.
Adtalem’s vision is to create a dynamic global community of lifelong learners who improve the world. Adtalem aims
to create value for society and its stakeholders by offering responsive educational programs that are supported by
exceptional services to its students and delivered with integrity and accountability. Towards this vision, Adtalem is proud
to play a vital role in expanding access to higher education along with other institutions in the public, independent, and
private sectors.
Adtalem will continue to strive to achieve superior student outcomes by providing quality education and student
services, growing and diversifying into new program areas and geographies, and building quality brands and the
infrastructure necessary to compete in an increasingly competitive global market.
Segments Overview
As of September 30, 2019, Adtalem eliminated its Business and Law reportable segment when Adtalem Education of
Brazil (“Adtalem Brazil”) was classified as discontinued operations and assets held for sale. In addition to the sale of
Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, Adtalem divested Carrington
College (“Carrington”) and DeVry University. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
(“GAAP”), we have classified the Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University entities as “Held for Sale” and
“Discontinued Operations” in all periods presented as applicable. As a result, all financial results, disclosures, and
discussions of continuing operations in this Annual Report on Form 10-K exclude Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry
University operations, unless otherwise noted. See Note 4 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” to the
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discontinued
operations information.
We present two reportable segments as follows:
Medical and Healthcare – Offers degree and non-degree programs in the medical and healthcare postsecondary
education industry. This segment includes the operations of Chamberlain University (“Chamberlain”), American
1
2020 Form 10-K University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (“AUC”), Ross University School of Medicine (“RUSM”), and Ross
University School of Veterinary Medicine (“RUSVM”). AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM are collectively referred to as the
“medical and veterinary schools.”
Financial Services – Offers test preparation, certifications, conferences, seminars, memberships, and subscriptions to
business professionals in the areas of accounting, anti-money laundering, banking, and mortgage industries. This segment
includes the operations of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (“ACAMS”), Becker
Professional Education (“Becker”), OnCourse Learning (“OCL”), and EduPristine.
“Home Office and Other” includes activities not allocated to a reportable segment. Financial and descriptive information
about Adtalem’s reportable segments is presented in Note 21 “Segment Information” to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Certain expenses previously allocated to Adtalem Brazil within our former Business and Law segment during fiscal
years 2018 and 2019 have been reclassified to the Home Office and Other segment based on discontinued operations
reporting guidance regarding allocation of corporate overhead. For fiscal year 2020, home office costs to support the
remaining continuing operations are being allocated to the Medical and Healthcare and Financial Services segments.
Medical and Healthcare
Chamberlain
Chamberlain was founded in 1889 as Deaconess College of Nursing and acquired by Adtalem in 2005. In May 2017,
Chamberlain College of Nursing broadened its reach in healthcare education through the establishment of Chamberlain
University and now offers its programs through its College of Nursing and College of Health Professions. Nursing degree
offerings include a three-year onsite Bachelor of Science in Nursing (“BSN”) degree, an online Registered Nurse (“RN”)
to BSN (“RN-to-BSN”) degree completion option, an online Master of Science in Nursing (“MSN”) degree, including
Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) and other specialties, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (“DNP”) degree, which is
also offered online.
Chamberlain offers an online Master of Public Health (“MPH”) degree program through its College of Health
Professions. MPH classes started in July 2017. In September 2019, Chamberlain launched its online Master of Social Work
(“MSW”) degree program through its College of Health Professions.
Chamberlain provides an educational experience distinguished by a high level of care for students, academic
excellence, and integrity delivered through its 22 campuses and online. Chamberlain is committed to graduating health
professionals who are empowered to transform healthcare worldwide. Chamberlain had 33,407 students enrolled in the
May 2020 session, an increase of 8.2% over the prior year.
Chamberlain’s pre-licensure BSN degree is an onsite baccalaureate program. The BSN program enables students to
complete their BSN degree in three years of full-time study as opposed to the typical four-year BSN program with summer
breaks. Beginning in September 2019, Chamberlain also began offering an evening/weekend BSN option at select
campuses. In May 2020, Chamberlain began accepting applications for its online BSN option which offers the optimal
blend of flexibility, interactivity, and experiential learning. The program is expected to launch in September 2020 and will
be available to students living in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Chamberlain pre-licensure BSN students who
completed the National Council Licensure Examination (“NCLEX”) had an overall pass rate of 88% in both 2019 and
2018. The national NCLEX pass rate was 91% for 2019 and 92% for 2018.
Students who already have passed their NCLEX exam and achieved RN designation through a diploma or associate
degree can complete their BSN degree online through Chamberlain’s RN-to-BSN completion option in three semesters of
full-time study, although most students enroll part-time while they continue working as nurses.
The online MSN degree program offers five non-direct-care specialty tracks: Educator, Executive, Informatics,
Population Health, and Healthcare Policy. These programs require 36 credit hours and are designed to be completed in
approximately two years of part-time study. Chamberlain also offers three direct-care nurse practitioner tracks: FNP,
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (“AGACNP”), and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
2
Adtalem Global Education Inc. (“AGPCNP”). The FNP and AGPCNP programs require 45 credit hours along with 650 lab and clinical hours and are
designed to be completed in two and a half years of part-time study. The AGPCNP and AGACNP programs launched in
July 2020. In July 2019, Chamberlain began offering an accelerated MSN option that students can complete in 30 credit
hours and receive a generalist degree.
The online DNP degree program is based on the eight essentials of doctoral education outlined by the American
Association of Colleges of Nursing (“AACN”). The DNP program is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in
nursing and offers an alternative to research-focused Ph.D. programs. The Chamberlain DNP degree program offers a
Healthcare Systems Leadership track. The program requires 32 to 40 credit hours along with 512 to 1,024 clinical
practicum hours. The program can be completed in five to six semesters of study.
Chamberlain’s College of Health Professions MPH degree program focuses on preparing students to become public
health practitioners to work with communities and populations globally to promote healthy communities and to prevent
community health problems such as disease, poverty, health access disparities, and violence through interdisciplinary
coursework. The program requires 42 credit hours. Three post-baccalaureate certifications are also offered, including
public health generalist, epidemiology, and global health, and can be completed in 15-18 credit hours. The MSW degree
program aims to develop and empower students to be agents of social change in their communities and throughout the
world. The MSW degree program prepares students for generalist or specialized practice and offers three specializations,
including Crisis and Response Interventions, Trauma, and Medical Social Work. The program offers both a traditional and
advanced standing option. The traditional option requires 60 credit hours and is for students who have earned a
baccalaureate degree. The advanced standing option requires 36 credit hours and is for students who have completed a
baccalaureate degree in social work.
Student Admissions and Admissions Standards
Pre-Licensure BSN Program
The Chamberlain undergraduate pre-licensure admission process is made up of two phases: Academic Eligibility and
Clinical Clearance. Applicants must meet both sets of requirements to be eligible for admission. Academic Eligibility
requires proof of graduation with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 from a recognized high school or other college,
along with a minimum custom score on the A2 Admission Assessment test. The admissions committee reviews each
application and selects the most qualified candidates. Applicants who are deemed Academically Eligible must receive
Clinical Clearance, which includes a background check, fingerprint screen, and drug screen for acceptance to be granted.
Chamberlain enrolls students in its pre-licensure program three times per year, which begin in January, May, and
September.
RN-to-BSN Option
Admission to the RN-to-BSN option requires a nursing diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing from an accredited
institution, a minimum grade point average of 2.0, and a current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or other
jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (“NCSBN”). Chamberlain
enrolls students in its RN-to-BSN program six times per year, which begin in January, March, May, July, September, and
November.
Graduate Programs
To enroll in the MSN program, a prospective student must possess a degree in nursing at the bachelor’s level or higher
from an accredited institution, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and a current, active, unrestricted RN license in the
U.S. or other jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN. Provisional admission may be granted to students
who have a grade point average of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0.
Enrollment in the MPH program requires a bachelor’s level degree or higher from an accredited institution and a
minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Students seeking to enroll in the MSW program must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
with a minimum grade point average of 2.5. Students must also pass a background and fingerprint check.
3
2020 Form 10-K The DNP program requires a degree at the master’s level or higher from an accredited institution, a minimum grade
point average of 3.0, and a current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or other jurisdiction that is an associate
member of the NCSBN.
Chamberlain enrolls students in its graduate programs six times per year, which begin in January, March, May, July,
September, and November.
Medical and Veterinary Schools
Together, the three schools, along with the Medical Education Readiness Program (“MERP”) and the Veterinary
Preparation Program, had 5,186 students enrolled in the May 2020 semester, a 0.7% decrease compared to the same term
last year.
AUC
AUC, founded in 1978 and acquired by Adtalem in 2011, provides medical education and confers the Doctor of
Medicine degree. AUC is located in St. Maarten and is one of the most established international medical schools in the
Caribbean, producing over 7,500 graduates from over 78 countries. The mission of AUC is to train tomorrow’s physicians,
whose service to their communities and their patients is enhanced by international learning experiences, a diverse learning
community, and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement.
RUSM
RUSM, founded in 1978 and acquired by Adtalem in 2003, provides medical education and confers the Doctor of
Medicine degree. RUSM has graduated more than 15,000 physicians since inception. The mission of RUSM is to prepare
highly dedicated students to become effective and successful physicians. RUSM seeks to accomplish this by focusing on
imparting the knowledge, skills, and values required for its students to establish a successful and satisfying career as a
physician. In January 2019, RUSM moved its basic science instruction from Dominica to a new location in Barbados. Its
Internal Medicine Foundation program continues to reside in Miramar, Florida.
AUC’s and RUSM’s respective medical education programs are comparable to the educational programs offered at U.S.
medical schools as evidenced by student performance on the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (“USMLE”) tests and
residency placement. AUC’s and RUSM’s programs consist of three academic semesters per year, which begin in January,
May, and September, allowing students to begin their basic science instruction at the most convenient time for them. The
programs provide a generalist medical education and the foundation for post graduate specialty training, which is primarily
completed in residencies in the U.S.
Initially, AUC and RUSM students complete a program of concentrated study of medical sciences in modern classrooms
and laboratories. Upon completion of the basic science portion of their education, students sit for Step 1 of the USMLE,
which assesses whether students understand and can apply scientific concepts that are basic to the practice of medicine.
Under AUC and RUSM direction, students then complete the remainder of their program by participating in clinical
rotations conducted at over 40 affiliated teaching hospitals or medical centers connected with accredited medical education
programs in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, USMLE, Step 2 Clinical Skills testing is not
currently available. This has been a requirement for graduation and for certification by the Educational Commission for
Foreign Medical Graduates (“ECFMG”) to enter the US residency match. ECFMG has developed alternative pathways to
replace this requirement, which AUC and RUSM are generally eligible for. In addition, flexibility to use online clinical
training has been allowed by accreditors and other U.S. regulatory bodies. These alternatives are critical to keeping many
students on track to graduate and enter the 2021 residency match.
Upon successful completion of their medical degree requirements, students apply for a residency position in their area
of specialty through the National Residency Matching Program (“NRMP”). This process is also known as “The Match”®
and utilizes an algorithm to “match” applicants to programs using the certified rank order lists of the applicants and
program directors.
4
Adtalem Global Education Inc. RUSM students achieved a 96% and 97% first-time pass rate on the USMLE Step 1 exam in 2018 and 2019,
respectively. Of first-time eligible RUSM graduates, 92% and 95% attained residency positions in 2019 and 2020,
respectively.
AUC students achieved a 95% and 94% first-time pass rate on the USMLE Step 1 exam in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Of first-time eligible AUC graduates, 91% and 92% attained residency positions in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
In September 2019, AUC opened its medical education program in the U.K. in partnership with University of Central
Lancashire (“UCLAN”). The program offers students a postgraduate diploma in International Medical Sciences (“PGDip-
IMS”) from UCLAN. Students are then eligible to take USMLE Step 1 and do clinical rotations at AUC’s clinical sites,
which include hospitals in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, and ultimately obtain their Doctor of Medicine degree from
AUC.
MERP is a 15-week medical school preparatory program focused on enhancing the academic foundation of prospective
AUC and RUSM students and providing them with the skills they need to be successful in medical school and to achieve
their goals of becoming physicians. Upon successful completion of the program, students are able to enroll in AUC or
RUSM. Data has shown that students who complete the MERP program successfully perform just as well or better than
students who were admitted directly into medical school.
RUSVM
RUSVM, founded in 1982 and acquired by Adtalem in 2003, provides veterinary education and confers the Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine, as well as Masters of Science and Ph.D. degrees. RUSVM is one of 53 American Veterinary Medical
Association (“AVMA”) accredited veterinary education institutions in the world. RUSVM is located in St. Kitts and has
graduated nearly 6,000 veterinarians since inception. One out of every 20 U.S. veterinarians is a RUSVM graduate. The
mission of RUSVM is to provide the best learning environment to prepare students to become members and leaders of the
worldwide public and professional healthcare system and advancing human and animal health through research and
knowledge exchange.
The RUSVM program is structured to provide a veterinary education that is comparable to educational programs at
U.S. veterinary schools. RUSVM students complete a seven-semester, pre-clinical curriculum at the campus in St. Kitts.
After completing their pre-clinical curriculum, RUSVM students enter a clinical clerkship under RUSVM direction lasting
approximately 45 weeks at one of 33 clinical affiliates located in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and
the U.K.
RUSVM offers a one-semester Veterinary Preparatory Program designed to enhance the pre-clinical science knowledge
and study skills that are critical to success in veterinary school. The program has a 83% pass rate and students who
successfully complete it are guaranteed admission into RUSVM.
Student Admissions and Admissions Standards
AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM each employ regional admissions representatives in locations throughout the U.S. and in
Canada who seek out students interested in their respective programs. A successful applicant must have completed the
required prerequisite courses and, for AUC and RUSM, taken the Medical College Admission Test (“MCAT”), while
RUSVM applicants must have completed the Graduate Record Exam (“GRE”). Candidates for admission must interview
with an admissions representative and all admission decisions are made by the admissions committees of the medical and
veterinary schools. AUC allows several entrance examinations for its international students. The MCAT (and other
entrance exams) requirement are currently waived due to lack of availability of testing caused by COVID-19 closures. The
Department of Education (“ED”), which usually mandates that we require MCAT for US citizens has waived this
requirement for the year because of limited testing availability due to COVID-19. Both AUC and RUSM have waived
MCAT requirements and the first students with waived MCAT requirements will begin their education in September 2020.
5
2020 Form 10-K Financial Services
ACAMS
ACAMS, founded in 2001 and acquired by Adtalem in July 2016, is the largest international membership organization
dedicated to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and expertise of anti-money laundering (“AML”) and financial crime
detection and prevention professionals. As of June 30, 2020, ACAMS has more than 81,000 members in 175 countries.
Members include representatives from a wide range of financial institutions, regulatory bodies, law enforcement agencies,
and industry sectors. ACAMS further strengthens Adtalem’s financial services offerings by providing AML and financial
crimes prevention training, conferences, and certification.
ACAMS’ main products include membership service, Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (“CAMS”)
certification, conferences, risk assessment, training, and publications. The CAMS credential and ACAMS advanced
certifications like CAMS-Audit and CAMS-FCI (Financial Crimes Investigation) are recognized as industry-leading in
AML certifications worldwide.
ACAMS markets its training programs to AML and financial crime professionals from a wide range of industries,
including large financial institutions and brokerage and consulting firms. Direct mail, print advertising, e-mail, digital, and
social media advertising are used to enhance program awareness, distribute relevant content, and to attract new members
and program participants. The ACAMS website is another source of information for prospective members and event
attendees.
Becker
Becker, founded in 1957 as Becker CPA Review and acquired by Adtalem in 1996, is a global leader in professional
education serving the accounting and finance professions. Becker prepares candidates for the Certified Public Accountant
(“CPA”) and Certified Management Accountant (“CMA”) certification examinations and offers continuing professional
education programs and seminars. Classes are taught online and live across the U.S. and in approximately 35 foreign
countries. Classes are taught directly by Becker and through licensed affiliates. Nearly one million candidates have
prepared for the Uniform CPA Examination (“CPA exam”) using Becker’s CPA Exam Review Course. The CPA exam is
prepared and administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”). Becker also offers
continuing professional education and training programs in the fields of accounting and finance to help individuals and
organizations achieve superior performance through professional development.
To meet the demands and learning preferences of today’s busy professionals, Becker’s classes are offered in two
formats: live and self-study. Becker’s test preparation revenue is primarily derived from self-study materials. The self-
study product is interactive and offers the same instructor-led lectures and materials available in the live classroom courses.
Becker also provides access to a wide variety of services to support students including one-on-one tutoring, success
coaching, academic support, and administrative support services for its university, firm, and corporate partners.
Becker management believes that it has developed competitive advantages in its 60-plus year history and track record
of successful customer achievements on the CPA exam. Becker offers experienced, highly qualified instructors for each
area of specialty included in the exam, including industry renowned accounting experts. Becker’s materials are
continuously and extensively updated, and include practice simulations and software functionality similar to those used in
the CPA exam.
Becker markets its courses directly to potential customers and to selected employers, including the large global, national,
and regional public accounting firms. Becker drives new students to its website through a combination of alumni referrals,
email, digital and social media advertising, affiliate marketing, and a network of student representatives at colleges and
universities across the country.
Becker is the preferred provider of CPA review for most of the country’s largest public accounting firms and has long-
standing relationships with all of the top 100 largest public accounting firms, including each of the “Global 7” public
accounting firms. In total, Becker has relationships with more than 1,500 public accounting firms, professional societies,
and universities.
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Adtalem Global Education Inc. OCL
OCL, founded in 2007 and acquired by Adtalem in May 2019, is a leading provider of compliance training, mortgage
licensure preparation, continuing education, and professional development in the banking and mortgage industries across
the U.S. With multi-modal formats including webinars, videos, micro-learning, and animation, financial institutions can
easily provide training programs that work best for their workforce.
OCL markets its governance, risk, and compliance training, as well as professional development courses to banks and
credit unions. Its offerings includes over 600 online courses and 450 webinars per year. Training and courses address the
diverse education needs of the institution, including frontlines, compliance teams, commercial and retail lending, executive
leadership, and board of directors.
OCL markets its mortgage pre-licensing, exam preparation, continuing education, and professional development
training to mortgage companies and professionals. Its mortgage pre-licensing and continuing education offerings are
Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (“NMLS”) approved in all 50 states.
EduPristine
EduPristine, founded in 2008, is based in Mumbai, India. Adtalem completed the acquisition of its majority interest in
EduPristine in February 2018, with current ownership of 71%. EduPristine is a financial services provider in India offering
online and classroom programs in the areas of finance, accounting, and analytics.
Discontinued Operations
In accordance with GAAP, the Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University entities are classified as
“Discontinued Operations.” As a result, all financial results, disclosures, and discussions of continuing operations in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K exclude Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University operations, unless otherwise
noted.
Adtalem Brazil
On April 24, 2020, Adtalem completed the sale of Adtalem Brazil to Estácio Participações S.A. (“Estácio”) and
Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estaćio de Sá Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of Estácio (“Purchaser”), pursuant to the
Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 18, 2019. Adtalem received $345.9 million in sale proceeds and $56.0 million
of Adtalem Brazil cash, for a combined $401.9 million upon the sale. In addition, Adtalem received $110.7 million from
the settlement of the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement to economically hedge the Brazilian Real
denominated sales price through the mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk.
Carrington
On December 4, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of Carrington to San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. (“SJVC”) pursuant
to the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “MIPA”) dated June 28, 2018. To support Carrington’s future
success, Adtalem made a capital contribution of $7.5 million to Carrington, based on an agreed working capital balance
of $11.5 million at the closing date.
DeVry University
On December 11, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of DeVry University to Cogswell Education, LLC (“Cogswell”)
pursuant to the purchase agreement dated December 4, 2017. To support DeVry University’s future success, Adtalem
transferred DeVry University with a working capital balance of $8.75 million at the closing date. In addition, Adtalem has
agreed to indemnify Cogswell for certain losses including those related to certain pre-closing defense to repayment claims.
The purchase agreement also includes an earn-out entitling Adtalem to payments of up to $20 million over a ten-year
period payable based on DeVry University’s free cash flow.
7
2020 Form 10-K COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19” or “virus”) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World
Health Organization. The virus has had tragic consequences across the globe. COVID-19 is altering business and consumer
activity across almost all industries. Management has initiated several changes to the operations of our institutions and
administrative functions in order to protect the health of Adtalem employees, students, and customers and to mitigate the
financial effects of the virus and its resultant economic slowdown. We will continue to evaluate, and if appropriate, adopt
other measures in the future required for the ongoing safety of our students and employees. See also the COVID-19 section
in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional
information, including the effects of COVID-19 on our operations.
Chamberlain
Approximately 30% of Chamberlain’s students are based at campus locations and pursuing their BSN degree; as a result
of the COVID-19 outbreak, all campus-based students transitioned to online learning for didactic and select clinical
experiences. The remaining 70% of Chamberlain’s students are enrolled in online programs that may or may not have
clinical components and those programs are continuing to successfully operate. COVID-19 did not result in significant
revenue losses or costs increases at Chamberlain in fiscal year 2020. The extent of the impact in fiscal year 2021 will be
determined based on the length and severity of the effects of COVID-19 and whether the pandemic affects healthcare
facilities’ ability to continue to provide clinical experiences, some of which had resumed as of July 2020. Chamberlain
has clinical partnerships with healthcare facilities across the U.S., minimizing the risk of suspension of all onsite clinical
education experiences.
AUC and RUSM
Medical students enrolled in the basic science portion of their program have transitioned to online learning. Many
students have moved from St. Maarten and Barbados and are continuing their studies remotely from other locations.
COVID-19 did not result in significant revenue losses or increased costs within the basic science programs at the medical
schools in fiscal year 2020. The virus will likely have minimal impact on the basic science program revenue in fiscal year
2021, unless students choose to not continue or start their studies during this time of uncertainty. At this time, AUC and
RUSM have seen mixed signals from prospective students. The extent of the impact in fiscal year 2021 will be determined
based on the length and severity of the economic effects of COVID-19. Students who have completed their basic science
education progress to clinical rotations in the U.S. (and in the U.K. for AUC). Onsite clinical rotations for all students
were temporarily suspended in March 2020; however, some students were able to participate in online clinical elective
courses from April through June 2020. This suspension reduced combined revenue and reduced combined operating
income in fiscal year 2020 at AUC and RUSM. The suspension will likely have a negative effect on revenue and operating
income in the first half of fiscal year 2021 and for as long as the pandemic affects hospitals’ ability to provide clinical
experiences. Based on recent surveys, almost all of the clinical partners of AUC and RUSM have or are currently planning
to resume their clinical programs between July and October 2020. Adtalem has clinical partnerships with hospitals across
the U.S. (and in the U.K. for AUC), minimizing the risk of suspension of all onsite clinical education experiences. In
addition to the loss of clinical revenue and operating income, housing revenue and operating income was also lost due to
students moving off of St. Maarten and Barbados to continue basic science studies remotely. Other key events effecting
operations due to COVID-19 include the following: (i) waived MCAT and other entrance exam requirements as allowed
by ED; (ii) USMLE, Step 2 Clinical Skills testing is not currently available. This has been a requirement for graduation
and for certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to enter the U.S. residency match.
ECFMG has developed alternative pathways to replace this requirement; and (iii) flexibility to use online clinical training
has been allowed by accreditors and other U.S. regulatory bodies. These alternatives are critical to keeping many students
on track to graduate and enter the 2021 residency match.
RUSVM
All basic science veterinary students transitioned to online learning beginning in March 2020. Many students moved
from St. Kitts in March 2020 to continue their studies remotely from other locations. A portion of students at specific
junctures of their basic science education have traveled back to St. Kitts in July 2020 and will resume classroom-based
learning in August 2020. COVID-19 did not result in significant revenue losses or cost increases within the basic science
8
Adtalem Global Education Inc. program in fiscal year 2020. The virus will likely have minimal impact on the basic science program in fiscal year 2021,
unless students choose not to continue or start their studies during this time of uncertainty, RUSVM has seen limited
indications of this to date. The extent of the impact on the basic science program in fiscal year 2021 will be determined
based on the length and severity of the effects of COVID-19. Students who have completed their basic science education
progress to clinical rotations at select universities in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. A few
universities have suspended onsite clinical experiences and transitioned students to online education, while other
universities have continued to offer onsite clinical courses. The suspensions did not significantly reduce revenue or
operating income in fiscal year 2020. The extent of the impact on clinical experiences in fiscal year 2021 will be determined
based on the length and severity of the economic effects of COVID-19, but we do not expect a significant impact from
COVID-19 at RUSVM.
Financial Services
Most Financial Services content, including exam preparation, certification training, continuing education, and
subscriptions is delivered online. Any classroom-based learning has been moved to online. No significant COVID-19
related costs increases were realized in Financial Services in fiscal year 2020; however, COVID-19 resulted in revenue
losses and operating income losses in Financial Services in fiscal year 2020, driven principally by the cancellation of
ACAMS live conferences and at Becker from Prometric closing CPA testing sites, along with a number of CPA firms
either delaying start dates for, or rescinded altogether, offers of employment to recent college graduates. This dampened a
key driver of demand in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, which is normally a time of robust demand because of the
influx of new college graduates looking to begin their CPA exam preparation. ACAMS live conference revenue will not
be realized so long as social distancing and group gathering is limited. The virus is expected to negatively impact Financial
Services revenue and operating income in fiscal year 2021, again driven by the loss of ACAMS live conference revenue
and continued weakness in demand at Becker. A virtual conference was conducted in June 2020 and it is possible some
conference revenue could be replaced with virtual events in the future, but loss of conference revenue is likely as ACAMS
has canceled all live conferences through December 2020. Virtual conferences are unlikely to generate the same level of
revenue and operating income as live conferences. Management believes that other than the ACAMS conferences, longer-
term operating results in the Financial Services segment will not be significantly affected by COVID-19 unless there are
major employment losses with accounting professionals and recent accounting graduates, or in the banking and mortgage
sectors. This is not known and cannot be predicted at this time. At Becker, CPA testing sites began reopening in June 2020
at limited capacity, however, hiring at CPA firms has not yet fully recovered.
Administrative Operations
Most institution and home office administrative operations continue to be delivered and performed remotely. This
includes operations both in the U.S. and in all foreign locations. These remote work arrangements have not adversely
affected Adtalem’s ability to maintain operations, financial reporting systems, internal control over financial reporting, or
disclosure controls and procedures. The effectiveness of our remote technology enables our ability to maintain these
systems and controls. Management does not anticipate Adtalem will be materially impacted by any constraints or other
impacts on our human capital resources and productivity. Travel restrictions and border closures are not expected to have
a material impact on our ability to operate and achieve operational goals. No significant home office costs were incurred
related to COVID-19 in fiscal year 2020 and no such costs are anticipated in fiscal year 2021.
Market Trends and Competition
Medical and Healthcare
Chamberlain
Chamberlain competes in the U.S. nursing education market, which has more than 1,800 programs leading to RN
licensure. These include four-year educational institutions, two-year community colleges, and diploma schools of nursing.
The market consists of two distinct segments: pre-licensure nursing programs that prepare students to take the NCLEX-
RN licensure exam and post-licensure nursing programs that allow existing RNs to advance their education.
9
2020 Form 10-K In the pre-licensure nursing market, enrollment caps and limited new student enrollment periods are common among
traditional four-year educational institutions and community colleges.
In post-licensure nursing education, there are more than 600 institutions offering RN-to-BSN programs and more than
500 institutions offering MSN programs. Chamberlain’s RN-to-BSN degree completion option has received three
certifications from Quality Matters, an independent global organization leading quality assurance in online teaching and
learning environments. Chamberlain has earned the Online Learning Support, Online Teaching Support, and Online
Learner Success certifications. Chamberlain’s RN-to-BSN degree completion option, MSN degree program, and DNP
degree program are approved in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The MSN FNP track is
approved in 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The MPH program is offered in 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The MSW program is approved in 37 states.
Medical and Veterinary Schools
AUC and RUSM compete with approximately 150 U.S. schools of medicine, 48 U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine,
and more than 40 Caribbean medical schools as well as with international medical schools recruiting U.S. students who
may be eligible to receive funding from ED Title IV programs. RUSVM competes with AVMA accredited schools, of
which 32 are U.S.-based, 5 are Canadian and 16 are other international veterinary schools.
There has been some recent expansion in the U.S. medical education and veterinary education enrollment capacities
because of the growing supply/demand imbalance for medical doctors and veterinarians. Despite this expansion,
management believes the imbalance will continue to spur demand for medical and veterinary education.
Financial Services
ACAMS
Money laundering and the financing of terrorism are financial crimes with significant economic effects. Money
laundering can occur in various forms including corruption, drug trafficking, tax evasion, and cybercrime. AML is the set
of procedures, laws, and regulations designed to combat the practice of generating income through illegal actions.
Professionals who need effective AML procedures include financial institutions, insurers, asset managers, lawyers, broker-
dealers, private equity firms, consultants, law enforcement, and credit institutions. This training protects companies against
various costs, such as financial penalties from regulatory bodies, personal liability, financial action from shareholders or
employees, and reputational damage.
Organizations’ training methods are met by third-parties or internally developed informal training. Regulators are
encouraging companies to maintain higher control standards. Due to frequent regulatory changes, internal training is being
supplemented with third-party developed training programs to meet the higher regulatory standards. ACAMS is the largest
AML certifier and is recognized as an industry leader in AML credentialing.
As of June 30, 2020, more than 46,000 professionals have received the CAMS designation, which is completed by
passing the ACAMS CAMS certification examination as a qualified applicant. Two of the top-read industry publications
are ACAMS Today and ACAMS moneylaundering.com. ACAMS is also a leader in the industry in conference attendance.
Conferences and seminars are held in 32 countries annually serving approximately 10,000 attendees.
Becker
In 2018, the AICPA reported that there were approximately 76,000 accounting graduates combined across bachelor’s
and master’s degree candidates and in 2018, approximately 37,000 new candidates began the CPA exam. The number of
accounting graduates has increased at a compound annual growth rate of 1.4% over the last ten years. Over that same time
period, the number of first-time CPA exam test takers has declined at a compound annual rate of 1.8%; although the
number of test-takers may fluctuate in specific years based on the timing of student demand and exam changes. In 2018,
the number of first-time CPA exam test takers fell 14% below the ten-year average (2008-2017). Further, 2018
employment of accounting graduates at U.S. public accounting firms, a key driver of CPA demand, declined 13% from
the ten-year average as firms seek alternative skill sets to expand services.
10
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Becker competes with other purveyors of exam preparation, including courses offered by colleges, universities, and
other public and private training companies.
Becker is the industry leader in providing CPA exam review services and has been preparing candidates to pass the
CPA exam for over 60 years. Since 2005, when the AICPA began to share national results, 90% of Elijah Watt Sells Award
winners, individuals who achieved the highest cumulative scores on the CPA exam, prepared with Becker.
OCL
Professionals in the financial services and mortgage industry require mandatory compliance training to meet regulatory
requirements and internal compliance requirements; those in the mortgage industry have licensure and continuing
education requirements. The regulatory environment for the financial services and mortgage industries continues to change
at a rapid pace, which requires companies to maintain higher control standards. OCL’s offerings address these needs as
well as the growing importance of specialized skills and up-skilling the workforce. Organizations meet training methods
with third parties and internally developed informal training. Due to frequent regulatory changes, internal training is being
supplemented with third-party developed training programs to meet higher regulatory standards. OCL is one of the largest
national providers of training in both the bank, credit union, and mortgage industries.
OCL markets its library of proprietary, evidence-based, and industry-aligned accredited courses and training programs
to banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokerage companies and individuals. Direct mail, digital and print advertising, e-
mail/digital marketing, as well as paid search and social media advertising enhance program awareness, distribute relevant
content, and attract new customers. OCL’s websites are another source of information for prospective customers.
Accreditation and Other Regulatory Approvals
Educational institutions and their individual programs are awarded accreditation by achieving a level of quality that
entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public they serve. Accredited institutions are subject
to periodic review by accrediting bodies to ensure continued high performance and institutional and program improvement
and integrity, and to confirm that accreditation requirements continue to be satisfied. College and university administrators
depend on the accredited status of an institution when evaluating transfer credit and applicants to their schools; employers
rely on the accreditation status of an institution when evaluating a candidate’s credentials; parents and high school
counselors look to accreditation for assurance that an institution meets quality educational standards; and many professions
require candidates to graduate from an accredited program in order to obtain professional licensure in their respective
fields. Moreover, in the U.S., accreditation is necessary for students to qualify for federal financial assistance and most
scholarship commissions restrict their awards to students attending accredited institutions.
Medical and Healthcare
Chamberlain
Chamberlain is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (“HLC”), a regional accreditation agency
recognized by ED. In addition to institutional accreditation, Chamberlain has also obtained, or is in the process of
obtaining, programmatic accreditation for specific programs. BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate Advanced Practice
Registered Nurses (“APRN”) certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Chamberlain’s MPH program has commenced the accreditation process with the Council on Education for Public Health,
which accepted Chamberlain’s application in October 2017. Chamberlain’s MSW program has commenced the
accreditation process with the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation, which accepted
Chamberlain’s application in May 2019 and granted candidacy status in June 2020.
Medical and Veterinary Schools
The Government of St. Maarten authorizes AUC to confer the Doctor of Medicine degree. AUC is accredited by the
Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (“ACCM”). The ACCM is an international medical school accrediting
organization for countries that do not have a national medical school accreditation body. The U.S. Department of Education
National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (“NCFMEA”) has affirmed that the ACCM has
established and enforces standards of educational accreditation that are comparable to those promulgated by the U.S.
11
2020 Form 10-K Liaison Committee on Medical Education (“LCME”). In addition, AUC is authorized to place students in clinical rotations
in the majority of states, including California, Florida, and New York, where robust processes are in place to evaluate and
approve an international medical school’s programs. AUC students can join residency training programs in all 50 states.
AUC has also recently been approved by the Graduate Medical Council (“GMC”), the accrediting body in the U.K., which
allows AUC graduates to apply for post-graduate (residency) programs in the U.K.
RUSM’s primary accreditor is Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health
Professions (“CAAM-HP”). CAAM-HP is authorized to accredit medical programs by the government of Barbados. On
July 26, 2018, Barbados authorized RUSM to confer the Doctor of Medicine degree. The NCFMEA has affirmed that
CAAM-HP has established and enforces standards of educational accreditation that are comparable to those promulgated
by the LCME. In addition, RUSM is authorized to place students in clinical rotations in the majority of states, including
California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York, where robust processes are in place to evaluate and accredit an
international medical school’s programs. RUSM students can join residency training programs in all 50 states.
RUSVM has been recognized by the government of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis (“St. Kitts”) and is
chartered to confer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is accredited by
the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (“AVMA COE”). RUSVM has affiliations with 33
AVMA-accredited U.S. and international colleges of veterinary medicine so that RUSVM students can complete their
final three clinical semesters of study in the U.S. or abroad. RUSVM has received accreditation for its Postgraduate Studies
program from the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board. The Postgraduate Studies program offers Master of
Science and Ph.D. degrees in all research areas supported by RUSVM. Areas of emphasis are guided by RUSVM's themed
research centers.
Regulatory Environment
Student Payments
Students attending Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM pay for their education through a variety of sources. These
sources include government-sponsored financial aid, private and university-provided scholarships, employer-provided
tuition assistance, veteran’s benefits, private loans, and cash payments. Students attending Becker, ACAMS, OCL, and
EduPristine review courses and programs are not eligible for federal or state financial aid, but may receive partial or full
tuition or fee reimbursement from their employers. In addition, the Becker CPA Exam Review Course can be financed
through Becker’s flexible payment plans with terms of up to 12-months.
The following table, which excludes Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University revenue, summarizes
Adtalem’s revenue by fund source as a percentage of total revenue for fiscal years 2019 and 2018. Final data for fiscal
year 2020 is not yet available.
Funding source:
Federal assistance (Title IV) program funding (grants and loans)
Private loans
Student accounts, cash payments, private scholarships, employer and
military provided tuition assistance, and other
Total
Fiscal Year
2019
2018
59 %
2 %
59 %
2 %
39 %
100 %
39 %
100 %
Financial Aid
All financial aid and assistance programs are subject to political and governmental budgetary considerations. In the
U.S., the Higher Education Act (as reauthorized, the “HEA”) guides the federal government’s support of postsecondary
education. The HEA was last reauthorized by the U.S. Congress in July 2008 and was signed into law in August 2008.
During the 116th Congress, Democratic education committee leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives advanced a
comprehensive HEA reauthorization bill that the committee adopted on a partisan basis in October 2019. This bill has not
yet been brought to the House floor for a vote. In the Senate, negotiations have been underway on a bipartisan,
comprehensive HEA reauthorization bill. Agreement has not yet been reached on that bill, and draft bill text has not been
12
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
released. Independent of HEA reauthorization, individual bills continue to be introduced on various HEA provisions that
may affect Adtalem’s interests. When the HEA is reauthorized, existing programs and participation requirements are
subject to change. Additionally, funding for student financial assistance programs may be impacted during appropriations
and budget actions.
Information about Particular U.S. and Canadian Government Financial Aid Programs
Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM students participate in many U.S. and Canadian financial aid programs. Each
of these programs is briefly described below.
U.S. Federal Financial Aid Programs
Students in the U.S. rely on three types of ED student financial aid programs under Title IV of the HEA.
1. Grants. Chamberlain undergraduate students may participate in the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental
Education Opportunity Grant programs.
Federal Pell Grants: These funds do not have to be repaid and are available to eligible undergraduate students
who demonstrate financial need and who have not already received a baccalaureate degree. For the 2019-2020
school year, eligible students could receive Federal Pell Grants ranging from $312 to $9,292.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (“FSEOG”): This is a supplement to the Federal Pell
Grant, and is only available to the neediest undergraduate students. Federal rules restrict the amount of FSEOG
funds that may go to a single institution. The maximum individual FSEOG award is established by the
institution but cannot exceed $4,000 per academic year. Educational institutions are required to supplement
federal funds with a 25% matching contribution. Institutional matching contributions may be satisfied, in whole
or in part, by state grants, scholarship funds (discussed below), or by externally provided scholarship grants.
2. Loans. Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM students may participate in the Direct Unsubsidized and PLUS
programs within the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. Chamberlain undergraduate students may also be
eligible for Subsidized Loans within the Federal Direct Student Loan Program.
Direct Subsidized Loan: Awarded on the basis of student financial need, it is a low-interest loan (a portion of
the interest is subsidized by the Federal government) available to undergraduate students with interest charges
and principal repayment deferred until six months after a student no longer attends school on at least a half-
time basis (the student is responsible for paying the interest charges during the six months after no longer
attending school on at least a half-time basis for those loans with a first disbursement between July 1, 2012 and
July 1, 2014). First time borrowers after July 1, 2013 are eligible for Direct Subsidized Loans only for 150% of
the published length of their academic program. Loan limits per academic year range from $3,500 for students
in their first academic year to $5,500 for students in their third or higher undergraduate academic year.
Direct Unsubsidized Loan: Awarded to students who do not meet the needs test or as an additional supplement
to the Direct Subsidized Loan. These loans incur interest from the time funds are disbursed, but actual principal
and interest payments may be deferred until six months after a student no longer attends school on at least a
half-time basis. Unsubsidized Loan limits per academic year range from $2,000 for students in their first and
second academic year to $7,000 in later undergraduate years and increasing to $20,500 per academic year for
graduate and professional program students. Additionally, a student without financial need may borrow an
additional amount of Unsubsidized Loans up to the limit of the Direct Subsidized Loan at their respective
academic grade level. The total Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan aggregate borrowing limit for
undergraduate students is $57,500 and $138,500 for graduate students, which is inclusive of Direct Subsidized
and Unsubsidized Loan amounts borrowed as an undergraduate.
Direct Grad PLUS and Direct Parent PLUS Loans: Enables a graduate student or parents of a dependent
undergraduate student to borrow additional funds to meet the cost of the student’s education. These loans are
not based on financial need, nor are they subsidized. Interest begins to accrue, and repayment obligations begin,
13
2020 Form 10-K immediately after the loan is fully disbursed, but may be deferred until a student no longer attends school on at
least a half-time basis. Graduate students and parents may borrow funds up to the cost of attendance, which
includes allowances for tuition, fees, and living expenses. Both Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS are subject to
credit approval, which generally requires the borrower to be free of any current adverse credit conditions. A co-
borrower may be used to meet the credit requirements.
3. Federal Work-study. This program offers work opportunities, both on or off campus, on a part-time basis to
students who demonstrate financial need. Federal Work-study wages are paid partly from federal funds and partly
from qualified employer funds.
State Financial Aid Programs
Certain states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Vermont, offer state grant or loan
assistance to eligible undergraduate students attending Adtalem institutions.
Canadian Government Financial Aid Programs
Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada (other than students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavet, or
Quebec) are eligible for loans under the Canada Student Loans Program, which is financed by the Canadian government.
Eligibility and amount of funding vary by province. Students attending Chamberlain online while in the U.S., or attending
AUC, RUSM, or RUSVM, may be eligible for the Canada Student Loan Program. The loans are interest-free while the
student is in school, and repayment begins six months after the student leaves school. Qualified students also may benefit
from Canada Study Grants (designed for students whose financial needs and special circumstances cannot otherwise be
met), tax-free withdrawals from retirement savings plans, tax-free education savings plans, loan repayment extensions,
and interest relief on loans.
Information about Other Financial Aid Programs
Private Loan Programs
Some Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM students rely on private (non-federal) loan programs for financial
assistance. These programs are used to finance the gap between a student’s educational and living costs and their financial
aid awards. The amount of the typical loan varies significantly according to the student’s enrollment and financial aid
awards.
Most private loans are approved using the student’s or a co-borrower’s credit history. The cost of these loans varies, but
in almost all cases will be more expensive than the federal programs. The application process is separate from the federal
financial aid process. Student finance personnel at Adtalem’s degree-granting institutions coordinate these processes so
that students generally receive assistance from the federal and state programs before utilizing private loans.
Adtalem does not maintain a preferred lender list, but does list all of the lenders that it is aware of that made private
loans to Adtalem students in the previous year and still offer loans to Adtalem students.
Tax-Favored Programs
The U.S. has a number of tax-favored programs aimed at promoting savings for future college expenses. These include
state-sponsored “529” college savings plans, state-sponsored prepaid tuition plans, education savings accounts (formerly
known as education IRAs), custodial accounts for minors, Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits, and tax deductions for
interest on student loans.
Adtalem-Provided Financial Assistance
Each of our institutions offer a variety of scholarships to assist with tuition and fee expenses, some of which are one-
time awards while others are renewable. Some students may also qualify for more than one scholarship at a time.
Chamberlain students are eligible for numerous institutional scholarships with awards up to $2,500 per semester.
14
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Students at AUC may be eligible for an institutional scholarship, ranging from $5,000 to $55,000 to cover expenses
incurred from tuition and fees. Students at RUSM may be eligible for various institutional scholarships, ranging from
$9,750 to $108,000, to cover expenses incurred from housing, tuition and fees. Students at RUSVM may be eligible for
an institutional scholarship, ranging from $2,000 to $24,000 to cover expenses incurred from tuition and fees.
Adtalem’s credit extension programs are available to students at Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM. These
financing programs are designed to assist students who are unable to completely cover educational costs consisting of
tuition, books, and fees, and are available only after all other student financial assistance has been applied toward those
purposes. In addition, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM allows students to finance their living expenses. Repayment plans for
financing agreements are developed to address the financial circumstances of the particular student. Interest charges at
rates from 3.0% to 12.0% per annum accrue each month on the unpaid balance. Most students are required to begin
repaying their loans while they are still in school with a minimum payment level designed to demonstrate their capability
to repay, which reduces the possibility of over borrowing, and minimizes interest being accrued on the loan balance.
Payments may increase upon completing or departing school. After a student leaves school, the student typically will have
a monthly installment repayment plan.
