Exhibit 10.01

LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC.
2005 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose.

The purpose of the Laureate Education, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan is to promote the long-term growth and profitability of the Company by (i) providing key people with incentives to improve stockholder value and to contribute to the growth and financial success of the Company through their future services, and (ii) enabling the Company to attract, retain and reward the best talent.

2. Definitions.

Wherever the following capitalized terms are used in the Plan, they shall have the meanings specified below:

“Affiliate” means any entity, whether now or hereafter existing, which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company (including, but not limited to, joint ventures, limited liability companies, and partnerships). For this purpose, “control” shall mean ownership of 50% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock or interests of the entity.

“Award” means an award of a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Share Award, Performance Unit Award or Stock Award granted under the Plan.

“Award Agreement” means a written or electronic document setting forth the terms and conditions of an Award granted to a Participant.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Change in Control” means (i) the acquisition (other than from the Company) in one or more transactions by any Person, as defined below, of the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of (A) the then outstanding shares of the securities of the Company, or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Company Voting Stock”); (ii) the closing of a sale or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii) the effective time of any merger, share exchange, consolidation, or other business combination involving the Company if immediately after such transaction persons who hold a majority of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving entity (or the entity owning 100% of such surviving entity) are not persons who, immediately prior to such transaction, held the Company Voting Stock; provided, however, that for purposes of any Award or subplan that constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan,” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may specify a different definition of Change in Control in order to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of this definition, a “Person” means any individual, entity or group within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than employee benefit plans sponsored or maintained by the Company and by entities controlled by the Company.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value of one cent ($0.01) per share.

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other committee of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

“Company” means Laureate Education, Inc., a Maryland corporation.

“Date of Grant” means the date on which an Award under the Plan is made by the Committee, or such later date as the Committee may specify to be the effective date of an Award.

“Eligible Person” means any person who is an employee of the Company or any Affiliate or any person to whom an offer of employment with the Company or any Affiliate is extended, as determined by the Committee, or any person who is a Non-Employee Director.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

**“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a share of the Company’s Common Stock for any purpose on a particular date, the value** determined by the Committee in good faith. However, if the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and listed for trading on a national exchange or market, “Fair Market Value” means, as applicable, (i) either the closing price or the average of the high and low sale price on the relevant date, as determined in the Committee’s discretion, quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, or the NASDAQ National Market; (ii) the last sale price on the relevant date quoted on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market; (iii) the average of the high bid and low asked prices on the relevant date quoted on the NASDAQ OTC Bulletin Board Service or by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. or a comparable service as determined in the Committee’s discretion; or (iv) if the Common Stock is not quoted by any of the above, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on the relevant date furnished by a professional market maker for the Common Stock, or by such other source, selected by the Committee. If no public trading of the Common Stock occurs on the relevant date but the shares are so listed, then Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the next preceding date on which trading of the Common Stock does occur. For all purposes under this Plan, the term “relevant date” as used in this definition of Fair Market Value means either the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined or the next preceding date on which public trading of the Common Stock occurs, as determined in the Committee’s discretion.

“Incentive Stock Option” means a Stock Option granted under Section 6 hereof that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

“Non-Employee Director” means any member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company.

“Nonqualified Stock Option” means a Stock Option granted under Section 6 hereof that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

“Participant” means any Eligible Person who holds an outstanding Award under the Plan.

**“Performance Awards” means Performance Share Awards and Performance Unit Awards, as applicable.**

“Performance Share Award” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 10 hereof representing notional unit interests equal in value to a share of Common Stock that is forfeitable until the achievement of pre-established performance objectives over a performance period of not less than one year in duration, as set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

“Performance Unit Award” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 10 hereof representing notional unit interests equal to a pre-determined dollar amount that is forfeitable until the achievement of pre-established performance objectives over a performance period of not less than one year in duration as set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

“Plan” means the Laureate Education, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan as set forth herein, as amended from time to time.

“Qualified Performance Award” means a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Share Award or Performance Unit Award intended to comply with Section 11 hereof.

