Kaplan Higher Education Opens New Corpus Christi Health Industry Technical Training School

Corpus Christi, TX, December 3, 2002 - Seeking to address the increasing need for skilled allied health workers in the Corpus Christi region, Kaplan Higher Education is opening a campus in Corpus Christi, offering medical and dental assistant certificate programs. The newest campus, comprising 10,212 feet of space, will be located at 1620 South Padre Island Drive.

The campus opens as Corpus Christi faces a shortage in skilled allied health professionals as well as a recent unemployment rate of 5.7 percent and a loss of 2,000 jobs earlier in the year, primarily from the private-sector industry.

"Given Corpus Christi's heavy investment and presence in the allied health industry, as well as the population of adults seeking technical training, we saw a strong need for quality professional programs that would serve this market," said Carli Strength, Director of Operations of the Texas Region of Kaplan Higher Education.

A recent article in The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported that careers such as certified medical assistants, physical therapists and nurses are booming in Corpus Christi, citing data from the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation stating that the nationwide shortage of registered nurses translates to a shortage of 400 in the city. According to statistics from the Texas Workforce Commission, the employment projection for Dental Assistants in the Coastal Bend Workforce Area (Corpus Christi) is expected to grow 35% and almost 50% for Medical Assistants through 2010.

"Kaplan Higher Education's Texas-based campuses include some of the oldest and most trusted private career schools for allied health training," Mr. Strength noted. "Our graduates are in high demand among employers in this industry. With only one other technical training in school in the area, the new school's eight-month certificate program will provide a strong option for students seeking career-focused training and swift results. We're excited to bring the success of our training programs and placement record to Corpus Christi."

In 2001, Kaplan Higher Education's San Antonio campus found job placements for 81% of its Medical Assistants, 85% of its Medical Office Specialists and 80% of its Pharmacy Technicians.

The Corpus Christi campus will hold its first class Monday, December 9. Day and evening classes will be offered to accommodate the needs of working adults. Approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Propriety Schools Section, the school will have its Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting ceremony Thursday, December 5 at 10 a.m.

Gerald Brazell will sit as Executive Director of the Corpus Christi campus. He joins the Kaplan Higher Education team from American Education Centers, Inc. where as President of the Texas Institute he was responsible for the simultaneous opening of two IT schools as well as the reorganizing and repairing existing facilities.

The space is owned by David Cottrell Investments. Lispah Hogan currently of Newmark & Company Real Estate Group negotiated the 10 year lease on behalf of Kaplan, Inc.

About Kaplan Higher Education:
Kaplan, Inc.'s Higher Education Division includes 46 campus-based schools in 13 states, as well as online programs toward numerous degrees. Kaplan has been providing educational and career services to students, schools, professionals, and businesses worldwide for more than 60 years. Kaplan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO - News). For more information about Kaplan, please visit http://www.kaplan.com.

Press Contacts:

Carina Wong
212-492-5992
carina_wong@kaplan.com

Tammy Fang
212-492-5965
tammy_fang@kaplan.com 

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