The finance agreements do not impose any origination fees, in general have a fixed rate of interest, and most carry
annual and aggregate maximums that ensure that they are only a supplemental source of funding and not relied on as the
main source. Borrowers must be current in their payments in order to be eligible for subsequent disbursements. Borrowers
are advised about the terms of the financing agreements and counseled to utilize all other available private and federal
funding options before securing financing through the institution.
Adtalem financing agreements are carried on our balance sheet, net of related reserves, and there are no relationships
with external parties that shift the risk away from Adtalem.
Employer-Provided Tuition Assistance
Chamberlain students who receive employer tuition assistance may choose from several deferred tuition payment plans.
Students eligible for tuition reimbursement plans may have their tuition billed directly to their employers or payment may
be deferred until after the end of the session. Educational expenses paid by an employer on behalf of an employee generally
are excludable from the employee’s income if provided under a qualified educational assistance plan. At present, the
maximum annual exclusion is $5,250.
Becker
Students taking the Becker review courses are not eligible for federal or state financial aid, but many receive partial or
full tuition reimbursement from their employers. Private loans are also available to students to help meet the program
costs. In addition, Becker offers financing on the Becker CPA Exam Review Course through flexible payment plans with
terms of up to 12-months.
Legislative and Regulatory Requirements
Government-funded financial assistance programs are governed by extensive and complex regulations in the U.S. Like
any other educational institution, Adtalem’s administration of these programs is periodically reviewed by various
regulatory agencies and is subject to audit or investigation by other governmental authorities. Any violation could be the
basis for penalties or other disciplinary action, including initiation of a suspension, limitation, or termination proceeding.
U.S. Federal Regulations
Our domestic postsecondary institutions are subject to extensive federal and state regulations. The HEA and the related
ED regulations govern all higher education institutions participating in Title IV programs, and provide for a regulatory
triad by mandating specific regulatory responsibilities for each of the following: (1) the federal government through ED,
(2) the accrediting agencies recognized by ED, and (3) state higher education regulatory bodies.
15
2020 Form 10-K To be eligible to participate in Title IV programs, a postsecondary institution must be accredited by an accrediting body
recognized by ED, must comply with the HEA and all applicable regulations thereunder, and must be authorized to operate
by the appropriate postsecondary regulatory authority in each state in which the institution operates, as applicable.
In addition to governance by the regulatory triad, there has been focus in recent years by members of the U.S. Congress
and federal agencies, including ED, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), and the Federal Trade
Commission (“FTC”), on the role that proprietary educational institutions play in higher education. We expect that this
challenging regulatory environment will continue for the foreseeable future.
Changes in or new interpretations of applicable laws, rules, or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our
eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, accreditation, authorization to operate in various states, permissible activities,
and operating costs. The failure to maintain or renew any required regulatory approvals, accreditation, or state
authorizations could have a material adverse effect on us. ED regulations regarding financial responsibility provide that,
if any one of our Title IV participating institutions (“Title IV Institutions”) is unable to pay its obligations under its program
participation agreement as a result of operational issues and/or an enforcement action, our other Title IV Institutions,
regardless of their compliance with applicable laws and regulations, would not be able to maintain their Title IV eligibility
without assisting in the repayment of the non-compliant institution’s Title IV obligations. As a result, even though
Adtalem’s Title IV Institutions are operated through independent entities, an enforcement action against one of our
institutions could also have a material adverse effect on the businesses, financial condition, results of operations, and cash
flows of Adtalem’s other Title IV Institutions and Adtalem as a whole and could result in the imposition of significant
restrictions on the ability of Adtalem’s other Title IV Institutions and Adtalem as a whole to operate. For further
information, see “A bankruptcy filing by us or by any of our Title IV Institutions, or a closure of one of our Title IV
Institutions, would lead to an immediate loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs” under subsection “Risks
Related to Adtalem’s Highly Regulated Industry” in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
We have summarized the most significant regulatory requirements applicable to our domestic postsecondary operations.
Adtalem has been impacted by these regulations and enforcement efforts and is currently facing multiple related lawsuits
arising from the enhanced scrutiny facing the proprietary education sector. For information regarding such pending
investigations and litigation, and the potential impact such matters could have on our institutions or on Adtalem, see in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K: (1) Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” (2) the subsection of Item 1A. “Risk Factors” titled
“Risks Related to Adtalem’s Highly Regulated Industry,” and (3) the subsection of Item 7. “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” titled “Regulatory Environment.”
Eligibility and Certification Procedures
The HEA specifies the manner in which ED reviews institutions for eligibility and certification to participate in Title
IV programs. Every educational institution participating in the Title IV programs must be certified to participate and is
required to periodically renew this certification. Institutions that violate certain ED Title IV regulations, including its
financial responsibility and administrative capability regulations, may lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV
programs or may only continue participation under provisional certification. Schools that do not meet financial
responsibility requirements are required to submit a letter of credit equal to at least 10% of their prior fiscal year Title IV
disbursements and submit to ED’s heightened cash monitoring process. Provisional certification status also carries fewer
due process protections than full certification. As a result, ED may withdraw an institution’s provisional certification more
easily than if it is fully certified. Provisional certification does not otherwise limit access to Title IV program funds by
students attending the institution.
Defense to Repayment Regulations
Under the HEA, ED is authorized to specify in regulations, which acts or omissions of an institution of higher education
a borrower may assert as a defense to repayment of a loan (“Direct Loan”) made under the Federal Direct Loan Program
(“Direct Loan Program”). On July 1, 2020, new Defense to Repayment regulations went into effect that include a higher
threshold for establishing misrepresentation, provides for a statute of limitation for claims submission, narrows the current
triggers allowed for letter of credit requirements, and eliminates provisions for group discharges.
16
Adtalem Global Education Inc. The “90/10 Rule”
An ED regulation known as the “90/10 Rule” affects only proprietary postsecondary institutions, such as Chamberlain,
AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM. Under this regulation, an institution that derives more than 90% of its revenue on a cash basis
from Title IV student financial assistance programs in two consecutive fiscal years loses eligibility to participate in these
programs for at least two fiscal years. The following table details the percentage of revenue on a cash basis from federal
financial assistance programs (excluding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and military tuition assistance benefits)
for each of Adtalem’s Title IV-eligible institutions for fiscal years 2019 and 2018. Final data for fiscal year 2020 is not
yet available.
Chamberlain University
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Ross University School of Medicine
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Fiscal Year
2019
2018
62 %
75 %
83 %
83 %
62 %
74 %
81 %
82 %
In September 2016, Adtalem committed to voluntarily limit to 85% the amount of revenue that each of its Title IV-
eligible institutions derive from federal funding, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and military tuition
assistance benefits. As disclosed in the third party review reports that have been made publicly available, Adtalem’s
institutions have met this lower threshold for each fiscal year since the commitment was made. Adtalem is committed to
implementing measures to promote responsible recruitment and enrollment, successful student outcomes, and informed
student choice. Management believes students deserve greater transparency to make informed choices about their
education. This commitment builds upon a solid foundation and brings Adtalem to a new self-imposed level of public
accountability and transparency.
Incentive Compensation
An educational institution participating in Title IV programs may not pay any commission, bonus, or other incentive
payments to any person involved in student recruitment or admissions or awarding of Title IV program funds, if such
payments are based directly or indirectly in any part on success in enrolling students or obtaining student financial aid.
The law and regulations governing this requirement have not established clear criteria for compliance in all circumstances,
but, prior to 2011, there were 12 safe harbors that defined specific types of compensation that were deemed to constitute
permissible incentive compensation. New rules effective in 2011 eliminated the 12 safe harbors. These changes increased
the uncertainty about what constitutes incentive compensation and which employees are covered by the regulation. This
makes the development of effective and compliant performance metrics more difficult to establish. As such, these changes
have limited and are expected to continue to limit Adtalem’s ability to compensate our employees based on their
performance of their job responsibilities, which could make it more difficult to attract and retain highly-qualified
employees. Management believes that Adtalem has not been, nor is currently, involved in any activities that violate the
restrictions on commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payments to any person involved in student recruitment,
admissions, or awarding of Title IV program funds.
Standards of Financial Responsibility
A financial responsibility test is required for continued participation by an institution’s students in U.S. federal financial
assistance programs. For Adtalem’s participating institutions, this test is calculated at the consolidated Adtalem level. The
test is based upon a composite score of three ratios: an equity ratio that measures the institution’s capital resources; a
primary reserve ratio that measures an institution’s ability to fund its operations from current resources; and a net income
ratio that measures an institution’s ability to operate profitably. A minimum score of 1.5 is necessary to meet ED’s financial
standards. Institutions with scores of less than 1.5 but greater than or equal to 1.0 are considered financially responsible,
but require additional oversight. These schools are subject to heightened cash monitoring and other participation
requirements. An institution with a score of less than 1.0 is considered not financially responsible. However, a school with
a score of less than 1.0 may continue to participate in the Title IV programs under provisional certification. In addition,
this lower score typically requires that the school be subject to heightened cash monitoring requirements and post a letter
of credit (equal to a minimum of 10% of the Title IV aid it received in the institution's most recent fiscal year).
17
2020 Form 10-K
For the past several years, Adtalem’s composite score has exceeded the required minimum of 1.5. If Adtalem becomes
unable to meet requisite financial responsibility standards or otherwise demonstrate, within the regulations, its ability to
continue to provide educational services, then Adtalem could be subject to heightened cash monitoring or be required to
post a letter of credit to enable its students to continue to participate in federal financial assistance programs.
Administrative Capability
The HEA directs ED to assess the administrative capability of each institution to participate in Title IV programs. The
failure of an institution to satisfy any of the criteria used to assess administrative capability may cause ED to determine
that the institution lacks administrative capability and, therefore, subject the institution to additional scrutiny or deny its
eligibility for Title IV programs.
State Authorization
Institutions that participate in Title IV programs must be authorized to operate by the appropriate postsecondary
regulatory authority in each state where the institution has a physical presence. Chamberlain is specifically authorized to
operate in all of the domestic jurisdictions that require such authorizations. Some states assert authority to regulate all
degree-granting institutions if their educational programs are available to their residents, whether or not the institutions
maintain a physical presence within those states. Chamberlain has obtained licensure in states which require such licensure
and where their students are enrolled and is an institutional participant in the National Council of State Authorization for
Reciprocity Agreements (“NC-SARA”) initiative.
On December 19, 2016, ED published new rules concerning requirements for institutional eligibility to participate in
Title IV programs. These regulations, which would have become effective beginning July 1, 2018, but were delayed until
July 1, 2020, were subsequently renegotiated as part of the 2018-2019 Accreditation and Innovation rule-making sessions.
The renegotiated rule, went into effect on July 1, 2020 and requires an institution offering distance education or
correspondence courses to be authorized by each state from which the institution enrolls students, if such authorization is
required by the state. If an institution offers postsecondary education through distance education or correspondence courses
in a state that participates in a state authorization reciprocity agreement, and the institution offering the program is located
in a state where it is also covered by such an agreement, the institution would be considered legally authorized to offer
postsecondary distance or correspondence education in the state where courses are offered via distance education, subject
to any limitations in that agreement. The regulations also require an institution to document the state processes for resolving
complaints from students enrolled in programs offered through distance education or correspondence courses. Lastly, the
regulations require that an institution provide certain disclosures to enrolled and prospective students regarding its
programs that lead to professional licensure.
Cohort Default Rates
ED has instituted strict regulations that penalize institutions whose students have high default rates on federal student
loans. Depending on the type of loan, a loan is considered in default after the borrower becomes at least 270 or 360 days
past due. For a variety of reasons, higher default rates are often found in private-sector institutions and community colleges,
many of which tend to have a higher percentage of low-income students enrolled compared to four-year publicly supported
and independent colleges and universities.
Educational institutions are penalized to varying degrees under the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, depending on
the default rate for the “cohort” defined in the statute. An institution with a cohort default rate that exceeds 20% for the
year is required to develop a plan to reduce defaults, but the institution’s operations and its students’ ability to utilize
student loans are not restricted. An institution with a cohort default rate of 30% or more for three consecutive years is
ineligible to participate in these loan programs and cannot offer student loans administered by ED for the fiscal year in
which the ineligibility determination is made and for the next two fiscal years. Students attending an institution whose
cohort default rate has exceeded 30% for three consecutive years also are ineligible for Federal Pell Grants. Any institution
with a cohort default rate of 40% or more in any year is subject to immediate limitation, suspension, or termination
proceedings from all federal aid programs.
18
Adtalem Global Education Inc. According to ED, the three-year cohort default rate for all colleges and universities eligible for federal financial aid
decreased to 10.1% in fiscal year 2016 (the latest period for which data are available) from 10.8% in fiscal year 2015.
The latest period for which final three-year data is available is fiscal year 2016. Default rates for Chamberlain, AUC,
RUSM, and RUSVM students are as follows:
Chamberlain University
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Ross University School of Medicine
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Cohort Default Rate
2015
2016
3.5 %
0.7 %
1.1 %
1.2 %
3.8 %
1.0 %
0.9 %
0.7 %
In addition to the requirements that educational institutions must meet, student recipients of financial aid must maintain
satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their program of study and an appropriate grade point average.
Change of Ownership or Control
Any material change of ownership or change of control of Adtalem, depending on the type of change, may have
significant regulatory consequences for each of our Title IV Institutions. Such a change of ownership or control could
require recertification by ED, the reevaluation of accreditation by each institution’s accreditors and/or reauthorization by
each institutions’ state licensing agencies. If Adtalem experiences a material change of ownership or change of control,
then our Title IV Institutions may cease to be eligible to participate in Title IV programs until recertified by ED. There is
no assurance that such recertification would be obtained on a timely basis. After a material change in ownership or change
of control, most institutions will participate in Title IV programs on a provisional basis for a period of one to three years.
In addition, each Title IV Institution is required to report any material change in stock ownership to its principal
institutional accrediting body and would generally be required to obtain approval prior to undergoing any transaction that
affects, or may affect, its corporate control or governance. In the event of any such change, each of our institution’s
accreditors may undertake an evaluation of the effect of the change on the continuing operations of our institution for
purposes of determining if continued accreditation is appropriate, which evaluation may include a comprehensive review.
In addition, some states in which our Title IV Institutions are licensed require approval (in some cases, advance
approval) of changes in ownership or control in order to remain authorized to operate in those states, and participation in
grant programs in some states may be interrupted or otherwise affected by a change in ownership or control.
Refer to “If regulators do not approve, or delay their approval, of transactions involving a material change of ownership
or change of control of Adtalem, the eligibility of our institutions to participate in Title IV programs, our institutions’
accreditation and our institutions’ state licenses may be impaired in a manner that materially and adversely affects our
business” under subsection “Risks Related to Adtalem’s Highly Regulated Industry” in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
State Approvals and Licensing
Adtalem institutions require authorizations from many state higher education authorities or Canadian ministries to
recruit students, operate schools, conduct exam preparation courses, and grant degrees. Generally, the addition of any new
program of study or new operating location also requires approval by the appropriate licensing and regulatory agencies.
In the U.S., each Chamberlain location is approved to grant certificates, diplomas, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and/or
doctorate degrees by the respective state in which it is located. Additionally, many states require approval for out-of-state
institutions to recruit within their state or offer instruction through online modalities to residents of their states. Adtalem
believes its institutions are in compliance with all state requirements as an out-of-state institution. AUC and RUSM clinical
programs are accredited as part of their programs of medical education by their respective accrediting bodies, approved
by the appropriate boards in those states that have a formal process to do so, and are reported to ED as required.
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2020 Form 10-K
Many states and Canadian provinces require private-sector postsecondary education institutions to post surety bonds
for licensure. In the U.S., Adtalem has posted approximately $9.6 million of surety bonds with regulatory authorities on
behalf of Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, RUSVM, Becker, and OCL.
Certain states have set standards of financial responsibility that differ from those prescribed by federal regulation.
Adtalem believes its institutions are in material compliance with state and Canadian provincial regulations. If Adtalem
were unable to meet the tests of financial responsibility for a specific jurisdiction, and could not otherwise demonstrate
financial responsibility, Adtalem could be required to cease operations in that state. To date, Adtalem has successfully
demonstrated its financial responsibility where required.
Seasonality
The seasonal pattern of Adtalem’s enrollments and its educational programs’ starting dates affect the results of
operations and timing of cash flows. Revenue, operating income, and net income by quarter for each of the past two fiscal
years are included in Note 22 “Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Employees
As of June 30, 2020, Adtalem had the following number of employees:
Chamberlain University
Medical and Veterinary Schools
Financial Services
Home Office
Total
Full-time
1,648
912
691
688
3,939
Faculty and Staff
Temporary
and Student
Part-time Employees
206
23
41
27
297
16
33
9
5
63
Total
1,870
968
741
720
4,299
Adtalem also utilizes approximately 2,500 independent contractors who teach as adjunct faculty and instructors. These
independent contractors are not included in the above table. Our management believes that Adtalem has good relations
with its employees. During fiscal year 2020, Adtalem implemented workforce reductions that reduced its workforce by 66
positions. The workforce reduction of 32 positions in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 was driven by the desire to
become more cost effective in response to COVID-19.
Intellectual Property
Adtalem owns and uses numerous trademarks and service marks, such as “Adtalem,” “American University of the
Caribbean,” “Association of Anti-Money Laundering Specialists,” “ACAMS,” “Becker Professional Education,” “Becker
CPA Review,” “Chamberlain College of Nursing,” “Ross University” and others. All trademarks, service marks,
certification marks, patents, and copyrights associated with its businesses are owned in the name of Adtalem Global
Education Inc. or a subsidiary of Adtalem Global Education Inc. Adtalem vigorously defends against infringements of its
trademarks, service marks, certification marks, patents, and copyrights.
Additional Information
We maintain a website at www.adtalem.com. You may access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, as well as other reports relating to us that are
filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), free of charge in the investor relations section
of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.
The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding
issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The content of the websites mentioned above is not
incorporated into and should not be considered a part of this report.
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Adtalem Global Education Inc. Item 1A. Risk Factors
Adtalem’s business operations are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are not entirely within
our control. Investors should carefully consider the risk factors described below and all other information contained in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K before making an investment decision with respect to Adtalem’s common stock. If any of
the following risks are realized, Adtalem’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be
materially and adversely affected, and as a result, the price of Adtalem’s common stock could be materially and adversely
affected. Management cannot predict all the possible risks and uncertainties that may arise. Risks and uncertainties that
may affect Adtalem’s business include the following:
Risks Related to Adtalem’s Highly Regulated Industry
We are subject to regulatory audits, investigations, lawsuits, or other proceedings relating to compliance by the
institutions in the Adtalem portfolio with the numerous laws and regulations in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions
applicable to the postsecondary education industry.
Due to the highly regulated nature of proprietary postsecondary institutions, we are subject to audits, compliance
reviews, inquiries, complaints, investigations, claims of non-compliance, and lawsuits by federal and state governmental
agencies, regulatory agencies, accrediting agencies, present and former students and employees, shareholders, and other
third parties, any of whom may allege violations of any of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to us. If the
results of any such claims or actions are unfavorable to us or one or more of our institutions, we may be required to pay
monetary judgments, fines, or penalties, be required to repay funds received under Title IV programs or state financial aid
programs, have restrictions placed on or terminate our schools’ or programs’ eligibility to participate in Title IV programs
or state financial aid programs, have limitations placed on or terminate our schools’ operations or ability to grant degrees
and certificates, have our schools’ accreditations restricted or revoked, or be subject to civil or criminal penalties. ED
regulations regarding financial responsibility provide that, if any one of our Title IV Institutions is unable to pay its
obligations under its Program Participation Agreement (“PPA”) as a result of operational issues and/or an enforcement
action, our other Title IV Institutions, regardless of their compliance with applicable laws and regulations, would not be
able to maintain their Title IV eligibility without assisting in the repayment of the non-compliant institution’s Title IV
obligations. As a result, even though Adtalem’s Title IV Institutions are operated through independent entities, an
enforcement action against one of our institutions could also have a material adverse effect on the businesses, financial
condition, results of operations, and cash flows of Adtalem’s other Title IV Institutions and Adtalem as a whole and could
result in the imposition of significant restrictions on the ability for Adtalem’s other Title IV Institutions and Adtalem as a
whole to operate.
The ongoing regulatory effort aimed at proprietary postsecondary institutions of higher education could be a catalyst
for additional legislative or regulatory restrictions, investigations, enforcement actions, and claims.
The proprietary postsecondary education sector has at times experienced scrutiny from federal legislators, agencies, and
state legislators and attorneys general. An adverse disposition of these existing inquiries, administrative actions, or claims,
or the initiation of other inquiries, administrative actions, or claims, could, directly or indirectly, have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, result of operations, and cash flows and result in significant restrictions on us
and our ability to operate.
Adverse publicity arising from investigations, claims, or actions brought against us or other proprietary higher
education institutions may negatively affect our reputation, business, or stock price, or attract additional investigations,
lawsuits, or regulatory action.
Adverse publicity regarding any past, pending, or future investigations, claims, settlements, and/or actions against us or
other proprietary postsecondary education institutions could negatively affect our reputation, student enrollment levels,
revenue, profit, and/or the market price of our common stock. Unresolved investigations, claims, and actions, or adverse
resolutions or settlements thereof, could also result in additional inquiries, administrative actions or lawsuits, increased
scrutiny, the withholding of authorizations, and/or the imposition of other sanctions by state education and professional
licensing authorities, taxing authorities, our accreditors and other regulatory agencies governing us, which, individually or
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2020 Form 10-K in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash
flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
Government and regulatory agencies and third parties have initiated, and could initiate additional investigations,
claims, or actions against us, which could require us to pay monetary damages, halt certain business practices, or
receive other sanctions. The defense and resolution of these matters could require us to expend significant resources.
As described in Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” Adtalem, and former subsidiaries DeVry University, Inc., and
DeVry/New York Inc. are the subject of consumer lawsuits alleging facts similar to those alleged by the FTC and ED in
previously resolved actions. On February 27, 2020, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) notified the U.S. District Court for
the District of Georgia that it would decline to intervene in two qui tam False Claims Act actions filed by former DeVry
University employees related to the subject matter of the Civil Investigative Demands (“CIDs”). Those actions were
unsealed on March 2, 2020, and we cannot predict their outcome.
Due to the regulatory and enforcement efforts at times directed at proprietary postsecondary higher education
institutions and adverse publicity arising from such efforts, we may face additional government and regulatory
investigations and actions, lawsuits from private plaintiffs, and shareholder class actions and derivative claims. We may
incur significant costs and other expenses in connection with our response to, and defense, resolution, or settlement of,
investigations, claims, or actions, or group of related investigations, claims, or actions, which, individually or in the
aggregate, could be outside the scope of, or in excess of, our existing insurance coverage and could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. As part of our resolution of any such matter, or
group of related matters, we may be required to comply with certain forms of injunctive relief, including altering certain
business practices, or pay substantial damages, settlement costs, fines, and/or penalties. In addition, findings or claims or
settlements thereof could serve as a basis for additional lawsuits or governmental inquiries or enforcement actions,
including actions under ED’s Defense to Repayment regulations. Such actions, individually or combined with other
proceedings, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows
and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate. Additionally, an adverse allegation,
finding or outcome in any of these matters could also materially and adversely affect our ability to maintain, obtain, or
renew licenses, approvals, or accreditation, and maintain eligibility to participate in Title IV, Department of Defense and
Veterans Affairs programs or serve as a basis for ED to discharge certain Title IV student loans and seek recovery for
some or all of its resulting losses from us under Defense to Repayment regulations, any of which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the imposition of
significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
ED has issued regulations setting forth new standards and procedures related to borrower defenses to repayment of
Title IV loan obligations, and ED’s right of recoveries against institutions following a successful borrower defense and
institutional financial responsibility. It is possible that a finding or allegation arising from current or future legal
proceedings or governmental administrative actions may create significant liability under the proposed regulations.
Under the HEA, ED is authorized to specify in regulations, which acts or omissions of an institution of higher education
a borrower may assert as a defense to repayment of a Direct Loan made under the Direct Loan Program. On July 1, 2020,
new Defense to Repayment regulations went into effect that include a higher threshold for establishing misrepresentation,
provides for a statute of limitation for claims submission, narrows the current triggers allowed for letter of credit
requirements, and eliminates provisions for group discharges. The new regulations are effective with claims on loans
disbursed on or after July 1, 2020.
Management is unable to predict how regulations will be revised, the result of any other current or future rulemakings,
or the impact of such rulemakings on our business. The outcome of any legal proceeding instituted by a private party or
governmental authority, facts asserted in pending or future lawsuits, and/or the outcome of any future governmental
inquiry, lawsuit, or enforcement action (including matters described in Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies” to the
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”) could serve as the basis for
claims by students or ED under the Defense to Repayment regulations, the posting of substantial letters of credit, or the
termination of eligibility of our institutions to participate in the Title IV program based on ED’s institutional capability
assessment, any of which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
22
Adtalem Global Education Inc. condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability
to operate.
Regardless of the merits of our actions, while we intend to defend ourselves vigorously in all pending and future legal
proceedings, we may settle certain matters for strategic reasons, as a part of a resolution of other matters, or in order
to avoid potentially worse consequences arising from inherently uncertain judicial or administrative processes.
Moreover, regardless of the merits of our defenses, if we are unable to resolve certain legal proceedings or regulatory
actions, indirect consequences arising from unproven allegations or appealable regulatory findings may have adverse
consequences to us.
Despite the merits of our actions and defense, we may settle certain matters for strategic reasons, as a part of a resolution
of other matters, or in order to avoid potentially worse consequences in inherently uncertain judicial or administrative
processes. The terms of any such settlement could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
operations, and cash flows, and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
Additionally, although inconsistent with its usual practices, ED has broad discretion to impose significant limitations on
us and our business operations arising from acts it determines are in violation of their regulations. As a result, foreseeable
and unforeseeable consequences of prior and prospective adjudicated or settled legal proceedings and regulatory matters
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and result
in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
Within the Defense to Repayment regulations, pending or future lawsuits, investigations, program reviews, and other
events could each trigger, automatically or in some cases at ED’s discretion, the posting of letters of credit or other
security.
The Defense to Repayment regulations could require Adtalem to post multiple and substantial letters of credit or other
security in connection with, among other things, certain pending and future claims, investigations, and program reviews,
regardless of the merits of our actions or available defenses, or, potentially, the severity of any findings or facts stipulated.
The aggregate amount of these letters of credit or other required security could materially and adversely limit our
borrowing capacity under our credit agreement and our ability to make capital expenditures and other investments aimed
at growing and diversifying our operations, sustain and fund our operations, and make dividend payments to shareholders.
Adtalem’s credit agreement allows Adtalem to post up to $100 million in letters of credit. In the event Adtalem is required
to post letters of credit in excess of the $100 million limit, Adtalem would be required to seek an amendment to its credit
agreement or seek an alternative means of providing security required by ED. Adtalem may not be able to obtain the excess
letters of credit or security or may only be able to obtain such excess letters of credit or security at significant cost.
We are subject to risks relating to regulatory matters. If we fail to comply with the extensive regulatory requirements
for our operations, we could face fines and penalties, including loss of access to federal and state student financial aid
for our students as well as significant civil liability.
As a provider of higher education, we are subject to extensive regulation. These regulatory requirements cover virtually
all phases and aspects of our U.S. postsecondary operations, including educational program offerings, facilities, civil rights,
safety, public health, privacy, instructional and administrative staff, administrative procedures, marketing and recruiting,
financial operations, payment of refunds to students who withdraw, acquisitions or openings of new schools or programs,
addition of new educational programs, and changes in our corporate structure and ownership.
In particular, in the U.S., the HEA subjects schools that participate in the various federal student financial aid programs
under Title IV, which includes Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM, to significant regulatory scrutiny. Adtalem’s
Title IV Institutions collectively receive 71% of their revenue from students under Title IV programs. As a result, the
suspension, limitation, or termination of the eligibility of any of our institutions to participate in Title IV programs could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the
imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
To participate in Title IV programs, an institution must receive and maintain authorization by the appropriate state
education agencies, be accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by ED, and be certified by ED as an eligible
institution, which ultimately is accomplished through the execution of a PPA.
23
2020 Form 10-K Our institutions that participate in Title IV programs each do so pursuant to a PPA that, among other things, includes
commitments to abide by all applicable laws and regulations, such as Incentive Compensation and Substantial
Misrepresentation. Alleged violations of such laws or regulations may form the basis of civil actions for violation of state
and/or federal false claims statutes predicated on violations of a PPA, including pursuant to lawsuits brought by private
plaintiffs on behalf of governments (qui tam actions), that have the potential to generate very significant damages linked
to our receipt of Title IV funding from the government over a period of several years.
Government budgetary pressures and changes to laws governing financial aid programs could reduce our student
enrollment or delay our receipt of tuition payments.
Our Title IV Institutions collectively receive 71% of their revenue from students under Title IV programs. As a result,
any reductions in funds available to our students or any delays in payments to us under Title IV programs could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the
imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
Action by the U.S. Congress to revise the laws governing the federal student financial aid programs or reduce funding
for those programs could reduce Adtalem’s student enrollment and/or increase its costs of operation. Political and
budgetary concerns significantly affect Title IV programs. The U.S. Congress enacted the HEA to be reauthorized on a
periodic basis, which most recently occurred in August 2008. The 2008 reauthorization of the HEA made significant
changes to the requirements governing Title IV programs, including changes that, among other things:
Regulated non-federal, private education loans;
Regulated the relationship between institutions and lenders that make education loans;
Revised the calculation of the student default rate attributed to an institution and the threshold rate at which
sanctions will be imposed against an institution (as discussed above);
Adjusted the types of revenue that an institution is deemed to have derived from Title IV programs and the
sanctions imposed on an institution that derives too much revenue from Title IV programs;
Increased the types and amount of information that an institution must disclose to current and prospective students
and the public; and
Increased the types of policies and practices that an institution must adopt and follow.
During the 116th Congress, Democratic education committee leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives advanced
a comprehensive HEA reauthorization bill that the committee adopted on a partisan basis in October 2019. This bill has
not yet been brought to the House floor for a vote. In the Senate, negotiations have been underway on a bipartisan,
comprehensive HEA reauthorization bill. Agreement has not yet been reached on that bill, and draft bill text has not been
released. When the HEA is reauthorized, existing programs and participation requirements are subject to change.
Additionally, funding for student financial assistance programs may be impacted during appropriations and budget actions.
The U.S. Congress can change the laws affecting Title IV programs in annual federal appropriations bills and other laws
it enacts between the HEA reauthorizations. At this time, Adtalem cannot predict any or all of the changes that the U.S.
Congress may ultimately make. Since a significant percentage of Adtalem’s revenue is tied to Title IV programs, any
action by the U.S. Congress that significantly reduces Title IV program funding or the ability of Adtalem’s degree-granting
institutions or students to participate in Title IV programs could have a material adverse effect on Adtalem’s business,
financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and
our ability to operate. Certain provisions in proposed legislation, if enacted, or implementation of existing or future law
by a current or future Administration, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including but not limited to
legislation that limits the enrollment of U.S. citizens in foreign medical schools and legislation that could require
institutions to share in the risk of defaulted federal student loans.
Additionally, a shutdown of government agencies, such as ED, responsible for administering student financial aid
programs under Title IV could lead to delays in student eligibility determinations and delays in origination and
disbursement of government-funded student loans to our students.
24
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Our ability to comply with some ED regulations is affected by economic forces affecting our students and graduates
that are not entirely within our control.
Our ability to comply with several ED regulations is not entirely within our control. In particular, our ability to
participate in federal Title IV programs is dependent on the ability of our past students to avoid default on student loans,
obtain employment, and pay for a portion of their education with private funds. These factors are heavily influenced by
broader economic drivers, including the personal or family wealth of our students, the overall employment outlook for
their area of study, and the availability of private financing sources. An economic downturn, or a worsening economic
outlook resulting from COVID-19 or other factors, could impact these factors, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition, results of operation, and cash flows and result in the imposition of significant
restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
ED rules prohibiting “substantial misrepresentation” are very broad. As a result, we face increased exposure to
litigation arising from student and prospective student complaints and enforcement actions by ED that could restrict
or eliminate our eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.
ED regulations in effect for federal Stafford loans first disbursed between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2020 prohibit any
“substantial misrepresentation” by our Title IV Institutions, employees, and agents regarding the nature of the institution’s
educational programs, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates. These regulations may, among other
things, subject us to sanctions for statements containing errors made to non-students, including any member of the public,
impose liability on us for the conduct of others and expose us to liability even when no actual harm occurs. A “substantial
misrepresentation” is any misrepresentation on which the person to whom it was made could reasonably be expected to
rely, or has reasonably relied, to that person’s detriment. It is possible that despite our efforts to prevent misrepresentations,
our employees or service providers may make statements that could be construed as substantial misrepresentations. As a
result, we may face complaints from students and prospective students over statements made by us and our agents in
advertising and marketing, during the enrollment, admissions and financial aid process, and throughout attendance at any
of our Title IV Institutions, which would expose us to increased risk of enforcement action and applicable sanctions or
other penalties, including potential Defense to Repayment liabilities, and increased risk of private qui tam actions under
the Federal False Claims Act. If ED determines that an institution has engaged in substantial misrepresentation, ED may
(1) fine the institution; (2) discharge students’ debt and hold the institution liable for the discharged debt under the HEA
and the Defense to Repayment regulations; and/or (3) suspend or terminate an institution’s participation in Title IV
programs. Alternatively, ED may impose certain other limitations on the institution’s participation in Title IV programs,
which could include the denial of applications for approval of new programs or locations, a requirement to post a
substantial letter of credit, or the imposition of one of ED’s heightened cash monitoring processes. Any of the forgoing
actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and
result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
Regulations governing the eligibility of our U.S. degree-granting institutions to participate in Title IV programs
preclude us from compensating any employee or third-party involved in student recruitment, admissions, or the
awarding of financial aid based on their success in those areas. These regulations could limit our ability to attract and
retain highly-qualified employees, to sustain and grow our business, or to develop or acquire businesses that would not
otherwise be subject to such regulations.
An educational institution participating in Title IV programs may not pay any commission, bonus, or other incentive
payments to any person involved in student recruitment or admissions or awarding of Title IV program funds, if such
payments are based directly or indirectly in any part on success in enrolling students or obtaining student financial aid.
We endeavor to ensure our compliance with these regulations and have numerous controls and procedures in place to do
so, but cannot be sure that our regulators will not determine that the compensation that we have paid our employees do not
violate these regulations. Our limited ability to compensate our employees based on their performance of their job
responsibilities could make it more difficult to attract and retain highly-qualified employees. These regulations may also
impair our ability to sustain and grow our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
25
2020 Form 10-K A failure to demonstrate financial responsibility or administrative capability may result in the loss of eligibility to
participate in Title IV programs.
All of our Title IV Institutions are subject to meeting financial and administrative standards. These standards are
assessed through annual compliance audits, periodic renewal of institutional PPAs, periodic program reviews, and ad hoc
events which may lead ED to evaluate an institution’s financial responsibility or administrative capability. The
administrative capability criteria require, among other things, that our institutions (1) have an adequate number of qualified
personnel to administer Title IV programs, (2) have adequate procedures for disbursing and safeguarding Title IV funds
and for maintaining records, (3) submit all required reports and consolidated financial statements in a timely manner, and
(4) not have significant problems that affect the institution’s ability to administer Title IV programs. If ED determines, in
its judgment, that one of our Title IV Institutions has failed to demonstrate either financial responsibility or administrative
capability, we could be subject to additional conditions to participating, including, among other things, a requirement to
post a letter of credit, suspension or termination of our eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, or repayment of funds
received under Title IV programs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
results of operations, and cash flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
ED has considerable discretion under the regulations to impose the foregoing sanctions and, in some cases, such sanctions
could be imposed without advance notice or any prior right of review or appeal.
If ED does not recertify any one of our institutions to continue participating in Title IV programs, students at that
institution would lose their access to Title IV program funds. Alternatively, ED could recertify our institutions but
require our institutions to accept significant limitations as a condition of their continued participation in Title IV
programs.
ED certification to participate in Title IV programs lasts a maximum of six years, and institutions are thus required to
seek recertification from ED on a regular basis in order to continue their participation in Title IV programs. An institution
must also apply for recertification by ED if it undergoes a change in control, as defined by ED regulations.
Each of our Title IV Institutions operates under a PPA. There can be no assurance that ED will recertify an institution
after its PPA expires or that ED will not limit the period of recertification to participate in Title IV programs to less than
six years, place the institution on provisional certification, or impose conditions or other restrictions on the institution as a
condition of granting our application for recertification. If ED does not renew or withdraws the certification to participate
in Title IV programs for one or more of our institutions at any time, students at such institution would no longer be able to
receive Title IV program funds. Alternatively, ED could (1) renew the certifications for an institution, but restrict or delay
receipt of Title IV funds, limit the number of students to whom an institution could disburse such funds, or place other
restrictions on that institution, or (2) delay recertification after an institution’s PPA expires, in which case the institution’s
certification would continue on a month-to-month basis, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the
businesses, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the institution or Adtalem as a whole and could
result in the imposition of significant restrictions on the ability of the institution or Adtalem as a whole to operate.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, ED provisionally recertified AUC and RUSM’s Title IV PPA’s with
expiration dates of December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023, respectively. The provisional nature of the agreements
stemmed from increased and/or repeated Title IV compliance audit findings. No financial ramifications, such as a letter of
credit, heightened cash monitoring, or student enrollment limitations, were imposed on either institution. While corrective
actions have been taken to resolve past compliance errors and eliminate the incidence of repetition, if AUC or RUSM fail
to maintain administrative capability as defined by ED while under provisional status or otherwise fail to comply with ED
requirements, the institution(s) could lose eligibility to participate in Title IV programs or have that eligibility adversely
conditioned, which could have a material adverse effect on the businesses, financial condition, results of operations, and
cash flows.
If we fail to maintain our institutional accreditation or if our institutional accrediting body loses recognition by ED, we
would lose our ability to participate in Title IV programs.
The loss of institutional accreditation by any of our Title IV Institutions would leave the affected institution ineligible
to participate in Title IV programs and would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results
of operations, and cash flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate. In
26
Adtalem Global Education Inc. addition, an adverse action by any of our institutional accreditors other than loss of accreditation, such as issuance of a
warning, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Increased scrutiny of accreditors by the Secretary of
Education in connection with ED’s recognition process may result in increased scrutiny of institutions by accreditors or
have other consequences.
If regulators do not approve, or delay their approval, of transactions involving a material change of ownership or
change of control of Adtalem, the eligibility of our institutions to participate in Title IV programs, our institutions’
accreditations and our institutions’ state licenses may be impaired in a manner that materially and adversely affects
our business.
Any material change of ownership or change of control of Adtalem, depending on the type of change, may have
significant regulatory consequences for each of our Title IV Institutions. Such a change of ownership or control could
require recertification by ED, the reevaluation of accreditation by each institution’s accreditors and/or reauthorization by
each institutions’ state licensing agencies. If Adtalem experiences a material change of ownership or change of control,
then our Title IV Institutions may cease to be eligible to participate in Title IV programs until recertified by ED. The
continuing participation of each of our Title IV Institutions in Title IV programs is critical to our business. Any disruption
in an institution’s eligibility to participate in Title IV programs would materially and adversely impact our business,
financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow.
In addition, each Title IV Institution is required to report any material change in stock ownership to its principal
institutional accrediting body and would generally be required to obtain approval prior to undergoing any transaction that
affects, or may affect, its corporate control or governance. In the event of any such change, each of our institution’s
accreditors may undertake an evaluation of the effect of the change on the continuing operations of our institution for
purposes of determining if continued accreditation is appropriate, which evaluation may include a comprehensive review.
If our accreditors determine that the change is such that prior approval was required, but was not obtained, many of our
accreditors’ policies require the accreditor to consider withdrawal of accreditation. If accreditation is suspended or
withdrawn with respect to any of our Title IV Institutions, they would not be eligible to participate in Title IV programs
until the accreditation is reinstated or is obtained from another appropriate accrediting body. There is no assurance that
reinstatement of accreditation could be obtained on a timely basis, if at all, and accreditation from a different qualified
accrediting authority, if available, would require a significant amount of time. Any material disruption in accreditation
would materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow.
In addition, some states in which our Title IV Institutions are licensed require approval (in some cases, advance
approval) of changes in ownership or control in order to remain authorized to operate in those states, and participation in
grant programs in some states may be interrupted or otherwise affected by a change in ownership or control.
As of June 30, 2020, a substantial portion of our outstanding capital stock is owned by a small group of institutional
shareholders. We cannot prevent a material change of ownership or change of control that could arise from a transfer of
voting stock by any combination of those shareholders.
A bankruptcy filing by us or by any of our Title IV Institutions, or a closure of one of our Title IV Institutions, would
lead to an immediate loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.
In the event of a bankruptcy filing by Adtalem, all of our Title IV Institutions would lose their eligibility to participate
in Title IV programs, pursuant to statutory provisions of the HEA, notwithstanding the automatic stay provisions of federal
bankruptcy law, which would make any reorganization difficult to implement. Similarly, in the event of a bankruptcy
filing by any of Adtalem’s subsidiaries that own a Title IV Institution, such institution would lose its eligibility to
participate in Title IV programs. In the event of any bankruptcy affecting one or more of our Title IV Institutions, ED
could hold our other Title IV Institutions jointly liable for any Title IV program liabilities, whether asserted or unasserted
at the time of such bankruptcy, of the institution whose Title IV program eligibility was terminated.
Further, in the event that an institution closes and fails to pay liabilities or other amounts owed to ED, ED can attribute
the liabilities of that institution to other institutions under common ownership. If any one of our Title IV Institutions were
to close or have unpaid ED liabilities, ED could seek to have those liabilities repaid by one of our other Title IV Institutions.
27
2020 Form 10-K Student loan defaults could result in the loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.
Our Title IV Institutions may lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV programs if their student loan default rates
are greater than standards set by ED. An educational institution may lose its eligibility to participate in some or all Title
IV programs, if, for three consecutive federal fiscal years, 30% or more of its students who were required to begin repaying
their student loans in the relevant federal fiscal year default on their payment by the end of the next two federal fiscal
years. In addition, an institution may lose its eligibility to participate in some or all Title IV programs if its default rate for
a federal fiscal year was greater than 40%. If any of our Title IV Institutions lose eligibility to participate in Title IV
programs because of high student loan default rates, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability
to operate. The latest period for which final three-year default rates data is available is fiscal year 2016. Default rates for
Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM students for fiscal year 2016 is 3.5%, 0.7%, 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively.
Our Title IV Institutions could lose their eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs if the
percentage of their revenue derived from those programs were too high.
Our Title IV Institutions may lose eligibility to participate in Title IV programs if, on a cash basis, the percentage of the
institution’s revenue derived from Title IV programs for two consecutive fiscal years is greater than 90% (the “90/10
Rule”). Further, if an institution exceeds the 90% threshold for any single fiscal year, ED could place that institution on
provisional certification status for the institution’s following two fiscal years. If any of our Title IV Institutions lose
eligibility to participate in Title IV programs because they are unable to comply with ED’s 90/10 Rule, it could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the
imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
Our failure to comply with ED’s credit hour rule could result in sanctions and other liability.
In 2009 and 2010, ED’s Office of Inspector General criticized three accreditors, including the Higher Learning
Commission (“HLC”), which is the accreditor for Chamberlain, for deficiency in their oversight of institutions’ credit hour
allocations. In June 2010, the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing concerning accrediting agencies’
standards for assessing institutions’ credit hour policies. The 2010 Program Integrity Regulations defined the term “credit
hour” for the first time and required accrediting agencies to review the reliability and accuracy of an institution’s credit
hour assignments. If an accreditor does not comply with this requirement, its recognition by ED could be jeopardized. If
an accreditor identifies systematic or significant noncompliance in one or more of an institution’s programs, the accreditor
must notify the Secretary of Education. If ED determines that an institution is out of compliance with the credit hour
definition, ED could impose liabilities or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial conditions, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and
our ability to operate.