“Restricted Stock Award” means a grant of shares of Common Stock to an Eligible Person under Section 8 hereof that are issued subject to vesting and transfer restrictions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

“Restricted Stock Unit Award” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 9 hereof representing notional unit interests equal in value to a share of Common Stock to be paid or distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

“Service” means a Participant’s employment or other bona fide service relationship with the Company or any Affiliate or a Participant’s service as a Non-Employee Director with the Company, as applicable.

“Stock Award” means a grant of shares of Common Stock to an Eligible Person under Section 10 hereof that are issued free of transfer restrictions and forfeiture conditions.

“Stock Appreciation Right” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 7 hereof entitling such Eligible Person to receive a payment, representing the difference between the base price and the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock, at such time, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

“Stock Option” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6 hereof to purchase shares of Common Stock at such time and price, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

3. Administration.

3.1 Committee Members. The Plan shall be administered by a Committee comprised of no fewer than two members of the Board. It is intended that each Committee member shall satisfy the requirements for (i) an “independent director” under rules adopted by the NASDAQ National Market or other applicable exchange or securities market, (ii) a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (iii) an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith by the Committee with respect to the Plan or any Award thereunder.

3.2 Committee Authority. The Committee shall have such powers and authority as may be necessary or appropriate for the Committee to carry out its functions as described in the Plan. Subject to the express limitations of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority in its discretion to determine the Eligible Persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards may be granted, the number of shares, units or other rights subject to each Award, the exercise, base or purchase price of an Award (if any), the time or times at which an Award will become vested,

exercisable or payable, the performance goals and other conditions of an Award, the duration of the Award, and all other terms of the Award. The Committee shall also have discretionary authority to administer, construe and interpret the Plan, Award Agreements and all other documents relevant to the Plan and Awards issued hereunder, to make factual determinations under the Plan and Award Agreements, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for Plan administration, including, without limitation, to correct any defect, to supply any omission or to reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement hereunder. The Committee may prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee selectively among Participants and Eligible Persons, whether or not such persons are similarly situated. The Committee shall, in its discretion, consider such factors as it deems relevant in making its interpretations, determinations and actions under the Plan including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or employee of the Company or such attorneys, consultants, accountants or other advisors as it may select. All interpretations, determinations and actions by the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all parties.

3.3 Delegation of Authority. The Committee shall be permitted to delegate, to any appropriate officer or employee of the Company, responsibility for performing certain ministerial functions under the Plan. In the event that the Committee’s authority is delegated to officers or employees in accordance with the foregoing, all provisions of the Plan relating to the Committee shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the foregoing by treating any such reference as a reference to such officer or employee for such purpose. Any action undertaken in accordance with the Committee’s delegation of authority hereunder shall have the same force and effect as if such action was undertaken directly by the Committee and shall be deemed for all purposes of the Plan to have been taken by the Committee.

3.4 Grants to Non-Employee Directors. Any Awards or formula for granting Awards under the Plan made to Non-Employee Directors shall be approved by the Board. With respect to Awards to such directors, all rights, powers and authorities vested in the Committee under the Plan shall instead be exercised by the Board, and all provisions of the Plan relating to the Committee shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the foregoing by treating any such reference as a reference to the Board for such purpose.

4. Shares Subject to the Plan.

4.1 Maximum Share Limitations. Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be 1,250,000 shares. Of such aggregate Plan limit, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued as Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards and Stock Awards under the Plan shall be limited to 312,500 shares. With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights that are settled in stock, the aggregate number of measurement shares to which the Award relates shall be counted against the maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, irrespective of the number of shares that are issued upon such stock settlement. Shares of Common Stock issued and sold under the Plan may be either authorized but unissued shares or shares acquired on the open market or obtained through any other proper source. To the extent that any Award involving the issuance of shares of Common Stock is forfeited, cancelled, returned to the Company for failure to satisfy vesting requirements or other conditions of the Award, or otherwise terminates without an issuance of shares of Common Stock being made thereunder, the shares of Common Stock covered thereby will no longer be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations and may again be made subject to Awards under the Plan pursuant to such limitations. Any Awards that are settled in cash and not in shares of Common Stock shall not be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations.

