FEBRUARY 2025 — SAE Institute North America is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Chavez as Campus Director at SAE Institute of Technology New York. Mr. Chavez brings over 15 years of mission-driven success, building high-performing team cultures and fostering an environment of engagement, trust, and results.
Mr. Chavez has a history of launching new programs, growing enrollment, and achieving outstanding student outcomes through innovative strategies, strategic partnerships, and community outreach. Before joining SAE Institute, Mr. Chavez was the Senior Campus President at Arizona College of Nursing, leading the startup and growth of the Southfield, MI Campus. His leadership was instrumental in enrolling over 500 nursing students, achieving a 94% NCLEX pass rate in 2024, and securing full approval from the MI Board of Nursing. He also supported the growth and culture-building of campuses in Hartford, CT, and Cleveland and Cincinnati, OH.
Chris’s commitment to student success is evident in his development of dual-enrollment and dual-credit programs, enabling over 200 Georgia high school students to earn college credits at no cost to their families. Additionally, Chris collaborated with lobbyists and elected officials to pass legislation in Georgia to secure approval for Herzing University to participate in Georgia Student Finance programs. This legislation enabled Herzing’s students access to lottery-funded HOPE scholarships and Tuition Equalization Grants, resulting in an additional $1.7 million in financial aid funding.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Management from Northern Illinois University.
“I look forward to helping SAE students pursue their academic and career goals and helping them discover new possibilities for career advancement through deeper relationships with employers,” says Chavez. “It’s especially important for us to engage faculty and other employer stakeholders to develop educational and professional opportunities for students that allow them to be successful.”
Originally from suburban Chicago, Chris spent most of his career in Atlanta, Georgia, and is looking forward to living, working, and exploring New York City. Chris enjoys spending time with his Connecticut-based high school-age twin daughters and his oldest daughter when she is home from college in Miami.