If we fail to maintain any of our state authorizations, we would lose our ability to operate in that state and to participate
in Title IV programs in that state.
Our Title IV Institutions must be authorized to operate by the appropriate postsecondary regulatory authority in each
state in which the institution is located. Campuses of our Title IV Institutions are authorized to operate and grant degrees,
diplomas, or certificates by the applicable education agency of the state in which each such campus is located. Many states
are currently reevaluating and revising their authorization regulations, especially as applied to distance education. The loss
of state authorization would, among other things, render the affected institution ineligible to participate in Title IV
programs, at least at those state campus locations, and otherwise limit that school’s ability to operate in that state. Loss of
authorization in one or more states could increase the likelihood of additional scrutiny and potential loss of operating
and/or degree-granting authority in other states in which we operate, which would further impact our business. If these
pressures and uncertainty continue in the future, or if one or more of our institutions are unable to offer programs in one
or more states, it could have a material adverse impact on our enrollment, revenue, results of operations, and cash flows
and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
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Adtalem Global Education Inc. Our ability to place our medical schools’ students in hospitals in the U.S. may be limited by efforts of certain state
government regulatory bodies, which may limit the growth potential of our medical schools, put our medical schools at
a competitive disadvantage to other medical schools, or force our medical schools to substantially reduce their class
sizes.
Each of AUC and RUSM enter into affiliation agreements with hospitals across the U.S. to place their third and fourth
year students in clinical programs at such hospitals. Certain states with regulatory programs that require state approval of
clinical education programs have in recent years precluded, limited, or imposed onerous requirements on Adtalem’s entry
into affiliation agreements with hospitals in their states. If these or other states continue to limit access to affiliation
arrangements, our medical schools may be at a competitive disadvantage to other medical schools, and our medical schools
may be required to substantially restrict their enrollment due to limited clinical opportunities for enrolled students. The
impact on enrollment, and the potential for enrollment growth, of such restrictions on our medical schools’ clinical
placements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions, results of operations, and cash flows
and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
Budget constraints in states that provide state financial aid to our students could reduce the amount of such financial
aid that is available to our students, which could reduce our enrollment and adversely affect our 90/10 Rule percentage.
Some states are experiencing budget deficits and constraints. Some of these states have reduced or eliminated various
student financial assistance programs or established minimum performance measures as a condition of participation, and
additional states may do so in the future. If our students who receive this type of assistance cannot secure alternate sources
of funding, they may be forced to withdraw, reduce the rate at which they seek to complete their education, or replace the
source with more expensive forms of funding, such as private loans. Other students who would otherwise have been
eligible for state financial assistance may not be able to enroll without such aid. This reduced funding could decrease our
enrollment and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
In addition, the reduction or elimination of these non-Title IV sources of student funding may adversely affect our 90/10
Rule percentage.
We could be subject to sanctions if we fail to calculate accurately and make timely payment of refunds of Title IV
program funds for students who withdraw before completing their educational program.
The HEA and ED regulations require us to calculate refunds of unearned Title IV program funds disbursed to students
who withdraw from their educational program. If refunds are not properly calculated or timely paid, we may be required
to post a letter of credit with ED or be subject to sanctions or other adverse actions by ED, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
A failure of our vendors to comply with applicable regulations in the servicing of our students and institutions could
subject us to fines or restrictions on or loss of our ability to participate in Title IV programs.
We contract with unaffiliated entities for student software systems and services related to the administration of portions
of our Title IV and financing programs. Because each of our institutions may be jointly and severally liable for the actions
of third-party servicers and vendors, failure of such servicers to comply with applicable regulations could have a material
adverse effect on our institutions, including fines and the loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, which could
have a material adverse effect on our enrollment, revenue, and results of operations and cash flows and result in the
imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate. If any of our third party servicers discontinues
providing such services to us, we may not be able to replace such third party servicer in a timely, cost-efficient, or effective
manner, or at all, and we could lose our ability to comply with collection, lending, and Title IV requirements, which could
have a material adverse effect our enrollment, revenue, and results of operations, and cash flows and result in the imposition
of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
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2020 Form 10-K We provide financing programs to assist some of our students in affording our educational offerings. These programs
are subject to various federal and state rules and regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations could subject us
to fines, penalties, obligations to discharge loans, and other injunctive requirements.
If we, or one of the companies that service our credit programs, do not comply with laws applicable to the financing
programs that assist our students in affording our educational offerings, including Truth in Lending and Fair Debt
Collections Practices laws and the Unfair, Deceptive or Abusive Acts or Practices provisions of Title X of the Dodd-Frank
Act, we could be subject to fines, penalties, obligations to discharge the debts, and other injunctive requirements, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result
in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate. Additionally, an adverse allegation, finding or
outcome in any of these matters could also materially and adversely affect our ability to maintain, obtain or renew licenses,
approvals or accreditation and maintain eligibility to participate in Title IV programs or serve as a basis for ED to discharge
certain Title IV student loans and seek recovery for some or all of its resulting losses from us, any of which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows and result in the
imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
Release of confidential information could subject us to civil penalties or cause us to lose our eligibility to participate in
Title IV programs.
As an educational institution participating in federal and state student assistance programs and collecting financial
receipts from enrollees or their sponsors, we collect and retain certain confidential information. Such information is subject
to federal and state privacy and security rules, including the Family Education Right to Privacy Act, the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act, and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. Release or failure to secure
confidential information or other noncompliance with these rules could subject us to fines, loss of our capacity to conduct
electronic commerce, and loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We could be subject to sanctions if we fail to accurately and timely report sponsored students’ tuition, fees, and
enrollment to the sponsoring agency.
A significant portion of our enrollment is sponsored through various federal and state supported agencies and programs,
including the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
We are required to periodically report tuition, fees, and enrollment to the sponsoring agencies. As a recipient of funds, we
are subject to periodic reviews and audits. Inaccurate or untimely reporting could result in suspension or termination of
our eligibility to participate in these federal and state programs and have a material adverse impact on enrollment and
revenue, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash
flows.
Our enrollment may be adversely affected by presentations of data that are not representative of actual educational
costs for our prospective students.
ED and other public policy organizations are concerned with the affordability of higher education and have developed
various tools and resources to help students find low-cost educational alternatives. These resources primarily rely on and
present data for first-time, full-time residential students, which is not representative of most of our prospective students.
These presentations may influence some prospective students to exclude our institutions from their consideration, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Risks Related to Adtalem’s Business
Outbreaks of communicable infections or diseases, or other public health pandemics, such as the global coronavirus
outbreak currently being experienced, in the locations in which we, our students, faculty, and employees live, work,
and attend classes, could substantially harm our business.
Disease outbreaks and other public health conditions, such as the current outbreak of the coronavirus currently being
experienced, in the locations in which we, our students, faculty, and employees live, work, and attend classes could have
a significant negative impact on our revenue, profitability, and business. We have developed and continue to develop plans
30
Adtalem Global Education Inc. to help mitigate the negative impact of the coronavirus to our business including all classes having shifted to online
learning, all employees working from home, practice containment, recovery and normalization scenario planning, and
emergency succession planning. The coronavirus outbreak continues to be fluid and uncertain, making it difficult to
forecast the final impact it could have on our future operations. If our business experiences prolonged occurrences of
adverse public health conditions, such as the coronavirus, and the attendant stay-at-home orders, we believe it could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. We will continue to
evaluate, and if appropriate, adopt other measures in the future required for the ongoing safety of our students and
employees. COVID-19 resulted in estimated revenue losses of approximately $29 million, operating income losses of
approximately $19 million and loss of earnings per share in the range of approximately $0.27 to $0.29 in fiscal year 2020.
In addition, Adtalem implemented a workforce reduction of 32 positions in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 to become
more cost effective in response to COVID-19. The resulting severance charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 was
not significant. Management anticipates further negative COVID-19 effects to consolidated revenue, net income, and
earnings per share into fiscal year 2021 for as long as social distancing and other measures established to combat the virus
continue. If our business results and financial condition were materially and adversely impacted, then assets such as
accounts receivable, property and equipment, operating lease assets, intangible assets and goodwill could be impaired,
requiring a possible write-off. As of June 30, 2020, intangible assets from business combinations totaled $287.5 million
and goodwill totaled $686.2 million.
Natural disasters or other extraordinary events or political disruptions may cause us to close some of our schools.
We may experience business interruptions resulting from natural disasters, inclement weather, transit disruptions,
political disruptions, or other events in one or more of the geographic areas in which it operates, particularly in the West
Coast and Gulf States of the U.S., and the Caribbean. These events could cause us to close schools, temporarily or
permanently, and could affect student recruiting opportunities in those locations, causing enrollment and revenue to
decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash
flows.
Student enrollment at our schools is affected by legislative, regulatory, and economic factors that may change in ways
we cannot predict. These factors outside our control limit our ability to assess our future enrollment effectively.
Our future revenue and growth depend on a number of factors, including many of the regulatory risks discussed above
and business risks discussed below. Despite ongoing efforts to provide more scholarships to prospective students, and to
increase quality and build our reputation, negative perceptions of the value of a college degree, increased reluctance to
take on debt, and the resulting lower student consumer confidence may continue to impact enrollment in the future. In
addition, technological innovations in the delivery of low-cost education alternatives and increased competition could
negatively affect enrollment.
We are subject to risks relating to enrollment of students. If we are not able to continue to successfully recruit and
retain our students, our revenue may decline.
Our undergraduate and graduate educational programs are concentrated in selected areas of medical and healthcare. If
applicant career interests or employer needs shift away from these fields, and we do not anticipate or adequately respond
to that trend, future enrollment and revenue may decline and the rates at which our graduates obtain jobs involving their
fields of study could decline.
If our graduates are unable to find appropriate employment opportunities or obtain professional licensure or
certification, we may not be able to recruit new students.
If employment opportunities for our graduates in fields related to their educational programs decline or they are unable
to obtain professional licenses or certifications in their chosen fields, future enrollment and revenue may decline as
potential applicants choose to enroll at other educational institutions or providers.
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2020 Form 10-K We face heightened competition in the postsecondary education market from both public and private educational
institutions.
Postsecondary education in our existing and new market areas is highly competitive and is becoming increasingly so.
We compete with traditional public and private two-year and four-year colleges, other proprietary schools, and alternatives
to higher education. Some of our competitors, both public and private, have greater financial and nonfinancial resources
than us. Some of our competitors, both public and private, are able to offer programs similar to ours at a lower tuition level
for a variety of reasons, including the availability of direct and indirect government subsidies, government and foundation
grants, large endowments, tax-deductible contributions, and other financial resources not available to proprietary
institutions, or by providing fewer student services or larger class sizes. An increasing number of traditional colleges and
community colleges are offering distance learning and other online education programs, including programs that are geared
towards the needs of working adults. This trend has been accelerated by private companies that provide and/or manage
online learning platforms for traditional colleges and community colleges. As the proportion of traditional colleges
providing alternative learning modalities increases, we will face increasing competition for students from traditional
colleges, including colleges with well-established reputations for excellence. As the online and distance learning segment
of the postsecondary education market matures, we believe that the intensity of the competition we face will continue to
increase. This intense competition could make it more challenging for us to enroll students who are likely to succeed in
our educational programs, which could adversely affect our new student enrollment levels and student persistence and put
downward pressure on our tuition rates, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
The personal information that we collect may be vulnerable to breach, theft, or loss that could adversely affect our
reputation and operations.
Possession and use of personal information in our operations subjects us to risks and costs that could harm our business.
We collect, use, and retain large amounts of personal information regarding our students and their families, including
social security numbers, tax return information, personal and family financial data, and credit card numbers. We also
collect and maintain personal information of our employees and contractors in the ordinary course of our business. Some
of this personal information is held and managed by certain of our vendors. Confidential information also may become
available to third parties inadvertently when we integrate or convert computer networks into our network following an
acquisition or in connection with system upgrades from time to time.
Due to the sensitive nature of the information contained on our networks, such as students’ financial information and
grades, our networks may be targeted by hackers. Anyone who circumvents security measures could misappropriate
proprietary or confidential information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations. Although we use security
and business controls to limit access and use of personal information, a third party may be able to circumvent those security
and business controls, which could result in a breach of privacy. In addition, errors in the storage, use, or transmission of
personal information could result in a breach of privacy. Possession and use of personal information in our operations also
subjects us to legislative and regulatory burdens that could require notification of data breaches and restrict our use of
personal information. We cannot assure that a breach, loss, or theft of personal information will not occur. A breach, theft,
or loss of personal information regarding our students and their families, customers, employees, or contractors that is held
by us or our vendors could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and results of operations and result in liability
under state and federal privacy statutes and legal actions by federal or state authorities and private litigants, any of which
could have a material adverse effect on our business and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our
ability to operate.
System disruptions and vulnerability from security risks to our computer network or information systems could severely
impact our ability to serve our existing students and attract new students.
The performance and reliability of our computer networks and system applications, especially online educational
platforms and student operational and financial aid packaging applications, are critical to our reputation and ability to
attract and retain students. System errors, disruptions or failures, including those arising from unauthorized access,
computer hackers, computer viruses, denial of service attacks, and other security threats, could adversely impact our
delivery of educational content to our students or result in delays and/or errors in processing student financial aid and
related disbursements. Such events could have a material adverse effect on the reputation of our institutions, our financial
32
Adtalem Global Education Inc. condition, results of operations, and cash flows. We may be required to expend significant resources to protect against
system errors, failures or disruptions, or the threat of security breaches, or to repair or otherwise mitigate problems caused
by any actual errors, disruptions, failures, or breaches. We cannot ensure that these efforts will protect our computer
networks, or fully mitigate the resulting impact of interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, despite our regular
monitoring of our technology infrastructure security and business continuity plans.
Government regulations relating to the internet could increase our cost of doing business and affect our ability to grow.
The use of the internet and other online services has led to and may lead to the adoption of new laws and regulations in
the U.S. or foreign countries and to new interpretations of existing laws and regulations. These new laws, regulations, and
interpretations may relate to issues such as online privacy, copyrights, trademarks and service marks, sales taxes, value-
added taxes, withholding taxes, cost of internet access, and services, allocation, and apportionment of income amongst
various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions, fair business practices, and the requirement that online education institutions
qualify to do business as foreign corporations or be licensed in one or more jurisdictions where they have no physical
location or other presence. New laws, regulations, or interpretations related to doing business over the internet could
increase our costs and materially and adversely affect our enrollment, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our ability to open new campuses, offer new programs, and add capacity is dependent on regulatory approvals and
requires financial and human resources.
As part of our strategy, we intend to open new campuses, offer new educational programs, and add capacity to certain
existing locations. Such actions require us to obtain appropriate federal, state, and accrediting agency approvals. In
addition, adding new locations, programs, and capacity may require significant financial investments and human resource
capabilities. The failure to obtain appropriate approvals or to properly allocate financial and human resources could
adversely impact our future growth.
We may not be able to attract, retain, and develop key employees necessary for our operations and the successful
execution of our strategic plans.
We may be unable to attract, retain, and develop key employees with appropriate educational qualifications and
experience. Regulatory and other legal actions and the claims contained in these actions may have diminished our
reputation, and these actions and the resulting negative publicity may have decreased interest by potential employees. In
addition, we may be unable to effectively plan and prepare for changes in key employees. Such matters may cause us to
incur higher wage expense and/or provide less student support and customer service, which could adversely affect
enrollment, revenue, and expense. A significant amount of our compensation for key employees is tied to our financial
performance. We may require new employees in order to execute some of our strategic plans. Uncertainty regarding our
future financial performance may limit our ability to attract new employees with competitive compensation or increase
our cost of recruiting and retaining such new employees.
We may not be able to successfully identify, pursue, or integrate acquisitions.
As part of our strategy, we are actively considering acquisition opportunities primarily in the U.S. We have acquired
and expect to acquire additional education institutions or education related businesses that complement our strategic
direction, some of which could be material to our operations. Any acquisition involves significant risks and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to:
Inability to successfully integrate the acquired operations and personnel into our business and maintain uniform
standards, controls, policies, and procedures;
Failure to secure applicable regulatory approvals;
Assumption of known and unknown liabilities;
Diversion of significant attention of our senior management from day-to-day operations;
Issues not discovered in our due diligence process, including compliance issues, commitments, and/or
contingencies; and
33
2020 Form 10-K Financial commitments, investments in foreign countries, and compliance with debt covenants and ED financial
responsibility scores.
Expansion into new international markets will subject us to risks inherent in international operations.
As part of our strategy, we intend to continue to expand internationally and are considering acquisitions outside the U.S.
To the extent that we expand internationally, we will face risks that are inherent in international operations including, but
not limited to:
Compliance with foreign laws and regulations;
Management of internal operations;
Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
Ability to protect intellectual property;
Monetary policy risks, such as inflation, hyperinflation, and deflation;
Price controls or restrictions on exchange of foreign currencies;
Political and economic instability in the countries in which we operate;
Potential unionization of employees under local labor laws;
Multiple and possibly overlapping and conflicting tax laws;
Inability to cost effectively repatriate cash balances; and
Compliance with U.S. laws and regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Proposed changes in, or lapses of, U.S. tax laws regarding earnings from international operations could adversely
affect our financial results.
Our effective tax rate could be subject to volatility or be adversely impacted by changes to federal tax laws governing
the taxation of foreign earnings of U.S. based companies. For example, recent changes to U.S. tax laws significantly
impacted how U.S. multinational corporations are taxed on foreign earnings. Numerous countries are evaluating their
existing tax laws, due in part to recommendations made by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development’s (“OECD’s”) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) project. In addition, the recent U.S. tax law
changes, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), are subject to further
interpretations from U.S. federal and state governments and regulatory organizations, such as the Treasury Department
and/or Internal Revenue Service, and this could change the provisional tax liability or the accounting treatment of the
provisional tax liability based on updated guidance and interpretations. A significant portion of the additional provisions
for income taxes we have made due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) is payable by
us over a period of up to eight years. As a result, our cash flows from operating activities will be adversely impacted until
the additional tax provisions are paid in full. In addition, Adtalem has benefitted from the ability to enter into international
intercompany arrangements without incurring U.S. taxation due to a law, which expires in fiscal year 2020, deferring U.S.
taxation of “foreign personal holding company income” such as foreign income from dividends, interest, rents, and
royalties. If this law is not extended, or a similar law adopted, our consolidated tax provision would be impacted beginning
in our fiscal year 2021, and we may not be able to allocate international capital optimally without realizing U.S. income
taxes, which would increase our effective income tax rate and adversely impact our earnings and cash flows.
Changes in effective tax rates or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income or other tax returns could
adversely affect our results.
Our future effective tax rates could be subject to volatility or adversely affected by: earnings being lower than
anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated earnings in countries where we
have higher statutory rates; changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; expiration of or lapses in
various tax law provisions; tax treatment of stock-based compensation; costs related to intercompany or other
restructurings; or other changes in tax rates, laws, regulations, accounting principles, or interpretations thereof. In addition,
we are subject to examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. We
regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our
provision for income taxes. Although we have accrued tax and related interest for potential adjustments to tax liabilities
34
Adtalem Global Education Inc. for prior years, there can be no assurance that the outcomes from these continuous examinations will not have a material
effect, either positive or negative, on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our goodwill and intangible assets potentially could be impaired if our business results and financial condition were
materially and adversely impacted by risks and uncertainties.
Adtalem’s market capitalization can be affected by, among other things, changes in industry or market conditions,
changes in results of operations, and changes in forecasts or market expectations related to future results. If our market
capitalization were to remain below its carrying value for a sustained period of time or if such a decline becomes indicative
that the fair values of our reporting units have declined below their carrying values, an impairment test may result in a
non-cash impairment charge. As of June 30, 2020, intangible assets from business combinations totaled $287.5 million
and goodwill totaled $686.2 million. Together, these assets equaled 44% of total assets as of such date. If our business
results and financial condition were materially and adversely impacted, then such intangible assets and goodwill could be
impaired, requiring a possible write-off of up to $287.5 million of intangible assets and up to $686.2 million of goodwill.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
Adtalem’s leased facilities are occupied under leases whose remaining terms range from 1 to 11 years. A majority of
these leases contain provisions giving Adtalem the right to terminate early or renew its lease for additional periods at
various rental rates, although generally at rates higher than are currently being paid. Adtalem’s owned facilities total
approximately 647,000 square feet worldwide. No facility that is owned by Adtalem is subject to a mortgage or other
indebtedness.
Adtalem is leasing space to DeVry University at four facilities owned by Adtalem. Adtalem is subleasing space, in full
or in part, at an additional 22 facilities, of which 14 are subleased to DeVry University and/or Carrington. Adtalem remains
the primary lessee on the 22 underlying leases. These lease and sublease agreements were entered into at comparable
market rates and the terms range from one to five years.
Medical and Healthcare
Chamberlain
Chamberlain’s home office is located in Chicago, Illinois. Chamberlain currently operates 22 campuses in various U.S.
locations, of which 3 are in Adtalem owned locations and 19 in leased facilities. Chamberlain’s total portfolio of academic
and administrative operations comprise approximately 0.95 million square feet.
AUC
AUC’s nine-acre campus is located in St. Maarten. The campus is owned and includes approximately 218,500 square
feet of academic, student-life, and student residence facilities. In addition to classrooms and auditoriums, educational
facilities include a gross anatomy lab, a multi-purpose learning lab, library and learning resource centers, offices, cafeteria,
and recreational space facilities. The AUC campus is also supported by administrative staff located in office space in
Miramar and Pembroke Pines, Florida.
RUSM
RUSM’s campus is located in Barbados and is comprised of approximately 474,000 square feet of leased facilities.
Educational facilities include 102,000 square feet of classrooms, labs for anatomy and radiology imaging, simulation,
physiology and pathology, exam rooms, private and group study, and faculty and administrative space. A residential village
includes 5,000 square feet of administrative student services space surrounded by shopping and recreational facilities and
over 400 multi-bedroom student units totaling 367,000 square feet. The RUSM campus is also supported by administrative
staff located in office space in Miramar and Pembroke Pines, Florida.
35
2020 Form 10-K RUSVM
RUSVM’s pre-clinical instructional campus of approximately 257,000 square feet is located on a 50-acre campus in St.
Kitts, which is owned. Educational facilities include an anatomy/clinical building, pathology building, research building
with state-of-the-art necropsy lab, classroom buildings, administration building, bookstore, cafeteria, and a library/learning
resource center. Animal care facilities include kennels, an aviary, and livestock barns. Student-life and student residence
facilities are also located on the campus. The RUSVM campus is also supported by administrative staff located in office
space in North Brunswick, New Jersey.
Financial Services
Financial Services leases approximately 35,000 square feet for its administrative operations in various U.S. and
international locations. Becker classes are conducted in leased facilities, fewer than 10 of which are leased on a full-time
basis. The remaining classes are conducted in facilities that are leased on an as-needed basis, allowing classes to be added,
expanded, relocated, or closed as current enrollments require.
Home Office
Adtalem’s home office staff is located in a leased facility in Chicago, Illinois utilizing approximately 32,000 square feet
of office space.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Information About Our Executive Officers
Our executive officers are as follows, along with each executive officer’s position, age, and business experience as of
the date of this filing:
Name and Current Position
Lisa W. Wardell
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Adtalem Global Education
Age Business Experience
50 Ms. Wardell joined Adtalem in May 2016 as
President and Chief Executive Officer and was
appointed Chairman of the Board in July 2019.
Previously, Ms. Wardell served on the Adtalem
Board of Directors since 2008 and also chaired
the audit and finance committee. Prior to joining
Adtalem, Ms. Wardell was Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of The
RLJ Companies from 2004 through 2016.
36
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Name and Current Position
Kathy Boden Holland
Group President, Medical and Healthcare Education,
Adtalem Global Education
Dr. Karen Cox
President, Chamberlain University
Michael O. Randolfi
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Adtalem
Global Education
Stephen W. Beard
Chief Operating Officer, Adtalem Global Education
Age Business Experience
53 Ms. Boden Holland joined Adtalem in May 2018
as Group President, Medical and Healthcare
Education. Previously, Ms. Boden Holland
served on the Adtalem Board of Directors from
January 2017 through May 2018. Prior to joining
Adtalem, Ms. Boden Holland was Executive
Vice President, Bank Products and in other
executive leadership roles at Elevate Credit from
2014 through 2018. Previously, Ms. Boden
Holland was Executive Vice President,
Corporate Development at Think Finance
Incorporated from 2012 to 2014 and President of
RLJ Financial LLC from 2010 to 2012.
Dr. Cox joined Adtalem in August 2018 as
President of Chamberlain University. Prior to
joining Adtalem, Dr. Cox served as Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
Children’s Mercy – Kansas City an independent,
academic medical center in Missouri, from 2006
through August 2018. Prior to that role, Dr. Cox
was Senior Vice President for Patient Care
Services and Chief Nursing Officer from 2004
through 2006.
60
48 Mr. Randolfi joined Adtalem in August 2019 as
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer. Prior to joining Adtalem, Mr. Randolfi
the Chief Financial Officer of
served as
Groupon, Inc. since April 2016. Prior
to
Groupon, Mr. Randolfi served as Chief Financial
Officer of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. from March
2013 until November 2015 (when he departed
following its acquisition by Expedia, Inc.). Prior
to Orbitz, Mr. Randolfi spent fourteen years with
Delta Airlines in a variety of executive financial
roles culminating in Senior Vice President and
Controller.
49 Mr. Beard joined Adtalem in February 2018 as
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel. In January 2019, Mr. Beard was
appointed Chief Operating Officer and General
Counsel. In February 2020, Mr. Beard assumed
responsibilities
the Financial Services
segment and his General Counsel responsibilities
were transferred to Mr. Patterson. Prior to joining
Adtalem, Mr. Beard held a variety of leadership
roles at Heidrick & Struggles, International from
2003 through 2018 and was most recently
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative
Officer and General Counsel.
for
37
2020 Form 10-K Name and Current Position
Chaka M. Patterson
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Adtalem Global
Education
Donna N. Jennings
Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Adtalem Global
Education
Fernando Lau
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Adtalem
Global Education
Christopher C. Nash
Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Adtalem
Global Education
Robert J. Phelan
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Adtalem Global
Education
Age Business Experience
51 Mr. Patterson joined Adtalem in June 2018 as
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. In
February 2020, Mr. Patterson was promoted to
Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
Prior to joining Adtalem, Mr. Patterson served as
Chief of the Civil Actions Bureau in the Cook
County State Attorney’s Office during 2017.
Previously, Mr. Patterson was Partner at Jones
Day from 2013 through 2017.
58 Ms. Jennings joined Adtalem in October 2006 as
Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
Prior to joining Adtalem, Ms. Jennings was Vice
and
President,
Resources
Communications,
of Velsicol Chemical
Corporation, a global chemical products
manufacturer, from 1994 to 2006.
Human
44 Mr. Lau joined Adtalem in January 2010 as Vice
President of Marketing and Admissions at
Adtalem Brazil. In October 2016, Mr. Lau was
appointed Senior Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer. Prior to joining Adtalem,
Mr. Lau led the Trade Marketing departments of
Motorola and Nokia in Brazil from 2007 to 2009.
53 Mr. Nash joined Adtalem in 2010 as Chief
Technology Officer and was promoted to Senior
Vice President, Chief Information Officer in
2013. Prior to joining Adtalem, Mr. Nash was
Chief Technology Officer at Millward Brown
Group, a global market research organization and
division of Kantar Group. Previously, Mr. Nash
held technical leadership roles at Kraft Foods,
Inc., Greenbrier & Russel, and Rand McNally.
55 Mr. Phelan joined Adtalem in February 2020 as
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer. Prior
to joining Adtalem, Mr. Phelan served as Senior
Vice President, Finance - Corporate Controller /
Risk Management / Asset Protection at Sears
Holdings Corporation (“Sears”),
the parent
company of Kmart Holdings Corporation and
Sears, Roebuck and Co., an integrated retailer
with a national network of stores, since June
2018. Previously, Mr. Phelan was the Senior
Vice President, Finance- Treasurer & Chief
Audit Executive at Sears from July 2016 through
May 2018. Mr. Phelan also served as Senior Vice
President and President – Inventory & Space
Management at Sears from September 2007
through June 2016.
38
Adtalem Global Education Inc. PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Market Information
Adtalem’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NYSE Chicago under the symbol “ATGE.”
The stock transfer agent and registrar for Adtalem’s common stock is Computershare Investor Services, L.L.C.
Security Holders
There were 378 current holders of record of Adtalem’s common stock as of August 11, 2020. The number of holders of
record does not include beneficial owners of its securities whose shares are held by various brokerage firms, other financial
institutions, Adtalem’s 401(k) and profit sharing plan, and its Colleague Stock Purchase Plan.
Dividends
Adtalem did not pay any dividends in fiscal year 2019 or 2020. Adtalem does not expect to pay any cash dividends in
the foreseeable future. Any future payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Adtalem Board of Directors (the
“Board”) and will be dependent on projections of future earnings, cash flow, financial requirements of Adtalem, and other
factors as the Board deems relevant.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
At the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 9, 2005, Adtalem’s stockholders approved the DeVry
Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) that authorized 200,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the
ESPP, effective January 1, 2006. The ESPP provided for monthly purchase dates on the last business day of each month
beginning January 2006 and purchases at a 5% discount to fair market value on such date. The ESPP was an amendment
and restatement of a prior DeVry Inc. employee stock purchase plan that was effective August 1, 1993. On December 22,
2005, Adtalem registered 200,000 shares common stock that were authorized under the ESPP on a Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (Reg. No. 333-130604).
From January 1, 2006 to February 28, 2019, eligible ESPP participants purchased 450,095 shares of common stock
under the ESPP at purchase prices ranging from $16.41 to $61.94 per share. Of the total shares of common stock purchased
under the ESPP from January 1, 2006 to February 28, 2019, Adtalem inadvertently issued 250,095 shares of common
stock that were not registered under federal securities laws and not authorized under the ESPP. Under the applicable
provisions of federal securities laws, plan participants who purchased unregistered shares of common stock may seek to
rescind the transaction within one year following the date of purchase, which is the applicable federal statute of limitation.
The last potential rescission rights related to the shares of common stock held by the original purchasers expired by the
statute of limitations on February 28, 2020.
Although the 250,095 shares of common stock purchased by ESPP participants through the ESPP were not registered
prior to such purchase, ESPP participants may resell all such shares pursuant to Rule 144.
Adtalem terminated the ability to purchase shares of common stock under the ESPP and the last purchase made through
the ESPP was on February 28, 2019. Adtalem implemented a new employee stock purchase plan approved by stockholders
at Adtalem’s annual meeting of stockholders held on November 6, 2019 which allows for the issuance of 500,000 shares.
Additionally, effective March 31, 2019, Adtalem reduced the number of shares of common stock available under the
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2013 by 250,095 shares of common stock
to reduce any potential dilution to stockholders.
39
2020 Form 10-K Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
See Item 12. “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” in
Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following information describes Adtalem’s stock repurchases during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended June
30, 2020.
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
Average Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (1)
Period
April 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020
May 1, 2020 - May 31, 2020
June 1, 2020 - June 30, 2020
Total
— $
—
—
— $
—
—
—
—
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)
345,231,045
345,231,045
345,231,045
345,231,045
— $
—
—
— $
(1) On November 8, 2018, we announced that the Board authorized the current share repurchase program to repurchase
up to $300 million of Adtalem common stock through December 31, 2021. On February 4, 2020, we announced that
the Board authorized Adtalem’s twelfth share repurchase program, which allows Adtalem to repurchase up to $300
million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. The new program will commence when the repurchases
from the current program are complete. Repurchases were suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the economic
uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The timing and amount of any future repurchases will be determined
based on an evaluation of market conditions and other factors.
Other Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
April 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020
May 1, 2020 - May 31, 2020
June 1, 2020 - June 30, 2020
Total
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
— $
4,264
882
5,146 $
Average Price Paid
per Share
—
33.36
31.48
33.04
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
NA
NA
NA
NA
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
NA
NA
NA
NA
(1) Represents shares delivered back to Adtalem for payment of withholding taxes from employees for vesting restricted
stock units and shares swapped for payment on exercise of incentive stock options pursuant to the terms of Adtalem's
stock incentive plans.
Performance Graph
The following graph and chart compare the total cumulative return (assuming dividend reinvestment) on Adtalem’s
common stock during the period from June 30, 2015 through June 30, 2020, with the cumulative return on the NYSE
Composite Index (U.S. Companies), the New Peer Group, and the Old Peer Group (as defined below).
40
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return
Among Adtalem Global Education Inc., NYSE Composite Index, and a Peer Group
June 30,
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
NYSE Composite Index (U.S. Companies)
New Peer Group (1)
Old Peer Group (1)
2015 2016 2017 2018
164.3
125.4
166.3
250.1
129.6
114.9
131.9
175.9
60.6
99.9
83.2
100.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2019 2020
106.4
126.0
181.2
235.3
153.8
134.5
195.3
280.4
Data for this graph were provided by Zacks Investment Research.
Assumes $100 was invested on June 30, 2015 in Adtalem Global Education Inc. common stock, the NYSE Composite
Index (U.S. Companies), the New Peer Group, and the Old Peer Group, and that all dividends were reinvested.
(1) The “New Peer Group” consists of the following companies selected on the basis of similarity in nature of their
businesses: American Public Education, Inc., Chegg Inc., Graham Holdings Company, Grand Canyon Education, Inc.,
Laureate Education, Inc., Perdoceo Education Corporation (formerly known as Career Education Corporation), and
Strategic Education, Inc. (formerly known as Strayer Education, Inc.). Adtalem believes that, including itself, these
companies represent the majority of the market value of publicly traded companies whose primary business is education.
The “Old Peer Group” consists of the following companies: American Public Education, Inc., Grand Canyon Education,
Inc., Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, Perdoceo Education Corporation (formerly known as Career Education
Corporation), Strategic Education, Inc., and Universal Technical Institute, Inc. We changed our peer group from fiscal
year 2019 as follows: Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and Universal Technical Institute, Inc. were removed due
to Adtalem exiting similar markets served by these companies as a result of our recent divestitures, while Chegg Inc.,
Graham Holdings Company, and Laureate Education, Inc. were added due to the similar nature of their businesses
compared to Adtalem.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Our selected consolidated financial data shown below should be read in conjunction with Item 7. “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements
41
2020 Form 10-K
and respective notes included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” All results and data in the table
below reflect continuing operations, unless otherwise noted. See Note 3 “Acquisitions” and Note 4 “Discontinued
Operations and Assets Held for Sale” in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data” for additional information regarding the impact of our acquisitions and discontinued operations.
Operating results for business combinations are included since the date of each respective acquisition. Total assets prior
to fiscal year 2020 do not reflect the impact of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842).” The data
shown below are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period (in thousands, except per share
data).
2020
2019
Fiscal Year
2018
2017
2016
Statement of Income Data:
Revenue
Depreciation
Amortization
Interest and dividend income
Interest expense
Income from continuing operations, net of tax
(Loss) income from discontinued operations,
net of tax
Net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem
Diluted earnings per common share (EPS)
from continuing operations
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share
(EPS)
Shares used in calculating diluted EPS
Cash dividend declared per common share
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Long-term debt
Total shareholders' equity
Other Selected Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Capital expenditures
$ 1,052,001
34,428
11,828
3,688
19,510
$ 243,981
$
$
$
$
33,759
$ 1,013,843 $ 960,277
33,004
$
8,774
$
$
598
11,581
$
68,429
$ 107,247
$
8,513 $
$
3,968
19,898 $
$
35,688
$ 931,569 $ 883,978
37,875
$
1,265
$
4
$
$
2,060
$ 106,322
$
$
8,186 $
172
$
6,894 $
77,388
$ (329,315) $ (12,079) $ (34,660) $
$ (85,334) $
95,168
$
33,769
$
4.51
$
1.81 $
1.10
$
$
(1.58) $
54,094
— $
1.60
59,330
$
— $
0.54
62,280
— $
44,895 $ (109,488)
(3,166)
$
$ 122,283
$
$
1.21 $
1.65
1.91
64,019
0.18
$
$
(0.05)
64,371
0.36
$ 500,516
$ 2,228,687
$ 294,000
$ 1,310,421
$ 204,202
$ 372,928
$ 2,242,696 $ 2,344,961
$ 407,000
$ 300,000
$ 1,391,530 $ 1,519,286
$ 192,967
$ 290,144
$ 2,315,018 $ 2,096,996
$ 125,000
—
$ 1,669,039 $ 1,582,087
$
$ 107,692
44,137
$
$ 204,858 $ 239,189
46,622
$
57,574
$
$ 230,920 $ 231,483
37,571
$
22,805
$
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”), Adtalem
Global Education Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is collectively referred to as “Adtalem,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or similar
references.
Discussions within this MD&A may contain forward-looking statements. See the “Forward-Looking Statements”
section preceding Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details about the uncertainties that could cause our actual
results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such
differences include those described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report.
Throughout this MD&A, we sometimes use information derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and the notes thereto but not presented in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain of these items are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under
the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations”
section for the reasons we use these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to their most directly
comparable GAAP financial measures.
42
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Certain items presented in tables may not sum due to rounding. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying
numbers in thousands. Discussions throughout this MD&A are based on continuing operations unless otherwise noted.
The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data” and the notes thereto.
Segments
As of September 30, 2019, Adtalem eliminated its Business and Law reportable segment when Adtalem Education of
Brazil (“Adtalem Brazil”) was classified as discontinued operations and assets held for sale. In addition to the sale of
Adtalem Brazil, which was completed on April 24, 2020, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, Adtalem divested
Carrington College (“Carrington”) and DeVry University. In accordance with GAAP, we have classified the Adtalem
Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University entities as “Held for Sale” and “Discontinued Operations” in all periods
presented as applicable. As a result, all financial results, disclosures, and discussions of continuing operations in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K exclude Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University operations, unless otherwise
noted. See Note 4 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item
8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discontinued operations information.
We present two reportable segments as follows:
Medical and Healthcare – Offers degree and non-degree programs in the medical and healthcare postsecondary
education industry. This segment includes the operations of Chamberlain University (“Chamberlain”), American
University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (“AUC”), Ross University School of Medicine (“RUSM”), and Ross
University School of Veterinary Medicine (“RUSVM”). AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM are collectively referred to as the
“medical and veterinary schools.”
Financial Services – Offers test preparation, certifications, conferences, seminars, memberships, and subscriptions to
business professionals in the areas of accounting, anti-money laundering, banking, and mortgage lending. This segment
includes the operations of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (“ACAMS”), Becker
Professional Education (“Becker”), OnCourse Learning (“OCL”), and EduPristine.
“Home Office and Other” includes activities not allocated to a reportable segment. Financial and descriptive information
about Adtalem’s reportable segments is presented in Note 21 “Segment Information” to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Certain expenses previously allocated to Adtalem Brazil within our former Business and Law segment during fiscal
years 2018 and 2019 have been reclassified to the Home Office and Other segment based on discontinued operations
reporting guidance regarding allocation of corporate overhead. For fiscal year 2020, home office costs to support the
remaining continuing operations are being allocated to the Medical and Healthcare and Financial Services segments.
Fiscal Year 2020 Highlights
Financial and operational highlights for fiscal year 2020 include:
Adtalem revenue grew $38.2 million, or 3.8%, in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year. Both the Medical and
Healthcare and Financial Services segments saw increased revenue.
Net loss attributable to Adtalem was $85.3 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to net income attributable to Adtalem
of $95.2 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily driven by a pre-tax loss on the sale of Adtalem Brazil
of $287.6 million recorded in fiscal year 2020 and a pre-tax legal settlement loss of $45.0 million (see Note 20.
“Commitments and Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data”), partially offset by a pre-tax gain of $110.7 million recorded in fiscal year 2020 on the deal-
contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed
on April 24, 2020 to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated sales price through the mitigation of the
currency exchange rate risk. Net income from continuing operations attributable to Adtalem excluding special items
of $123.5 million decreased $12.6 million, or 9.3%, in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year. This decrease
43
2020 Form 10-K was principally attributable to the loss of AUC and RUSM clinical revenue and ACAMS conference revenue due to
the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19” or “virus”) pandemic restrictions. These negative drivers were partially offset
by increased income contributions from Chamberlain and RUSVM.
For the May 2020 session, new and total student enrollment at Chamberlain increased 5.4% and 8.2%, respectively,
compared to the same term last year. Chamberlain continues to invest in its programs, student services, and campus
locations.
New enrollment at the medical and veterinary schools increased by 9.7% for the May 2020 term compared to the
prior year. New enrollment for all terms combined in fiscal year 2020 increased by 2.5% compared to the prior year.
The acquisition of OCL in May 2019, contributed to revenue growth in the Financial Services segment of 11.0% in
fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year. ACAMS memberships have increased to more than 81,000 as of June
30, 2020 compared to more than 75,000 as of June 30, 2019.
Adtalem continued its eleventh share repurchase program by repurchasing a total of 3,838,275 shares of Adtalem’s
common stock at an average cost of $35.66 per share during fiscal year 2020. On February 4, 2020, we announced
that the Adtalem Board of Directors approved the twelfth share repurchase program, which allows Adtalem to
repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. Repurchases were suspended on
March 12, 2020 due to the economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19 pandemic. The timing and amount of any
future repurchases will be determined based on an evaluation of market conditions and other factors.
COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The virus
has had tragic consequences across the globe. COVID-19 is altering business and consumer activity across almost all
industries. Management has initiated several changes to the operations of our institutions and administrative functions in
order to protect the health of Adtalem employees, students, and customers and to mitigate the financial effects of the virus
and its resultant economic slowdown. We will continue to evaluate, and if appropriate, adopt other measures in the future
required for the ongoing safety of our students and employees.
Results of Operations
COVID-19 resulted in estimated revenue losses of approximately $29 million, operating income losses of approximately
$19 million and loss of earnings per share in the range of approximately $0.27 to $0.29 in fiscal year 2020. In addition,
Adtalem implemented a workforce reduction of 32 positions in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 to become more cost
effective in response to COVID-19. The resulting severance charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 was not
significant and Adtalem did not incur any other significant incremental costs due to COVID-19 in fiscal year 2020.
Management anticipates further negative COVID-19 effects to consolidated revenue, net income, and earnings per share
into fiscal year 2021 for as long as social distancing and other measures established to combat the virus continue. COVID-
19 effects on fiscal year 2020 results of operations of the Adtalem institutions is described below.
Chamberlain: Approximately 30% of Chamberlain’s students are based at campus locations and pursuing their
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (“BSN”) degree; as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, all campus-based students
transitioned to online learning for didactic and select clinical experiences. The remaining 70% of Chamberlain’s students
are enrolled in online programs that may or may not have clinical components and those programs are continuing to
successfully operate. COVID-19 did not result in significant revenue losses or costs increases at Chamberlain in fiscal year
2020. The extent of the impact in fiscal year 2021 will be determined based on the length and severity of the effects of
COVID-19 and whether the pandemic affects healthcare facilities’ ability to continue to provide clinical experiences, some
of which had resumed as of July 2020. Chamberlain has clinical partnerships with healthcare facilities across the U.S.,
minimizing the risk of suspension of all onsite clinical education experiences.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) became law on March 27, 2020. It was a
response to the market volatility and instability resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and includes provisions to support
individuals and businesses in the form of loans, grants, and tax changes, among other types of relief. In June 2020,
44
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Chamberlain was awarded two grants under the CARES Act totaling approximately $8.0 million. Management determined
that 100% of these funds will be redistributed to eligible students who demonstrate need. As a result, these funds were
recorded as zero net revenue and, thus, did not have a significant effect on the results of operations, financial position, or
cash flows of Adtalem in fiscal year 2020.