4.2 Individual Participant Limitations. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights in the

aggregate granted to any one Participant under this Plan during any calendar year shall be 750,000 shares. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Qualified Performance Share Awards in the aggregate granted to any one Participant under this Plan during any calendar year period shall be 750,000 shares. The maximum amount payable to any Participant with respect to all Qualified Performance Unit Awards granted in any calendar year to him or her under this Plan is $2,000,000 per each year of the applicable performance periods, and no performance period shall be longer than five years.

4.3 Adjustments. If there shall occur any change with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other distribution with respect to the shares of Common Stock, or any merger, reorganization, consolidation, combination, spin-off or other similar corporate change, or any other change affecting the Common Stock, the Committee may, in the manner and to the extent that it deems appropriate and equitable to the Participants and consistent with the terms of the Plan, cause an adjustment to be made in (i) the maximum number and kind of shares provided in Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 hereof, (ii) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock, units, or other rights subject to then outstanding Awards, (iii) the exercise or base price for each share or unit or other right subject to then outstanding Awards, and (iv) any other terms of an Award that are affected by the event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, any such adjustments shall, to the extent practicable, be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.

5. Participation and Awards.

5.1 Designations of Participants. All Eligible Persons are eligible to be designated by the Committee to receive Awards and become Participants under the Plan. The Committee has the authority, in its discretion, to determine and designate from time to time those Eligible Persons who are to be granted Awards, the types of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of Common Stock or units subject to Awards granted under the Plan. In selecting Eligible Persons to be Participants and in determining the type and amount of Awards to be granted under the Plan, the Committee may consider any and all factors that it deems relevant or appropriate.

5.2 Determination of Awards. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of all Awards granted to Participants in accordance with its authority under Section 3.2 hereof. An Award may consist of one type of right or benefit hereunder or of two or more such rights or benefits granted in tandem or in the alternative. In the case of any fractional share or unit resulting from the grant, vesting, payment or crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents under an Award or adjustments made under Section 4.3 hereof, the Committee shall have the discretionary authority to (i) disregard such fractional share or unit, (ii) round such fractional share or unit to the nearest lower or higher whole share or unit, or (iii) convert such fractional share or unit into a right to receive a cash payment. To the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, an Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement as described in Section 15.1 hereof.

6. Stock Options.

6.1 Grant of Stock Options. A Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.8 hereof and Section 422 of the Code, each Stock Option shall be designated, in the discretion of the Committee, as an Incentive Stock Option or as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

6.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of a Stock Option shall not be less the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

6.3 Vesting of Stock Options. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, a Stock Option or portion thereof shall become vested and/or exercisable, and may accelerate or provide for the acceleration of the

vesting or exercisability of any Stock Option at any time. The requirements for vesting and exercisability of a Stock Option may be based on the continued Service of the Participant with the Company or Affiliates for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of specified performance goals established by the Committee in its discretion.

6.4 Term of Stock Options. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe in an Award Agreement the period during which a vested Stock Option may be exercised, provided that the maximum term of a Stock Option shall be seven years from the Date of Grant.

6.5 Post-Termination of Service Exercise Period. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe in an Award Agreement the period during which a vested Stock Option may be exercised by any Participant whose Service with the Company or one of its Affiliates is terminated for any reason.

6.6 Stock Option Exercise; Tax Withholding. Subject to such terms and conditions as shall be specified in an Award Agreement, a Stock Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term thereof by notice in the form required by the Committee, together with payment of the aggregate exercise price therefor and applicable withholding tax. Payment of the exercise price shall be made in any manner set forth in the Award Agreement or otherwise acceptable to the Committee in its discretion.

6.7 Additional Rules for Incentive Stock Options.

(a) Eligibility. An Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to an Eligible Person who is considered an employee for purposes of Treasury Regulation §1.421-1(h) with respect to the Company or any Affiliate that qualifies as a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company for purposes of Section 424(f) of the Code.

