American Public Education appoints Shira Goodman
Goodman joins two board committees, while James Kenigsberg has assumed APEI’s chief innovation and technology officer role permanently.
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Rhea-AI Filing Summary
American Public Education, Inc. appointed Shira Goodman to its board, effective October 27, 2026, for a term expiring at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, until a successor is duly elected and qualified or her earlier death, resignation, or removal. Goodman also joins the Audit Committee and the Management Development and Compensation Committee. The company’s non-employee director compensation policy currently provides an annual cash retainer of $80,000 and an annual restricted-stock grant valued at $110,000 on the grant date; Goodman’s 2026 amounts will be prorated. The company and Goodman are entering into its standard director indemnification agreement, which provides indemnification and advancement of expenses subject to its terms.
James Kenigsberg, who left the board last year to serve as interim chief innovation and technology officer, recently assumed that position permanently and will continue leading the company’s technology transformation.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
restricted stock financial
indemnification agreement regulatory
advancement of expenses regulatory
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On October 22, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of American Public Education, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Shira Goodman to serve as a director of the Company, effective as of October 27, 2026, to hold office for a term expiring at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and until a successor is duly elected and qualified, or until Ms. Goodman’s earlier death, resignation, or removal. Ms. Goodman has also been appointed as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board and the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board.
Ms. Goodman will be compensated for her service on the Board in accordance with the Company’s non-employee director compensation policy, as described in the Company’s most recent proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9, 2026, which currently provides for, among things, an annual cash retainer of $80,000 and an annual grant of restricted stock having a value of $110,000 on the grant date. For 2026, Ms. Goodman will receive pro-rated amounts in accordance with the non-employee director compensation policy.
Additionally, the Company and Ms. Goodman are entering into the Company’s standard indemnification agreement for executive officers and directors, which provides for indemnification and advancement of expenses in connection with specified events arising in connection with her service as a member of the Board, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein.
Section 7 – Regulation FD
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On October 27, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Ms. Goodman to the Board. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| (d) | Exhibits |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated October 27, 2026, issued by American Public Education, Inc. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| American Public Education, Inc. | |||
| Date: | October 27, 2026 | By: | /s/ Edward Codispoti |
| Edward Codispoti | |||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||
Exhibit 99.1
American Public Education, Inc. Announces Appointment of Shira Goodman to Board of Directors
Former Staples CEO Brings Leadership and Governance Expertise as James Kenigsberg Becomes APEI’s Permanent Chief Innovation and Technology Officer
Charles Town, W.Va. — Oct. 27, 2026 – American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), the parent company of American Public University System, has appointed Shira Goodman to its board of directors. Goodman brings extensive executive leadership and corporate board experience to APEI. During her 26-year career at Staples, which culminated in her appointment as CEO, she held leadership roles in marketing, human resources and global growth. Goodman fills the board vacancy left by James Kenigsberg, who had stepped away from the APEI board last year to serve as interim chief innovation and technology officer, and recently assumed the role permanently.
Goodman currently serves on the boards of Burlington Stores, CBRE and Box Partners. She previously served on the boards of Staples, CarMax, Henry Schein, Stride Rite and Reef Lifestyle, LLC and served as an advisory director at Charlesbank Capital. Earlier in her career, she was a manager at Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm, where she helped develop the initial business plan for the Staples delivery business.
“Shira’s experience advising organizations on growth and strategy while leading through transformational change will add valuable perspective as we advance our mission of empowering students through education, helping them transform their lives, advance their careers and contribute to their communities,” said Angela Selden, president and chief executive officer of American Public Education, Inc., and chancellor of American Public University System. “We are delighted to welcome Shira to the APEI board.”
Kenigsberg will continue to lead the company’s technology transformation, using artificial intelligence, intelligent systems and student-centered products to enhance the educational experience and help more students achieve their academic and professional goals.
“We are so pleased that James has agreed to assume the chief innovation and technology officer role on a permanent basis. It is a clear reflection of his personal commitment to the company’s mission of expanding educational opportunities for service-minded students,” said Selden. “His thought leadership on advanced technologies along with his global network of technology innovators will continue to propel our education units forward.”
In addition to Goodman’s corporate leadership and board experience, she is an executive coach, who works primarily with purpose-driven leaders. In the nonprofit sector, she serves as chair of the Jim Joseph Foundation. She previously held leadership roles with Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston, including serving as board chair, and was a member of Harvard University’s Finance Committee.
“I am honored to join the APEI board of directors and support its mission of transforming lives through education,” Goodman said. “I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success and helping advance opportunities for students.”
Goodman earned a master’s degree in management science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management, a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.
About American Public Education
American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), through American Public University System (the "System") empowers students through education to transform lives, advance careers, and serve their communities locally and globally. With approximately 109,000 students and over 250,0001 alumni worldwide, the System includes four academic units: American Military University (AMU), American Public University (APU), Rasmussen University (RU), and Hondros College of Nursing (HCN). The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The System is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI).
1As of June 30, 2026.
The System, including AMU, APU, RU, and HCN, is not affiliated with the U.S. Military.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release regarding APEI or its subsidiary that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about APEI and the industry. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will" and similar words or their opposites. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding APEI's future path, expected growth, business and financial strategies, offerings to prospective and current students, APEI’s technology transformation, Ms. Goodman’s role as a director and Mr. Kenigsberg’s role as Chief Innovation and Technology Officer.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the various risks described in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in APEI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in other filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. APEI undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, unless required by law, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
Media Contact
Meg Sheeley
Manager, Public Relations
MSheeley@apus.edu