Governance Practices
Governance Practices
We believe diverse and independent Directors create stronger practices and outcomes for the company. Our focus on access and diversity requires that our executive and board leaders operate from a position of understanding, inclusivity and subject matter expertise. We make it a top priority to have a diverse set of backgrounds within our governance system. See our board diversity metrics here.
Additionally, Adtalem's governance structure prioritizes the independence and integrity of our board of directors. We continuously administer internal checks, balances and annual procedures to maintain the integrity of the governing body and ensure there are no conflicts of interest. Read further about these procedures within our Governance Principles.
We have crafted a robust system of enterprise risk management that identifies, organizes, evaluates and responds to risks at an expert level. We see this as an essential component of operational efficiency and as a manifestation of our stakeholder-centered culture and mission. Enterprise Risk Management's annual risk review is a robust and thorough cycle that entails high-level analysis, the identification of the company’s top-tier risks and a regular reporting cadence with the Board Audit and Finance Committee.
At Adtalem, cybersecurity is recognized as an enterprise-wide risk and is positioned within our organizational structure accordingly. Our Chief Information Security Officer provides governance and strategy to all business units, reports directly to our Chief Financial Officer and provides quarterly updates to the Board of Director’s Audit and Finance Committee.
With the ever-shifting landscape of cybersecurity, an informed workforce is crucial to thwarting potential attacks and safeguarding the data and systems we’re entrusted to protect. Our workforce is truly our first line of defense, so we prioritize training to emphasize this importance. Learn more about our cybersecurity efforts in our Sustainability Report.
We take the privacy and security of all constituents very seriously. Our cybersecurity program encompasses global information security, assessment, detection, remediation and compliance as well as defining the security controls for the protection of our infrastructure. Our policies and procedures align with all relevant industry frameworks, laws and regulations. Consistent with best practices, we employ layered security controls to identify, protect, detect, respond and recover from security threats and incidents. Our systems undergo penetration testing on a regular basis to ensure that any vulnerabilities are identified and addressed, and that the infrastructure is adequately configured to reduce residual cyber-risk to an acceptable level. We ensure that the confidentiality, integrity and availability of student and enterprise data is maintained.
Our Code of Conduct and Ethics (the Code) outlines the standards and expectations that drive our decision-making daily. The Code applies to all Adtalem colleagues including officers, Board of Directors and full- and part-time colleagues and faculty, and it is provided as a resource to colleagues during their hiring process. In addition, to reinforce awareness and compliance, our faculty and leaders receive annual training regarding the Code. We also offer additional training to select individuals on topics that may require further detail such as antibribery and anticorruption and Title IX compliance. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics is not a static document; it evolves with the times. We frequently update the Code with the assistance of outside counsel and experts.
Adtalem’s anonymous reporting helpline is operated by an independent company, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is multilingual. Once a grievance has been received and processed, the anonymous report is shared with Adtalem’s Integrity and Compliance team, which resides within the Legal department. The team is responsible for reviewing all allegations and taking the appropriate course of action. We do not tolerate retaliation of any kind against anyone for raising concerns or reporting possible misconduct in good faith or for assisting in the investigation of possible misconduct. This confidential reporting process is communicated to all employees through our Code of Conduct. See the Code of Conduct for full details regarding our whistleblowing policy and process.
We take the maintenance of a safe and secure environment across our institutions and facilities as imperative. Therefore, Adtalem has developed an extensive approach toward safety and security that is focused on continuous improvement. The Enterprise Safety and Security group is organized with best practices in mind, including the compartmentalization of safety and security issues across US and internationally focused operations; Environment, Health and Safety; and the Center of Excellence. Each division has clearly defined responsibilities and a director that exhibits the necessary skills and experience.
With many of our community members located in areas that are vulnerable to extreme weather events, we strive to provide the best regionally appropriate services, support and response. It is our goal to remain resilient in the face of environmental risks by having a strong system of communication and response tactics in place. The Adtalem Safe App allows us to connect immediately with our students, faculty and employees in response to potential environmental dangers or security concerns. The app allows us to better prepare individuals for incoming storms or natural disasters as well as share key details on storm protocols and procedures. The Adtalem Safe App supplies other vital safety information throughout the year across all our institutions and facilities.