(b) Designation. No Stock Options shall be an Incentive Stock Option unless so designated by the Committee at the time of grant or in the Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Option.

(c) Other Terms and Conditions; Nontransferability. Any Incentive Stock Option granted hereunder shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as are deemed necessary or desirable by the Committee, which terms, together with the terms of the Plan, shall be intended and interpreted to cause such Incentive Stock Option to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. An Award Agreement for an Incentive Stock Option may provide that such Stock Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option to the extent that certain requirements applicable to “incentive stock options” under the Code shall not be satisfied. An Incentive Stock Option shall by its terms be nontransferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of a Participant only by such Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.

6.8 Repricing Prohibited. Subject to the anti-dilution adjustment provisions contained in Section 4.3 hereof, without the prior approval of the Company’s shareholders, neither the Committee nor the Board shall cause the cancellation, substitution or amendment of a Stock Option that would have the effect of reducing the exercise price of such a Stock Option previously granted under the Plan, or otherwise approve any modification to such a Stock Option that would be treated as a “repricing” under the then applicable rules, regulations or listing requirements adopted by the NASDAQ National Market or other applicable exchange or securities market.

7. Stock Appreciation Rights.

7.1 Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted on a basis that allows for the exercise of the right by the Participant or that provides for

the automatic payment of the right upon a specified date or event. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable or payable at such time or times and upon conditions as may be approved by the Committee, provided that the Committee may provide for the acceleration of or accelerate the exercisability or payment of a Stock Appreciation Right at any time.

7.2 Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted without any related Stock Option and may be subject to such vesting and exercisability requirements as specified by the Committee in an Award Agreement. Such vesting and exercisability requirements may be based on the continued Service of the Participant with the Company or its Affiliates for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of specified performance goals established by the Committee in its discretion. A Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable or payable at such time or times as determined by the Committee, provided that the maximum term of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be seven years from the Date of Grant. The base price of a Stock Appreciation Right granted without any related Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the base price per share of any such freestanding Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

7.3 Tandem Stock Option/Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in tandem with a Stock Option, either at the time of grant or at any time thereafter during the term of the Stock Option. A tandem Stock Option/Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the holder to elect, as to all or any portion of the number of shares subject to such Stock Option/Stock Appreciation Right, to exercise either the Stock Option or the Stock Appreciation Right, resulting in the reduction of the corresponding number of shares subject to the right so exercised as well as the tandem right not so exercised. A Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with a Stock Option hereunder shall have a base price per share equal to the per share exercise price of the Stock Option, will be vested and exercisable at the same time or times that a related Stock Option is vested and exercisable, and will expire no later than the time at which the related Stock Option expires.

7.4 Payment of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the holder, upon exercise or other payment of the Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, to receive an amount determined by multiplying: (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise or payment of the Stock Appreciation Right over the base price of such Stock Appreciation Right, by (ii) the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised or paid. Subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, payment of the amount determined under the foregoing may be made, as approved by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, in shares of Common Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise or payment, in cash, or in a combination of shares of Common Stock and cash, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements.

7.5 Post-Termination of Service Exercise Period. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe in an Award Agreement the period during which a vested Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by any Participant whose Service with the Company or one of its Affiliates is terminated for any reason.

7.6 Exercise; Tax Withholding. Subject to such terms and conditions as shall be specified in an Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term thereof by notice in the form required by the Committee. At the time of exercise, the Participant shall pay to the Company the full amount of any and all applicable withholding tax in any manner set forth in the Award Agreement or otherwise acceptable to the Committee in its discretion.

7.7 Repricing Prohibited. Subject to the anti-dilution adjustment provisions contained in Section 4.3 hereof, without the prior approval of the Company’s shareholders neither the Committee nor the Board shall cause the cancellation, substitution or amendment of a Stock Appreciation Right that would have the effect of reducing the base price of such a Stock

Appreciation Right previously granted under the Plan, or otherwise approve any modification to such a Stock Appreciation Right that would be treated as a “repricing” under the then applicable rules, regulations or listing requirements adopted by the NASDAQ National Market or other applicable exchange or securities market.