AUC and RUSM: Medical students enrolled in the basic science portion of their program have transitioned to online
learning. Many students have moved from St. Maarten and Barbados and are continuing their studies remotely from other
locations. COVID-19 did not result in significant revenue losses or increased costs within the basic science programs at
the medical schools in fiscal year 2020. The virus will likely have minimal impact on the basic science program revenue
in fiscal year 2021, unless students choose to not continue or start their studies during this time of uncertainty. At this time,
AUC and RUSM have seen mixed signals from prospective students. The extent of the impact in fiscal year 2021 will be
determined based on the length and severity of the economic effects of COVID-19. Students who have completed their
basic science education progress to clinical rotations in the U.S. (and in the U.K. for AUC). Clinical rotations for all
students were temporarily suspended in March 2020; however, some students were able to participate in online clinical
elective courses from April through June 2020. Management estimates that this suspension reduced combined revenue by
approximately $13 million and reduced combined operating income by approximately $10 million in fiscal year 2020 at
AUC and RUSM. The suspension will likely have a negative effect on revenue and operating income in the first half of
fiscal year 2021 and for as long as the pandemic affects hospitals’ ability to provide clinical experiences. Based on recent
surveys, almost all of the clinical partners of AUC and RUSM have or are currently planning to resume their clinical
programs between July and October 2020. Adtalem has clinical partnerships with hospitals across the U.S. (and in the
U.K. for AUC), minimizing the risk of suspension of all onsite clinical education experiences. In addition to the loss of
clinical revenue and operating income, management estimates that housing revenue and operating income of
approximately $4 million and $2 million, respectively, was also lost due to students moving off of St. Maarten and
Barbados to continue basic science studies remotely. Other key events effecting operations due to COVID-19 include the
following: (i) waived MCAT and other entrance exam requirements as allowed by ED; (ii) USMLE, Step 2 Clinical Skills
testing is not currently available. This has been a requirement for graduation and for certification by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to enter the U.S. residency match. RUSM and AUC have developed
alternative pathways to replace this requirement; and (iii) flexibility to use online clinical training has been granted by
accreditors and other U.S. bodies. This is critical to keeping many students on track to graduate and enter the 2021
residency match.
RUSVM: All basic science veterinary students transitioned to online learning beginning in March 2020. Many
students moved from St. Kitts in March 2020 to continue their studies remotely from other locations. A portion of students
at specific junctures of their basic science education have traveled back to St. Kitts in July 2020 and will resume classroom
based learning in August 2020. COVID-19 did not result in significant revenue losses or cost increases within the basic
science program in fiscal year 2020. The virus will likely have minimal impact on the basic science program in fiscal year
2021, unless students choose to not continue or start their studies during this time of uncertainty, RUSVM has seen limited
indications of this to date. The extent of the impact on the basic science program in fiscal year 2021 will be determined
based on the length and severity of the effects of COVID-19. Students who have completed their basic science education
progress to clinical rotations at select universities in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. A few
universities have suspended onsite clinical experiences and transitioned students to online education, while other
universities have continued to offer onsite clinical courses. The suspensions did not significantly reduce revenue or
operating income in fiscal year 2020. The extent of the impact on clinical experiences in fiscal year 2021 will be determined
based on the length and severity of the effects of COVID-19, but we do not expect a significant impact from COVID-19
at RUSVM.
Financial Services: Most Financial Services content, including exam preparation, certification training, continuing
education, and subscriptions is delivered online. Any classroom-based learning has been moved to online. No significant
COVID-19 related costs increases were realized in Financial Services in fiscal year 2020. COVID-19 did result in
estimated revenue losses of approximately $12 million and operating income losses of approximately $5 million in fiscal
year 2020, driven principally by the cancellation of ACAMS live conferences and at Becker from Prometric closing CPA
testing sites, along with a number of CPA firms either delaying start dates for, or rescinded altogether, offers of
employment to recent college graduates. This dampened a key driver of demand in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020,
which is normally a time of robust demand because of the influx of new college graduates looking to begin their CPA
45
2020 Form 10-K exam preparation. ACAMS live conference revenue will not be realized so long as social distancing and group gathering
is limited. The virus is expected to negatively impact Financial Services revenue and operating income in fiscal year 2021,
again driven by the loss of ACAMS live conference revenue and continued weakness in demand at Becker. Adtalem is
benefitting from event cancelation insurance coverage and was able to recover a portion of the lost operating income from
the canceled Hollywood, Florida conference; however, no large future conferences are covered by this insurance. A virtual
conference was conducted in June 2020 and it is possible some conference revenue could be replaced with virtual events
in the future, but loss of conference revenue is likely as ACAMS has canceled all live conferences through December
2020. Virtual conferences are unlikely to generate the same level of revenue and operating income as live conferences.
Management believes that other than the ACAMS conferences, longer-term operating results in the Financial Services
segment will not be significantly affected by COVID-19 unless there are major employment losses with accounting
professionals and recent accounting graduates, or in the banking and mortgage sectors. This is not known and cannot be
predicted at this time. At Becker, CPA testing sites began reopening in June 2020 at limited capacity, however, hiring at
CPA firms has not yet fully recovered.
Administrative Operations: Most institution and home office administrative operations continue to be delivered and
performed remotely. This includes operations both in the U.S. and in all foreign locations. These remote work
arrangements have not adversely affected Adtalem’s ability to maintain operations, financial reporting systems, internal
control over financial reporting, or disclosure controls and procedures. The effectiveness of our remote technology enables
our ability to maintain these systems and controls. Management does not anticipate Adtalem will be materially impacted
by any constraints or other impacts on our human capital resources and productivity. Travel restrictions and border closures
are not expected to have a material impact on our ability to operate and achieve operational goals. No significant home
office costs were incurred related to COVID-19 in fiscal year 2020 and no such costs are anticipated in fiscal year 2021.
Although COVID-19 has had a negative effect on the operating results of all four reporting units that contain goodwill
and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of June 30, 2020, at this time none of the effects are considered significant enough
to create an impairment triggering event since our annual goodwill impairment assessment on May 31, 2020. While
management has considered the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in evaluating the existence of an impairment triggering
event, it is possible that effects to consolidated revenue, net income, cash flows, and earnings per share will be more
significant than currently expected if the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures
established to combat the virus continue for an extended period of time in fiscal year 2021. Should economic conditions
deteriorate beyond expectations into fiscal year 2021, an impairment triggering event could arise and require reassessment
of the fair values of goodwill and intangible assets.
Liquidity
Adtalem’s cash balance at June 30, 2020, was $500.5 million. Adtalem generated $149.6 million in operating cash flow
from continuing operations in fiscal year 2020. In the event of unexpected market conditions or negative economic
changes, including those caused by COVID-19, that could negatively affect Adtalem’s earnings and/or operating cash
flow, Adtalem maintains a $300 million revolving credit facility with availability of $231.6 million as of June 30, 2020.
Management currently projects that COVID-19 will continue to have an effect on operations; however, we believe the
current balances of cash, cash generated from operations, and our credit facility will be sufficient to fund both Adtalem’s
current domestic and international operations and growth plans for the foreseeable future, unless significant investment
opportunities should arise.
As noted above, Adtalem maintains a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) that provides for (1) a $300 million
revolving facility (“Revolver”) with a maturity date of April 13, 2023 and (2) a $300 million senior secured Term B loan
(“Term B Loan”) with a maturity date of April 13, 2025. We refer to the Revolver and Term B Loan collectively as the
“Credit Facility.” With interest rates at historically low levels, management entered into an interest rate swap agreement
in March 2020 with a multinational financial institution that effectively converts the variable rate interest on the Term B
Loan borrowings to a fixed rate of 3.946% for essentially the remaining term of the Term B Loan. The Credit Facility
contains covenants that, among other things, require maintenance of certain financial ratios, as defined in the Credit
Agreement (see the Credit Agreement, as filed under Form 8-K dated April 13, 2018). These financial ratios include a
consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, a consolidated leverage ratio, and a U.S. Department of Education financial
responsibility ratio based upon a composite score of an equity ratio, a primary reserve ratio, and a net income ratio. Failure
to maintain any of these ratios or to comply with other covenants contained in the Credit Agreement would constitute an
46
Adtalem Global Education Inc. event of default and could result in termination of the Credit Agreement and require payment of all outstanding borrowings
and replacement of outstanding letters of credit. Adtalem was in compliance with the debt covenants as of June 30, 2020.
Results of Operations
The following table presents selected Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) data as a percentage of revenue for
each of the periods indicated.
Revenue
Cost of educational services
Student services and administrative expense
Restructuring expense
Gain on sale of assets
Settlement gains
Total operating cost and expense
Operating income
Net other income (expense)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
Equity method investment loss
Income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net (loss) income
Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
Net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020 vs. Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019
Revenue
Year Ended June 30,
2019
100.0 %
46.5 %
35.4 %
5.2 %
0.0 %
(2.6)%
84.6 %
15.4 %
(1.6)%
13.8 %
(3.2)%
0.0 %
10.5 %
(1.1)%
9.4 %
(0.0)%
9.4 %
2020
100.0 %
46.6 %
37.6 %
2.7 %
(0.5)%
0.0 %
86.5 %
13.5 %
9.0 %
22.5 %
0.6 %
0.0 %
23.1 %
(31.3)%
(8.2)%
0.0 %
(8.1)%
2018
100.0 %
48.1 %
34.1 %
0.4 %
0.0 %
0.0 %
82.6 %
17.4 %
(1.1)%
16.3 %
(9.2)%
(0.0)%
7.1 %
(3.5)%
3.6 %
(0.1)%
3.5 %
The following table presents revenue by segment detailing the changes from the prior year (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2019 as reported
Organic growth (decline)
Effect of acquisitions
Fiscal year 2020 as reported
Fiscal year 2020 % change:
Organic growth (decline)
Effect of acquisitions
Fiscal year 2020 % change as reported
Year Ended June 30, 2020
Medical and
Healthcare
$
$
$
849,861
16,567
—
866,428 $
Financial
Services
167,211
(10,827)
29,189
$
185,573 $
Home Office
and Other
Consolidated
$ 1,013,843
(3,229)
8,969
3,229
—
29,189
— $ 1,052,001
1.9 %
—
1.9 %
(6.5)%
17.5 %
11.0 %
NM
NM
NM
0.9 %
2.9 %
3.8 %
Total consolidated revenue for fiscal year 2020 of $1,052.0 million increased 3.8%, or $38.2 million, compared to the
prior year. Excluding the revenue added from OCL, which was acquired in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, revenue
grew 0.9%, or $9.0 million, in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year.
Medical and Healthcare
Revenue in the Medical and Healthcare segment increased 1.9%, or $16.6 million, to $866.4 million in fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior year. The increase in revenue in fiscal year 2020 is driven primarily by increasing student enrollment
47
2020 Form 10-K
at Chamberlain and increased housing revenue at RUSM from its Barbados campus. These increases were partially offset
by the estimated loss of approximately $13 million of clinical revenue at AUC and RUSM due to the COVID-19 related
suspensions of clinical programs at partner hospitals.
Chamberlain
Chamberlain Student Enrollment:
Session
New students
% change from prior year
Total students
% change from prior year
Session
New students
% change from prior year
Total students
% change from prior year
Fiscal Year 2020
July 2019 Sept. 2019 Nov. 2019
2,711
5,595
2,396
(5.0)%
2.9 %
3.6 %
Jan. 2020 Mar. 2020 May 2020
3,073
5,293
4,213
12.7 %
11.2 %
5.4 %
28,691
31,736
31,215
33,850
33,748
33,407
2.3 %
1.4 %
1.2 %
4.6 %
5.1 %
8.2 %
Fiscal Year 2019
July 2018 Sept. 2018 Nov. 2018 Jan. 2019 Mar. 2019 May 2019
3,997
2,523
4,759
2,726
5,435
2,617
1.0 %
9.5 %
(6.7)%
6.4 %
(3.7)%
2.6 %
28,037
31,295
30,833
32,354
32,104
30,867
4.6 %
4.1 %
3.7 %
3.3 %
3.4 %
1.8 %
Chamberlain revenue increased 5.0%, or $24.2 million, to $511.7 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior
year, driven by increases in total student enrollment during each fiscal year 2020 enrollment session as well as tuition
and fee price increases. Chamberlain admitted its largest class of campus students in September 2019.
Chamberlain currently operates 22 campuses in 15 states. Chamberlain’s newest campus in San Antonio, Texas,
began instruction in October 2019.
Tuition Rates:
Tuition for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (“BSN”) onsite degree program ranges from $675 to $720 per
credit hour ($675 per credit hour in fiscal year 2019). Tuition for the Registered Nurse to BSN (“RN-to-BSN”) online
degree program is $590 per credit hour. Tuition for the online Master of Science in Nursing (“MSN”) degree program
is $650 per credit hour. Tuition for the Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) degree program is $665 per credit hour.
Tuition for the online Doctor of Nursing Practice (“DNP”) degree program is $775 per credit hour ($750 per credit
hour in fiscal year 2019). Tuition for the Master of Public Health (“MPH”) degree program is $550 per credit hour.
Tuition for the online Master of Social Work (“MSW”) degree program, which began in September 2019, is $695
per credit hour. All of these tuition rates are unchanged from the prior year unless noted. These tuition rates do not
include the cost of books, supplies, transportation, or living expenses.
48
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Medical and Veterinary Schools
Medical and Veterinary Schools Student Enrollment:
Semester
New students
% change from prior year
Total students
% change from prior year
Semester
New students
% change from prior year
Total students
% change from prior year
Sept. 2019
872
(1.9)%
Fiscal Year 2020
Jan. 2020
486
3.2 %
May 2020
544
9.7 %
5,608
(4.7)%
5,643
5,186
1.7 %
(0.7)%
Sept. 2018
889
9.5 %
Fiscal Year 2019
Jan. 2019
471
(8.5)%
May 2019
496
(0.6)%
5,887
5,548
5,220
2.5 %
(6.6)%
(6.0)%
The medical and veterinary schools’ revenue decreased 2.1%, or $7.7 million, to $354.8 million in fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior year. The principal drivers of the decrease were declines in revenue driven by lower basic
science enrollment at RUSM, increased discounts and scholarships from listed tuition rates at AUC, and the lower
clinical weeks delivered at the medical schools, primarily the result of the COVID-19 related suspensions of clinical
education programs at partner hospitals. Partially offsetting this decrease was higher housing revenue at the new
Barbados campus of RUSM, higher revenue at RUSVM due to higher enrollment, and tuition price increases at each
institution.
In the May 2020 semester, total student enrollment increased at RUSVM and declined at AUC and RUSM. New
student enrollment increased at AUC and RUSVM and declined at RUSM. Management is executing its plan to
differentiate the medical and veterinary schools from the competition, with a core goal of increasing international
students, increasing RUSM affiliations with historically black colleges and universities (“HBCU”) and Hispanic-
serving institutions (“HSI”), expanding AUC’s medical education program based in the U.K. in partnership with the
University of Central Lancashire (“UCLAN”), and improving the effectiveness of marketing investments.
Management believes the demand for medical and veterinary education remains strong and can support
management’s longer-term expectations to grow new enrollments in the low-single digit range; however, heightened
competition may continue to adversely affect the medical and veterinary schools’ ability to continue to attract
qualified students to its programs resulting in lower tuition revenue.
In September 2019, AUC opened its medical education program in the U.K. in partnership with UCLAN. The
program offers students a postgraduate diploma in International Medical Sciences (“PGDip-IMS”) from UCLAN,
followed by their Doctor of Medicine degree from AUC. Students will then be eligible to do clinical rotations at
AUC’s clinical sites, which include hospitals in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada. This program is aimed at preparing
students for the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (“USMLE”).
In January 2019, RUSM moved its basic science instruction to a new location in Barbados. The academic facility
is located in Bridgetown and student housing is located close to the academic facility in the parish of Christ Church
and includes amenities, student services, and convenient transportation to campus.
Tuition Rates:
Effective for semesters beginning in September 2019, tuition rates for the beginning basic sciences and final
clinical rotation portions of AUC’s medical program are $23,240 and $26,000, respectively, per semester. These
tuition rates represent a 3.5% increase over the prior academic year.
49
2020 Form 10-K
Effective for semesters beginning in September 2019, tuition rates for the beginning basic sciences and Internal
Medicine Foundations/final clinical portion of the programs at RUSM are $24,170 and $26,676,
respectively, per semester. These tuition rates represent a 4.0% increase over the prior academic year.
For students who entered the RUSVM program in September 2018 or later, the tuition rate for the pre-clinical
(Semesters 1-7) and clinical curriculum (Semesters 8-10) is $20,873 per semester effective September 2019.
For students who entered RUSVM before September 2018, tuition rates for the pre-clinical and clinical
curriculum are $19,387 and $24,339, respectively, per semester effective September 2019. The tuition rates
effective September 2019 represent a 2.8% increase over the prior academic year.
The respective tuition rates for AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM do not include the cost of transportation, living
expenses, or health insurance.
Financial Services
Revenue in the Financial Services segment increased 11.0%, or $18.4 million, to $185.6 million in fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior year. Excluding the revenue of $29.2 million added with the acquisition of OCL, which occurred in
the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, and the decrease in revenue of $5.5 million attributable to the divestiture of Becker’s
courses for healthcare students, which was completed in August 2019, revenue declined 3.3%, or $5.3 million, in fiscal
year 2020 compared to the prior year. ACAMS conference related revenue in fiscal year 2020 declined approximately
$5.1 million compared to the prior year, driven by the estimated loss of approximately $7 million of revenue from COVID-
19 related cancelations of live conferences. Another contributing factor to the lower revenue was COVID-19 related
estimated losses of approximately $4 million at Becker driven by Prometric CPA testing site closures and CPA firms either
delaying start dates for, or rescinding altogether, offers of employment to recent college graduates. This dampened a key
driver of demand in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, which is normally a time of robust demand because of the influx
of new college graduates looking to begin their CPA exam preparation. The revenue decrease was partially offset by
growth in other ACAMS product sales. ACAMS memberships have increased to more than 81,000 as of June 30, 2020
compared to 75,000 as of June 30, 2019, driven by strong domestic growth as well as expansion in the Asia Pacific and
European regions.
Cost of Educational Services
The largest component of cost of educational services is the cost of faculty and staff who support educational operations.
This expense category also includes the costs of facilities, adjunct faculty, supplies, housing, bookstore, other educational
materials, student education-related support activities, and the provision for bad debts. The following table presents cost
of educational services by segment detailing the changes from the prior year (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2019 as reported
Cost increase (decrease)
Effect of acquisitions
Fiscal year 2020 as reported
Fiscal year 2020 % change:
Cost increase (decrease)
Effect of acquisitions
Fiscal year 2020 % change as reported
Medical and
Healthcare
Year Ended June 30, 2020
Financial
Services
Home Office
and Other
$
$
$
441,620
13,503
—
455,123 $
$
30,724
(5,512)
7,677
32,889 $
$
(562)
2,604
—
2,042 $
Consolidated
471,782
10,595
7,677
490,054
3.1 %
—
3.1 %
(17.9)%
25.0 %
7.0 %
NM
NM
NM
2.2 %
1.6 %
3.9 %
Cost of educational services increased 3.9%, or $18.3 million, to $490.1 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to the
prior year. Excluding the costs added with the acquisition of OCL, which occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019,
cost of educational services increased 2.2%, or $10.6 million, in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year. Cost increased
in the fiscal year 2020 due to increased housing costs of $6.5 million at RUSM’s Barbados campus and increased bad debt
expense of $6.3 million in fiscal year 2020, primarily related to the credit extension program at the medical and veterinary
50
Adtalem Global Education Inc. schools. Management evaluates the collectability of receivable balances on a quarterly basis and bad debt reserves
incorporate the most recent facts and analytics. During fiscal year 2020, management instituted changes in how the credit
extension portfolio is managed. Changes in collection efforts have resulted in greater insight as to the underlying
performance of the portfolio. These insights coupled with our most recent set of circumstances, facts and analytics, resulted
in management increasing the bad debt reserve. The cost increases were partially offset by lower operating expenses driven
by cost control initiatives across all institutions and lower costs associated with not delivering instruction and services due
to the COVID-19 related revenue losses as noted above.
As a percentage of revenue, cost of educational services remained nearly flat at 46.6% in fiscal year 2020 compared to
46.5% in the prior year.
Student Services and Administrative Expense
The student services and administrative expense category includes expenses related to sales, student admissions,
marketing and advertising, general and administrative, curriculum development, and amortization expense of finite-lived
intangible assets related to business acquisitions. The following table presents student services and administrative expense
by segment detailing the changes from the prior year (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2019 as reported
Cost increase (decrease)
Effect of acquisitions
Fiscal year 2020 as reported
Fiscal year 2020 % change:
Cost increase
Effect of acquisitions
Fiscal year 2020 % change as reported
Year Ended June 30, 2020
Medical and
Healthcare
$
$
$
227,023
16,537
—
243,560 $
Financial
Services
101,021
6,155
23,045
$
130,221 $
Home Office
and Other
$
31,298
(9,241)
—
22,057 $
Consolidated
359,342
13,451
23,045
395,838
7.3 %
—
7.3 %
6.1 %
22.8 %
28.9 %
NM
NM
NM
3.7 %
6.4 %
10.2 %
Student services and administrative expense increased 10.2%, or $36.5 million, to $395.8 million in fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior year. Excluding the costs added with the acquisition of OCL, which occurred in the fourth quarter
of fiscal year 2019, student services and administrative expense increased 3.7%, or $13.5 million, in fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior year. Cost increases to support future enrollment growth at Chamberlain, the medical and veterinary
schools, and ACAMS were the primary drivers of the increase in expense in fiscal year 2020. Amortization of finite-lived
intangible assets increased $3.3 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year, driven by OCL intangible asset
amortization. In the table above, approximately $18.4 million of the cost reduction in fiscal year 2020 at home office was
driven by reallocation of costs from Home Office and Other to the Medical and Healthcare and Financial Services
segments. This decrease was partially offset by an increase on home office costs not allocated to the business segments.
As a percentage of revenue, student services and administrative expense was 37.6% in fiscal year 2020 compared to
35.4% in the prior year. Amortization expense for OCL intangible assets and costs to support enrollment growth caused
the increase in this percentage.
Restructuring Expense
Restructuring expense in fiscal year 2020 was $28.6 million compared to $53.1 million in fiscal year 2019. The primary
driver of the decreased restructure expense was the result of the impairment of property and equipment at the Dominica
campus of RUSM and severance related to workforce reductions in Dominica recorded during fiscal year 2019. See Note
6 “Restructuring Charges” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data” for additional information on restructuring charges.
51
2020 Form 10-K Gain on Sale of Assets
On September 27, 2019, Adtalem closed on the sale of its Columbus, Ohio, campus facility. Net proceeds of $6.4 million
from the sale of this facility resulted in a gain on the sale of $4.8 million in fiscal year 2020. This gain was recorded at
Adtalem’s home office, which is classified as “Home Office and Other” in Note 21 “Segment Information” to the
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” There was no
corresponding gain in fiscal year 2019.
Settlement Gains
In December 2018, AUC and RUSM received the final insurance settlement proceeds related to the property damage
and disruption of operations caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in fiscal year 2018. AUC and RUSM have completed
substantially all planned repairs and replacement of damaged facilities and equipment. AUC and RUSM received total
insurance proceeds of $110.0 million to fully cover the cumulative expense incurred for the evacuation process, temporary
housing and transportation of students, faculty and staff, incremental costs of teaching at alternative sites, and cumulative
impairment write-downs. These costs totaled $106.7 million, less $12.3 million in deductibles, which were adjusted in the
second quarter of fiscal year 2019 from $13.4 million recorded in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The resulting gain
of $15.6 million was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019. There is no corresponding gain in fiscal year 2020.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, a lawsuit brought by shareholders against the Adtalem Board of Directors (the
“Board”) was settled in favor of the plaintiff. The settlement resulted in $16.0 million in proceeds to Adtalem, which was
paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 under Adtalem’s Directors and Officers liability insurance policy. Attorney
fees and costs to defend this lawsuit totaling $5.4 million were offset against the gain, resulting in a net gain of $10.6
million. There is no corresponding gain in fiscal year 2020.
Operating Income
The following table presents operating income by segment detailing the changes from the prior year (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2019 as reported
Organic change
Effect of acquisitions
Restructuring expense change
Gain on sale of assets change
Settlement gains
Fiscal year 2020 as reported
Medical and
Healthcare
Year Ended June 30, 2020
Financial
Services
Home Office
and Other
$
$
155,122
(13,473)
—
39,959
—
(15,571)
166,037
$
$
34,163
(11,470)
(1,533)
(3,538)
—
—
17,622
$
$
(33,455)
9,866
—
(11,982)
4,779
(10,607)
(41,399)
Consolidated
155,830
(15,077)
(1,533)
24,439
4,779
(26,178)
142,260
$
$
52
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income (GAAP) to operating income excluding special items
(non-GAAP) by segment (in thousands):
Medical and Healthcare:
Operating income (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Settlement gains
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Financial Services:
Operating income (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Home Office and Other:
Operating loss (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Gain on sale of assets
Settlement gains
Operating loss excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Adtalem Global Education:
Operating income (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Gain on sale of assets
Settlement gains
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Year Ended June 30,
2020
2019
Increase
(Decrease)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
166,037
1,707
—
167,744
17,622
4,842
22,464
(41,399)
22,079
(4,779)
—
(24,099)
142,260
28,628
(4,779)
—
166,109
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
155,122
41,666
(15,571)
181,217
34,163
1,304
35,467
(33,455)
10,097
—
(10,607)
(33,965)
155,830
53,067
—
(26,178)
182,719
7.0 %
(95.9)%
NM
(7.4)%
(48.4)%
271.3 %
(36.7)%
(23.7)%
118.7 %
NM
NM
29.0 %
(8.7)%
(46.1)%
NM
NM
(9.1)%
Total consolidated operating income decreased $13.6 million, to $142.3 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to the
prior year. The primary driver of the decreased operating income was the result of the $26.2 million settlement gains
recorded in fiscal year 2019. This decrease was partially offset by the decrease in restructuring expense of $24.4 million
driven by the impairment of property and equipment at the Dominica campus of RUSM and severance related to workforce
reductions in Dominica recorded during fiscal year 2019. Consolidated operating income excluding special items
decreased 9.1%, or $16.6 million, in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year. The primary drivers of this decrease were
an increase in bad debt expense of $6.3 million, primarily related to the credit extension programs at the medical and
veterinary schools and lower revenue at AUC and RUSM due to the COVID-19 related loss of clinical revenue. These
negative drivers of operating income were partially offset by increased revenue at Chamberlain and efforts to manage
salary, travel, and discretionary spending.
Medical and Healthcare
Medical and Healthcare segment operating income increased 7.0%, or $10.9 million, to $166.0 million in fiscal year
2020 compared to the prior year. Segment operating income excluding special items decreased 7.4%, or $13.5 million, in
fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year. The primary drivers of this decrease relate to increased marketing expense to
drive future enrollment growth, increased bad debt expense, primarily related to the credit extension programs at the
medical and veterinary schools, lower revenue at AUC and RUSM due to the estimated COVID-19 related loss of clinical
revenue, which contributed to approximately $10 million in lost operating income, and an increase of approximately $15.0
million in home office costs reallocated from Home Office and Other to the Medical and Healthcare segment in fiscal year
2020 compared to the prior year. These negative drivers of operating income were partially offset by increased revenue at
Chamberlain and efforts to manage salary, travel, and discretionary spending at all institutions.
Financial Services
Financial Services segment operating income decreased 48.4%, or $16.5 million, to $17.6 million in fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior year. Segment operating income excluding special items decreased 36.7%, or $13.0 million, in fiscal
53
2020 Form 10-K
year 2020 compared to the prior year. The primary drivers of this decrease were estimated lost ACAMS conference and
Becker operating income of approximately $4 million due to the COVID-19 revenue losses described above, increased
costs at ACAMS to support future growth and an operating loss generated by OCL. In addition, approximately $3.4 million
in home office costs were reallocated from Home Office and Other to the Financial Services segment in fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior year.
Net Other Income (Expense)
Net other income in fiscal year 2020 was $94.9 million compared to net other expense of $16.1 million in the prior year.
The net other income increase was the result of a pre-tax gain of $110.7 million on the deal-contingent foreign currency
hedge arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020 to economically
hedge the Brazilian Real denominated sales price through the mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk (as discussed
in Note 4 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). The derivative associated with the hedge did not qualify for hedge
accounting treatment under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, and as a result, all changes in fair value were
recorded within the income statement.
Benefit from (Provision for) Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rate (“ETR”) from continuing operations can differ from the 21% U.S. federal statutory rate
due to several factors, including the rate of tax applied to earnings outside the U.S., tax incentives, changes in valuation
allowances, liabilities for uncertain tax positions, and tax benefits on stock-based compensation awards. Additionally, our
ETR is impacted by the provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”), which include primarily a tax
on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), a deduction for foreign derived intangible income (“FDII”), and a
limitation of tax benefits on certain executive compensation. The impact of the Tax Act may be revised in future periods
as we obtain additional data and any new regulations or guidance that may be released.
The ETR from continuing operations in fiscal year 2020 was negative 2.7%, a decrease from positive 23.5% in fiscal
year 2019. This decrease is primarily due to not recording a tax provision on the pre-tax gain of $110.7 million on the
deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed
on April 24, 2020 to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated sales price through the mitigation of the currency
exchange rate risk (see Note 4 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for additional information). Also,
during fiscal year 2020, a net tax benefit special item of $25.7 million was recorded related to a former subsidiary
investment loss claimed for the tax year ended June 30, 2018. Excluding the one-time effects of the derivative contract
and the tax benefit on a former subsidiary investment loss in fiscal year 2020 (a non-GAAP financial measure), the ETR
from continuing operations in fiscal year 2020 and 2019 was 15.3% and 23.5%, respectively. This decrease in the fiscal
year 2020 rate was driven by an increase in the percentage of earnings from foreign operations compared to the prior year,
partially offset by an increased net charge associated with the impact of GILTI.
On March 27, 2020 the CARES Act was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among
other things, temporarily increases the amount of interest expense the company is allowed to deduct on its U.S. federal tax
returns for fiscal years 2019 and 2020, modifies the Tax Act to allow immediate expensing of qualified improvement
property for U.S. federal income tax purposes retroactive to fiscal year 2018, and allows net operating losses incurred in
fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back five-years and offset up to 100% of U.S. federal taxable income for
tax years beginning before fiscal year 2021. Management continues to evaluate the impact of the CARES Act, but at
present time does not expect that the provisions of the CARES Act would result in a material tax or cash benefit.
Discontinued Operations
Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, DeVry University operations were classified as discontinued
operations. Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, Carrington operations were classified as discontinued
operations. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, Adtalem Brazil operations were classified as discontinued
operations. The divestitures of Carrington and DeVry University operations were completed in the second quarter of fiscal
year 2019 and the divestiture of Adtalem Brazil operations was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020.
54
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Total loss from discontinued operations for the year ended June 30, 2020 was $329.3 million. This loss consisted of the
following: (i) a loss of $57.0 million driven by the operating results of Adtalem Brazil and ongoing litigation costs,
settlements, and other divestiture costs related to the DeVry University, Carrington, and Adtalem Brazil divestitures; (ii)
a loss on the sale of Adtalem Brazil of $287.6 million, which included a $293.4 million loss recognized from the
reclassification of the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive loss;
and (iii) a benefit from income taxes of $20.8 million associated with the items listed above.
Management no longer discloses other discussions of operating results of these entities as comparable results are no
longer meaningful.
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019 vs. Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018
Revenue
The following table presents revenue by segment detailing the changes from the prior year (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2018 as reported
Organic growth (decline)
Effect of acquisitions
Hurricane impact
Fiscal year 2019 as reported
Fiscal year 2019 % change:
Organic growth
Effect of acquisitions
Hurricane impact
Fiscal year 2019 % change as reported
Year Ended June 30, 2019
Medical and
Healthcare
$
$
815,674
29,620
—
4,567
849,861
Financial
Services
147,195
15,781
4,235
—
167,211
$
$
$
$
3.6 %
—
0.6 %
4.2 %
10.7 %
2.9 %
—
13.6 %
Home Office
and Other
(2,592)
(637)
—
—
(3,229)
NM
NM
NM
NM
$
Consolidated
960,277
44,764
4,235
4,567
$ 1,013,843
4.7 %
0.4 %
0.5 %
5.6 %
Total consolidated revenue for fiscal year 2019 of $1,013.8 million increased 5.6%, or $53.6 million, compared to fiscal
year 2018.
Medical and Healthcare
Revenue in the Medical and Healthcare segment increased 4.2%, or $34.2 million, to $849.9 million in fiscal year 2019
compared to fiscal year 2018. In addition to organic growth, the revenue increase in fiscal year 2019 was positively affected
by lower comparable revenue in fiscal year 2018 due to $4.6 million in lost revenue at AUC and RUSM (together the
medical schools) as a result of students withdrawing due to the hurricane disruptions. Revenue in fiscal year 2019 increased
at Chamberlain driven primarily by increasing student enrollment and increased at the medical and veterinary schools
primarily driven by increased housing revenue at RUSM and tuition price increases.
55
2020 Form 10-K Chamberlain
Chamberlain Student Enrollment:
Session
New students
% change from prior year
Total students
% change from prior year
Session
New students
% change from prior year
Total students
% change from prior year
Fiscal Year 2019
July 2018 Sept. 2018 Nov. 2018 Jan. 2019 Mar. 2019 May 2019
3,997
5,435
4,759
2,617
2,523
2,726
1.0 %
9.5 %
(6.7)%
6.4 %
(3.7)%
2.6 %
28,037
31,295
30,833
32,354
32,104
30,867
4.6 %
4.1 %
3.7 %
3.3 %
3.4 %
1.8 %
Fiscal Year 2018
July 2017 Sept. 2017 Nov. 2017 Jan. 2018 Mar. 2018 May 2018
3,896
4,472
4,962
2,806
2,830
(0.8)%
5.5 %
6.9 %
4.3 %
3.1 %
26,811
30,062
29,719
31,333
31,053
30,309
6.3 %
4.5 %
5.1 %
5.2 %
4.5 %
4.7 %
2,497
16.5 %
Chamberlain revenue increased 3.1%, or $14.6 million, to $487.4 million in fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal
year 2018, driven primarily by higher new and total enrollment in all tracks of the MSN program, the campus-based
BSN program, and the DNP program.
Tuition Rates (2019):
Tuition was $675 per credit hour for the BSN onsite program. Tuition for the RN-to-BSN online degree program
was $590 per credit hour. Tuition for the online MSN program was $650 per credit hour. Tuition for the FNP degree
program was $665 per credit hour. Tuition for the online DNP program was $750 per credit hour. Tuition for the
MPH degree program was $550 per credit hour. All of these tuition rates were unchanged from fiscal year 2018.
These tuition rates did not include the cost of books, supplies, transportation, or living expenses.
Medical and Veterinary Schools
Medical and Veterinary Schools Student Enrollment:
Semester
New students
% change from prior year
Total students
% change from prior year
Semester
New students
% change from prior year
Total students
% change from prior year
Sept. 2018
889
9.5 %
Fiscal Year 2019
Jan. 2019
471
(8.5)%
May 2019
496
(0.6)%
5,887
2.5 %
5,548
(6.6)%
5,220
(6.0)%
Sept. 2017
812
0.7 %
5,744
Fiscal Year 2018
Jan. 2018
515
11.5 %
5,938
May 2018
499
9.0 %
5,556
(6.9)%
1.3 %
1.2 %
The medical and veterinary schools' revenue increased 5.7%, or $19.6 million, to $362.4 million in fiscal year
2019 compared to fiscal year 2018. The principal drivers of the increase were higher housing revenue at the new
Barbados campus of RUSM and tuition price increases at the medical and veterinary schools. The revenue increase
for fiscal year 2019 was positively affected by lower comparable revenue in fiscal year 2018 due to $4.6 million in
lost revenue at the medical schools as a result of the students withdrawing due to the hurricane disruptions.
56
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
New and total student enrollment increases in the September 2018 term were positively influenced by lower
comparable enrollment in the September 2017 term due to the effects of the hurricanes at the medical schools. The
January 2019 new student enrollment decline at the medical schools was negatively influenced by a high number of
new students in the January 2018 term that had previously enrolled in September 2017, but did not start due to
hurricanes.
Tuition Rates (2019):
Effective for semesters beginning in September 2018, tuition rates for the beginning basic sciences and final
clinical rotation portions of AUC’s medical program were $22,454 and $25,120, respectively, per semester.
These tuition rates represented a 3.5% increase over the prior academic year.
Effective for semesters beginning in September 2018, tuition rates for the beginning basic sciences and Internal
Medicine Foundations/final clinical portion of the programs at RUSM were $23,240 and $25,650,
respectively, per semester. These tuition rates represented a 4.0% increase over the prior academic year.
For students beginning the RUSVM program in September 2018 or later, the tuition rate for the pre-clinical
(Semesters 1-7) and clinical curriculum (Semesters 8-10) were $20,304 per semester. For students who entered
RUSVM before September 2018, tuition rates for the pre-clinical curriculum were $18,859 and $23,676,
respectively, per semester. These tuition rates represented a 3.0% increase over the prior academic year.
The respective tuition rates for AUC, RUSM and RUSVM did not include the cost of transportation, living
expenses, or health insurance.
Financial Services
Revenue in the Financial Services segment increased 13.6%, or $20.0 million, to $167.2 million in fiscal year 2019
compared to fiscal year 2018. The increase was driven primarily by revenue growth at ACAMS and Becker. In addition,
the acquisition in February 2018 of a 69% ownership interest in EduPristine and the acquisition of 100% equity interests
of OCL in May 2019 contributed to the revenue growth in fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018.
Cost of Educational Services
The largest component of cost of educational services is the cost of faculty and staff who support educational operations.
This expense category also includes the costs of facilities, adjunct faculty, supplies, housing, bookstore, other educational
materials, student education-related support activities, and the provision for bad debts. The following table presents cost
of educational services by segment detailing the changes from the prior year (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2018 as reported
Cost increase (reduction)
Effect of acquisitions
Hurricane impact
Fiscal year 2019 as reported
Fiscal year 2019 % change:
Cost increase
Effect of acquisitions
Hurricane impact
Fiscal year 2019 % change as reported
Medical and
Healthcare
$
$
429,896
25,096
—
(13,372)
441,620
$
$
Year Ended June 30, 2019
Financial
Services
Home Office
and Other
26,136
2,921
1,667
—
30,724
$
$
5,525
(6,087)
—
—
(562)
Consolidated
461,557
21,930
1,667
(13,372)
471,782
$
$
5.8 %
—
(3.1)%
2.7 %
11.2 %
6.4 %
—
17.6 %
NM
NM
NM
NM
4.8 %
0.4 %
(2.9)%
2.2 %
Cost of educational services increased 2.2%, or $10.2 million, to $471.8 million in fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal
year 2018. Fiscal year 2018 expense included a $13.4 million charge representing the deductibles under insurance policies,
57
2020 Form 10-K
incurred for facility and equipment impairment write-offs and the evacuations of the medical school students, faculty, and
staff in the wakes of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Cost increases at the medical schools in fiscal year 2019, excluding the
insurance deductibles in fiscal year 2018, were partially driven by AUC and RUSM as operations returned to St. Maarten
and moved to Barbados, respectively, and operating costs returned to normal levels. Costs in fiscal year 2018 were reduced
as teaching operations were moved to an alternate site. In addition, expenses increased in fiscal year 2019 due to increased
housing costs at RUSM’s Barbados campus, increased investment in growth in the Medical and Healthcare and Financial
Services segments, and the acquisition in February 2018 of a 69% ownership interest in EduPristine and the acquisition of
OCL in May 2019. Partially offsetting the cost increases were cost reduction measures at Adtalem’s home office, which
were necessary with the divestitures of Carrington and DeVry University.
As a percentage of revenue, cost of educational services was 46.5% in fiscal year 2019 compared to 48.1% in fiscal
year 2018. The decrease in the percentage in fiscal year 2019 was primarily the result of the cost reduction efforts across
all institutions and the result of the negative effects on revenue and expense from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in fiscal year
2018.
Student Services and Administrative Expense
The student services and administrative expense category includes expenses related to sales, student admissions,
marketing and advertising, general and administrative, curriculum development, and amortization expense of finite-lived
intangible assets related to business acquisitions. The following table presents student services and administrative expense
by segment detailing the changes from the prior year (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2018 as reported
Cost increase (reduction)
Effect of acquisitions
Fiscal year 2019 as reported
Fiscal year 2019 % change:
Cost increase
Effect of acquisitions
Fiscal year 2019 % change as reported
Medical and
Healthcare
Year Ended June 30, 2019
Financial
Services
Home Office
and Other
$
$
$
195,304
31,719
—
227,023 $
$
93,007
3,780
4,234
101,021 $
$
39,396
(8,098)
—
31,298 $
Consolidated
327,707
27,401
4,234
359,342
16.2 %
—
16.2 %
4.1 %
4.6 %
8.6 %
NM
NM
NM
8.4 %
1.3 %
9.7 %
Student services and administrative expense increased 9.7%, or $31.6 million, to $359.3 million in fiscal year 2019
compared to fiscal year 2018. Cost increases to support enrollment growth at the medical and veterinary schools,
Chamberlain, and ACAMS were the main drivers of the increase in costs. This increase was partially offset by cost
reductions at Becker. Approximately $29.2 million of the increase in fiscal year 2019 was due to home office costs
reallocated to continuing operations from Carrington and DeVry University.
As a percentage of revenue, student services and administrative expense was 35.4% in fiscal year 2019 compared to
34.1% in fiscal year 2018. Costs to support enrollment growth and the reallocation of home office expense to continuing
operations noted above resulted in the increase in this percentage.
Restructuring Expense
Restructuring expense in fiscal year 2019 was $53.1 million compared to $3.9 million in fiscal year 2018. The primary
driver of the increased restructure expense was the result of the impairment of property and equipment at the Dominica
campus of RUSM and severance related to workforce reductions in Dominica recorded during fiscal year 2019.
Settlement Gains
In December 2018, AUC and RUSM received the final insurance settlement proceeds related to the property damage
and disruption of operations caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in fiscal year 2018. AUC and RUSM have completed
58
Adtalem Global Education Inc. all planned repairs and replacement of damaged facilities and equipment. AUC and RUSM received total insurance
proceeds of $110.0 million to fully cover the cumulative expense incurred for the evacuation process, temporary housing
and transportation of students, faculty and staff, incremental costs of teaching at alternative sites, and cumulative
impairment write-downs. These costs totaled $106.7 million, less $12.3 million in deductibles, which were adjusted in the
second quarter of fiscal year 2019 from $13.4 million recorded in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The resulting gain
of $15.6 million was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019. There is no corresponding gain in fiscal year 2018.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, a lawsuit brought by shareholders against the Board was settled in favor of the
plaintiff. The settlement resulted in $16.0 million in proceeds to Adtalem, which was paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal
year 2019 under Adtalem’s Directors and Officers liability insurance policy. Attorney fees and costs to defend this lawsuit
totaling $5.4 million were offset against the gain, resulting in a net gain of $10.6 million. There is no corresponding gain
in fiscal year 2018.
