SAE Expands Creative Media Footprint with Acquisition of Ex’pression College in California
New York, NY (PRWEB) June 17, 2014 -- Global education services provider Navitas Limited has today announced that it has entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of Ex’pression College, a California-based creative media college. Ex’pression College will become a part of SAE Institute, Navitas’ creative media education division. SAE operates 53 creative media colleges in 27 countries around the world, including seven major cities in the United States.
“The Ex’pression acquisition will support SAE’s planned growth in the key United States market, doubling the number of colleges in the state of California to four and allowing SAE to utilize existing accreditation to offer a wider array of programs in that state,” says Scott McKinley, President of SAE Institute USA.
Founded in 1998, Ex’pression College offers Bachelor degree programs at two campuses in Emeryville and San Jose, California. San Jose is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, which is associated with many of the world’s most successful technology and media-related companies. Ex’pression’s six Bachelor degree programs (Sound Arts, Interactive Audio, Animation & Visual Effects, Motion Graphic Design, Game Art & Design, Digital Filmmaking) align with SAE’s existing global curriculum portfolio, which includes animation, game development, audio engineering, and digital filmmaking. Ex’pression College currently has approximately 550 full-time students, and has access to Title IV Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funding.
“We are excited to be able to offer both SAE and Ex’pression College students more opportunities through this partnership, which will leverage the best of both organizations,” says Rod Jones, Group CEO of Navitas. “Bringing SAE and Ex’pression together will provide the combined organization with a significantly expanded footprint in the key California market, and will help facilitate the ongoing accreditation process to increase the number of SAE courses and qualifications in that state as well as across the United States.”
Dan Levinson, CEO of Ex’pression College, believes that the partnership with SAE represents a great opportunity to introduce Ex’pression’s creative media programs to a national audience of potential students.
“I look forward to a positive synthesis of our two colleges, which share a common strategic vision, concern for the students, and a passion for creativity,” says Levinson.
The Ex’pression/SAE deal will close on or about July 1, 2014, with Ex’pression’s Emeryville and San Jose campuses joining New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville, Chicago, Miami and Atlanta.
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About SAE
SAE Institute provides aspiring creative media professionals with a foundation of practical theory and valuable hands-on training in their chosen areas of concentration. Under the guidance of our faculty, which is comprised of working industry professionals, students gain the essential experience they need for entry-level jobs in the entertainment business. Our students are supported in their job searches by SAE’s international network of alumni, many of whom are leaders in the music, film, gaming, and live performance arenas. Across our seven US campuses, we offer two accelerated Associate Degree programs and two Diploma programs in audio technology and music business, all fully accredited and focused on making students employment-ready when they graduate. SAE is a part of the Navitas group. Learn more about at USA.sae.edu/en-us/home.
About Ex’pression College
Ex’pression College teaches and grants Bachelor degrees in six programs: Animation & Visual Effects, Digital Filmmaking, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design & Motion, Interactive Audio, and Sound Arts. Ex’pression utilizes a professional, accelerated program, where students can earn their degree in under three years. Class sizes are limited to ensure hands-on learning, instructor attention, and access to gear and equipment. Students learn and work with professional-grade equipment, studios, and instructors. Ex’pression maintains close ties with industry professionals to provide students with client projects and mentorship opportunities, as well as career development assistance, which is available to all graduates.
About Navitas
Navitas is an Australian global education leader, providing pre-university and university programs, English language courses, migrant education and settlement services, creative media education, student recruitment, professional development, and corporate training services to more than 80,000 students across a network of over 100 colleges and campuses in 27 countries. Navitas is an ASX Top 100 Company. Further information is available at Navitas.com.
Jeffrey Baker, SAE Institute, http://www.sae-usa.com, 646-355-1804, [email protected]
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