Operating Income
The following table presents operating income by segment detailing the changes from the prior year (in thousands):
Fiscal year 2018 as reported
Organic change
Effect of acquisitions
Hurricane impact
Restructuring expense change
Settlement gains
Fiscal year 2019 as reported
Medical and
Healthcare
Year Ended June 30, 2019
Financial
Services
Home Office
and Other
$
$
189,672
(27,197)
—
17,939
(40,863)
15,571
155,122
$
$
27,695
9,081
(1,666)
—
(947)
—
34,163
$
$
(50,205)
13,549
—
—
(7,406)
10,607
(33,455)
Consolidated
167,162
(4,567)
(1,666)
17,939
(49,216)
26,178
155,830
$
$
The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income (GAAP) to operating income excluding special items
(non-GAAP) by segment (in thousands):
Medical and Healthcare:
Operating income (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Settlement gains
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Financial Services:
Operating income (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Home Office and Other:
Operating loss (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Settlement gains
Operating loss excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Adtalem Global Education:
Operating income (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Settlement gains
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Year Ended June 30,
2019
2018
155,122
41,666
(15,571)
181,217
34,163
1,304
35,467
(33,455)
10,097
(10,607)
(33,965)
155,830
53,067
(26,178)
182,719
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
189,672
803
—
190,475
27,695
357
28,052
(50,205)
2,691
—
(47,514)
167,162
3,851
—
171,013
Increase
(Decrease)
(18.2)%
5,088.8 %
NM
(4.9)%
23.4 %
265.3 %
26.4 %
33.4 %
275.2 %
NM
28.5 %
(6.8)%
1,278.0 %
NM
6.8 %
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
59
2020 Form 10-K
Total consolidated operating income decreased 6.8%, or $11.3 million, to $155.8 million in fiscal year 2019 compared
to fiscal year 2018. The primary driver of the decreased operating income in fiscal year 2019 was the increase in
restructuring expense of $49.2 million driven by the impairment of property and equipment at the Dominica campus of
RUSM and severance related to workforce reductions in Dominica recorded during fiscal year 2019. This decrease was
partially offset by the $26.2 million in settlement gains recorded during fiscal year 2019. Consolidated operating income
excluding special items increased 6.8%, or $11.7 million, in fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018. The primary
driver of the increase in fiscal year 2019 was the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria of $17.9 million recorded in fiscal
year 2018, which negatively impacted operating income.
Medical and Healthcare
Medical and Healthcare segment operating income decreased 18.2%, or $34.6 million, to $155.1 million in fiscal year
2019 compared to fiscal year 2018. Segment operating income excluding special items decreased 4.9%, or $9.3 million,
to $181.2 million in fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018. The primary drivers of the decrease in operating income
in fiscal year 2019 related to cost increases to support future growth including $23.6 million in home office costs
reallocated to continuing operations and the return to a normal level of expense at AUC and RUSM as operations returned
to St. Maarten and moved to Barbados, respectively. This decrease was partially offset by fiscal year 2018 operating
income being negatively impacted $17.9 million in reduced revenue and additional costs incurred due to the impacts of
Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Financial Services
Financial Services segment operating income increased 23.4%, or $6.5 million, to $34.2 million in fiscal year 2019
compared to fiscal year 2018. Operating income increased at ACAMS driven by increases in revenue and at Becker through
increases in revenue and cost reduction efforts. These increases were partially offset by cost increases to support future
growth including $5.6 million in home office costs reallocated to continuing operations.
Net Other Expense
Net other expense in fiscal year 2019 was $16.1 million compared to $11.0 million in fiscal year 2018. The net other
expense increase was primarily the result of increased borrowings under Adtalem’s Credit Facility (as discussed in Note
13 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”).
Provision for Income Taxes
The ETR from continuing operations for fiscal year 2019 was 23.5%, a decrease from 56.4% for fiscal year 2018. Tax
expense in fiscal year 2018 included a special item of $103.9 million related to the Tax Act. Also during fiscal year 2018,
a net tax benefit special item of $48.9 million was recorded for Adtalem’s investment in Carrington. Excluding these
special items (a non-GAAP financial measure), the ETR from continuing operations for fiscal year 2019 and 2018, was
23.5% and 21.2%, respectively. This increase in the fiscal year 2019 rate primarily reflects higher additional expense from
provisions of the Tax Act that were effective beginning in fiscal year 2019 and a decrease in the percentage of earnings
from foreign operations, which are taxed at lower rates than domestic earnings. This increase was partially offset by a
lower U.S. tax rate resulting from the Tax Act. The provisions of the Tax Act impacting fiscal year 2019 include a tax on
GILTI, a limitation of certain executive compensation, and the repeal of the domestic production activity deduction. We
have elected to account for GILTI as a period cost. The ETR includes estimates of these new provisions.
Discontinued Operations
Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, DeVry University operations were classified as discontinued
operations. Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, Carrington operations were classified as discontinued
operations. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, Adtalem Brazil operations were classified as discontinued
operations. The divestitures of Carrington and DeVry University operations were completed in the second quarter of fiscal
year 2019 and the divestiture of Adtalem Brazil operations was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. As a
result, management no longer discloses operating results of these entities as comparable results are no longer meaningful.
60
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Regulatory Environment
Student Payments
Adtalem’s primary source of liquidity is the cash received from payments for student tuition, books, other educational
materials, and fees. These payments include funds originating as financial aid from various federal and state loan and grant
programs, student and family educational loans (“private loans”), employer educational reimbursements, scholarships, and
student and family financial resources. Adtalem continues to provide financing options for its students, including
Adtalem’s credit extension programs.
The following table, which excludes Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University revenue, summarizes
Adtalem’s revenue by fund source as a percentage of total revenue for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. Final data for fiscal
year 2020 is not yet available.
Funding source:
Federal assistance (Title IV) program funding (grants and loans)
Private loans
Student accounts, cash payments, private scholarships, employer and
military provided tuition assistance, and other
Total
Fiscal Year
2019
2018
59 %
2 %
59 %
2 %
39 %
100 %
39 %
100 %
The pattern of cash receipts during the year is seasonal. Adtalem’s cash collections on accounts receivable peak at the
start of each institution’s term. Accounts receivable reach their lowest level at the end of each institution’s term.
Financial Aid
Like other higher education institutions, Adtalem is highly dependent upon the timely receipt of federal financial aid
funds. All financial aid and assistance programs are subject to political and governmental budgetary considerations. In the
U.S., the Higher Education Act (“HEA”) guides the federal government’s support of postsecondary education. If there are
changes to financial aid programs that restrict student eligibility or reduce funding levels, Adtalem’s financial condition
and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for a discussion of student financial
aid related risks.
In addition, government-funded financial assistance programs are governed by extensive and complex regulations in
the U.S. Like any other educational institution, Adtalem’s administration of these programs is periodically reviewed by
various regulatory agencies and is subject to audit or investigation by other governmental authorities. Any violation could
be the basis for penalties or other disciplinary action, including initiation of a suspension, limitation, or termination
proceeding.
If the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) determines that we have failed to demonstrate either financial responsibility
or administrative capability in any pending program review, or otherwise determines that an institution has violated the
terms of its Program Participation Agreement (“PPA”), we could be subject to sanctions including: fines, penalties,
reimbursement for discharged loan obligations, a requirement to post a letter of credit and/or suspension or termination of
our eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs.
On October 13, 2016, DeVry University and ED reached a negotiated agreement (the “ED Settlement”) to settle the
claims asserted in a Notice of Intent to Limit from the Multi-Regional and Foreign School Participation Division of the
Federal Student Aid office of the Department of Education (“ED FSA”). Under the terms of the ED Settlement, among
other things, without admitting wrongdoing, DeVry University, agreed to certain compliance requirements regarding its
past and future advertising, that DeVry University’s participation in Title IV programs is subject to provisional certification
for five years and that DeVry University is required to post a letter of credit equal to the greater of 10% of DeVry
University’s annual Title IV disbursements or $68.4 million for a five-year period. The posted letter of credit continues to
be posted by Adtalem following the closing of the sale of DeVry University and reduces Adtalem’s borrowing capacity
61
2020 Form 10-K
dollar-for-dollar under its Credit Facility (as defined in Note 13 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item
8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”).
An ED regulation known as the “90/10 Rule” affects only proprietary postsecondary institutions, such as Chamberlain,
AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM. Under this regulation, an institution that derives more than 90% of its revenue on a cash basis
from Title IV student financial assistance programs in two consecutive fiscal years loses eligibility to participate in these
programs for at least two fiscal years. The following table details the percentage of revenue on a cash basis from federal
financial assistance programs (excluding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and military tuition assistance benefits)
for each of Adtalem’s Title IV-eligible institutions for fiscal years 2019 and 2018. Final data for fiscal year 2020 is not
yet available.
Chamberlain University
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Ross University School of Medicine
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Fiscal Year
2019
2018
62 %
75 %
83 %
83 %
62 %
74 %
81 %
82 %
In September 2016, Adtalem committed to voluntarily limit to 85% the amount of revenue that each of its Title IV-
eligible institutions derive from federal funding, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and military tuition
assistance benefits. As disclosed in the third-party review reports that have been made publicly available, Adtalem’s
institutions have met this lower threshold for each fiscal year since the commitment was made. Adtalem is committed to
implementing measures to promote responsible recruitment and enrollment, successful student outcomes, and informed
student choice. Management believes students deserve greater transparency to make informed choices about their
education. This commitment builds upon a solid foundation and brings Adtalem to a new self-imposed level of public
accountability and transparency.
A financial responsibility test is required for continued participation by an institution’s students in U.S. federal financial
assistance programs. For Adtalem’s participating institutions, this test is calculated at the consolidated Adtalem level. The
test is based upon a composite score of three ratios: an equity ratio that measures the institution’s capital resources; a
primary reserve ratio that measures an institution’s ability to fund its operations from current resources; and a net income
ratio that measures an institution’s ability to operate profitably. A minimum score of 1.5 is necessary to meet ED’s financial
standards. Institutions with scores of less than 1.5 but greater than or equal to 1.0 are considered financially responsible,
but require additional oversight. These schools are subject to heightened cash monitoring and other participation
requirements. An institution with a score of less than 1.0 is considered not financially responsible. However, a school with
a score of less than 1.0 may continue to participate in the Title IV programs under provisional certification. In addition,
this lower score typically requires that the school be subject to heightened cash monitoring requirements and post a letter
of credit (equal to a minimum of 10% of the Title IV aid it received in the institution's most recent fiscal year).
For the past several years, Adtalem’s composite score has exceeded the required minimum of 1.5. Changes to the manner
in which the composite score is calculated that are effective on July 1, 2020, will negatively affect future Adtalem scores;
however, management does not believe these changes by themselves will result in the score falling below 1.5. If Adtalem
becomes unable to meet requisite financial responsibility standards or otherwise demonstrate, within the regulations, its
ability to continue to provide educational services, then Adtalem could be subject to heightened cash monitoring or be
required to post a letter of credit to enable its students to continue to participate in federal financial assistance programs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Adtalem’s consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance of $500.5 million and $204.2 million as of June 30, 2020
and 2019, respectively, included cash and cash equivalents held at Adtalem’s international operations of $70.1 million and
$75.3 million as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is available to Adtalem for general company purposes.
Under the terms of Adtalem institutions’ participation in financial aid programs, certain cash received from state
governments and ED is maintained in restricted bank accounts. Adtalem receives these funds either after the financial aid
authorization and disbursement process for the benefit of the student is completed, or just prior to that authorization. Once
62
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
the authorization and disbursement process for a particular student is completed, the funds may be transferred to
unrestricted accounts and become available for Adtalem to use in operations. This process generally occurs during the
academic term for which such funds have been authorized. Cash in the amount of $0.6 million and $1.0 million was held
in restricted bank accounts as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Cash Flow Summary
Operating Activities
The following table provides a summary of cash flows from operating activities (in thousands):
Income from continuing operations
Non-cash items
Changes in assets and liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations
Year Ended June 30,
2020
2019
$ 106,869
$ 243,537
113,099
16,204
(34,514)
(110,176)
$ 149,565 $ 185,454
Cash provided by operating activities by continuing operations in fiscal year 2020 was $149.6 million compared to
$185.5 million in the prior year. Income from continuing operations increased by $136.7 million in fiscal year 2020
compared to the prior year.
The decrease in non-cash items of $96.9 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year was primarily driven by
the following:
A decrease of $37.2 million in depreciation and write-offs of property and equipment. This was primarily the result
of recording $39.1 million in impairment write-downs of property and equipment at RUSM’s Dominica campus in
fiscal year 2019.
An increase of $54.7 million in amortization and adjustments to operating lease assets which results from the
implementation of ASC 842 on July 1, 2019.
A decrease of $25.3 million in the deferred income tax provision related to the timing of deductions.
A decrease of $110.9 million in the realized and unrealized (gain) loss on investments and derivative contracts driven
by a $110.7 million pre-tax gain on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in the second
quarter of fiscal year 2020 to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated sales price of Adtalem Brazil
through mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk.
A decrease of $15.6 million in insurance settlement gain, which was recorded in fiscal year 2019 resulting from final
settlement of hurricane claims which were in excess of expense recorded for hurricane related costs.
An increase of $6.3 million in provision for bad debts due to increases in reserves for financing agreements balances.
An increase in realized gain on the sale of assets of $4.8 million from the sale of the Columbus, Ohio, campus facility.
Changes in assets and liabilities from June 30, 2019 reduced operating cash flow by $110.2 million, driven by the
following:
A $12.8 million decrease resulting from an increase in accounts receivable balances (excluding provisions for bad
debts) at the medical and veterinary schools which are higher at June 30, 2020 compared to June 30, 2019 due to an
increase in credit extension program balances and higher active student balances.
A $53.7 million decrease in operating lease liabilities which results from the payments under operating lease
liabilities recorded upon the implementation of ASC 842 on July 1, 2019.
A $39.3 million decrease resulting from a change in prepaid expense and other current assets, accounts payable,
accrued payroll and benefits, accrued liabilities, and other assets and liabilities balances driven primarily by a
decrease of $25.7 million for a remeasurement of an uncertain tax provision liability. The remainder of the decrease
relates to the timing of disbursements in the normal processing cycles.
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2020 Form 10-K
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures in fiscal year 2020 were $44.1 million compared to $57.6 million in the prior year. The capital
expenditures in fiscal year 2020 include spending for Chamberlain new campus development, maintenance, and Adtalem’s
home office reorganization.
Capital spending for fiscal year 2021 will support continued investment for new campus development at Chamberlain
and maintenance at the medical and veterinary schools. Management anticipates fiscal year 2021 capital spending to be in
the $45 to $55 million range. The source of funds for this capital spending will be from operations or the Credit Facility
(as defined and discussed in Note 13 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data”).
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, AUC and RUSM received the final insurance proceeds in settlement of claims
made related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The total proceeds received from insurance settlements were in excess of
expense recorded for hurricane-related evacuation processes, temporary housing, and transportation of students, faculty
and staff, and incremental costs of teaching at alternative sites, less deductibles. The resulting excess proceeds of $35.7
million were applied against asset damages and capital repairs and replacement in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019,
which requires classification of the gain as an investing activity.
On September 27, 2019, Adtalem closed on the sale of its Columbus, Ohio, campus facility. Net proceeds of $6.4 million
from the sale of this facility resulted in a gain on the sale of $4.8 million in fiscal year 2020. This gain was recorded at
Adtalem’s home office, which is classified as “Home Office and Other” in Note 21 “Segment Information” to the
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
On April 24, 2020, Adtalem completed the sale of Adtalem Brazil to Estácio Participações S.A. (“Estácio”) and
Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estaćio de Sá Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of Estácio (“Purchaser”), pursuant to the
Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 18, 2019. Adtalem received $345.9 million in sale proceeds and $56.0 million
of Adtalem Brazil cash, for a combined $401.9 million upon the sale. Adtalem Brazil cash balance on the sale date was
$88.4 million, resulting in $313.5 million of cash proceeds, net of this cash transferred. In addition, Adtalem received
$110.7 million from the settlement of the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement to economically hedge the
Brazilian Real denominated sales price through the mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk.
On May 31, 2019, Adtalem completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of OCL for $118.3 million, net of
cash of $1.2 million. Adtalem paid $118.4 million for this purchase during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, and
funded the purchase with available domestic cash balances and $100 million in borrowings under Adtalem’s revolving
credit facility. Adtalem received $0.1 million related to a net working capital adjustment during the second quarter of fiscal
year 2020.
On February 5, 2018, Adtalem completed the acquisition of a majority interest in EduPristine. Under the terms of the
agreement, Adtalem agreed to pay approximately $3.2 million in cash, in exchange for stock of EduPristine, increasing
Adtalem’s ownership share from 36% to 64%. This ownership percentage has increased to 71% after subsequent additional
equity investments.
In May 2018, Adtalem invested $5.0 million for a 3.68% equity interest (on a fully-diluted basis) in Singularity
University (“SU”). SU teaches corporate leaders about the exponential technologies reshaping modern business. Adtalem
recorded this as an investment at its cost basis.
On December 11, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of the equity interest of DeVry University to Cogswell Education,
LLC (“Cogswell”) under the terms of the purchase agreement dated December 4, 2017. The equity interests were sold for
de minimis consideration and required a transfer of $40.2 million of cash and restricted cash balances in fiscal year 2019.
In connection with the completion of the sale, Adtalem loaned $10.0 million to DeVry University under the terms of the
promissory note, dated December 11, 2018 (the “Note”). The Note bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable
annually in arrears, and has a maturity date of January 1, 2022.
On December 4, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of its ownership of all the outstanding equity interests in U.S.
Education Holdings LLC, the holding company of Carrington, to San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. (“SJVC”), pursuant to
64
Adtalem Global Education Inc. terms and conditions of the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “MIPA”), dated June 28, 2018. The equity
interests were sold for de minimis consideration and required a transfer of $9.9 million of cash and restricted cash balances
in fiscal year 2019.
Financing Activities
The following table provides a summary of cash flows from financing activities (in thousands):
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Repurchase of common stock for treasury
Net (payments) borrowings under credit facility
Payment for purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest of subsidiary
Other
Net cash used in financing activities-continuing operations
Year Ended June 30,
2020
3,761
(136,889)
(113,000)
(6,247)
(268)
(252,643)
$
$
2019
16,994
(252,852)
107,000
—
(6,380)
(135,238)
$
$
On February 4, 2020, we announced that the Board authorized Adtalem’s twelfth share repurchase program, which
allows Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. The new program will
commence when the repurchases from the current program are complete. As of June 30, 2020, $345.2 million of authorized
share repurchases were remaining under the current and twelfth share repurchase programs. See Note 15 “Share
Repurchases” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for
additional information on our share repurchase programs. Repurchases were suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the
economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The timing and amount of any future repurchases will be
determined based on an evaluation of market conditions and other factors.
As of June 30, 2020, the amount of debt outstanding under our credit facility was $294.0 million. See Note 13 “Debt”
to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional
information on our credit agreement.
Management currently projects that COVID-19 will have an effect on operations and, as a result, liquidity, as discussed
in the previous section of this MD&A titled “COVID-19”; however, we believe the current balances of cash, cash generated
from operations, and our Credit Facility (as defined and discussed in Note 13 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”) will be sufficient to fund both Adtalem’s current
domestic and international operations and growth plans for the foreseeable future, unless significant investment
opportunities should arise.
Contractual Obligations
Adtalem’s long-term contractual obligations consist of its $600 million Credit Facility (as defined and discussed in Note
13 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”), operating
leases (discussed in Note 11 “Leases” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data”) on facilities, and agreements for various services.
In fiscal year 2018, Adtalem recorded a liability of $96.3 million for the one-time transition tax on the deemed
repatriation of foreign earnings, pursuant to the Tax Act. This amount was reduced to $8.7 million after utilization of tax
credits and current and prior year tax losses. In fiscal year 2020, Adtalem recorded an adjustment to the one-time transition
tax, increasing the liability by $0.6 million to $9.4 million, and is payable over eight years. The first installment will be
required in fiscal year 2022.
On December 11, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of DeVry University to Cogswell. In connection with the closing
of the sale, Adtalem loaned to DeVry University $10.0 million under the terms of the promissory note, dated as of
December 11, 2018. The Note bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable annually in arrears and has a maturity date
of January 1, 2022. DeVry University may make prepayments on the Note.
65
2020 Form 10-K
On July 31, 2019, Adtalem sold its Chicago, Illinois, campus facility to DePaul College Prep Foundation (“DePaul
College Prep”) for $52.0 million. Adtalem received $5.2 million of cash at the time of closing and holds a mortgage,
secured by the property, from DePaul College Prep for $46.8 million. The mortgage is due on July 31, 2024 as a balloon
payment and bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable monthly. The buyer has an option to make prepayments.
Adtalem is leasing space to DeVry University at four facilities owned by Adtalem and subleasing space, in full or in
part, at an additional 22 facilities, of which 14 are subleased to DeVry University and/or Carrington. Adtalem remains the
primary lessee on the 22 underlying leases. These lease and sublease agreements were entered into at comparable market
rates and the terms range from one to five years. Future minimum lease and sublease rental income under these agreements
as of June 30, 2020, were as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total lease and sublease rental income
Amount
19,856
16,816
16,078
10,261
5,121
2,038
70,170
$
$
Adtalem also assigned certain leases to Carrington and DeVry University but remains contingently liable under these
leases.
Our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
Due In
Less Than
1 Year
$ 3,000
After
1-3 Years 4-5 Years 5 Years
All
$
9,308
43,682
6,000
18,331
Total
$ 294,000
Other
Long-term debt
—
Interest on long-term debt (1)
—
Operating leases
—
Employment agreements
—
Deemed repatriation tax payable
—
Uncertain tax positions
— 12,973
Total
$ 12,973
(1) Interest payment obligations on our long-term debt are estimated by assuming the interest rates in effect as of June 30,
2020 under our Credit Facility will remain constant in the future and the principal amounts outstanding will be repaid at
the dates represented in the long-term debt disclosure within this table and discussed in Note 13 “Debt” to the Consolidated
Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Actual future interest payments will vary
from this estimated disclosure based on changes in interest rates and amounts borrowed.
$ 285,000
16,043
54,305
—
4,557
—
$ 359,905
— $
—
39,049
—
3,254
107,321
66
1,555
—
$ 133,273
263,406
432
9,366
12,973
$ 623,859
62,731
366
—
—
$ 75,405
$ 42,303
$
Contingencies
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Note 20 “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Adtalem is not a party to any off-balance sheet financing or contingent payment arrangements, nor are there any
unconsolidated subsidiaries. Adtalem has not extended any loans to any officer, director, or other affiliated person.
Adtalem has not entered into any synthetic leases, and there are no residual purchase or value commitments related to any
facility lease.
Adtalem recorded a pre-tax gain of $110.7 million in fiscal year 2020 on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge
arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020 to economically
66
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
hedge the Brazilian Real sales price through the mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk. The hedge agreement had
a total notional amount of R$2,154 million. The derivative associated with the hedge agreement did not qualify for hedge
accounting treatment under ASC 815, and as a result, all changes in fair value were recorded within the income statement.
Adtalem received $110.7 million from the settlement of this hedge arrangement in conjunction with the close of the sale
of Adtalem Brazil during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020.
On March 24, 2020, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a
multinational financial institution to mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rate on our Term B Loan debt. We
pay interest at a fixed rate of 0.946% and receive variable interest of one-month LIBOR (subject to a minimum of 0.00%),
on a notional amount equal to the amount outstanding under the Term B Loan. The effective date of the Swap is March
31, 2020 and settlements with the counterparty will occur on a monthly basis. The Swap will terminate on February 28,
2025. During the operating term of the Swap, the annual interest rate on the amount of the Term B Loan will be fixed at
3.946% (including the impact of our current 3% interest rate margin on LIBOR loans) for the applicable interest rate
period. The Swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and as such, changes in its fair value are recognized in accumulated
other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are reclassified into the Consolidated Statements of
Income (Loss) within interest expense in the periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. As of June 30, 2020,
the fair value of the Swap was a loss of $10.4 million.
Adtalem did not enter into any other derivatives, swaps, futures contracts, calls, hedges, or non-exchange traded
contracts during fiscal year 2020.
Critical Accounting Policies
In the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” we
describe the significant account policies used in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data” and should be read in conjunction with the discussion below.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers (students and
members), in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
Performance Obligations and Revenue Recognition
Customer contracts generally have separately stated prices for each performance obligation contained in the contract.
Therefore, each performance obligation generally has its own standalone selling price. For higher education students,
arrangements for payment are agreed to prior to registration of the student’s first academic term. The majority of U.S.
students obtain Title IV or other financial aid resulting in institutions receiving a significant amount of the transaction
price at the beginning of the academic term. Students utilizing private funding or funding through Adtalem’s credit
extension programs (see Note 9 “Financing Receivables” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information) generally pay after the academic term is complete. For
non-higher education customers, payment is typically due and collected at the time a customer places an order.
Transaction Price
Revenue, or transaction price, is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for
transferring goods or services.
For higher education, students may receive discounts, scholarships or refunds, which gives rise to variable
consideration. The amounts of discounts or scholarships are applied to individual student accounts when such amounts are
awarded. Therefore, the transaction price is reduced directly by these discounts or scholarships from the amount of the
standard tuition rate charged. Upon withdrawal, a student may be eligible to receive a refund, or partial refund, the amount
of which is dependent on the timing of the withdrawal during the academic term. If a student withdraws prior to completing
an academic term, federal and state regulations and accreditation criteria permit Adtalem to retain only a set percentage of
the total tuition received from such student, which varies with, but generally equals or exceeds, the percentage of the
academic term completed by such student. Payment amounts received by Adtalem in excess of such set percentages of
67
2020 Form 10-K tuition are refunded to the student or the appropriate funding source. For contracts with similar characteristics and historical
data on refunds, the expected value method is applied in determining the variable consideration related to refunds.
Estimates of Adtalem’s expected refunds are determined at the outset of each academic term, based upon actual refunds
in previous academic terms. Reserves related to refunds are presented as refund liabilities within accrued liabilities on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. All refunds are netted against revenue during the applicable academic term.
Management reassesses collectability throughout the period revenue is recognized by the Adtalem institutions, on a
student-by-student basis. This reassessment is based upon new information and changes in facts and circumstances relevant
to a student’s ability to pay. Management also reassesses collectability when a student withdraws from the institution and
has unpaid tuition charges. Such unpaid charges do not meet the threshold of reasonably collectible and are recognized as
revenue on a cash basis.
For test preparation and other Financial Services products, the transaction price is equal to the amount charged to the
customer, which is the standard rate, less any discounts and an estimate for returns or refunds.
We believe it is probable that no significant reversal will occur in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized when
the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Therefore, the estimate of variable
consideration is not constrained.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is no longer recoverable based upon the undiscounted
future cash flows of the asset, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair
value of the asset. Events that may trigger an impairment analysis could include a decision by management to exit a market
or a line of business or to consolidate operating locations. For a discussion of long-lived asset impairments, see Note 10
“Property and Equipment, Net” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data.”
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually and when an event
occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist. Our annual testing date
is May 31.
Adtalem first assesses goodwill for impairment qualitatively (Step 0) for each reporting unit that contains goodwill.
Management analyzes factors that include results of operations and business conditions, significant changes in cash flows
at the reporting unit level, as well as how much previously calculated fair values exceed carrying values to determine if it
is more likely than not that the reporting units have been impaired. If there is reason to believe the carrying value of a
reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then management performs a quantitative (Step1) impairment review. Adtalem uses
a discounted cash flow model to compute fair value. The estimated fair values of the reporting units are based on
management’s projection of revenue, gross margin, operating costs, and cash flows considering planned business and
operational strategies over a long-term planning horizon of five years. These reporting units constitute components for
which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management and the Board. If the
carrying amount of a reporting unit containing the goodwill exceeds the fair value of that reporting unit, an impairment
loss is recognized to the extent the fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is less than the carrying amount of the goodwill,
up to the amount of goodwill recorded.
For indefinite-lived intangible assets, management first analyzes qualitative factors, including results of operations and
business conditions of each reporting unit that contain indefinite-lived intangible assets, significant changes in cash flows
at the individual indefinite-lived intangible asset level, if applicable, as well as how much previously calculated fair values
exceed carrying values to determine if it is more likely than not that the intangible assets associated with these reporting
units have been impaired. If there is reason to believe the carrying value of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, then
management performs a quantitative impairment review. In calculating fair value, Adtalem uses various valuation
techniques including a royalty rate model for trade names and intellectual property and a discounted cash flow model for
68
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Title IV eligibility and accreditation. The estimated fair values of these indefinite-lived intangible assets are based on
management’s projection of revenue, gross margin, operating costs, and cash flows considering planned business and
operational strategies over a long-term planning horizon of five years. The assumed royalty rates and the growth rates used
to project cash flows and operating results are based upon historical results and analysis of the economic environment in
which the reporting units that record indefinite-lived intangible assets operate. The valuations employ present value
techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors. Management believes the assumptions used for the
impairment testing are consistent with those that would be utilized by a market participant in performing similar valuations
of its indefinite-lived intangible assets. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in
an amount equal to that excess.
For intangible assets with finite lives, we evaluate for potential impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is no longer recoverable
based upon the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the
carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their expected
economic lives, ranging from 5 to 10 years.
Amortization of all intangible assets and certain goodwill is being deducted for tax reporting purposes over statutory
lives.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an intangible asset involves the use of significant estimates and
assumptions. Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable at the time, but such
assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ from those estimates, which could lead to future
impairments of goodwill or intangible assets. See Note 12 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information on our goodwill and
intangible assets impairment analysis.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. Adtalem accounts
for stock-based compensation granted to retirement eligible employees that fully vests upon an employee’s retirement
under the non-substantive vesting period approach. Under this approach, the entire stock-based compensation expense is
recognized at the grant date for stock-based grants issued to retirement eligible employees. For non-retirement eligible
employees, stock-based compensation expense is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period. We
account for forfeitures of outstanding but unvested grants in the period they occur.
The fair value of share-based awards, including those with performance conditions, are measured as of the grant date.
The fair value of Adtalem’s stock option awards was estimated using a binomial model. This model uses historical
cancellation and exercise experience of Adtalem to determine the option value. It also takes into account the illiquid nature
of employee options during the vesting period. Share-based compensation expense is amortized for the estimated number
of shares expected to vest. The estimated number of shares that will vest is based on management’s determination of the
probable outcome of the performance conditions, which may require considerable judgment. Adtalem records a cumulative
adjustment to share-based compensation expense in periods when the estimate of the number of shares expected to vest
changes. Expense is recognized to reflect the actual vested shares following the resolution of the performance conditions.
Restructuring Charges
Adtalem’s financial statements include charges related to severance and related benefits for workforce reductions. These
charges also include impairments on operating lease assets and losses on disposals of property and equipment related to
campus and administrative office consolidations (see Note 6 “Restructuring Charges” to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). When estimating the costs of exiting lease space,
estimates are made which could differ materially from actual results and result in additional restructuring charges or
reversals in future periods.
69
2020 Form 10-K Income Taxes
Adtalem accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Adtalem also recognizes future tax benefits
associated with tax loss and credit carryforwards as deferred tax assets. Adtalem’s deferred tax assets are reduced by a
valuation allowance, when in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. Adtalem measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the
year in which Adtalem expects to recover or settle the temporary differences. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred
taxes is recognized in the period that the change is enacted. Adtalem reduces its net tax assets for the estimated additional
tax and interest that may result from tax authorities disputing uncertain tax positions Adtalem has taken.
Estimates and Assumptions
Adtalem’s financial statements include estimates and assumptions about the reported amounts of assets, liabilities,
revenue, and expenses whose exact amounts will not be known until future periods. Management has discussed with the
Audit and Finance Committee of the Board the critical accounting policies discussed above and the significant estimates
included in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Although
management believes its assumptions and estimates are reasonable, actual amounts may differ from the estimates included
in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” thereby materially
affecting results in the future.
Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” reflect the
following significant estimates and assumptions:
The estimates and judgments used to record the provision for uncollectible accounts receivable. Adtalem believes
that it has appropriately considered known or expected outcomes of its students’ ability to pay their outstanding
amounts due to Adtalem;
The useful lives of equipment and facilities whose value is a significant portion of Adtalem’s total assets;
The value and useful lives of acquired finite-lived intangible assets;
The value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets;
The pattern of the amortization of finite-lived intangible assets over their economic life;
The value of deferred tax assets and evaluation of uncertainties under authoritative guidance; and
Costs associated with any settlement of claims and lawsuits, in excess of insurance policy coverage limits, in
which Adtalem is a defendant.
The methodology management used to derive each of the above estimates for fiscal year 2020 is consistent with the
manner in which such estimates were made in prior years, although management regularly analyzes the parameters used
in setting the value of these estimates and may change those parameters as conditions warrant. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to
the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations
We believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with useful supplemental information
regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Adtalem’s ongoing operations and is useful for period-over-
period comparisons. We use these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally in our assessment of
performance and budgeting process. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a
substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following are
non-GAAP financial measures used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
70
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Net income from continuing operations attributable to Adtalem excluding special items (most comparable GAAP
measure: net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem) – Measure of Adtalem’s net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem
adjusted for restructuring expense, gain on sale of assets, settlement gains, gain on derivative, tax charges related to
implementation of the Tax Act and the divestiture of DeVry University, a net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment
loss, and loss from discontinued operations.
Earnings per share from continuing operations excluding special items (most comparable GAAP measure: (loss)
earnings per share) – Measure of Adtalem’s diluted (loss) earnings per share adjusted for restructuring expense, gain on
sale of assets, settlement gains, gain on derivative, tax charges related to implementation of the Tax Act and the divestiture
of DeVry University, a net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment loss, and loss from discontinued operations.
Operating income excluding special items (most comparable GAAP measure: operating income) – Measure of
Adtalem’s operating income adjusted for restructuring expense, gain on sale of assets, and settlement gains. This measure
is applied on a consolidated and segment basis, depending on the context of the discussion.
Effective income tax rate from continuing operations excluding special items (most comparable GAAP measure:
effective income tax rate from continuing operations) – Measure of Adtalem’s effective tax rate adjusted for tax effect on
gain on derivative, tax charges related to implementation of the Tax Act, and a net tax benefit for the loss on Adtalem’s
investment in Carrington.
A description of special items in our non-GAAP financial measures described above are as follows:
Restructuring charges primarily related to the sale of Becker’s courses for healthcare students, Adtalem’s home
office and ACAMS real estate consolidations, workforce reductions across the organization, and the closing of the
RUSM campus in Dominica.
Gain on the sale of Adtalem’s Columbus, Ohio, campus facility.
Settlement gains related to the final insurance settlement related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria at AUC and RUSM
and a lawsuit settlement against the Adtalem Board of Directors.
Gain on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of
Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020 to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated purchase
price through mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk.
Tax charges related to the implementation of the Tax Act and the divestiture of DeVry University.
A net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment loss.
Loss from discontinued operations include the operations of Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University.
The following tables provide a reconciliation from the most directly comparable GAAP measure to these non-GAAP
financial measures. The operating income reconciliation is included in the results of operations section within this MD&A.
71
2020 Form 10-K Net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem reconciliation to net income from continuing operations attributable
to Adtalem excluding special items (in thousands):
Year Ended June 30,
2019
95,168
53,067
—
2018
33,769
3,851
—
—
—
2020
(85,334)
28,628
(4,779)
—
(110,723)
$
$
Net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem (GAAP)
Restructuring expense
Gain on sale of assets
Settlement gains
Gain on derivative
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and tax charges related to the
divestiture of DeVry University
Net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment loss
Income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments (1)
Loss from discontinued operations
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Adtalem
excluding special items (non-GAAP)
(1) Represents the income tax impact of non-GAAP continuing operations adjustments that is recognized in our GAAP
103,878
(48,903)
(986)
34,660
(2,230)
(25,688)
(5,648)
(1,560)
12,079
3,584
—
136,160 $
123,541 $
(26,178)
329,315
126,269
—
$
$
financial statements.
(Loss) earnings per share reconciliation to earnings per share from continuing operations excluding special items
(shares in thousands):
(Loss) earnings per share, diluted (GAAP)
Effect on diluted earnings per share:
Restructuring expense
Gain on sale of assets
Settlement gains
Gain on derivative
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and tax charges related to the
divestiture of DeVry University
Net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment loss
Income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments (1)
Loss from discontinued operations
2020
Year Ended June 30,
2019
2018
$
(1.58)
$
1.60
$
0.53
(0.09)
-
(2.05)
(0.04)
(0.47)
(0.10)
6.09
0.89
-
(0.44)
-
0.06
-
(0.03)
0.20
0.54
0.06
-
-
-
1.67
(0.79)
(0.02)
0.56
Earnings per share from continuing operations excluding special
items, diluted (non-GAAP)
Diluted shares used in EPS calculation
(1) Represents the income tax impact of non-GAAP continuing operations adjustments that is recognized in our GAAP
2.03
62,280
2.29
59,330
2.28
54,094
$
$
$
financial statements.
72
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Effective income tax rate from continuing operations reconciliation to effective income tax rate from continuing
operations excluding special items (in thousands):
Pre-tax results:
Income from continuing operations before income taxes (GAAP)
Gain on derivative
Income from continuing operations before income taxes excluding special
items (non-GAAP)
Taxes:
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes (GAAP)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment loss
Provision for income taxes excluding special items (non-GAAP)
Year Ended June 30,
2019
2020
2018
$ 237,179
(110,723)
$ 139,747
—
$ 156,179
—
$ 126,456
$ 139,747
$ 156,179
$
6,358
—
(25,688)
$ (19,330)
$ (32,878)
—
—
$ (32,878)
$ (88,107)
103,878
(48,903)
$ (33,132)
Tax rate:
Effective income tax rate (GAAP)
Effective income tax rate excluding special items (non-GAAP)
56.4 %
21.2 %
The calculation of the effective income tax rate from continuing operations excluding special items in this MD&A does
not include all of the same special items used in our calculation of net income from continuing operations excluding special
items because we do not include all the special item adjustments from our GAAP results in discussing our effective tax
rates in this MD&A discussion.
(2.7)%
15.3 %
23.5 %
23.5 %
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Adtalem is not dependent upon the price levels, nor affected by fluctuations in pricing, of any particular commodity or
group of commodities. However, more than 50% of Adtalem’s costs are in the form of wages and benefits. Changes in
employment market conditions or escalations in employee benefit costs could cause Adtalem to experience cost increases
at levels beyond what it has historically experienced.
The financial position and results of operations of AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM Caribbean operations are measured using
the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. Substantially all of their financial transactions are denominated in the U.S. dollar.
The interest rate on Adtalem’s Credit Facility is based upon LIBOR or a LIBOR-equivalent rate for Eurocurrency rate
loans or a base rate for periods typically ranging from one to three months. As of June 30, 2020, Adtalem had $294.0
million in outstanding borrowings under the Term B Loan with an interest rate of 3.18%. Based upon borrowings of $294.0
million, a 100 basis point increase in short-term interest rates would result in $2.9 million of additional annual interest
expense.
Adtalem’s cash is held in accounts at various large, financially secure depository institutions. Although the amount on
deposit at a given institution typically will exceed amounts subject to guarantee, Adtalem has not experienced any deposit
losses to date, nor does management expect to incur such losses in the future.
Adtalem recorded a pre-tax gain of $110.7 million in fiscal year 2020 on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge
arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020 to economically
hedge the Brazilian Real sales price through the mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk. The hedge agreement had
a total notional amount of R$2,154 million. The derivative associated with the hedge agreement did not qualify for hedge
accounting treatment under ASC 815, and as a result, all changes in fair value were recorded within the income statement.
Adtalem received $110.7 million from the settlement of this hedge arrangement in conjunction with the close of the sale
of Adtalem Brazil during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020.
73
2020 Form 10-K
On March 24, 2020, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a
multinational financial institution to mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rate on our Term B Loan debt. We
pay interest at a fixed rate of 0.946% and receive variable interest of one-month LIBOR (subject to a minimum of 0.00%),
on a notional amount equal to the amount outstanding under the Term B Loan. The effective date of the Swap is March
31, 2020 and settlements with the counterparty will occur on a monthly basis. The Swap will terminate on February 28,
2025. During the operating term of the Swap, the annual interest rate on the amount of the Term B Loan will be fixed at
3.946% (including the impact of our current 3% interest rate margin on LIBOR loans) for the applicable interest rate
period. The Swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and as such, changes in its fair value are recognized in accumulated
other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are reclassified into the Consolidated Statements of
Income (Loss) within interest expense in the periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. As of June 30, 2020,
the fair value of the Swap was a loss of $10.4 million. As of June 30, 2020, a 100 basis point increase in short-term interest
rates would result in a $13.5 million change in the value of the Swap.
Interest on the Term B Loan and the Revolver is set based on LIBOR, which is based on observable market transactions.
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, has announced that it has commitments from
panel banks to continue to contribute to LIBOR through the end of calendar year 2021, but that it will not use its powers
to compel contributions beyond such date. Various parties, including government agencies, are seeking to identify an
alternative rate to replace LIBOR. Management is monitoring their efforts, and evaluating the need for an amendment to
the Credit Agreement to accommodate a replacement rate. The Credit Agreement does not specify a replacement rate for
LIBOR.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Schedule - Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Page
75
78
79
80
81
82
83
126
74
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Adtalem Global Education Inc. and its subsidiaries (the
“Company”) as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive
income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2020, including
the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for each of the three years in the period ended June 30,
2020 listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have
audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal
Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Company as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended June 30, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over
financial reporting as of June 30, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)
issued by the COSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts
for leases in 2020.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting,
included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our
responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal
control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company
in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained
in all material respects.
75
2020 Form 10-K Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that
respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial
statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded
as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management
and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial
statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts
or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging,
subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on
the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below,
providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Acquisition of OnCourse Learning LLC – Valuation of Customer Relationships
As described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, in fiscal year 2020 the Company completed the purchase
price allocation related to OnCourse Learning LLC (“OCL”). OCL was purchased for net consideration of $118 million
in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, which resulted in a $26 million customer relationships intangible asset being
recorded. As disclosed by management, a multi-period excess earnings method under the income approach was used to
estimate the fair value of the customer relationships intangible asset. The significant assumptions utilized in calculating
the fair value of the customer relationships intangible asset were the discount rate and the terminal growth rate.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the acquisition of OnCourse
Learning LLC – valuation of customer relationships is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment by management
when developing the estimate of fair value of the customer relationships intangible asset, which in turn led to a high degree
of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant
assumptions related to the discount rate and the terminal growth rate used in the fair value estimate of the customer
relationships intangible asset. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and
knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.
76
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our
overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of control
over management’s valuation of the customer relationships intangible asset. These procedures included testing
management’s process for developing the fair value estimate for the customer relationships intangible asset which included
evaluating the appropriateness and mathematical accuracy of the valuation method and the significant assumptions used
by management related to the discount rate and the terminal growth rate. Evaluating management’s assumptions related
to the discount rate and the terminal growth rate involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were
reasonable by considering consistency with external market and industry data and considering whether the assumptions
were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were
used to assist in the evaluation of the Company’s valuation method, the discount rate and the terminal growth rate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
August 18, 2020
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1991.
77
2020 Form 10-K Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except par value)
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Investments in marketable securities
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable, net
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Current assets held for sale
Total current assets
Noncurrent assets:
Property and equipment, net
Operating lease assets
Deferred income taxes
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Other assets, net
Other assets held for sale
Total noncurrent assets
Total assets
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued payroll and benefits
Accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue
Current operating lease liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt
Current liabilities held for sale
Total current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt
Long-term operating lease liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Other liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale
Total noncurrent liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (Note 20)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 200,000 shares authorized; 51,871 and 55,303 shares outstanding
as of June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Treasury stock, at cost, 28,794 and 24,830 shares as of June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively
Total shareholders' equity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
$
$
June 30,
2020
2019
$
$
$
500,516
8,968
589
87,042
95,651
—
692,766
286,102
174,935
22,277
287,514
686,214
78,879
—
1,535,921
2,228,687
46,484
48,835
104,431
91,589
51,644
3,000
—
345,983
286,115
176,032
24,975
82,309
—
569,431
915,414
204,202
8,680
1,022
83,560
29,313
177,923
504,700
283,433
—
12,729
297,989
687,256
52,113
404,476
1,737,996
2,242,696
53,385
46,664
76,529
95,944
—
3,000
36,109
311,631
398,094
—
25,322
83,508
23,068
529,992
841,623
2,852
9,543
807
504,434
1,927,568
(9,055)
(1,113,333)
1,310,421
2,228,687
$
$
801
486,061
2,012,902
(137,290)
(970,944)
1,391,530
2,242,696
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
78
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Revenue
Operating cost and expense:
Cost of educational services
Student services and administrative expense
Restructuring expense
Gain on sale of assets
Settlement gains
Total operating cost and expense
Operating income
Other income (expense):
Interest and dividend income
Interest expense
Investment gain (loss)
Gain on derivative
Net other income (expense)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
Equity method investment loss
Income from continuing operations
Discontinued operations:
2020
$ 1,052,001
Year Ended June 30,
2019
$ 1,013,843
$
490,054
395,838
28,628
(4,779)
—
909,741
142,260
3,688
(19,510)
18
110,723
94,919
237,179
6,358
—
243,537
471,782
359,342
53,067
—
(26,178)
858,013
155,830
3,968
(19,898)
(153)
—
(16,083)
139,747
(32,878)
—
106,869
2018
960,277
461,557
327,707
3,851
—
—
793,115
167,162
598
(11,581)
—
—
(10,983)
156,179
(88,107)
(138)
67,934
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations before income taxes (includes ($293,360)
accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications for realized loss on foreign currency
translation adjustments for the year ended June 30, 2020)
Benefit from income taxes
Loss from discontinued operations
Net (loss) income
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest from continuing operations
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest from discontinued operations
Net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem Global Education
Amounts attributable to Adtalem Global Education:
Net income from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations
Net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem Global Education
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Adtalem Global Education:
Basic:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
Diluted:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic shares
Diluted shares
(62,578)
15,803
(81,657)
(287,560)
20,823
(329,315)
(85,778)
444
—
(85,334) $
(33,604)
6,513
(11,288)
95,581
378
(791)
95,168 $
—
48,020
(33,637)
34,297
495
(1,023)
33,769
243,981
(329,315)
(85,334)
$
$
107,247
(12,079)
95,168
$
$
68,429
(34,660)
33,769
4.55
$
(6.14) $
$
(1.59)
4.51
$
(6.09) $
$
(1.58)
1.83
$
(0.21) $
$
1.63
1.81
$
(0.20) $
$
1.60
1.11
(0.56)
0.55
1.10
(0.56)
0.54
53,659
54,094
58,540
59,330
61,462
62,280
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
79
2020 Form 10-K
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in thousands)
Net (loss) income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(Loss) gain on foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap
Comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification
Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on foreign currency translation
adjustments
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling
interest
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Adtalem Global Education
Year Ended June 30,
2019
2020
$ (85,778) $ 95,581
2018
$ 34,297
(157,354)
84
(7,855)
(250,903)
5,185
74
—
100,840
293,360
42,457
—
100,840
(83,174)
125
—
(48,752)
—
(48,752)
1,199
$ 42,901 $ 100,369 $ (47,553)
(471)
444
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
80
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
2020
Year Ended June 30,
2019
2018
$
$
(85,778)
329,315
243,537
$
95,581
11,288
106,869
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income
Loss from discontinued operations
Income from continuing operations
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense
Amortization and adjustments to operating lease assets
Depreciation
Amortization
Provision for bad debts
Deferred income taxes
Loss on disposals, accelerated depreciation, and adjustments to property and equipment
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on investments
Realized gain on sale of assets
Insurance settlement gain
Gain on derivative
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Accounts payable
Accrued payroll and benefits
Accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue
Operating lease liabilities
Other assets and liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities-discontinued operations
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Insurance proceeds received for damage to buildings and equipment
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
Purchases of marketable securities
Proceeds from sale of assets
Cash received on settlement of derivative
Cash received on purchase price adjustment
Payment for purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired
Payment for investment in business
Loan to DeVry University
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities-continuing operations
Net cash used in investing activities-discontinued operations
Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash transferred
Cash and restricted cash transferred in divestitures of discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Employee taxes paid on withholding shares
Proceeds from stock issued under Colleague Stock Purchase Plan
Repurchases of common stock for treasury
Borrowings under credit facility
Repayments under credit facility
Proceeds from down payment on seller loan
Payment for purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest of subsidiary
Payment of debt issuance costs
Capital investment from noncontrolling interest
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities-continuing operations
Net cash used in financing activities-discontinued operations
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
Less: cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of discontinued operations at end of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
Cash paid during the year for:
14,584
54,716
34,428
11,828
16,152
(4,548)
4,564
(18)
(4,779)
—
(110,723)
(12,840)
(17,612)
(6,340)
2,173
(2,477)
(4,355)
(53,726)
(14,999)
149,565
(41,873)
107,692
(44,137)
—
2,829
(3,015)
6,421
110,723
92
—
—
—
72,913
(3,908)
313,518
—
382,523
3,761
(5,485)
17
(136,889)
225,000
(338,000)
5,200
(6,247)
—
—
(252,643)
(3,466)
(256,109)
(33,468)
200,638
300,467
501,105
—
$
501,105
$
13,217
—
33,759
8,513
9,817
20,752
42,459
153
—
(15,571)
—
(21,123)
1,276
8,104
(3,350)
7,719
(6,058)
—
(21,082)
185,454
19,404
204,858
(57,574)
35,706
1,841
(6,321)
—
—
—
(118,409)
—
(10,000)
(154,757)
(9,010)
—
(50,069)
(213,836)
16,994
(6,801)
421
(252,852)
135,000
(28,000)
—
—
—
—
(135,238)
(2,295)
(137,533)
2,573
(143,938)
444,405
300,467
95,243
205,224
34,297
33,637
67,934
14,499
—
33,004
8,774
7,115
(9,105)
31,295
—
—
—
—
(13,911)
(21,609)
10,321
2,627
2,678
850
—
39,523
173,995
65,194
239,189
(46,622)
—
—
(159)
—
—
—
(3,069)
(5,000)
—
(54,850)
(16,600)
—
—
(71,450)
23,821
(4,203)
803
(137,028)
578,000
(403,000)
—
—
(9,871)
95
48,617
(11,413)
37,204
(11,634)
193,309
251,096
444,405
71,167
373,238
11,505
8,365
(1,872)
81
Interest
Income taxes, net
Increase (decrease) in redemption value of noncontrolling interest put option
20,410
3,230
20
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
$
$
— $
20,156
12,442
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2020 Form 10-K
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(in thousands)
June 30, 2017
Cumulative effect adjustment upon the adoption
of ASU 2016‑09
Net income attributable to Adtalem Global
Education
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest put
option
Stock-based compensation
Net activity from stock-based compensation
awards
Proceeds from stock issued under Colleague
Stock Purchase Plan
Repurchase of common shares for treasury
June 30, 2018
Cumulative effect adjustment upon the adoption
of ASU 2016‑01
Net income attributable to Adtalem Global
Education
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest put
option
Stock-based compensation
Net activity from stock-based compensation
awards
Proceeds from stock issued under Colleague
Stock Purchase Plan
Repurchase of common shares for treasury
June 30, 2019
Net loss attributable to Adtalem Global Education
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on
foreign currency translation adjustments
Stock-based compensation
Net activity from stock-based compensation
awards
Proceeds from stock issued under Colleague
Stock Purchase Plan
Repurchase of common shares for treasury
June 30, 2020
Common
Stock
$
781
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
$ 415,912
Retained
Earnings
$ 1,881,397
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
$
(59,119)
Treasury
Stock
$ (569,932)
Total
$ 1,669,039
(596)
360
33,769
1,872
(83,049)
14,499
12
24,762
76
(25)
793
454,653
1,917,373
(142,168)
381
95,168
(20)
(381)
5,259
14,075
8
17,245
88
801
486,061
2,012,902
(85,334)
14,713
6
3,668
(8)
(137,290)
(165,125)
293,360
$
807
$ 504,434
$ 1,927,568
$
(9,055)
(236)
33,769
(83,049)
1,872
14,499
(5,157)
19,617
752
(137,028)
(711,365)
803
(137,028)
1,519,286
—
95,168
5,259
(20)
14,075
(7,060)
10,193
333
(252,852)
(970,944)
421
(252,852)
1,391,530
(85,334)
(165,125)
293,360
14,713
(5,527)
(1,853)
27
(136,889)
$ (1,113,333)
19
(136,889)
$ 1,310,421
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
82
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents
Nature of Operations
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Acquisitions
Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale
Revenue
Restructuring Charges
Income Taxes
Earnings per Share
Financing Receivables
Property and Equipment, Net
Leases
Note
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 Goodwill and Intangible Assets
13 Debt
14
15
16 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
17
18
19
20
21
22 Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Stock-Based Compensation
Employee Benefit Plans
Fair Value Measurements
Commitments and Contingencies
Segment Information
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Share Repurchases
Page
84
84
91
93
95
98
99
102
102
104
104
106
110
112
113
114
114
116
117
118
122
124
83
2020 Form 10-K 1. Nature of Operations
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Adtalem Global Education Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is collectively
referred to as “Adtalem,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or similar references.
Adtalem is a leading workforce solutions provider. We present two reportable segments as follows:
Medical and Healthcare – Offers degree and non-degree programs in the medical and healthcare postsecondary
education industry. This segment includes the operations of Chamberlain University (“Chamberlain”), American
University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (“AUC”), Ross University School of Medicine (“RUSM”), and Ross
University School of Veterinary Medicine (“RUSVM”). AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM is collectively referred to as the
“medical and veterinary schools.”
Financial Services – Offers test preparation, certifications, conferences, seminars, memberships, and subscriptions to
business professionals in the areas of accounting, anti-money laundering, banking, and mortgage industries. This segment
includes the operations of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (“ACAMS”), Becker
Professional Education (“Becker”), OnCourse Learning (“OCL”), and EduPristine.
“Home Office and Other” includes activity not allocated to a reportable segment. See Note 21 “Segment Information”
for additional information.
Adtalem Education of Brazil (“Adtalem Brazil”), Carrington College (“Carrington”), and DeVry University are
presented as discontinued operations and assets held for sale in all periods presented as applicable. See Note 4
“Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for additional information.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
For each accounting topic that is addressed in its own note, the description of the accounting policy may be found in
the related note. Other significant accounting policies are described below.
Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Adtalem and its wholly-owned and majority-owned
subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Where our ownership
interest is less than 100%, but greater than 50%, the noncontrolling ownership interest is reported on our Consolidated
Balance Sheets. The noncontrolling ownership interest earnings portion is classified as “net (loss) income attributable to
redeemable noncontrolling interest” in our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). Unless indicated, or the context
requires otherwise, references to years refer to Adtalem’s fiscal years. Certain prior periods amounts have been reclassified
to conform to current period presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of
revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Although our current estimates contemplate current conditions, including the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-
19”) pandemic, and how we expect them to change in the future, as appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual
conditions could differ from what was anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect our results of operations
and financial condition. On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health
Organization, which recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. The outbreak and the response of
governmental and public health organizations in dealing with the pandemic included restricting general activity levels
within communities, the economy, and operations of our customers. While we have experienced an impact to our business,
operations, and financial results as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may have even more far-reaching impacts on
many aspects of our operations including the impact on customer behaviors, business operations, our employees, and the
84
Adtalem Global Education Inc. market in general. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately impacts our business, financial condition,
results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity may differ from management’s current estimates due to inherent
uncertainties regarding the duration and further spread of the outbreak, actions taken to contain the virus, as well as, how
quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.
Equity Investments
The equity method of accounting is used for an investment in the equity of another entity where we have the ability to
influence the operating and financial decisions of the investee but do not possess ownership controlling interest. Generally,
this occurs when the ownership interest is between 20% and 50%. The investment is initially recorded at cost and classified
as other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying amount of the investment is adjusted in subsequent
periods for Adtalem’s share of the earnings or losses of the investee, which is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of
Income (Loss) as equity method investment loss.
For an investment in the equity of a private entity where we do not have the ability to influence the operating and
financial decisions of the investee, we have elected to measure our investment at cost, less indicated impairment, with
adjustments to fair value in the event an observable transaction occurs that demonstrates the fair value of the equity
securities. Such investments are classified as other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During fiscal year 2018,
Adtalem invested $5.0 million for a 3.68% equity interest (on a fully-diluted basis) in Singularity University (“SU”).
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The
carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value. We maintain cash and cash equivalent balances that
exceed federally-insured limits. We have not experienced any losses on our cash and cash equivalents.
Marketable Securities
Investments classified as trading securities are carried at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses recorded as
investment gain (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). Investments classified as available-for-sale are
carried at fair value with unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, included as a component of other comprehensive income
(loss) on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
The following is a summary of our available-for-sale marketable securities, which consists of bond mutual funds (in
thousands):
Amortized cost
Unrealized gains
Fair value
Marketable securities consists of the following (in thousands):
Stock mutual funds
Bond mutual funds
Total marketable securities
June 30,
2020
2019
2,154
243
2,397
$
$
2,099
130
2,229
June 30,
2020
2019
6,571
2,397
8,968
$
$
6,451
2,229
8,680
$
$
$
$
All mutual fund investments are recorded at fair market value based upon quoted market prices. All of the stock and
bond mutual fund investments are held in a rabbi trust for the purpose of paying benefits under Adtalem’s non-qualified
deferred compensation plan. See Note 19 “Fair Value Measurements” for additional information.
85
2020 Form 10-K Restricted Cash
Restricted cash represents amounts received from federal and state governments under various student aid grant and
loan programs and such restricted funds are held in separate bank accounts. Once the financial aid authorization and
disbursement process for the student has been completed, the funds are transferred to unrestricted accounts, and these
funds then become available for use in Adtalem’s operations. This authorization and disbursement process that precedes
the transfer of funds generally occurs within the period of the academic term for which such funds were authorized.
Internal-Use Software Development Costs
Adtalem capitalizes certain internal-use software development costs that are amortized using the straight-line method
over the estimated lives of the software, not to exceed seven years. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of
equipment, materials, and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software and payroll-related costs
for employees directly associated with the internal-use software development project. Capitalization of such costs ceases
at the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Capitalized internal-use
software development costs for projects not yet complete are included as construction in progress within the property and
equipment, net section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2020 and 2019, the net balance of capitalized
internal-use software development costs was $12.3 million and $10.6 million, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net, including both purchased and internal-use software development costs, is recorded at cost.
Cost also includes additions and those improvements that enhance performance, increase the capacity, or lengthen the
useful lives of the assets. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Upon sale or retirement of an asset, the
accounts are relieved of the cost and the related accumulated depreciation, with any resulting gain or loss included in
income. Assets under construction are reflected in construction in progress until they are placed into service for their
intended use.
Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease or the estimated useful
life of the asset, whichever is shorter.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated service lives. These lives range from 5 to 40
years for buildings and leasehold improvements, and from 3 to 8 years for computers, furniture, and equipment.
See Note 10 “Property and Equipment, Net” for additional information.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually and when an event
occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist. Our annual testing date
is May 31.
Adtalem first assesses goodwill for impairment qualitatively (Step 0) for each reporting units that contained goodwill.
Management analyzes factors that include results of operations and business conditions, significant changes in cash flows
at the reporting unit level, as well as how much previously calculated fair values exceed carrying values to determine if it
is more likely than not that the reporting units have been impaired. If there is reason to believe the carrying value of a
reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then management performs a quantitative (Step1) impairment review. Adtalem uses
a discounted cash flow model to compute fair value. The estimated fair values of the reporting units are based on
management’s projection of revenue, gross margin, operating costs, and cash flows considering planned business and
operational strategies over a long-term planning horizon of five years. These reporting units constitute components for
which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management and the Board. If the
carrying amount of a reporting unit containing the goodwill exceeds the fair value of that reporting unit, an impairment
loss is recognized to the extent the fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is less than the carrying amount of the goodwill,
up to the amount of goodwill recorded.
86
Adtalem Global Education Inc. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, management first analyzes qualitative factors, including results of operations and
business conditions of each reporting unit that contain indefinite-lived intangible assets, significant changes in cash flows
at the individual indefinite-lived intangible asset level, if applicable, as well as how much previously calculated fair values
exceed carrying values to determine if it is more likely than not that the intangible assets associated with these reporting
units have been impaired. If there is reason to believe the carrying value of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, then
management performs a quantitative impairment review. In calculating fair value, Adtalem uses various valuation
techniques including a royalty rate model for trade names and intellectual property and a discounted cash flow model for
Title IV eligibility and accreditation. The estimated fair values of these indefinite-lived intangible assets are based on
management’s projection of revenue, gross margin, operating costs, and cash flows considering planned business and
operational strategies over a long-term planning horizon of five years. The assumed royalty rates and the growth rates used
to project cash flows and operating results are based upon historical results and analysis of the economic environment in
which the reporting units that record indefinite-lived intangible assets operate. The valuations employ present value
techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors. Management believes the assumptions used for the
impairment testing are consistent with those that would be utilized by a market participant in performing similar valuations
of its indefinite-lived intangible assets. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in
an amount equal to that excess.
For intangible assets with finite lives, we evaluate for potential impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is no longer recoverable
based upon the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the
carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their expected
economic lives, ranging from 5 to 10 years.
Amortization of all intangible assets and certain goodwill is being deducted for tax reporting purposes over statutory
lives.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an intangible asset involves the use of significant estimates and
assumptions. Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable at the time, but such
assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ from those estimates, which could lead to future
impairments of goodwill or intangible assets. See Note 12 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information on
our goodwill and intangible assets impairment analysis.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is no longer recoverable based upon the undiscounted
future cash flows of the asset, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair
value of the asset. Events that may trigger an impairment analysis could include a decision by management to exit a market
or a line of business or to consolidate operating locations. For a discussion of long-lived asset impairments, see Note 10
“Property and Equipment, Net.”
Treasury Stock
Shares that are repurchased by Adtalem under its share repurchase programs are recorded as treasury stock at cost and
result in a reduction in shareholders’ equity. See Note 15 “Share Repurchases” for additional information.
From time to time, shares of our common stock are delivered back to Adtalem under a swap arrangement resulting from
employees’ exercise of incentive stock options pursuant to the terms of the Adtalem Stock Incentive Plans (see Note 17
“Stock-Based Compensation”). In addition, shares of our common stock are delivered back to Adtalem for payment of
withholding taxes from employees for vesting restricted stock units (“RSUs”). These shares are recorded as treasury stock
at cost and result in a reduction in shareholders’ equity.
Treasury shares are reissued at market value, less a 10% discount, to the Adtalem Colleague Stock Purchase Plan in
exchange for employee payroll deductions. The 10% discount is considered compensatory and recorded as an expense in
the income statement. When treasury shares are reissued, Adtalem uses an average cost method to reduce the treasury
87
2020 Form 10-K stock balance. Gains on the difference between the average cost and the reissuance price, less the amount recorded as
expense, are credited to additional paid-in capital. Losses on the difference are charged to additional paid-in capital to the
extent that previous net gains from reissuance are included therein, otherwise such losses are charged to retained earnings.
Earnings per Common Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income or loss attributable to Adtalem by the weighted-
average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus unvested participating RSUs. Diluted EPS is
computed by dividing net income or loss attributable to Adtalem by diluted weighted-average number of shares
outstanding during the period. Diluted shares are computed using the Treasury Stock Method and reflect the additional
shares that would be outstanding if dilutive stock-based grants were exercised during the period. Diluted EPS considers
the impact of potentially dilutive securities, except in periods in which there is a loss from continuing operations, because
the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an anti-dilutive effect.
Income Taxes
Adtalem accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Adtalem also recognizes future tax benefits
associated with tax loss and credit carryforwards as deferred tax assets. Adtalem’s deferred tax assets are reduced by a
valuation allowance, when in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. Adtalem measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for
the year in which Adtalem expects to recover or settle the temporary differences. The effect of a change in tax rates on
deferred taxes is recognized in the period that the change is enacted. Adtalem reduces its net tax assets for the estimated
additional tax and interest that may result from tax authorities disputing uncertain tax positions Adtalem has taken.
Restructuring Charges
Adtalem’s financial statements include charges related to severance and related benefits for workforce reductions. These
charges also include impairments on operating lease assets and losses on disposals of property and equipment related to
campus and administrative office consolidations (see Note 6 “Restructuring Charges”). When estimating the costs of
exiting lease space, estimates are made which could differ materially from actual results and result in additional
restructuring charges or reversals in future periods.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and totaled $82.6 million, $72.0 million, and $64.9 million for the years
ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Advertising costs are included in student services and administrative
expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
Hurricane Expense
In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused damage and disrupted operations at AUC and RUSM. Adtalem
recorded expense of $12.5 million in the year ended June 30, 2019 associated with incremental costs of teaching at
alternative sites and $63.3 million in fiscal year 2018 associated with the evacuation process, temporary housing and
transportation of students, faculty and staff, and incremental additional costs of teaching in alternate locations. Insurance
proceeds of $12.5 million were recorded in the year ended June 30, 2019, and insurance proceeds and receivables of $59.0
million were recorded in the year ended June 30, 2018 to offset these expenses. Based upon damage assessments of the
AUC and RUSM facilities, impairment write-downs of buildings, building improvements, furniture, and equipment of
$31.0 million were recorded in the year ended June 30, 2018. Insurance receivables of $21.9 million were recorded to
offset these expenses in the year ended June 30, 2018. No further asset impairments were recorded in the year ended June
30, 2019 or 2020. In total, no net expense related to the hurricanes was recorded in the year ended June 30, 2019 or 2020.
In total, $13.4 million of net expense was recorded in cost of educational services in the Consolidated Statement of Income
for the year ended June 30, 2018. The expense primarily represented the deductibles under insurance policies. During the
second quarter of fiscal year 2019, Adtalem received the final insurance proceeds for damages from Hurricanes Irma and
Maria and recorded a pre-tax gain of $15.6 million in the year ended June 30, 2019.
88
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Settlement Gains
Adtalem recorded a $10.6 million gain in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 related to a lawsuit settlement against
the Adtalem Board of Directors. Settlement gains in the Consolidated Statement of Income were $26.2 million for the year
ended June 30, 2019, which includes the hurricane insurance settlement of $15.6 million discussed above.
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial position and results of operations of the AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM Caribbean operations are measured
using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. As such, there is no translation gain or loss associated with these
operations. Adtalem Brazil’s and EduPristine’s operations and Becker’s and ACAMS’s international operations are
measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these entities are translated to
U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at monthly
average exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as foreign currency translation adjustments in
the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Transaction gains or losses during each of the fiscal years
presented were not material.
Recent Accounting Standards
Recently adopted accounting standards
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842).” This guidance was issued to increase transparency and comparability among
organizations by recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information
about leasing arrangements. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance, along with the related
clarifications and improvements, effective July 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach without adjusting prior
comparative periods. The adoption of this standard significantly impacts our Consolidated Balance Sheets, but did not
impact our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). We elected the practical expedients package which allows us to
forego reassessing (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases; (ii) the lease classification for any
expired or expiring leases; and (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. We did not elect the hindsight practical
expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining the lease term and impairment of operating lease assets.
See Note 11 “Leases” for the disclosures related to this new accounting standard.
89
2020 Form 10-K The impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet upon adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842 is as
follows (in thousands, except par value):
June 30,
2019
Adjustments due to
adoption of ASC 842
July 1,
2019
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Investments in marketable securities
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable, net
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets
Noncurrent assets:
Property and equipment, net
Operating lease assets
Deferred income taxes
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Other assets, net
Total noncurrent assets
Total assets
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued payroll and benefits
Accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue
Current operating lease liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt
Total current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt
Long-term operating lease liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Other liabilities
Total noncurrent liabilities
Total liabilities
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Treasury stock, at cost
Total shareholders' equity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
299,445
8,680
1,022
157,829
37,724
504,700
364,683
—
18,314
418,097
874,451
62,451
1,737,996
2,242,696
57,627
64,492
86,722
99,790
—
3,000
311,631
398,094
—
29,426
102,472
529,992
841,623
9,543
801
486,061
2,012,902
(137,290)
(970,944)
1,391,530
2,242,696
$
— $
—
—
—
(3,483)
(3,483)
—
282,978
—
—
—
—
282,978
279,495
$
— $
—
(16,946)
—
66,707
—
49,761
—
269,387
—
(39,653)
229,734
279,495
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
279,495
$
299,445
8,680
1,022
157,829
34,241
501,217
364,683
282,978
18,314
418,097
874,451
62,451
2,020,974
2,522,191
57,627
64,492
69,776
99,790
66,707
3,000
361,392
398,094
269,387
29,426
62,819
759,726
1,121,118
9,543
801
486,061
2,012,902
(137,290)
(970,944)
1,391,530
2,522,191
Upon the adoption of ASC 842, the following balances were removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July
1, 2019: (i) $3.5 million of prepaid rent balances within prepaid expenses and other current assets; (ii) $6.8 million of
current deferred rent liability balances within accrued liabilities; (iii) $10.1 million of current restructure liability balances
within accrued liabilities; (iv) $24.8 million of noncurrent deferred rent liability balances within other liabilities; and (v)
$14.9 million of noncurrent restructure liability balances within other liabilities.
In March 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04: “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of
Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The guidance was issued to provide for temporary optional expedients
and exceptions to the current guidance on certain contract modifications and hedge relationships to ease the burdens related
to the expected market transition from the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or other reference rates to
alternative reference rates. The guidance is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We adopted this
guidance in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 and it is not expected to have a significant effect on Adtalem’s
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted
In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13: “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of
Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The guidance was issued to provide financial statement users with more decision-
90
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
useful information about the expected losses on financial instruments by replacing the incurred loss impairment
methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses by requiring a broader range of reasonable and
supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will implement this
guidance effective July 1, 2020. Management has evaluated the impact the guidance will have on Adtalem’s Consolidated
Financial Statements and believes the guidance applied to our allowance for bad debts on trade receivables and financing
agreements upon adoption will not have a significant impact on Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Reclassifications
Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, Adtalem Brazil operations were classified as discontinued operations.
See Note 4 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for additional information. Prior periods have been revised
to conform to the current classification. Certain expenses in prior periods previously allocated to Adtalem Brazil within
our former Business and Law segment have been reclassified to the Home Office and Other segment based on discontinued
operation reporting guidance regarding allocation of corporate overhead. For fiscal year 2020, home office costs to support
the remaining businesses are being allocated to the Medical and Healthcare and Financial Services segments. See Note 21
“Segment Information” for additional information.
3. Acquisitions
OnCourse Learning
On May 31, 2019, Adtalem completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of OCL for $118.3 million, net of
cash of $1.2 million. Adtalem paid $118.4 million for this purchase during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, and
funded the purchase with available domestic cash balances and $100 million in borrowings under Adtalem’s revolving
credit facility. Adtalem received $0.1 million related to a net working capital adjustment during the second quarter of fiscal
year 2020. OCL is a leading provider of compliance training, licensure preparation, continuing education and professional
development in the banking and mortgage industries across the U.S. The acquisition furthers Adtalem’s growth strategy
into financial services.
The operations of OCL are included in Adtalem’s Financial Services segment. The results of OCL’s operations have
been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of Adtalem since the date of acquisition.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition
(in thousands):
Current assets
Property and equipment
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Total assets acquired
Liabilities assumed
Net assets acquired
May 31,
2019
5,260
1,197
63,100
59,427
128,984
9,445
119,539
$
$
Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets
acquired, was all assigned to the Financial Services reporting unit and reportable segment. Factors that contributed to a
purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill include OCL’s strategic fit into Adtalem’s expanding presence in
financial services, the reputation of the OCL brand as a leader in the industry and potential future growth opportunity. Of
the $63.1 million of acquired intangible assets, $18.4 million was assigned to trade names, which has been determined not
to be subject to amortization. The remaining acquired intangible assets were determined to be subject to amortization with
an average useful life of approximately nine years. The values and estimated useful lives by asset type at the date of
acquisition are as follows (in thousands):
91
2020 Form 10-K Customer relationships
Curriculum
Course delivery technology
May 31, 2019
$
Value
Assigned
26,400
11,600
6,700
Estimated
Useful Life
11 years
6 years
5 years
The most significant identified intangible asset, customer relationships, was valued using the multi-period excess
earnings method under the income approach. We applied judgment which involved the use of significant assumptions with
respect to the discount rate and the terminal growth rate.
There is no proforma presentation of operating results for this acquisition due to the insignificant effect on consolidated
operations.
EduPristine
On February 5, 2018, Adtalem completed the acquisition of a majority interest in EduPristine. Under the terms of the
agreement, Adtalem agreed to pay approximately $3.2 million in cash, in exchange for stock of EduPristine, increasing
Adtalem’s ownership share from 36% to 64%. This ownership percentage has increased to 71% after subsequent additional
equity investments. EduPristine is a financial services provider in India in the areas of finance, accounting, and analytics.
The acquisition furthers Adtalem’s global growth strategy into financial services.
The operations of EduPristine are included in Adtalem’s Financial Services segment. Prior to the February 5, 2018
investment, Adtalem accounted for its ownership interest in EduPristine under the equity method of accounting for
investments. The results of EduPristine’s operations have been fully consolidated in the Consolidated Financial Statements
of Adtalem since the February 5, 2018 acquisition date. The fair value of Adtalem’s equity investment immediately prior
to the majority interest investment was $4.1 million, which was based on a discounted cash flow analysis. The $4.1 million
noncontrolling interest recorded on the acquisition date was also derived using the same discounted cash flow analysis. In
the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, Adtalem recorded a $1.2 million gain on its previous equity investment.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition
of Adtalem’s majority interest in EduPristine (in thousands):
Current assets
Property and equipment
Other long-term assets
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Total assets acquired
Liabilities assumed
Net assets acquired
February 5,
2018
$
866
239
69
1,380
11,527
14,081
2,715
$ 11,366
Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets
acquired, was assigned to the Financial Services reporting unit and reporting segment. Factors that contributed to a
purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill include EduPristine’s strategic fit into Adtalem’s expanding
presence in financial services and the acquired assembled workforce. None of the goodwill acquired is expected to be
deductible for income tax purposes. The $1.4 million of acquired intangible assets was assigned to trade names. None of
the acquired intangible assets were determined to be subject to amortization.
There is no proforma presentation of operating results for this acquisition due to the insignificant effect on consolidated
operations.
92
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
4. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale
On December 4, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of Carrington to San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. (“SJVC”) for de
minimis consideration. As the sale represented a strategic shift that has a major effect on Adtalem’s operations and
financial results, Carrington is presented in Adtalem’s financial reporting as a discontinued operation. Adtalem has retained
certain leases associated with the Carrington operations. Adtalem remains the primary lessee on these leases and subleases
to Carrington. Adtalem records the proceeds from these subleases as an offset to operating costs. Adtalem also assigned
certain leases to Carrington but remains contingently liable under these leases. Adtalem recorded a pre-tax loss of $11.3
million on the sale of Carrington and transferred $9.9 million of cash and restricted cash balances to Carrington in fiscal
year 2019, subject to post-closing adjustments to be completed in fiscal year 2021.
On December 11, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of DeVry University to Cogswell Education, LLC (“Cogswell”)
for de minimis consideration. As the sale represented a strategic shift that has a major effect on Adtalem’s operations and
financial results, DeVry University is presented in Adtalem’s financial reporting as a discontinued operation. The purchase
agreement includes an earn-out entitling Adtalem to payments of up to $20 million over a ten-year period payable based
on DeVry University’s free cash flow. In connection with the closing of the sale, Adtalem loaned to DeVry University
$10.0 million under the terms of the promissory note, dated as of December 11, 2018 (the “Note”). The Note bears interest
at a rate of 4% per annum, payable annually in arrears and has a maturity date of January 1, 2022. DeVry University may
make prepayments on the Note. This loan is recorded as other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Adtalem
has retained certain leases associated with DeVry University operation with the exception of one lease which expires
December 2023. Adtalem remains the primary lessee on these leases and subleases to DeVry University. In addition,
Adtalem owns the buildings for certain DeVry University operating and administrative office locations and leases space
to DeVry University under one-year operating leases, renewable annually at DeVry University’s option. Adtalem records
the proceeds from these leases and subleases as an offset to operating costs. Adtalem also assigned certain leases to DeVry
University but remains contingently liable under these leases. Adtalem recorded a pre-tax loss of $22.3 million on the sale
of DeVry University and transferred $40.2 million of cash and restricted cash balances to DeVry University in fiscal year
2019.
On April 24, 2020, Adtalem completed the sale of Adtalem Brazil to Estácio Participações S.A. (“Estácio”) and
Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estaćio de Sá Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of Estácio (“Purchaser”), pursuant to the
Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 18, 2019. As the sale represented a strategic shift that has a major effect on
Adtalem’s operations and financial results, Adtalem Brazil is presented in Adtalem’s financial reporting as a discontinued
operation. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the purchase agreement, Adtalem sold the issued
and outstanding shares of Adtalem Brasil Holding S.A. (a/k/a Adtalem Brazil) to the Purchaser for R$1,920 million, subject
to certain post-closing adjustments pursuant to the purchase agreement. Adtalem received $345.9 million in sale proceeds
and $56.0 million of Adtalem Brazil cash, for a combined $401.9 million upon the sale. Adtalem Brazil cash balance on
the sale date was $88.4 million, resulting in $313.5 million of cash proceeds, net of this cash transferred. In addition,
Adtalem received $110.7 million from the settlement of a deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered
into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil to economically hedge the Brazilian Real sales price through the
mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk. Adtalem recorded this settlement as a pre-tax gain on the hedge of $110.7
million in fiscal year 2020. The hedge agreement had a total notional amount of R$2,154 million. The derivative associated
with the hedge agreement did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815, and as a result, all changes in
fair value were recorded within the income statement.
93
2020 Form 10-K The following is a summary of balance sheet information of assets and liabilities reported as held for sale as of June 30,
2019, which includes only Adtalem Brazil balances as Carrington and DeVry University were sold prior to that date (in
thousands):
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets held for sale
Noncurrent assets:
Property and equipment, net
Operating lease assets
Deferred income taxes
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Other assets, net
Total noncurrent assets held for sale
Total assets held for sale
Liabilities:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued payroll and benefits
Accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue
Current operating lease liabilities
Total current liabilities held for sale
Noncurrent liabilities:
Deferred income taxes
Other liabilities
Total noncurrent liabilities held for sale
Total liabilities held for sale
June 30,
2019
95,243
74,269
8,411
177,923
81,250
—
5,585
120,108
187,195
10,338
404,476
582,399
4,242
17,828
10,193
3,846
—
36,109
4,104
18,964
23,068
59,177
$
$
$
$
The following is a summary of income statement information of operations reported as discontinued operations, which
includes Adtalem Brazil’s, Carrington’s, and DeVry University’s operations through the date of each respective sale (in
thousands):
94
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Revenue
Operating cost and expense:
Cost of educational services
Student services and administrative expense
Restructuring expense
Asset impairment charge - intangible and goodwill
Asset impairment charge - building and equipment
Loss on sale of assets
Total operating cost and expense
Operating (loss) income
Other income (expense):
Interest and dividend income
Interest expense
Net other (expense) income
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations before income taxes
Benefit from income taxes
Loss from discontinued operations
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Adtalem
5. Revenue
Year Ended June 30,
2020
157,695
$
2019
421,560
$
2018
755,203
$
105,118
113,449
646
—
—
—
219,213
(61,518)
1,862
(2,922)
(1,060)
(62,578)
(287,560)
20,823
(329,315)
—
$ (329,315) $
261,175
142,516
388
—
1,953
—
406,032
15,528
4,008
(3,733)
275
15,803
(33,604)
6,513
(11,288)
(791)
(12,079) $
455,404
267,680
19,723
44,041
51,972
230
839,050
(83,847)
5,229
(3,039)
2,190
(81,657)
—
48,020
(33,637)
(1,023)
(34,660)
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers (students and
members), in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
The following tables disaggregate revenue by source (in thousands):
Higher education
Test preparation/certifications
Conferences/seminars
Memberships/subscriptions
Other
Total
Higher education
Test preparation/certifications
Conferences/seminars
Memberships/subscriptions
Other
Total
Year Ended June 30, 2020
Financial
Services
Home Office
and Other
$
Medical and
Healthcare
848,154
—
—
—
18,274
$
— $
108,965
52,498
22,945
1,165
$
866,428 $
185,573 $
— $
—
—
—
—
— $
Consolidated
848,154
108,965
52,498
22,945
19,439
1,052,001
$
$
Medical and
Healthcare
835,908
—
—
—
13,953
$
849,861 $
Year Ended June 30, 2019
Financial
Services
Home Office
and Other
— $
119,314
30,452
16,574
871
167,211 $
— $
(3,229)
—
—
—
(3,229) $
Consolidated
835,908
116,085
30,452
16,574
14,824
1,013,843
95
2020 Form 10-K
Higher education
Test preparation/certifications
Conferences/seminars
Memberships/subscriptions
Other
Total
Medical and
Healthcare
$
$
$
815,674
—
—
—
—
815,674 $
Year Ended June 30, 2018
Financial
Services
Home Office
and Other
— $
110,478
21,997
13,728
992
147,195 $
— $
(2,592)
—
—
—
(2,592) $
Consolidated
815,674
107,886
21,997
13,728
992
960,277
Certain prior periods amounts in the above tables have been reclassified for consistency with the current period
presentation. In addition, see Note 21 “Segment Information” for a disaggregation of revenue by geographical region.
Performance Obligations and Revenue Recognition
Higher education: Higher education revenue consists of tuition, fees, books, and other educational products. The
majority of revenue is derived from tuition and fees, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term as instruction
is delivered. Books and other educational product revenue are recognized when products are shipped or students receive
access to electronic materials. Under certain circumstances, we report revenue from these transactions on a net basis
because our performance obligation is to facilitate a transaction between the student and a vendor. These amounts were
not significant for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
Test preparation/certifications: Test preparation revenue consists of sales of self-study materials and test preparation
course instruction. Becker test preparation revenue is primarily derived from self-study materials and is recognized when
access to the materials is delivered to the customer. EduPristine test preparation revenue is primarily derived from course
instruction and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable instruction delivery period. Certification revenue
consists of exam preparation guides, seminars, exam sitting fees, and recertification fees and is recognized when the
applicable performance obligation is satisfied.
Conferences/seminars: Conference revenue consists of revenue from attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors. We recognize
revenue for all items related to conferences at the time of the conference. Seminar revenue consists of seminars delivered
in live, live-online, or on-demand online formats. We recognize revenue for live and live-online seminars on the day of
the seminar. We recognize revenue for on-demand online seminars when customers are granted access to a webcast of the
seminar.
Memberships/subscriptions: Membership revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the membership period.
Subscription revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subscription period.
Other: Other revenue consists of housing and other miscellaneous services. Other revenue is recognized over the period
in which the applicable performance obligation is satisfied.
Customer contracts generally have separately stated prices for each performance obligation contained in the contract.
Therefore, each performance obligation generally has its own standalone selling price. For higher education students,
arrangements for payment are agreed to prior to registration of the student’s first academic term. The majority of U.S.
students obtain Title IV or other financial aid resulting in institutions receiving a significant amount of the transaction
price at the beginning of the academic term. Students utilizing private funding or funding through Adtalem’s credit
extension programs (see Note 9 “Financing Receivables” for additional information) generally pay after the academic term
is complete. For non-higher education customers, payment is typically due and collected at the time a customer places an
order.
Transaction Price
Revenue, or transaction price, is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for
transferring goods or services.
96
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
For higher education, students may receive discounts, scholarships or refunds, which gives rise to variable
consideration. The amounts of discounts or scholarships are applied to individual student accounts when such amounts are
awarded. Therefore, the transaction price is reduced directly by these discounts or scholarships from the amount of the
standard tuition rate charged. Upon withdrawal, a student may be eligible to receive a refund, or partial refund, the amount
of which is dependent on the timing of the withdrawal during the academic term. If a student withdraws prior to completing
an academic term, federal and state regulations and accreditation criteria permit Adtalem to retain only a set percentage of
the total tuition received from such student, which varies with, but generally equals or exceeds, the percentage of the
academic term completed by such student. Payment amounts received by Adtalem in excess of such set percentages of
tuition are refunded to the student or the appropriate funding source. For contracts with similar characteristics and historical
data on refunds, the expected value method is applied in determining the variable consideration related to refunds.
Estimates of Adtalem’s expected refunds are determined at the outset of each academic term, based upon actual refunds
in previous academic terms. Reserves related to refunds are presented as refund liabilities within accrued liabilities on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. All refunds are netted against revenue during the applicable academic term.
Management reassesses collectability throughout the period revenue is recognized by the Adtalem institutions, on a
student-by-student basis. This reassessment is based upon new information and changes in facts and circumstances relevant
to a student’s ability to pay. Management also reassesses collectability when a student withdraws from the institution and
has unpaid tuition charges. Such unpaid charges do not meet the threshold of reasonably collectible and are recognized as
revenue on a cash basis.
For test preparation and other Financial Services products, the transaction price is equal to the amount charged to the
customer, which is the standard rate, less any discounts and an estimate for returns or refunds.
We believe it is probable that no significant reversal will occur in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized when
the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Therefore, the estimate of variable
consideration is not constrained.
Contract Balances
For our higher education institutions, students are billed at the beginning of each academic term and payment is due at
that time. Adtalem’s performance obligation is to provide educational services in the form of instruction during the
academic term. As instruction is provided, deferred revenue is reduced. A significant portion of student payments are from
Title IV financial aid and other programs and are generally received during the first month of the respective academic
term. For students utilizing Adtalem’s credit extension programs (see Note 9 “Financing Receivables”), payments are
generally received after the academic term, and the corresponding performance obligation, is complete. When payments
are received, accounts receivable is reduced.
For our Financial Services businesses, customers are billed and payment is due at the time of order placement. In most
cases, performance obligations are delivered subsequent to payments received. Delivering our performance obligations
reduces deferred revenue, and accounts receivable is reduced upon payments received. Becker offers flexible payment
plans with terms of up to 12-months as a financing option for the Becker CPA Exam Review Course. In this case, payment
is received after satisfying the performance obligation.
Revenue of $92.7 million was recognized during fiscal year 2020 that was included in the deferred revenue balance at
the beginning of fiscal year 2020. Revenue recognized from performance obligations that were satisfied or partially
satisfied in prior periods was not material.
The difference between the opening and closing balances of deferred revenue includes decreases from revenue
recognized during the period, increases from charges related to the start of academic terms beginning during the period,
and increases from payments received related to academic terms commencing after the end of the reporting period.
Allowance for bad debts on short-term and long-term receivables as of June 30, 2020 and 2019 was $26.5 million and
$14.5 million, respectively. The increase in the reserve is driven by higher bad debt expense, primarily related to the credit
extension program at the medical and veterinary schools (see Note 9 “Financing Receivables”).
97
2020 Form 10-K Practical Expedients
As our performance obligations have an original expected duration of one year or less, we have applied the practical
expedient (as provided in ASC 606-10-50-14) to not disclose the information in ASC 606-10-50-13, which requires
disclosure of the amount of the transaction price allocated to our performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially
unsatisfied) as of the end of the reporting period and when the entity expects to recognize this amount as revenue. All
consideration from contracts with customers is included in the transaction price.
6. Restructuring Charges
During fiscal year 2020, Adtalem recorded restructuring charges primarily related to the sale of Becker’s courses for
healthcare students, Adtalem’s home office and ACAMS real estate consolidations, and workforce reductions across the
organization. During fiscal year 2019, Adtalem recorded restructuring charges primarily related to the impairment of the
property and equipment at the Dominica campus of RUSM and severance related to workforce reductions in Dominica. In
January 2019, RUSM relocated its campus operations to Barbados with no plans to return to Dominica. The property and
equipment in Dominica have been fully impaired as management determined the market value less the costs to sell the
facilities or move the equipment was zero. In addition, during fiscal year 2019, Adtalem recorded restructuring charges
related to Adtalem’s home office real estate consolidations. When estimating costs of exiting lease space, estimates are
made which could differ materially from actual results and result in additional restructuring charges or reversals in future
periods. Termination benefit charges, resulting from reducing Adtalem’s workforce by 66 and 223 positions in fiscal years
2020 and 2019, respectively, represented severance pay and benefits for these employees. Adtalem’s home office is
classified as “Home Office and Other” in Note 21 “Segment Information.” Pre-tax restructuring charges by segment were
as follows (in thousands):
Medical and Healthcare
Financial Services
Home Office and Other
Total
$
$
Year Ended June 30, 2020
Termination
Benefits
Real Estate
and Other
1,129
4,366
20,160
25,655 $
$
$
578
476
1,919
2,973 $
Real Estate
and Other
40,372
1,304
9,581
Year Ended June 30, 2019
Termination
Benefits
$
$
1,294
—
516
51,257 $
1,810 $
Total
$
1,707
4,842
22,079
28,628 $
Total
41,666
1,304
10,097
53,067
The following table summarizes the separation and restructuring plan activity for the fiscal years 2019 and 2020, for
which cash payments are required (in thousands):
Liability balance as of June 30, 2018
Increase in liability (separation and other charges)
Reduction in liability (payments and adjustments)
Liability balance as of June 30, 2019
ASC 842 (leases) adjustment (1)
Liability balance as of July 1, 2019
Increase in liability (separation and other charges)
Reduction in liability (payments and adjustments)
$
38,927
8,870
(22,714)
25,083
(25,030)
53
4,955
(3,573)
1,435
Liability balance as of June 30, 2020
(1) Reflects amounts reclassified out of the opening balance of restructuring reserve accruals as of June 30,
2019 to operating lease assets that was recorded with the adoption of ASC 842. See Note 2 “Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies” for additional information.
$
The liability balance of $1.4 million is recorded as accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30,
2020. This liability balance represents exit cost accruals for employees who have either not yet separated from Adtalem
or for whom full severance has not yet been paid. All of these remaining costs are expected to be paid within the next 12
months. We have substantially completed our current restructuring plans as of June 30, 2020. Adjustments to leases that
have been placed in restructure will result in charges extending past fiscal year 2020 and will be presented as future
restructuring expense. Management may institute future restructuring plans.
98
Adtalem Global Education Inc. 7. Income Taxes
The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
U.S.
Foreign
Total
2020
$ 160,334
76,845
$ 237,179
Year Ended June 30,
2019
80,209
59,538
$ 139,747
$
$
2018
63,353
92,826
$ 156,179
The income tax provisions related to the above results are as follows (in thousands):
$
Current tax provision (benefit):
U.S. federal
State and local
Foreign
Total current
Deferred tax provision (benefit):
U.S. federal
State and local
Foreign
Total deferred
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
$
Year Ended June 30,
2019
2018
2020
(3,097) $
735
519
(1,843)
(4,197)
(104)
(214)
(4,515)
(6,358)
$
15,912 $
1,749
2,224
19,885
4,066
9,028
(101)
12,993
32,878
$
68,525
(762)
5,785
73,548
19,019
(1,173)
(3,287)
14,559
88,107
The income tax provisions differ from those that would be computed using the statutory U.S. federal rate as a result of
the following items (in thousands):
Income tax at statutory rate
Lower rates on foreign operations
State income taxes
Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Loss on investment in subsidiary
Gain on derivative
Permanent non-deductible items
Foreign tax provisions under GILTI
Other
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
2020
Year Ended June 30,
2019
2018
$ 49,807
(16,210)
3,072
—
(25,688)
(23,252)
(236)
6,502
(353)
$ (6,358)
21.0 % $ 29,347
(6.8)% (12,738)
1.3 %
— %
(10.8)%
(9.8)%
(0.1)%
2.7 %
(0.1)%
(2.7)% $ 32,878
5,825
—
1,797
—
469
3,231
4,947
3,648
21.0 % $ 43,823
(9.1)% (21,777)
4.2 %
— % 103,878
(48,903)
1.3 %
—
— %
5,976
0.3 %
—
2.3 %
1,462
3.5 %
23.5 % $ 88,107
28.1 %
(13.9)%
2.3 %
66.5 %
(31.3)%
— %
3.8 %
— %
0.9 %
56.4 %
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) result primarily from temporary differences in the recognition of various
expenses for tax and financial statement purposes, and from the recognition of the tax benefits of net operating loss
carryforwards.
99
2020 Form 10-K
These assets and liabilities are composed of the following (in thousands):
Employee benefits
Stock-based compensation
Deferred rent
Receivable reserve
Restructuring costs
Depreciation
Operating lease liabilities
Other reserves
Loss and credit carryforwards, net
Less: valuation allowance
Gross deferred tax assets
Depreciation
Deferred taxes on unremitted foreign earnings
Amortization of intangible assets
Operating lease assets
Other accruals
Gross deferred tax liability
Net deferred tax (liability) asset
$
$
2020
10,818
6,924
—
2,530
—
—
48,110
4,748
23,695
(9,937)
86,888
(177)
(525)
(54,864)
(33,279)
(741)
(89,586)
$
June 30,
2019
10,504
6,549
7,620
1,542
6,185
6
—
1,473
33,061
(9,943)
56,997
—
(3,146)
(66,257)
—
(187)
(69,590)
$
(2,698) $ (12,593) $
2018
11,956
7,577
9,841
7,170
8,705
3,395
—
3,634
35,221
(11,496)
76,003
—
(2,346)
(65,482)
—
—
(67,828)
8,175
As of June 30, 2020, Adtalem has $0.1 million of gross U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards, $301.5 million
of gross, post apportioned state net operating loss carryforwards, and $23.6 million of foreign net operating loss
carryforwards in St. Maarten and other jurisdictions.
Adtalem has the following tax net operating loss (tax effected), interest (tax effected), and credit carryforwards as of
June 30, 2020 (in thousands):
U.S. interest expense carryforwards
U.S. credit carryforwards
State net operating loss carryforwards
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards
Total loss and credit carryforwards, net
June 30,
Years of Expiration
2020
99
518
17,623
4,361
1,094
23,695
$
$
Beginning
Ending
No expiration
2027
2022
2021
No expiration
2029
2039
2038
Three of Adtalem’s operating units benefit from local tax incentives: AUC, which operates in St. Maarten, RUSM,
which operates in Barbados, and RUSVM, which operates in St. Kitts. AUC’s effective tax rate reflects benefits derived
from investment incentives. RUSM and RUSVM each have agreements with their respective domestic governments that
exempt them from local income taxation. RUSM has an exemption in Barbados until 2039. RUSVM has an exemption in
St. Kitts until 2037.
Valuation allowances are established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not
be realized. The valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets was $9.9 million at each of June 30, 2020 and 2019,
respectively, and mainly relates to other foreign and state net operating loss carryforwards. Insufficient projected taxable
income in certain jurisdictions gives rise to need of a valuation allowance.
Based on Adtalem’s expectations for future taxable income, management believes that it is more likely than not that
operating income in other respective jurisdictions will be sufficient to recognize fully all deferred tax assets.
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Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Our effective income tax rates from continuing operations in fiscal year 2020 was negative 2.7%, a decrease from
positive 23.5% in fiscal year 2019. The effective tax rates in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 reflect the U.S. federal tax rate of
21% adjusted for foreign rate differences, benefits associated with local tax incentives, changes in valuation allowances
and liabilities for uncertain tax positions, and tax benefits on stock-based compensation awards. Additionally, in fiscal
year 2020, we did not record a tax provision on the pre-tax gain of $110.7 million on the deal-contingent foreign currency
hedge agreement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020 (see Note 4
“Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for additional information) and we recorded a $25.7 million net tax
benefit related to a former subsidiary investment loss claimed for the tax year ended June 30, 2018.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) includes significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax
system, which reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% as of January 1, 2018; shifts to a modified
territorial tax regime, which requires companies to pay a transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were
previously tax deferred; and creates new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings. The new taxes on certain foreign-
sourced earnings under the Tax Act became effective for Adtalem during the year ended June 30, 2019.
Prior to enactment of the Tax Act, Adtalem did not record a U.S. federal or state tax provision for the undistributed
earnings of its international subsidiaries. As a result of the Tax Act, Adtalem has revised its prior intent to indefinitely
reinvest accumulated undistributed earnings and profits in foreign operations, and no longer intends to indefinitely reinvest
any of its accumulated undistributed earnings and profits in foreign operations.
The Tax Act includes provisions for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) wherein taxes are imposed on
foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. This income will effectively be
taxed in general at a 10.5% tax rate. The GILTI provision of the Tax Act became effective for Adtalem for the year ended
June 30, 2019. We have elected to account for GILTI as a period cost.
As of June 30, 2020, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, including positions
impacting only the timing of tax benefits, was $11.5 million, which if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. As
of June 30, 2019, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, including positions
impacting only the timing of benefits, was $31.8 million, which if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate.
We expect that our unrecognized tax benefits will decrease during the next 12 months due to the settlement of various
audits and the lapsing of statutes of limitation. We estimate this decrease to not be material. Adtalem classifies interest
and penalties on tax uncertainties as a component of the provision for income taxes. The total amount of interest and
penalties accrued as of June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $1.5 million, $0.8 million, and $0.7 million, respectively.
Interest and penalties expense (benefit) recognized during the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were $0.0
million, $0.1 million, and ($0.6) million, respectively. The changes in our unrecognized tax benefits were (in thousands):
Balance at beginning of period
Increases from positions taken during prior periods
Decreases from positions taken during prior periods
Increases from positions taken during the current period
Reductions due to lapse of statute
Reductions due to settlement
Balance at end of period
Year Ended June 30,
2019
$
$
2020
31,818
—
(26,489)
6,456
(231)
(73)
$
11,481
$
32,804
582
(660)
606
(1,390)
(124)
31,818
$
$
2018
7,901
1,151
(3,501)
29,463
(559)
(1,651)
32,804
Adtalem files tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. Adtalem remains
generally subject to examination in the U.S. for years beginning on or after July 1, 2016; in various states for years
beginning on or after July 1, 2014; and in our significant foreign jurisdictions for years beginning on or after July 1,
2014. Adtalem is currently under audit in two state and local jurisdictions for various tax years between 2014 and 2017. The
Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed its examination of the Adtalem U.S. tax returns for the tax years ended
on or prior to June 30, 2016. The IRS is currently conducting an examination of the tax year ended June 30, 2018. Although
we have recorded tax reserves for potential adjustments to tax liabilities for prior years, we cannot provide assurance that
a material adjustment, either positive or negative, will not result when the audits are concluded.
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2020 Form 10-K
On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, temporarily increases the amount of interest
expense the company is allowed to deduct on its U.S. federal tax returns for fiscal years 2019 and 2020, modifies the Tax
Credit and Jobs Act of 2017 to allow immediate expensing of qualified improvement property for U.S. federal income tax
purposes retroactive to fiscal year 2018, and allows net operating losses incurred in fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020 to
be carried back five-years and offset up to 100% of U.S. federal taxable income for tax years beginning before fiscal year
2021. Management continues to evaluate the impact of the CARES Act, but at present time does not expect that the
provisions of the CARES Act would result in a material tax or cash benefit.
8. Earnings per Share
The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share and stock awards not included
in the computation of diluted earnings per share when their effect is anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share data):
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Adtalem:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding
Unvested participating RSUs
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding
Effect of dilutive stock awards
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Adtalem:
Basic:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
Diluted:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
Year Ended June 30,
2020
2019
2018
$
$
243,981
(329,315)
(85,334)
$
$
107,247
(12,079)
95,168
$
$
68,429
(34,660)
33,769
53,196
463
53,659
435
54,094
58,017
523
58,540
790
59,330
$
$
$
$
$
$
4.55
(6.14)
(1.59)
4.51
(6.09)
(1.58)
$
$
$
$
$
$
1.83
(0.21)
1.63
1.81
(0.20)
1.60
$
$
$
$
$
$
60,760
702
61,462
818
62,280
1.11
(0.56)
0.55
1.10
(0.56)
0.54
980
Weighted-average anti-dilutive stock awards
973
215
9. Financing Receivables
Adtalem’s financing receivables consist of trade receivables related to credit extension programs available to students
at Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM. These credit extension programs are designed to assist students who are
unable to completely cover educational costs consisting of tuition, books, and fees, and are available only after all other
student financial assistance has been applied toward those purposes. In addition, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM allow
students to finance their living expenses. Repayment plans for financing agreements are developed to address the financial
circumstances of the particular student. Interest charges at rates from 3.0% to 12.0% per annum accrue each month on the
unpaid balance. Most students are required to begin repaying their loans while they are still in school with a minimum
payment level designed to demonstrate their capability to repay, which reduces the possibility of over borrowing, and
minimizes interest being accrued on the loan balance. Payments may increase upon completing or departing school. After
a student leaves school, the student typically will have a monthly installment repayment plan. In addition, Becker offered
an 18-month credit extension program for its Becker CPA Exam Review Course which is considered a financing
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Adtalem Global Education Inc.
receivable. Becker is no longer offering credit extension under this program. Instead, Becker is offering financing through
flexible payment plans with terms of up to 12-months which is not considered a financing receivable.
Allowances for uncollectible loans are determined by analyzing the current aging of financing agreements and historical
loss rates of loans at each institution. Management performs this analysis and records an associated adjustment on a
quarterly basis. In evaluating the collectability of all our receivable balances, we set our bad debt reserves incorporating
the most recent and updated circumstances, facts, and analytics. Changes in assumed collection rates will result in changes
in the necessary reserves. Loans are considered nonperforming if they are over 90 days past due. Since all of Adtalem’s
financing agreements are generated through the extension of credit to fund educational costs, all such receivables are
considered part of the same credit extension portfolio. Adtalem charges-off credit extension program balances after they
have been sent to a third party collector, the timing of which varies by the institution granting the loan, but in most cases
is when the financing agreement is at least 181 days past due.
The following table details the financing agreement balances along with the related allowances for credit losses (in
thousands):
Gross financing receivables
Allowance for credit losses:
Balance as of July 1
Charge-offs and adjustments
Recoveries
Additional provision
Balance at end of period
Net financing receivables
June 30,
2020
$
50,025
2019
$
47,937
$
(6,289)
712
(113)
(10,000)
$ (10,003)
10,777
(83)
(6,980)
(15,690)
34,335
$
(6,289)
41,648
$
Of the net balances above, $19.6 million and $16.6 million were classified as accounts receivable, net on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $14.7 million and $25.1 million, representing
amounts due beyond one year, were classified as other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020
and 2019, respectively.
The following table details the credit risk profiles of the financing agreement balances based on an aging of past due
financing agreements (in thousands):
1-30 Days
Past Due
31-60 Days
Past Due
61-90 Days
Past Due
Over
90 Days
Past Due
Total
Past Due
Current
Total
Financing
Receivables
Financing receivables:
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
$
$
7,192 $
$
3,578
1,755 $ 1,547 $ 13,782 $ 24,276 $ 25,749 $ 50,025
$ 47,937
2,458
$ 16,611
$ 31,326
9,888
687
$
$
In connection with the completion of the sale of DeVry University, Adtalem loaned $10.0 million to DeVry University
under the terms of the Note. The Note bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable annually in arrears, and has a
maturity date of January 1, 2022. The value of the DeVry University loan receivable included in other assets, net on the
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2020 and 2019 is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using an
average of current rates for similar arrangements, which is estimated at 4% per annum. Management has evaluated the
collectability of this note and has determined no reserve is necessary.
On July 31, 2019, Adtalem sold its Chicago, Illinois, campus facility to DePaul College Prep Foundation (“DePaul
College Prep”). In connection with the sale, Adtalem holds a mortgage from DePaul College Prep for $46.8 million. The
mortgage is due on July 31, 2024 as a balloon payment and bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable monthly. The
value of the DePaul College Prep loan receivable included in other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
June 30, 2020 is $41.4 million, which is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using an average of current rates
103
2020 Form 10-K
for similar arrangements, which is estimated at 7% per annum. Management has evaluated the collectability of this note
and has determined no reserve is necessary.
10. Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net consists of the following (in thousands):
Land
Building
Equipment
Construction in progress
Property and equipment, gross
Accumulated depreciation
Property and equipment, net
June 30,
2020
43,246
313,068
248,359
12,449
617,122
(331,020)
286,102
$
$
2019
41,938
322,657
228,533
13,545
606,673
(323,240)
283,433
$
$
Depreciation expense was $34.4 million, $33.8 million, and $33.0 million for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and
2018, respectively.
In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused damage and disrupted operations at AUC and RUSM. In
December 2018, AUC and RUSM received the final insurance settlement proceeds related to the property damage and
disruption of operations caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. These proceeds produced a gain of $15.6 million, which
was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019.
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, the campuses of AUC and RUSM were damaged from Hurricanes Irma and
Maria, respectively. Hurricane-related impairment charges of $31.0 were recorded in fiscal year 2018 for building, building
improvements, furniture, and equipment, along with receivables for insurance reimbursements of these amounts, less
deductibles, of $21.9 million as of June 30, 2018. The impairment charges are included in cost of educational services in
the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). In the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, Adtalem announced its decision to
relocate RUSM’s campus operations to Barbados and not return to RUSM’s Dominica campus. We recorded impairment
charges of $39.1 million in fiscal year 2019 to fully impair the property and equipment in Dominica as management
determined the market value less the costs to sell the facilities or move the equipment was zero. The impairment charges
are included in restructuring expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (see Note 6 “Restructuring
Charges”).
On July 31, 2019, Adtalem sold its Chicago, Illinois, campus facility to DePaul College Prep for $52.0 million. Adtalem
received $5.2 million of cash at the time of closing and holds a mortgage, secured by the property, from DePaul College
Prep for $46.8 million. The mortgage is due on July 31, 2024 as a balloon payment and bears interest at a rate of 4% per
annum, payable monthly. The buyer has an option to make prepayments. Due to Adtalem’s involvement with financing
the sale, the transaction did not qualify as a sale for accounting purposes. Adtalem continues to maintain the assets
associated with the sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recorded a note receivable of $40.3 million and a
financing payable of $45.5 million at the time of the sale, which were classified as other assets, net and other liabilities,
respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 9 “Financing Receivables” for a discussion on the discounting
of the note receivable. The $5.2 million received during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 is classified as a financing
activity on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
On September 27, 2019, Adtalem closed on the sale of its Columbus, Ohio, campus facility. Net proceeds from the sale
of $6.4 million resulted in a gain on the sale of $4.8 million in fiscal year 2020. This gain was recorded at Adtalem’s home
office, which is classified as “Home Office and Other” in Note 21 “Segment Information.”
11. Leases
We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. We have entered into operating leases for academic sites,
housing facilities, and office space which expire at various dates through January 2031, most of which include options
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Adtalem Global Education Inc.
to terminate for a fee or extend the leases for an additional five-year period. The lease term includes options to terminate
or extend when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. We elected to account for lease and non-lease
components (e.g., common-area maintenance costs) as a single lease component for all operating leases. Leases with an
initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. We have not entered into any financing leases.
Operating lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease assets
represent our right to use an underlying asset during the lease term. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at
the lease commencement date based on the present value of future lease payments over the lease term. Operating lease
assets are adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease payments, lease incentives, initial direct costs, and impairments. Our
incremental borrowing rate is utilized in determining the present value of the lease payments based upon the information
available at the commencement date. Our incremental borrowing rate is determined using a secured borrowing rate for the
same currency and term as the associated lease. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the
lease term.
As of June 30, 2020, we entered into one additional operating lease that has not yet commenced. The operating lease
will commence during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, has a 10-year lease term, and will result in an additional lease
asset and lease liability of $10.1 million.
The components of lease cost were as follows (in thousands):
Operating lease cost
Sublease income
Total lease cost
Year Ended
June 30,
2020
$
$
56,136
(19,524)
36,612
Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year as of June 30, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total lease payments
Less: imputed interest
Present value of lease liabilities
Lease term and discount rate were as follows:
Weighted-average remaining operating lease term (years)
Weighted-average operating lease discount rate
Operating
Leases
62,731
58,921
48,400
32,224
22,081
39,049
263,406
(35,730)
227,676
$
$
June 30, 2020
5.2
5.4%
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to leases were as follows (in thousands):
Cash paid for amounts in the measurement of operating lease liabilities (net of sublease receipts)
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
Year Ended
June 30,
2020
$
$
47,147
26,477
105
2020 Form 10-K
Adtalem maintains agreements to lease four facilities owned by Adtalem to DeVry University with various expiration
dates through December 2023. Adtalem maintains agreements to sublease either a portion or the full leased space at 22 of
its operating lease locations. Most of these subleases are a result of Adtalem retaining leases associated with restructured
lease activities at DeVry University and Carrington prior to their divestitures during fiscal year 2019. All sublease
expirations with DeVry University and Carrington coincide with Adtalem’s original head lease expiration dates. At that
time, Adtalem will be relieved of its obligations. In addition, Adtalem has entered into subleases with non-affiliated entities
for vacated or partially vacated space from restructuring activities. Adtalem’s sublease agreements expire at various dates
through December 2025. We record sublease income as an offset against our lease expense recorded on the head lease.
For leases which Adtalem vacated or partially vacated space, we recorded estimated restructuring charges in prior periods.
Actual results may differ from these estimates, which could result in additional restructuring charges or reversals. Future
minimum lease and sublease rental income under these agreements as of June 30, 2020, were as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total lease and sublease rental income
Amount
19,856
16,816
16,078
10,261
5,121
2,038
70,170
$
$
As previously disclosed in our 2019 Form 10-K and under the previous lease accounting guidance in ASC 840, future
minimum rental commitments for all noncancelable operating leases, adjusted to exclude Adtalem Brazil, having a
remaining term in excess of one year at June 30, 2019, were as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter
Total minimum lease payments
Amount
67,109
60,781
55,982
44,970
28,374
36,120
293,336
$
$
Rent expense, adjusted to exclude Adtalem Brazil, for the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $35.8 million and
$25.0 million, respectively.
12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The table below summarizes goodwill balances by reporting unit (in thousands):
Reporting Unit
Chamberlain
AUC
RUSM and RUSVM
Financial Services
Total
June 30,
2020
4,716
68,321
237,173
376,004
686,214
$
$
2019
4,716
68,321
237,173
377,046
687,256
$
$
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Adtalem Global Education Inc.
The table below summarizes goodwill balances by reportable segment (in thousands):
Reportable Segment
Medical and Healthcare
Financial Services
Total
June 30,
2020
310,210
376,004
686,214
$
$
2019
310,210
377,046
687,256
$
$
The table below summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment (in thousands):
June 30, 2018
Acquisitions
Foreign exchange rate changes
June 30, 2019
Purchase accounting adjustments
Foreign exchange rate changes
June 30, 2020
Medical and
Healthcare
$ 310,210
—
—
310,210
—
—
$ 310,210
Financial
Services
$ 317,699
59,519
(172)
377,046
(92)
(950)
$ 376,004
Total
$ 627,909
59,519
(172)
687,256
(92)
(950)
$ 686,214
The decrease in the goodwill balance from June 30, 2019 in the Financial Services segment is primarily the result of a
change in the value of the Indian Rupee compared to the U.S. dollar. Since EduPristine’s goodwill is recorded in local
currency, fluctuations in the values of the Indian Rupee in relation to the U.S. dollar will cause changes in the balance of
this asset.
Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships
Curriculum/software
Course delivery technology
Total
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trade names
Chamberlain Title IV eligibility and accreditations
AUC Title IV eligibility and accreditations
Ross Title IV eligibility and accreditations
Intellectual property
Total
$
$
$
$
June 30, 2020
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Weighted-Average
Amortization
Period
68,900 $
11,600
7,200
87,700
$
(21,044)
(2,094)
(1,952)
(25,090)
10 Years
6 Years
5 Years
95,664
1,200
100,000
14,100
13,940
224,904
107
2020 Form 10-K
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships
Curriculum/software
Course delivery technology
Total
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trade names
Chamberlain Title IV eligibility and accreditations
AUC Title IV eligibility and accreditations
Ross Title IV eligibility and accreditations
Intellectual property
Total
June 30, 2019
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
69,300
16,600
7,200
93,100
$
$
(14,448)
(5,193)
(487)
(20,128)
95,777
1,200
100,000
14,100
13,940
225,017
$
$
$
$
The table below summarizes the indefinite-lived intangible asset balances by reportable segment (in thousands):
Reportable Segment
Medical and Healthcare
Financial Services
Total
June 30,
2020
137,500
87,404
224,904
$
$
2019
137,500
87,517
225,017
$
$
Amortization expense for amortized intangible assets was $10.3 million, $6.9 million, and $6.5 million for the years
ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for
the next five fiscal years ending June 30 and in the aggregate, by reporting unit, is as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total
Financial
Services
10,073
9,943
9,792
9,509
7,933
15,360
62,610
$
$
All amortizable intangible assets except ACAMS customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis. The
amount amortized for ACAMS customer relationships is based on the estimated retention of the customers, giving
consideration to the revenue and cash flow associated with these existing customers.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets related to trade names, Title IV eligibility and accreditations, and intellectual property
are not amortized, as there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic, or other factors that limit the useful life of these
intangible assets to the reporting entity.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually and when an event
occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist. Our annual testing date
is May 31.
Adtalem has four reporting units that contained goodwill as of May 31, 2020. These reporting units constitute
components for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management and the
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Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Board. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit containing the goodwill exceeds the fair value of that reporting unit, an
impairment loss is recognized to the extent the fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is less than the carrying amount of
the goodwill, up to the amount of goodwill recorded. In analyzing the results of operations and business conditions of all
four reporting units (Step 0), it was determined that a Step 1 impairment analysis was not necessary for any reporting unit
to determine if the carrying values of the reporting unit exceeded their fair values as of the May 31, 2020 annual impairment
review date because it was determined to be more likely than not that fair value exceeded carrying value. If a Step 1
impairment analysis is needed, the estimate of the fair value is based on management’s projection of revenue, gross margin,
operating costs, and cash flows considering planned business and operational strategies over a long-term planning horizon
of five years along with a terminal value calculated based on discounted cash flows. These measures of business
performance are similar to those management uses to evaluate the results of operations on a regular basis. The growth rates
used to project cash flows, operating results, and terminal values are based upon an analysis of the economic environment
in which the reporting unit operates. The valuation employs present value techniques to estimate fair value and considers
market factors. Management believes the assumptions used for the impairment testing are consistent with those that would
be utilized by a market participant in performing similar valuations. The discount rate utilized takes into account
management’s assumptions on growth rates and risk, both organization specific and macro-economic, inherent in that
reporting unit. Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable at the time, but such
assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ from these estimates which could lead to
impairments of goodwill.
Adtalem has four reporting units that contained indefinite-lived intangible assets as of May 31, 2020. For indefinite-
lived intangible assets, management first analyzes qualitative factors, including results of operations and business
conditions of the four reporting units that contained indefinite-lived intangible assets, significant changes in cash flows at
the individual indefinite-lived intangible asset level, if applicable, as well as how much previously calculated fair values
exceed carrying values to determine if it is more likely than not that the intangible assets associated with these reporting
units have been impaired. In qualitatively assessing the indefinite-lived intangible assets of the four reporting units, it was
determined that it was more likely than not that these assets’ fair values exceeded their carrying values as of the May 31,
2020 annual impairment review date, except for in the case of the ACAMS Trade Name.
Based on recent revenue trends, management had reason to believe the carrying value of the ACAMS Trade Name may
have exceeded its fair value. Accordingly, management performed a quantitative impairment review. In calculating fair
value, Adtalem used a royalty rate model. The royalty rate method is based on management’s projection of revenue
considering planned business and operational strategies over a long-term planning horizon of five years. The assumed
royalty rate of 5% is based upon historical results and analysis of the economic environment in which ACAMS operates.
Adtalem employs the Profit Split Analysis Method in determining the royalty rates used for valuing trade names. In this
method, royalty rates are assessed based on an analysis of profit levels. Specifically, an implied royalty rate is calculated
based on current and projected profitability levels to assess the affordability of the trade name, or a feasible royalty that a
hypothetical market participant would pay to license the trade name. The valuation employed present value techniques
utilizing a discount rate of 10.2% to measure the fair value of the revenue over the five-year planning horizon plus a
terminal value assuming a reasonable long-term revenue growth rate that considered market factors. Management believes
the assumptions used for the impairment testing are consistent with those that would be utilized by a market participant in
performing similar valuations of its indefinite-lived intangible assets. The results of this quantitative analysis showed the
fair value of the ACAMS Trade Name did exceed its carrying value by a significant margin; thus, there was no indication
that this asset was impaired.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an intangible asset involves the use of significant estimates and
assumptions. Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable at the time, but such
assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ from those estimates, which could lead to future
impairments of goodwill or intangible assets.
109
2020 Form 10-K 13. Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following senior secured credit facility (in thousands):
Total debt:
Term B Loan
Revolver
Total principal payments due
Deferred debt issuance costs
Total amount outstanding
Less current portion:
Term B Loan
Noncurrent portion
June 30,
2020
2019
$
294,000
$
—
294,000
(4,885)
289,115
(3,000)
$
286,115
$
297,000
110,000
407,000
(5,906)
401,094
(3,000)
398,094
Scheduled future maturities of long-term debt for the next five fiscal years ending June 30 and in the aggregate are as
follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Total
Maturity
Payments
3,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
282,000
294,000
$
$
On April 13, 2018, Adtalem entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) that provides for (1) a $300
million revolving facility (“Revolver”) with a maturity date of April 13, 2023 and (2) a $300 million senior secured Term
B loan (“Term B Loan”) with a maturity date of April 13, 2025. We refer to the Revolver and Term B Loan collectively
as the “Credit Facility.” The Revolver has availability for currencies other than U.S. dollars of up to $200 million and $100
million available for letters of credit. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Credit Facility
may be increased by $250 million.
Interest on the Term B Loan and the Revolver is set based on LIBOR, which is based on observable market transactions.
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, has announced that it has commitments from
panel banks to continue to contribute to LIBOR through the end of calendar year 2021, but that it will not use its powers
to compel contributions beyond such date. Various parties, including government agencies, are seeking to identify an
alternative rate to replace LIBOR. Management is monitoring their efforts, and evaluating the need for an amendment to
the Credit Agreement to accommodate a replacement rate. The Credit Agreement does not specify a replacement rate for
LIBOR.
Term B Loan
For Eurocurrency rate loans, Term B Loan interest is equal to LIBOR or a LIBOR-equivalent rate plus 3%. For base
rate loans, Term B Loan interest is equal to the base rate plus 2%. The Term B Loan amortizes in equal quarterly
installments of $750,000, with the balance due at maturity on April 13, 2025. As of June 30, 2020 and 2019, the interest
rate for borrowings under the Term B Loan facility was 3.18% and 5.40%, respectively, which approximated the effective
interest rate.
On March 24, 2020, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a
multinational financial institution to mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rate on our Term B Loan debt. We
pay interest at a fixed rate of 0.946% and receive variable interest of one-month LIBOR (subject to a minimum of 0.00%),
on a notional amount equal to the amount outstanding under the Term B Loan. The effective date of the Swap is March
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Adtalem Global Education Inc.
31, 2020 and settlements with the counterparty will occur on a monthly basis. The Swap will terminate on February 28,
2025.
During the operating term of the Swap, the annual interest rate on the amount of the Term B Loan will be fixed at
3.946% (including the impact of our current 3% interest rate margin on LIBOR loans) for the applicable interest rate
period.
The Swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and as such, changes in its fair value are recognized in accumulated other
comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are reclassified into the Consolidated Statements of Income
(Loss) within interest expense in the periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings.
Revolver
Revolver interest is equal to LIBOR or a LIBOR-equivalent rate for Eurocurrency rate loans or a base rate, plus an
applicable rate based on Adtalem’s consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The applicable rate
ranges from 1.75% to 2.75% for Eurocurrency rate loans and from 0.75% to 1.75% for base rate loans. As of June 30,
2019, borrowings under the Revolver were $110 million with a weighted average interest rate of 4.66%. There were no
outstanding borrowings under the Revolver as of June 30, 2020.
Adtalem had a letter of credit outstanding of $68.4 million as of each of June 30, 2020 and 2019. This letter of credit
was posted in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017 in relation to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”)
and requires the letter of credit to be equal to the greater of 10% of DeVry University’s annual Title IV disbursements or
$68.4 million for a five-year period. As of June 30, 2020, Adtalem is charged an annual fee equal to 2.25% of the undrawn
face amount of the outstanding letters of credit under the Revolver, payable quarterly. Adtalem continues to post the letter
of credit in relation to the settlement with the FTC on behalf of DeVry University and is reimbursed by DeVry University
for 2.00% of the outstanding amount of this letter of credit. The Credit Agreement also requires payment of a commitment
fee equal to 0.40% as of June 30, 2020, of the undrawn portion of the Revolver. The amount undrawn under the Revolver,
which includes the impact of the outstanding letters of credit, was $231.6 million as of June 30, 2020. The letter of credit
fees and commitment fees are adjustable quarterly, based upon Adtalem’s achievement of certain financial ratios.
Debt Issuance Costs
Adtalem incurred $9.9 million in fees that were capitalized in relation to the Credit Agreement, $7.1 million of which
was related to the Term B Loan facility and $2.7 million of which was related to the Revolver facility. The deferred debt
issuance costs related to the Term B Loan are presented as a direct deduction from the face amount of the debt, while the
deferred debt issuance costs related to the Revolver are classified as other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The deferred debt issuance costs amortization is recorded in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income
(Loss). The following table summarizes the total deferred debt issuance costs for the Term B Loan and Revolver, which
are being amortized over seven years and five years, respectively (in thousands):
Deferred debt issuance costs as of June 30, 2019
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
Deferred debt issuance costs as of June 30, 2020
Covenants and Guarantees
Term B Loan Revolver
$
$ 2,061
5,906
(1,021)
4,885
$
(545)
$ 1,516
Total
$ 7,967
(1,566)
$ 6,401
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants, including restrictions on our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to
merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interest on assets, make
acquisitions, loans, advances or investments, or sell or otherwise transfer assets.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants that, among other things, require maintenance of certain financial ratios.
Maintenance of these financial ratios could place restrictions on Adtalem’s ability to pay dividends. Adtalem has not paid
a dividend since December 2016. These financial ratios include a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, a consolidated
leverage ratio, and a U.S. Department of Education financial responsibility ratio based upon a composite score of an equity
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2020 Form 10-K
ratio, a primary reserve ratio, and a net income ratio. Failure to maintain any of these ratios or to comply with other
covenants contained in the Credit Agreement would constitute an event of default and could result in termination of the
Credit Agreement and require payment of all outstanding borrowings and replacement of outstanding letters of credit.
Adtalem was in compliance with the debt covenants as of June 30, 2020.
The stock of all U.S. and certain foreign subsidiaries of Adtalem is pledged as collateral for borrowings under the Credit
Agreement.
The Term B Loan requires mandatory prepayments equal to a percentage of excess cash flow or equal to the net cash
proceeds in excess of $50 million from a disposition which is not reinvested in assets within one-year from the date of
disposition, among other mandatory prepayment terms (see the Credit Agreement, as filed under Form 8-K dated April
13, 2018, for additional information and term definitions). No mandatory prepayments have been required or made since
the execution of the Credit Agreement.
Our borrowings under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by us and all of our domestic subsidiaries (subject to certain
exceptions) and secured by a first lien on our assets and the assets of our guarantor subsidiaries (excluding real estate),
including capital stock of the subsidiaries.
14. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
As of June 30, 2019, Adtalem maintained a 97.9% ownership interest in Adtalem Brazil with the remaining 2.1% owned
by members of the Adtalem Brazil senior management group. Since July 1, 2015, Adtalem has had the right to exercise a
call option and purchase any remaining Adtalem Brazil stock from Adtalem Brazil management. Likewise, Adtalem Brazil
management has had the right to exercise a put option and sell its remaining ownership interest in Adtalem Brazil to
Adtalem.
In addition, Adtalem maintains a 71% ownership interest in EduPristine with the remaining 29% owned by Kaizen
Management Advisors (“Kaizen”), an India-based private equity firm, as of June 30, 2020.
The adjustment to increase or decrease the Adtalem Brazil and EduPristine noncontrolling interests for their respective
proportionate shares of Adtalem Brazil’s and EduPristine’s profit (loss) flows through the Consolidated Statements of
Income (Loss) each reporting period based on Adtalem’s noncontrolling interest accounting policy.
Beginning on March 26, 2020, Adtalem has had the right to exercise a call option and purchase any remaining
EduPristine stock from Kaizen. Likewise, Kaizen has had the right to exercise a put option and sell up to 33% of its
remaining ownership interest in EduPristine to Adtalem. Beginning on March 26, 2022, Kaizen will have the right to
exercise a put option and sell its remaining ownership interest in EduPristine to Adtalem.
Since the put options are out of the control of Adtalem, authoritative guidance requires the noncontrolling interests,
which includes the value of the put options, to be displayed outside of the equity section of the Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
On July 1, 2019, the Adtalem Brazil management noncontrolling members exercised their put option and sold their
remaining ownership interest in Adtalem Brazil to Adtalem resulting in Adtalem owning 100% of Adtalem Brazil. In the
first quarter of fiscal year 2020, $6.2 million of redeemable noncontrolling interest was removed from the Consolidated
Balance Sheet as a result of the put option exercise.
Prior to July 1, 2019, the Adtalem Brazil management put option was being accreted to its fair value in accordance with
the terms of the related stock purchase agreement. The adjustments to increase or decrease the put option to its expected
redemption value each reporting period was recorded in retained earnings in accordance with GAAP. Adtalem has not
adjusted the redemption value related to the Kaizen put option as management believes the redemption value has not
materially changed since acquiring a majority stake in EduPristine.
112
Adtalem Global Education Inc. The following is a reconciliation of the redeemable noncontrolling interest balance (in thousands):
Balance at beginning of period
Net (loss) income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
Increase in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest put option
Payment for purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest of subsidiary
Balance at end of period
15. Share Repurchases
Year Ended June 30,
2020
2019
$
$
9,543
(444)
—
(6,247)
2,852
$
$
9,110
413
20
—
9,543
On November 8, 2018, we announced that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized Adtalem’s current share
repurchase program, which allows Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31,
2021. The current share repurchase program commenced in January 2019. Adtalem made share repurchases under the
current and former share repurchase programs as follows (in thousands, except shares and per share data):
Total number of share repurchases
Total cost of share repurchases
Average price paid per share
Year Ended June 30,
2020
3,838,275
2019
5,306,203
$
$
136,889
35.66
$
$
252,852
47.65
$
$
Life-to-Date
Current Share
Repurchase Program
6,383,431
254,769
39.91
On February 4, 2020, we announced that the Board authorized Adtalem’s twelfth share repurchase program, which
allows Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. The new program will
commence when the repurchases from the current program are complete. As of June 30, 2020, $345.2 million of authorized
share repurchases were remaining under the current and twelfth share repurchase programs. Repurchases under the current
program were suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The
timing and amount of any future repurchases will be determined based on an evaluation of market conditions and other
factors. These repurchases may be made through the open market, including block purchases, in privately negotiated
transactions, or otherwise. Repurchases will be funded through available cash balances and/or borrowings and may be
suspended or discontinued at any time. Shares of stock repurchased under the programs are held as treasury shares. These
repurchased shares have reduced the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for basic and
diluted earnings per share calculations.
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2020 Form 10-K
16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table shows the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands):
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Beginning balance
(Loss) gain on foreign currency translation
Reclassification from other comprehensive income
Ending balance
Marketable securities
Beginning balance, gross
Beginning balance, tax effect
Beginning balance, net of tax
ASU 2016-01 cumulative effect adjustment
Unrealized gain on marketable securities
Tax effect
Ending balance
Interest rate swap
Beginning balance, gross
Beginning balance, tax effect
Beginning balance, net of tax
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap
Tax effect
Ending balance
Total ending balance at June 30
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2020
(137,389)
(157,354)
293,360
(1,383)
131
(32)
99
—
111
(27)
183
Year Ended June 30,
2019
$
$
$
$
(142,574)
5,185
—
(137,389)
537
(131)
406
(381)
98
(24)
99
$
$
$
$
— $
—
—
(10,399)
2,544
(7,855)
(9,055)
$
$
— $
—
—
—
—
—
$
2018
(59,400)
(83,174)
—
(142,574)
454
(173)
281
—
83
42
406
—
—
—
—
—
—
(137,290)
$
(142,168)
On April 24, 2020, Adtalem completed the sale of Adtalem Brazil. We recorded a reclassification from other
comprehensive income of $293.4 million for the year ended June 30, 2020 due to the sale of Adtalem Brazil. This
represents the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on
the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to Adtalem Brazil as of April 24, 2020, which was recognized in net income in the
Consolidated Statement of Loss for the year ended June 30, 2020.
17. Stock-Based Compensation
Adtalem maintains two stock-based incentive plans: the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005 and the Fourth
Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2013. Under these plans, directors, key executives, and managerial employees
are eligible to receive incentive stock or nonqualified options to purchase shares of Adtalem’s common stock. The Fourth
Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2013 and the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005 also permit the
granting of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based RSUs, and other stock and cash-
based compensation. Although options remain outstanding under the 2005 incentive plan, no further stock-based grants
will be issued under this plan. The Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2013 and the Amended and Restated
Incentive Plan of 2005 are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board. Options are granted for terms of
up to ten years and can vest immediately or over periods of up to five years. The requisite service period is equal to the
vesting period. The option price under the plans is the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant.
Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. Adtalem accounts
for stock-based compensation granted to retirement eligible employees that fully vests upon an employee’s retirement
under the non-substantive vesting period approach. Under this approach, the entire stock-based compensation expense is
recognized at the grant date for stock-based grants issued to retirement eligible employees. For non-retirement eligible
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Adtalem Global Education Inc.
employees, stock-based compensation expense is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period. We
account for forfeitures of outstanding but unvested grants in the period they occur.
As of June 30, 2020, 4,374,281 shares were authorized for issuance but not issued or subject to outstanding awards
under Adtalem’s stock-based incentive plans.
The following is a summary of options activity for the year ended June 30, 2020:
Outstanding as of July 1, 2019
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Expired
Outstanding as of June 30, 2020
Exercisable as of June 30, 2020
Number of
Options
1,488,478
229,125
(135,849)
(65,946)
(76,178)
1,439,630
726,604
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
$
$
31.33
43.39
27.82
43.01
51.46
31.95
27.28
6.39 $
$
5.11
5,468
4,886
The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $1.2 million, $4.4
million, and $11.4 million, respectively.
The fair value of Adtalem’s stock option awards was estimated using a binomial model. This model uses historical
cancellation and exercise experience of Adtalem to determine the option value. It also takes into account the illiquid nature
of employee options during the vesting period.
The weighted-average estimated grant date fair value of options granted at market price under Adtalem’s stock-based
incentive plans during fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $16.98, $20.96, and $14.63, per share, respectively. The fair
value of Adtalem’s stock option grants was estimated assuming the following weighted-average assumptions:
Expected life (in years)
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Dividend yield
2020
6.51
37.66 %
1.40 %
0.00 %
Fiscal Year
2019
6.50
39.60 %
2.73 %
0.00 %
2018
6.68
41.45 %
1.95 %
0.00 %
The expected life of the options granted is based on the weighted-average exercise life with age and salary adjustment
factors from historical exercise behavior. Adtalem’s expected volatility is computed by combining and weighting the
implied market volatility, the most recent volatility over the expected life of the option grant, and Adtalem’s long-term
historical volatility.
If factors change and different assumptions are employed in the valuation of stock-based grants in future periods, the
stock-based compensation expense that Adtalem records may differ significantly from what was recorded in previous
periods.
During fiscal year 2020, Adtalem granted 414,810 RSUs to selected employees and directors. Of these, 135,660 are
performance-based RSUs and 279,150 are non-performance-based RSUs. Performance-based RSUs are earned by the
recipients over a three-year period based on achievement of return on invested capital and free cash flow per share. Certain
awards are subject to achievement of a minimum level of Adtalem’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and
amortization, calculated on a non-GAAP basis. Non-performance-based RSUs are subject to restrictions which lapse
ratably over one, three, or four-year periods on the grant anniversary date based on the recipient’s continued service on
the Board, employment with Adtalem, or upon retirement. During the restriction period, the recipient of the non-
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2020 Form 10-K
performance-based RSUs has the right to receive dividend equivalents, if any. This right does not pertain to the
performance-based RSUs. The following is a summary of RSU activity for the year ended June 30, 2020:
Outstanding as of July 1, 2019
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding as of June 30, 2020
Weighted-Average
Number of
RSUs
878,030
414,810
(385,913)
(138,954)
767,973
$
$
Grant Date
Fair Value
34.86
42.22
28.37
41.24
39.42
The weighted-average estimated grant date fair values of RSUs granted at market price under Adtalem’s stock-based
incentive plans during fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018 were $42.22, $49.57, and $34.67, per share, respectively.
The following table shows total stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Income
(Loss) (in thousands):
Cost of educational services
Student services and administrative expense
Restructuring expense
Income tax benefit
Net stock-based compensation expense
$
$
$
$
Year Ended June 30,
2019
1,239
11,978
—
13,217
(4,685)
8,532 $
2020
1,334
13,250
—
14,584
(4,611)
9,973 $
2018
4,464
9,487
548
14,499
(5,829)
8,670
As of June 30, 2020, $17.9 million of total pre-tax unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested
grants is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. The total fair value of options and RSUs
vested during the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was approximately $14.5 million, $14.9 million, and $14.8
million, respectively.
There was no capitalized stock-based compensation cost at each of June 30, 2020 and 2019.
Adtalem has an established practice of issuing new shares of common stock to satisfy stock-based grant exercises.
However, Adtalem also may issue treasury shares to satisfy stock-based grant exercises under certain of its stock-based
incentive plans.
18. Employee Benefit Plans
Success Sharing Retirement Plan
All U.S. employees who meet certain eligibility requirements can participate in Adtalem’s 401(k) Retirement Plan.
Adtalem currently contributes to the plan an amount up to 6% of the total eligible compensation of colleagues who make
contributions under the plan. In addition, Adtalem may also make discretionary contributions for the benefit of all eligible
employees. Expenses for the matching and discretionary contributions under the plan were $11.2 million, $10.6 million,
and $10.9 million for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
Colleague Stock Purchase Plan
Under provisions of Adtalem’s current Colleague Stock Purchase Plan, any eligible employee may authorize Adtalem
to withhold up to $25,000 of annual wages to purchase common stock of Adtalem. Adtalem implemented a new Colleague
Stock Purchase Plan approved by stockholders at Adtalem’s annual meeting of stockholders held on November 6, 2019
which allows for the issuance of 500,000 shares. Adtalem terminated the ability to purchase shares of common stock under
the old Colleague Stock Purchase Plan and the last purchase made through the old Colleague Stock Purchase Plan was on
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Adtalem Global Education Inc.
February 28, 2019. Currently, employees can purchase Adtalem’s common stock at 90% of the prevailing market price on
the purchase date. Adtalem subsidizes the remaining 10% and pays all brokerage commissions and administrative fees
associated with the plan. These expenses were insignificant for the years ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Total
shares issued under the plans were 705, 8,895, and 20,725 in fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. These plans
are intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue
Code. Currently, Adtalem is re-issuing treasury shares to satisfy colleague share purchases under this plan.
19. Fair Value Measurements
Adtalem has elected not to measure any assets or liabilities at fair value other than those required to be measured at fair
value on a recurring basis. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include goodwill, intangible assets, and
assets of businesses where the long-term value of the operations have been impaired.
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit
price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants. The guidance specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation
techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable
inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. The guidance establishes fair value measurement
classifications under the following hierarchy:
Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 – Observable inputs other than prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar instruments
in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-
derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.
Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are
unobservable.
When available, Adtalem uses quoted market prices to determine fair value, and such measurements are classified
within Level 1. In cases where market prices are not available, Adtalem makes use of observable market-based inputs to
calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2. If quoted or observable market prices
are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based
parameters such as interest rates and yield curves. These measurements are classified within Level 3.
Fair value measurements are classified according to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the
valuation. A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are
readily observable.
The carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of their short-term nature and is
classified as Level 1.
Adtalem maintains a rabbi trust to fund obligations under a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The rabbi trust
investments in stock and bond mutual funds, which are carried at fair value and classified as marketable securities on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. All investments in marketable securities are recorded at fair value based upon quoted market
prices using Level 1 inputs.
The fair value of the credit extension programs included in accounts receivable, net and other assets, net on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and 2019 of $34.3 million and $41.6 million, respectively, is estimated
by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar arrangements and is classified as Level 2. See Note 9
“Financing Receivables” for additional information on these credit extension programs.
In connection with the completion of the sale of DeVry University, Adtalem loaned $10.0 million to DeVry University
under the terms of the Note. The Note bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable annually in arrears, and has a
maturity date of January 1, 2022. The fair value of the DeVry University loan receivable included in other assets, net of
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2020 Form 10-K $10.0 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at each of June 30, 2020 and 2019 is estimated by discounting the future
cash flows using an average of current rates for similar arrangements, which is estimated at 4% per annum and is classified
as Level 2.
On July 31, 2019, Adtalem sold its Chicago, Illinois, campus facility to DePaul College Prep Foundation (“DePaul
College Prep”). In connection with the sale, Adtalem holds a mortgage from DePaul College Prep for $46.8 million. The
mortgage is due on July 31, 2024 as a balloon payment and bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable monthly. The
fair value of the DePaul College Prep loan receivable included in other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as
of June 30, 2020 is $41.4 million, which is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using an average of current rates
for similar arrangements, which is estimated at 7% per annum and is classified as Level 2.
As of June 30, 2020 and 2019, borrowings under our Credit Facility were $294.0 million and $407.0 million,
respectively. The carrying value of our long-term debt approximates fair value because the interest rates on these
borrowings approximated the effective interest rate and is classified as Level 2. See Note 13 “Debt” for additional
information on the Credit Facility.
On March 24, 2020, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement with a multinational
financial institution to fully mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rate on our Term B Loan debt with an
effective date of March 31, 2020. The fair value of our Swap is based in part on data received from the counterparty, and
represents the estimated amount we would receive or pay to settle the Swap, taking into consideration current and projected
future interest rates as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparty, all of which can be validated through readily
observable data from external sources, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2. The fair value of the
Swap is represented within other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with a balance of $10.4 million as of June
30, 2020. See Note 13 “Debt” for additional information on the Swap.
As of June 30, 2020 and 2019, there were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs.
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles arising from a
business combination. These assets are not amortized and charged to expense over time. Instead, goodwill and indefinite-
lived intangibles must be reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances arise indicating potential
impairment. This impairment review was most recently completed as of May 31, 2020. See Note 12 “Goodwill and
Intangible Assets” for additional information on the impairment review, including valuation techniques and assumptions.
20. Commitments and Contingencies
Adtalem is subject to lawsuits, administrative proceedings, regulatory reviews and investigations associated with
financial assistance programs and other matters arising in the normal conduct of its business. As of June 30, 2020, Adtalem
believes it has adequately reserved for potential losses. The following is a description of pending legal and regulatory
matters that may be considered other than ordinary, routine, and incidental to the business. Descriptions of certain matters
from prior SEC filings may not be carried forward in this report to the extent we believe such matters no longer are required
to be disclosed or there has not been, to our knowledge, significant activity relating to them. We have recorded accruals
for those matters where management believes a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated as of June 30, 2020. For
those matters for which we have not recorded an accrual, their possible impact on Adtalem’s business, financial condition,
or results of operations, cannot be predicted at this time. The continued defense, resolution, or settlement of any of the
following matters could require us to expend significant resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and
our ability to operate.
On October 14, 2016, a putative class action lawsuit was filed by Debbie Petrizzo and five other former DeVry
University students, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, against Adtalem, DeVry University Inc., and
DeVry/New York Inc. (collectively the “Adtalem Parties”) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois (the “Petrizzo Case”). The complaint was filed on behalf of a putative class of persons consisting of those who
enrolled in and/or attended classes at DeVry University during and after 2002 and who were unable to find employment
within their chosen field of study within six months of graduation. Citing the civil complaint filed by the FTC on January
26, 2016 against the Adtalem Parties (the “FTC lawsuit”), the plaintiffs claimed that defendants made false or misleading
118
Adtalem Global Education Inc. statements regarding DeVry University’s graduate employment rate and asserted claims for unjust enrichment and
violations of six different states’ consumer fraud, unlawful trade practices, and consumer protection laws. The plaintiffs
sought monetary, declaratory, injunctive, and other unspecified relief.
On October 28, 2016, a putative class action lawsuit was filed by Jairo Jara and eleven others, individually and on behalf
of others similarly situated, against the Adtalem Parties in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois (the “Jara Case”). The individual plaintiffs claimed to have graduated from DeVry University in 2001 or later and
sought to proceed on behalf of a putative class of persons consisting of those who obtained a degree from DeVry University
and who were unable to find employment within their chosen field of study within six months of graduation. Citing the
FTC lawsuit, the plaintiffs claimed that defendants made false or misleading statements regarding DeVry University’s
graduate employment rate and asserted claims for unjust enrichment and violations of ten different states’ consumer fraud,
unlawful trade practices, and consumer protection laws. The plaintiffs sought monetary, declaratory, injunctive, and other
unspecified relief.
By order dated November 28, 2016, the district court ordered the Petrizzo Case and the Jara Case be consolidated under
the Petrizzo caption for all further purposes. On December 5, 2016, plaintiffs filed an amended consolidated complaint on
behalf of 38 individual plaintiffs and others similarly situated. The amended consolidated complaint sought to bring claims
on behalf of the named individuals and a putative nationwide class of individuals for unjust enrichment and alleged
violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act and the Illinois Private Businesses and Vocational
Schools Act of 2012. In addition, it purported to assert causes of action on behalf of certain of the named individuals and
15 individual state-specific putative classes for alleged violations of 15 different states’ consumer fraud, unlawful trade
practices, and consumer protection laws. Finally, it sought to bring individual claims under Georgia state law on behalf of
certain named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs sought monetary, declaratory, injunctive, and other unspecified relief. A motion to
dismiss the amended complaint was filed by the Adtalem Parties and granted by the court, without prejudice, on
February 12, 2018.
On April 12, 2018, the Petrizzo plaintiffs refiled their complaint with a new lead plaintiff, Renee Heather Polly. The
plaintiffs’ refiled complaint was nearly identical to the complaint previously dismissed by the court on February 12, 2018.
The Adtalem Parties moved to dismiss this refiled complaint on May 14, 2018. The court granted defendants’ motion and
dismissed the amended complaint with prejudice on February 13, 2019. On March 15, 2019, plaintiffs filed a notice of
appeal. On July 8, 2020, by agreement of the parties, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal on Appeal with
Prejudice, and the court dismissed the case with prejudice on July 9, 2020.
On April 13, 2018, a putative class action lawsuit was filed by Nicole Versetto, individually and on behalf of others
similarly situated, against the Adtalem Parties in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Chancery Division. The
complaint was filed on behalf of herself and three separate classes of similarly situated individuals who were citizens of
the State of Illinois and who purchased or paid for a DeVry University program between January 1, 2008 and April 8,
2016. The plaintiff claims that defendants made false or misleading statements regarding DeVry University’s graduate
employment rate and asserts causes of action under the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Illinois Consumer
Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and Illinois Private Business and Vocational Schools Act, and claims of breach
of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, concealment, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, unjust
enrichment, and declaratory relief as to violations of state law. The plaintiff seeks compensatory, exemplary, punitive,
treble, and statutory penalties and damages, including pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, in addition to restitution,
declaratory and injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. The Adtalem Parties moved to dismiss this complaint on June 20,
2018. On March 11, 2019, the court granted plaintiff’s motion for leave to file an amended complaint. Plaintiff filed an
amended complaint that same day, asserting similar claims, with new lead plaintiff, Dave McCormick. Defendants filed a
motion to dismiss plaintiff’s amended complaint on April 15, 2019 and the court granted Defendants’ motion on July 29,
2019, with leave to amend. The plaintiff has filed an amended complaint on August 26, 2019. On October 18, 2019,
defendants’ moved to dismiss this complaint as it is substantially similar to the one the court previously dismissed. No
hearing on the motion to dismiss is currently scheduled. The Court granted a Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class
Action Settlement (the “Settlement”) on May 28, 2020. In conjunction with the Settlement, Adtalem was required to
establish a settlement fund by placing $44.95 million into an escrow account, which is recorded within prepaid expenses
and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2020. Adtalem management determined a loss
contingency was probable and reasonably estimable. As such, we also recorded a loss contingency accrual of $44.95
million on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2020 and charged the contingency loss within discontinued
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2020 Form 10-K operations in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) for the year ended June 30, 2020. We anticipate the potential
payments related to this loss contingency to be made from the escrow account during fiscal year 2021. This loss
contingency estimate could differ from actual results and result in additional charges or reversals in future periods. A final
approval hearing is set for October 7, 2020.
On May 8, 2018, the Carlson Law Firm (“Carlson”) filed a lawsuit against Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc., on
behalf of 71 individual former DeVry University students in Rangel v. Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc. Carlson filed
this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. Plaintiffs contend that DeVry University
“made deceptive representations about the benefits of obtaining a degree from DeVry University” in violation of Texas
state laws and seek full restitution of all monies paid to DeVry University and any student loan lenders, punitive damages,
and attorneys’ fees. The defendants moved to dismiss this complaint on June 5, 2018. On June 27, 2018, Carlson filed a
second lawsuit on behalf of 32 former DeVry University students against Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc. in Lindberg
v. Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc. Carlson filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District
of Texas. The allegations are identical to the allegations in the lawsuit Carlson filed on May 8, 2018. Specifically, plaintiffs
contend that DeVry University “made deceptive representations about the benefits of obtaining a degree from DeVry
University” in violation of Texas state laws and seek full restitution of all monies paid to DeVry University and any student
loan lenders, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. The defendants moved to dismiss this complaint on August 28, 2018.
The court consolidated these two lawsuits on December 10, 2018. The defendants moved to dismiss the consolidated action
on December 18, 2018. On January 2, 2019, Carlson filed a motion to intervene on behalf of 13 additional former DeVry
University students seeking to join the consolidated lawsuit. The parties re-filed their briefing on the motions to dismiss
so that the motion would apply to all three groups of plaintiffs. On April 24, 2019, the Court granted Adtalem’s and DeVry
University’s motions to dismiss, with leave to amend. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on June 7, 2019.
Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint on July 5, 2019. The motion to dismiss was referred to a magistrate judge. On
December 13, 2019, the magistrate judge issued a report and recommendation denying defendants’ motion to dismiss. On
January 3, 2020, defendants filed their objections to the report and recommendation on the motion to dismiss, and plaintiffs
filed a response to the objections on January 8, 2020. The District Court judge adopted the Magistrate Judge’s report and
recommendations on March 12, 2020, and the defendants filed an answer to the complaint on April 10, 2020. Discovery
is ongoing. In conjunction with the Alvarez v. Adtalem matter referenced below, the parties participated in a mediation on
August 4, 2020. The parties will continue mediation discussions.
On April 4, 2019, the Carlson Law Firm sent notice pursuant to California Legal Remedies Act, Civil Code § 1750, of
105 individuals who purportedly have claims against DeVry University and Adtalem based on allegedly deceptive
comments made about the benefits of obtaining a DeVry University degree; specifically, that 90% of graduates obtained
a job in their chosen field of study within six months of graduation, and that graduates were paid more than graduates of
other universities. On July 16, 2019, the Carlson Law Firm filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the
Northern District of California – San Jose Division against Adtalem and DeVry University on behalf of 102 individual
former DeVry University students in Alvarez v. Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc. The plaintiffs contend that defendants
misrepresented the benefits of graduating from DeVry University and falsely and misleadingly advertised the employment
rate and income rate of their graduates to induce potential students to purchase educational products and services, and to
remain students through graduation. The lawsuit seeks exemplary damages, restitution, economic damages, punitive
damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and the cost of suit. The plaintiffs brought claims for fraud by
misrepresentation, fraud by concealment, negligent misrepresentation, civil theft, violation of the California Consumer
Legal Remedies Act, violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, and violation of California’s False Advertising
Law. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on October 1, 2019. On December 16, 2019, the court granted in
part and denied in part the motion to dismiss. Defendants filed an answer to the complaint on January 13, 2020. Plaintiffs
filed an amended complaint on January 31, 2020, and defendants filed an amended answer on March 2, 2020. The parties
participated in a court-ordered mediation on August 4, 2020, at which time there was no agreed upon resolution. The
parties will continue mediation discussions.
On August 13, 2019, a plaintiff, Magana, filed a putative class action lawsuit against Adtalem and DeVry University,
Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, alleging damages based on allegedly deceptive
statements made about the benefits of obtaining a DeVry University degree. Plaintiffs asserted claims under the California
Unfair Competition Law, California False Advertising Law, and claims of fraud/material misrepresentation, fraudulent
concealment/intentional omission of material facts, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary
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Adtalem Global Education Inc. duty, conversion, unjust enrichment, and declaratory relief. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this action on May 11, 2020.
The court closed the case on May 13, 2020.
On June 21, 2018, Stoltmann Law Offices filed a lawsuit against Adtalem in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging that
Adtalem breached a contract with Stoltmann Law Offices to pay filing fees associated with arbitration claims Stoltmann
Law Offices has filed with the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”). Stoltmann Law Offices is
seeking specific performance from the court. Adtalem moved to dismiss this complaint on August 3, 2018. Prior to the
court ruling on Adtalem’s motion to dismiss, Stoltmann Law Offices and 399 individuals filed an amended complaint on
August 9, 2018, asserting claims for specific performance, declaratory judgment and a petition to compel arbitration.
Adtalem moved to dismiss the amended complaint on August 31, 2018. The court granted Adtalem’s motion to dismiss
on November 30, 2018, but granted plaintiffs leave to file a second amended complaint. A single individual plaintiff filed
a second amended complaint on January 3, 2019. Adtalem moved to dismiss the complaint on May 23, 2019. On January
9, 2020, the court granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. The court dismissed the petition to
compel arbitration, and allowed the claim for declaratory judgment to proceed. Adtalem filed an answer to the complaint
on February 10, 2020. Discovery is ongoing.
Stoltmann Law Offices is representing hundreds of individuals who have filed claims with JAMS alleging fraud-based
claims based on DeVry University’s graduate employment statistics. Stoltmann Law Offices has paid the filing fees for
thirty of these arbitrations to move forward. JAMS has sent commencement letters in several waves. Respondents have
filed answers in response to approximately twenty-five arbitration demands. These arbitrations are in various stages of
litigation. One decision has been issued following the completion of the arbitration which dismissed all of claimant’s
claims in favor of Adtalem and DeVry University.
On March 29, 2019, a putative class action lawsuit was filed by Robby Brown, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated, against Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc., in the Western District of Missouri. The complaint was
filed on behalf of himself and two separate classes of similarly situated individuals who were citizens of the State of
Missouri and who purchased or paid for and received any part of a DeVry University program. The plaintiffs claimed that
defendants made false or misleading statements regarding DeVry University’s graduate employment rate and assert claims
of breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, breach of
fiduciary duty, conversion, unjust enrichment, and declaratory relief. The plaintiffs sought compensatory, exemplary,
punitive, treble, and statutory penalties and damages as allowed by law, including pre-judgment and post-judgment interest
disgorgement, restitution, injunctive and declaratory relief, and attorneys’ fees. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the
complaint on May 31, 2019. On October 9, 2019, the court granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss. The
court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims for unjust enrichment and conversion, allowing the remaining claims to proceed. On
October 29, 2019, defendants filed an answer to the complaint. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this action on May 11,
2020. The court entered an Order of Dismissal Without Prejudice on May 13, 2020.
On or about April 1, 2019, Adtalem, Chamberlain and DeVry University received similar Civil Investigative Demands
(“CID”) from the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”). The CIDs were issued pursuant to a False Claims Act inquiry
concerning allegations that Adtalem, in particular Chamberlain and Adtalem’s former subsidiary DeVry University,
submitted or caused the submission of false claims to the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veteran
Affairs for federal funds under the GI Bill Programs and Tuition Assistance Program from 2011 to the date of the CIDs.
It is specifically alleged that Chamberlain and DeVry University engaged in unlawful recruitment tactics, and provided
incentive payments based directly or indirectly on securing federal financial aid. Adtalem cooperated with this DOJ inquiry
and provided documents and other information requested by the DOJ. On February 27, 2020, the DOJ notified the U.S.
District Court for the District of Georgia that it would decline to intervene in two qui tam False Claims Act actions filed
by former DeVry University employees related to the subject matter of the CIDs. Those actions were unsealed on March
2, 2020. The complaints had been filed by former employees Ashley Vandiver (2017 complaint) and Laura Moriarty (2018
complaint). Vandiver’s complaint is filed against Adtalem and DeVry University. Moriarty’s complaint is filed against
Adtalem, Chamberlain, DeVry University, and others. We cannot predict their outcome.
On April 3, 2019, a putative class action lawsuit was filed by T’Lani Robinson, individually and on behalf of all others
similarly situated, against Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc., in the Northern District of Georgia. The complaint was
filed on behalf of herself and three separate classes of similarly situated individuals who were citizens of the State of
Georgia who purchased or paid for and received any part of a DeVry University program. The plaintiffs claimed that
121
2020 Form 10-K defendants made false or misleading statements regarding DeVry University’s graduate employment rate and assert claims
of breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, breach of
fiduciary duty, conversion, unjust enrichment, and declaratory relief. The plaintiffs sought compensatory, exemplary,
punitive, treble, and statutory penalties and damages as allowed by law, including pre-judgment and post-judgment interest
disgorgement, restitution, injunctive and declaratory relief, and attorneys’ fees. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the
complaint on May 31, 2019. On November, 25, 2019, the court granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion to
dismiss. The court dismissed the claims for breach of fiduciary duty and conversion with prejudice. The court dismissed
the claims for negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, and unjust enrichment
without prejudice, ordering plaintiffs’ to file an amended class-action complaint within fourteen days of the order. The
court allowed the claims for breach of contract and declaratory relief to proceed. On December 9, 2019, plaintiff filed an
amended class-action complaint. On December 23, 2019, defendants filed their answer to the amended class action
complaint. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this action on May 12, 2020. The court dismissed the case on May 13, 2020.
21. Segment Information
Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, Adtalem Brazil operations were classified as discontinued operations.
See Note 4 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for additional information. Segment information presented
excludes the results of Adtalem Brazil. Adtalem eliminated its Business and Law reportable segment during the first
quarter of fiscal year 2020 when Adtalem Brazil was classified as discontinued operations. In addition, Carrington and
DeVry University are presented as discontinued operations, see Note 4 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for
Sale” for additional information. Discontinued operations assets are included in the table below to reconcile to total
consolidated assets presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, certain expenses previously allocated to
Adtalem Brazil within our former Business and Law segment during fiscal years 2018 and 2019 were reclassified to the
Home Office and Other segment based on discontinued operations reporting guidance regarding allocation of corporate
overhead. For fiscal year 2020, home office costs to support the remaining businesses are being allocated to the Medical
and Healthcare and Financial Services segments.
We present two reportable segments as follows:
Medical and Healthcare – Offers degree and non-degree programs in the medical and healthcare postsecondary
education industry. This segment includes the operations of Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM. AUC, RUSM, and
RUSVM are collectively referred to as the “medical and veterinary schools.”
Financial Services – Offers test preparation, certifications, conferences, seminars, memberships, and subscriptions to
business professionals in the areas of accounting, anti-money laundering, banking, and mortgage industries. This segment
includes the operations of ACAMS, Becker, OCL, and EduPristine.
These segments are consistent with the method by which the Chief Operating Decision Maker (Adtalem’s Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer) evaluates performance and allocates resources. Performance evaluations are based
on each segment’s operating income excluding special items. Operating income excludes special items that consists of
restructuring expense, gain on sale of assets, and settlement gains. Adtalem’s management excludes these items from its
review of the results of the operating segments for purposes of measuring segment profitability and allocating resources.
Intersegment sales are accounted for at amounts comparable to sales to nonaffiliated customers and are eliminated in
consolidation. “Home Office and Other” includes activities not allocated to a reportable segment and is included to
reconcile segment results to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Segments may have allocated depreciation expense
related to depreciable assets reported as an asset in a different segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the
same as those described in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
122
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Summary financial information by reportable segment is as follows (in thousands):
2020
Year Ended June 30,
2019
2018
Revenue:
Medical and Healthcare
Financial Services
Home Office and Other
Total consolidated revenue
Operating income excluding special items:
Medical and Healthcare
Financial Services
Home Office and Other
Total consolidated operating income excluding special items
Reconciliation to Consolidated Financial Statements:
Restructuring expense
Gain on sale of assets
Settlement gains
Total consolidated operating income
Net other income (expense)
Total consolidated income from continuing operations before
income taxes
Segment assets:
Medical and Healthcare
Financial Services
Home Office and Other
Discontinued Operations
Total consolidated assets
Capital expenditures:
Medical and Healthcare
Financial Services
Home Office and Other
Total consolidated capital expenditures
Depreciation expense:
Medical and Healthcare
Financial Services
Home Office and Other
Total consolidated depreciation expense
Intangible asset amortization expense:
Financial Services
Total consolidated intangible asset amortization expense
$
$
$
$
866,428 $
185,573
—
$ 1,052,001
849,861 $
167,211
(3,229)
$ 1,013,843
$
815,674
147,195
(2,592)
960,277
190,475
28,052
(47,514)
171,013
(3,851)
—
—
167,162
(10,983)
$
181,217
35,467
(33,965)
182,719
(53,067)
—
26,178
155,830
(16,083)
139,747
$
156,179
814,728
582,327
263,242
582,399
$
988,920
456,589
287,874
611,578
$ 2,344,961
$
$
$
$
167,744
22,464
(24,099)
166,109
(28,628)
4,779
—
142,260
94,919
$
237,179
$ 1,231,951
580,272
416,464
—
$ 2,228,687
$ 2,242,696
$
$
$
25,334
4,532
14,271
44,137 $
$
47,410
1,678
8,486
57,574 $
$
29,064 $
28,025 $
2,010
3,354
34,428
$
1,849
3,885
33,759
$
34,099
1,848
10,675
46,622
29,731
1,999
1,274
33,004
10,262
$
10,262 $
6,947
$
6,947 $
6,501
6,501
123
2020 Form 10-K
Adtalem conducts its educational and financial services operations in the U.S., Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, India,
Europe, China, Canada, and the Middle East. Revenue and long-lived assets by geographic area are as follows (in
thousands):
Revenue from unaffiliated customers:
Domestic operations
International operations:
Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten
Other
Total international
Total consolidated revenue
Long-lived assets:
Domestic operations
International operations:
Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten
Other
Total international
Total consolidated long-lived assets
Year Ended June 30,
2020
2019
2018
$
651,342 $
606,363 $
578,157
354,773
45,886
400,659
362,427
45,053
407,480
$ 1,052,001
$ 1,013,843
$
206,521
$
157,367
$
$
156,609
1,851
158,460
364,981 $
176,229
1,950
178,179
335,546 $
$
342,831
39,289
382,120
960,277
148,724
182,701
2,021
184,722
333,446
Certain prior period amounts within domestic operations and other international operations revenue in the above table
have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. We previously classified certain sales
dependent upon the location of the legal entity reporting the sale. We have changed our methodology to classify these
sales within the geographic area category where the sale originates. We believe this better reflects the usefulness of this
disclosure.
No one customer accounted for more than 10% of Adtalem’s consolidated revenue.
22. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Summarized unaudited quarterly data for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, are as follows (in thousands, except
per share amounts):
Quarter
First
$ 254,613
Total Year
Third
$ 1,052,001
$ 271,487
$ 25,741 $ 40,311 $ 54,487 $ 21,721 $ 142,260
Fourth
$ 259,729
Second
$ 266,172
$ 17,517 $
$ (3,156) $
$ 14,361 $
1,408 $ 153,551 $ 71,505 $ 243,981
4,117
$ (2,719) $ (327,557) $ (329,315)
5,525 $ 150,832 $ (256,052) $ (85,334)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.32
(0.06) $
$
0.26
0.03
$
0.08 $
$
0.10
$
2.90
(0.05) $
$
2.85
1.37
$
(6.27) $
(4.90) $
$
0.31
(0.06) $
$
0.26
$
0.03
0.08 $
$
0.10
$
2.88
(0.05) $
$
2.83
$
1.36
(6.22) $
(4.86) $
4.55
(6.14)
(1.59)
4.51
(6.09)
(1.58)
Year Ended June 30, 2020
Revenue
Operating income
Amounts attributable to Adtalem:
Income from continuing operations
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
Net income (loss) attributable to Adtalem
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Adtalem:
Basic:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
Diluted:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
124
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Year Ended June 30, 2019
Revenue
Operating (loss) income
Amounts attributable to Adtalem:
(Loss) income from continuing operations
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
Net (loss) income attributable to Adtalem
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Adtalem:
Basic:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
Diluted:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net
Quarter
First
$ 236,939
Total Year
Third
$ 1,013,843
$ 258,703
$ (3,232) $ 58,669 $ 45,579 $ 54,814 $ 155,830
Fourth
$ 264,240
Second
$ 253,961
$ (4,787) $ 41,945 $ 34,840 $ 35,249 $ 107,247
$ (12,079)
95,168
$ (9,530) $ 17,295 $ 37,905 $ 49,498 $
$ (4,743) $ (24,650) $
$ 14,249
3,065
$
$
$
$
$
$
(0.08) $
(0.08) $
(0.16) $
0.71
$
(0.42) $
$
0.29
(0.08) $
(0.08) $
(0.16) $
0.70
$
(0.41) $
$
0.29
0.60
$
0.05 $
$
0.65
0.59
$
0.05 $
$
0.64
0.62
$
0.25 $
$
0.88
0.62
$
0.25 $
$
0.86
1.83
(0.21)
1.63
1.81
(0.20)
1.60
125
2020 Form 10-K Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Schedule II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years Ended June 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018
(in thousands)
Description of Allowances and Reserves
Year Ended June 30, 2020
Credit losses deducted from accounts and notes receivable
Valuation allowances deducted from deferred tax assets
Restructuring reserve
Year Ended June 30, 2019
Refund allowance deducted from accounts receivable
Credit losses deducted from accounts and notes receivable
Valuation allowances deducted from deferred tax assets
Restructuring reserve
Year Ended June 30, 2018
Refund allowance deducted from accounts receivable
Credit losses deducted from accounts and notes receivable
Valuation allowances deducted from deferred tax assets
Restructuring reserve
Balance at Charged to Charged to
Beginning Costs and
Other
Accounts
Balance at
End
of Year
Deductions
of Year
Expenses
$ 14,532 $ 16,152
71
4,955
9,943
25,083
$
—
(77)
(25,030)(f)
$ 4,169 (a)$ 26,515
9,937
1,435
—
3,573 (c)
387 $
$
18,838
11,496
38,927
— $
9,817
6,767
8,870
(387)(d) $
832 (e)
4
—
— $
—
14,955 (a) 14,532
9,943
22,714 (c) 25,083
8,324
$
450
15,806
9,456
46,115
$ 14,007 (b)$
7,115
2,266
19,893
— $ 14,070 (a)$
—
(19)
—
387
4,083 (a) 18,838
11,496
27,081 (c) 38,927
207
(a) Write-offs of uncollectable amounts and cash refunds.
(b) Amounts recorded as a reduction of revenue, including adjustment for withdrawn students.
(c) Payments and/or adjustments of liabilities for restructuring reserve.
(d) Reclassification between accounts.
(e) OnCourse Learning’s acquired balance.
(f) ASC 842 (leases) reclassification to operating lease liabilities.
126
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of Adtalem’s management, Adtalem’s Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that Adtalem’s disclosure controls and procedures as
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act were effective as of June 30, 2020 to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by Adtalem in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded,
processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated
and communicated to Adtalem’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Adtalem is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting, as defined by Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Because of its inherent limitations, internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As of June 30, 2020, Adtalem’s management has assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting, using the criteria specified by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s 2013
report Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based upon this assessment, Adtalem’s management concluded that as
of June 30, 2020, its internal control over financial reporting was effective based upon these criteria.
The effectiveness of Adtalem’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2020 has been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2020
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Adtalem’s internal control over financial
reporting. Due to COVID-19, virtually all institution and home office administrative operations continue to be delivered
and performed remotely. This includes operations both in the U.S. and in all foreign locations. These remote work
arrangements have not adversely affected, and are not reasonably likely to adversely affect, Adtalem’s ability to maintain
operations, financial reporting systems, internal control over financial reporting, or disclosure controls and procedures.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
PART III
The information required by Item 10 relating to Directors and Nominees for election to the Board of Directors is
incorporated by reference to Adtalem’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the solicitation of proxies
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held November 17, 2020 (the “Proxy Statement”). The information required
by Item 10 with respect to Executive Officers is set forth in “Information About Our Executive Officers” at the end of Part
I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
127
2020 Form 10-K The information required by Item 10 with respect to Regulation S-K, Item 405 disclosure of delinquent Form 3, 4, or 5
filers is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.
In accordance with the information required by Item 10 relating to Regulation S-K, Item 406 disclosures about the
Adtalem Code of Conduct and Ethics, Adtalem has a Code of Conduct and Ethics, which applies to its directors, officers
(including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Accounting Officer), and all other
employees. The full text of the Code is available on Adtalem’s website. Adtalem intends to satisfy the requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission regarding amendments to, or waivers from, the Code by posting such information
on its website. To date, there have been no waivers from the Code.
The information required by Item 10 relating to Regulation S-K, Item 407(c)(3) disclosure of procedures by which
security holders may recommend nominees to Adtalem’s Board of Directors is incorporated by reference to the Proxy
Statement. The information called for by Item 10 relating to Regulation S-K, Item 407(d)(4) and (d)(5) disclosure of the
Adtalem’s audit and finance committee financial experts and identification of the Adtalem’s audit committee is
incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement (as defined in Item 10).
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement (as defined in Item 10).
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement (as defined in Item 10).
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement (as defined in Item 10).
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1. Financial Statements
Consolidated financial statements filed as part of this report are listed under Item 8. “Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data.”
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualify Accounts is set forth under Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
of this Form 10-K. All other schedules have been omitted because they are not required, are not applicable, or the
required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
3. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
2(a)
Exhibit Description
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 18, 2016, by and
among DeVry/Becker Education Development Corp., AGM
Acquisition Corp., Cardinal Acquisition Merger Sub, Inc.,
Alert Global Media Holdings, LLC, and Registrant
Filed
Herewith
Incorporated by Reference to:
Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K filed June 23, 2016
128
Adtalem Global Education Inc. 2(c)
2(d)
2(e)
2(f)
2(g)
2(h)
3(a)
Exhibit
Number
2(b)
Exhibit Description
Filed
Herewith
Stock Purchase Agreement, by and between the Registrant
and Cogswell Education, LLC, dated December 4, 2017 (the
“Stock Purchase Agreement”)
Amendment No. 1 to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated
August 2, 2018
Amendment No. 2 to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as
of December 11, 2018, by and between the Registrant and
Cogswell
Incorporated by Reference to:
Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K dated December 4, 2017
Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K dated August 3, 2018
Exhibit 2.3 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K filed December 12, 2018
Amendment No. 3 to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as
of December 11, 2018, by and between the Registrant and
Cogswell
Exhibit 2.4 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K filed December 12, 2018
Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K dated June 29, 2018
Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K dated October 23, 2019
Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K dated April 27, 2020
Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated May 22, 2017
Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated May 22, 2017
Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated May 22, 2017
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K filed April 19, 2018
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, by and between
the Registrant and San Joaquin Valley College, Inc., dated
June 28, 2018
Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Global Education
International B.V., Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estácio de
Sá Ltda., Adtalem Global Education Inc., and Estácio
Participações S.A., dated as of October 18, 2019
Letter Agreement, by and among, Global Education
International B.V., Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estácio de
Sá Ltda., Adtalem Global Education Inc., and Estácio
Participações S.A., dated as of April 24, 2020
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated
May 23, 2017
3(b)
Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
3(c)
4(a)
Registrant, dated May 23, 2017
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as
amended as of May 23, 2017
Credit Agreement dated April 13, 2018, among the Registrant
and certain subsidiaries of the Registrant identified therein, as
the Borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Bank of Montreal, Fifth Third Bank
and PNC Bank, National Association, as Joint Lead
Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, Bank of Montreal, Fifth
Third Bank and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-
Syndication Agents, The Northern Trust Company, as
Documentation Agent, and The Other Lenders Party Thereto
(the “Credit Agreement”)
4(b)
Description of Registrant’s Securities
X
10(a)*
Registrant’s Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005
10(b)*
Registrant’s Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2013
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated November 10,
2010
Appendix A of the Supplement to
Proxy Statement dated October 10,
2017
129
2020 Form 10-K Exhibit
Number
10(c)*
10(d)*
Exhibit Description
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for Executive
Officers under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2005
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for
Employees under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan
of 2005
10(e)*
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for Executive
10(f)*
10(g)*
10(h)*
Officers under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2005
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for Employees
under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005
Form of Full Value Share Award Agreement for Executive
Officers under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2005
Form of Full Value Share Award Agreement for Directors
under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005
10(i)*
Form of Full Value Share Award Agreement for Employees
under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005
10(j)*
Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for Executive
Officers under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2005
10(k)*
Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement under the
Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for Executive
Officers under the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive
Compensation Plan of 2013
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for
Employees under the Fourth Amended and Restated
Incentive Plan of 2013
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for Executive
Officers under the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive
Plan of 2013
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for Employees
under the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2013
Form of Full Value Share Award Agreement for Executive
Officers under the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive
Plan of 2013
Form of Full Value Share Award Agreement for Directors
under the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2013
Form of Full Value Share Award Agreement for Employees
under the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2013
Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for Executive
Officers under the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive
Plan of 2013
Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for
Employees under the Fourth Amended and Restated
Incentive Plan of 2013
10(l)*
10(m)*
10(n)*
10(o)*
10(p)*
10(q)*
10(r)*
10(s)*
10(t)*
130
Filed
Herewith
Incorporated by Reference to:
Exhibit 10(e) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2013
Exhibit 10(f) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2013
Exhibit 10(g) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2013
Exhibit 10(h) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2013
Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated February 20, 2013
Exhibit 10(j) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2013
Exhibit 10(k) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2013
Exhibit 10(l) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2013
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated February 20, 2013
Exhibit 10(o) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 10(p) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 10(q) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 10(r) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated May 8, 2014
Exhibit 10(t) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 10(u) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 10(v) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 10(w) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Exhibit Description
Filed
Herewith
Exhibit
Number
10(u)*
10(v)*
Form of Restricted Cash Award Agreement for Employees
under the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of
2013
Registrant’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan
10(w)*
Registrant’s Success Sharing Retirement Plan
10(x)*
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant
and its Directors
10(y)*
Senior Advisor Agreement between the Registrant and
Ronald L. Taylor
10(z)*
First Amendment to Senior Advisor Agreement between the
Registrant and Ronald L. Taylor
10(aa)* Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Lisa W.
Wardell, dated May 24, 2016
10(bb)* Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Patrick J. Unzicker, dated May 31, 2016
10(cc)* Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Gregory S. Davis, dated July 7, 2016
10(dd)* Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Steven Riehs, dated May 17, 2013
10(ee)* Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Susan Groenwald, dated September 1, 2011
10(ff)*
Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Donna N. Jennings-Howell, dated October 12, 2009
10(gg)* Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Mehul R. Patel, dated September 5, 2017
10(hh)* Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Stephen W. Beard, dated February 1, 2018
10(ii)*
Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Kathy Boden Holland, dated May 9, 2018
10(jj)*
Letter Agreement among the Registrant, Michael W.
Malafronte and International Value Advisers, LLC and
affiliated parties listed therein, dated October 3, 2017
10(kk)
Promissory Note, dated December 11, 2018, by and between
10(ll)*
Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc.
Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
and Michael O. Randolfi
10(mm)* Offer Letter between Adtalem Global Education Inc. and
Robert Phelan, dated January 27, 2020
10(nn)* Executive Employment Agreement between the Registrant
21
23
and Karen S. Cox, dated June 15, 2018
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm
X
X
X
Incorporated by Reference to:
Exhibit 10(x) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Form
S-8 dated August 27, 2014
Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Form
S-8 dated August 27, 2014
Exhibit 10(f) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2010
Exhibit 10(b) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
December 31, 2002
Exhibit 10(r) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2013
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated May 27, 2016
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated June 1, 2016
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated January 1, 2017
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated May 22, 2013
Exhibit 10(ii) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2014
Exhibit 10(jj) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2018
Exhibit 10(kk) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2018
Exhibit 10(kk) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2019
Exhibit 10(ll) to the Registrant’s
Form 10-K for the year ended June
30, 2019
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated October 4, 2017
Exhibit 2.5 to the Registrant’s Form
8-K dated December 12, 2018
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated August 27, 2019
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Form 8-K dated February 18, 2020
131
2020 Form 10-K Filed
Herewith
X
Incorporated by Reference to:
Exhibit
Number
31.1
Exhibit Description
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule
31.2
32
13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-
14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002**
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104
Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL
and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Designates management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
** Furnished herewith.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None
132
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
Date: August 18, 2020
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
By: /s/ Michael O. Randolfi
Michael O. Randolfi
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
/s/ Lisa W. Wardell
Lisa W. Wardell
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Michael O. Randolfi
Michael O. Randolfi
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Date
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
/s/ Robert J. Phelan
Robert J. Phelan
/s/ William W. Burke
William W. Burke
/s/ Donna J. Hrinak
Donna J. Hrinak
/s/ Georgette Kiser
Georgette Kiser
/s/ Lyle Logan
Lyle Logan
/s/ Michael W. Malafronte
Michael W. Malafronte
/s/ Sharon O’Keefe
Sharon O’Keefe
/s/ Kenneth J. Phelan
Kenneth J. Phelan
/s/ James D. White
James D. White
Lead Independent Director
August 18, 2020
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
133
2020 Form 10-K
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Home Office
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
500 West Monroe Street, Suite 2800
Chicago, IL 60661
866-374-2678
www.adtalem.com
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Investor Services, L.L.C.
462 South 4th Street Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
312-588-4189
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
One North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Financial Information and Reports
Adtalem routinely issues press releases and
quarterly and annual financial reports. To receive
this information please write to us at: Adtalem
Global Education Inc., Investor Relations,
500 West Monroe Street, Suite 2800, Chicago,
IL 60661, call 312-588-4189 or visit the “Investor
Relations” section of our website at www.adtalem.
com. A copy of Adtalem Global Education Inc.
2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will be
furnished to stockholders without charge (except
charges for providing exhibits) upon request to
the Company. Analysts and investors seeking
additional information about the Company can
contact Investor Relations at 312-588-4189.
Investor Relations
Maureen Resac
Vice President, Investor Relations
312-651-1481
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of shareholders of
Adtalem Global Education Inc. will be held
entirely online on Tuesday, November 17, 2020
at 8:30 a.m. Central Standard Time at:
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2020.
Annual Mailing
Holders of common stock of record at the close
of business on September 30, 2020 are entitled
to vote at the meeting. A notice of meeting,
proxy statement and proxy card and/or voting
instructions were provided to shareholders with
this Annual Report.
Common Stock
Adtalem’s stock is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange and the NYSE Chicago under the
symbol ATGE.
Corporate Governance
To review the Company’s corporate governance
guidelines, Board committee charters and code of
conduct and ethics, please visit the “Organizational
Governance” section on the “Investor Relations”
page of our website at www.adtalem.com.