8. Restricted Stock Awards.

8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. A Restricted Stock Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. The Committee may require the payment by the Participant of a specified purchase price in connection with any Restricted Stock Award.

8.2 Vesting Requirements. The restrictions imposed on shares granted under a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse in accordance with the vesting requirements specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Such vesting requirements may be based on the continued Service of the Participant with the Company or its Affiliates for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of specified performance goals established by the Committee in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of, or lapse of restrictions on, a Restricted Stock Award at any time If the vesting requirements or other applicable restrictions of a Restricted Stock Award shall not be satisfied or waived, the Award shall be forfeited and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award shall be returned to the Company.

8.3 Restrictions. Shares granted under any Restricted Stock Award may not be transferred, assigned or subject to any encumbrance, pledge, or charge until all applicable restrictions are removed or have expired. The Committee may require in an Award Agreement that certificates representing the shares granted under a Restricted Stock Award bear a legend making appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed, and that certificates representing the shares granted or sold under a Restricted Stock Award will remain in the physical custody of an escrow holder until all restrictions are removed or have expired.

8.4 Rights as Shareholder. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8 and the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall have all rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares granted to the Participant under a Restricted Stock Award, including the right to vote the shares and receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect thereto. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement for the payment of dividends and distributions to the Participant at such times as paid to shareholders generally or at the times of vesting or other payment of the Restricted Stock Award.

8.5 Qualified Performance Award. To the extent a Restricted Stock Award is designated as a Qualified Performance Award, it shall be subject to the additional provisions set forth in Section 11.

9. Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

9.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. The value of each stock unit under a Restricted Stock Unit Award is equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the applicable date or time period of determination, as specified by the Committee. A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall determine. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be granted together with a dividend equivalent right with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, which may be accumulated and may be deemed reinvested in additional stock units, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

9.2 Vesting Requirements. On the Date of Grant, the Committee shall in its discretion determine any vesting requirements with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit Award, which shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. Such vesting requirements may be based on the continued Service of the Participant with the Company or its Affiliates for a specified time period (or periods) or on the attainment of specified performance goals established by the Committee in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit Award at any time. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may also be granted on a fully vested basis, with a deferred payment date.

9.3 Payment of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall become payable to a Participant at the time or times determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, which may be upon or following the vesting of the Award. Payment of a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be made, at the discretion of the Committee, in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination thereof, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements. Any cash payment of a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be made based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, determined on such date or over such time period as determined by the Committee.

9.4 No Rights as Shareholder. The Participant shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect to the shares subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award until such time as shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement.

9.5 Qualified Performance Award. To the extent a Restricted Stock Unit Award is designated as a Qualified Performance Award, it shall be subject to the additional provisions set forth in Section 11.

10. Performance Awards.

10.1 Grant of Performance Awards. Performance Share Awards and Performance Unit Awards (collectively, “Performance Awards”) may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. Performance Awards shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions, as the Committee shall determine. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant, a Performance Share Award shall not be granted with a dividend equivalent right with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award.

10.2 Vesting Requirements. On the Date of Grant, the Committee shall in its discretion determine any vesting requirements with respect to a Performance Award, which shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. Vesting requirements shall be based on the continued Service of the Participant with the Company or its Affiliates for a specified time period (or periods) and on the attainment of specified performance goals established by the Committee in its discretion, but in no case may the service period or performance period be less than 12 months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of a Performance Award at any time. The Committee may provide that if performance relative to the performance goals exceeds targeted levels, then the number of Performance Awards earned shall be a multiple of those that would be earned for target performance.

10.3 Payment of Performance Awards. A Performance Award shall become payable to a Participant at the time or times determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, which may be upon or following the vesting of the Award. Payment of a Performance Award may be made, at the discretion of the Committee, in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination thereof, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements. Any cash payment of a Performance Award shall be made based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, determined on such date or over such time period as determined by the Committee.

10.4 No Rights as Shareholder. The Participant shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect to the shares subject to a Performance Share Award until such time as shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement.

10.5 Qualified Performance Award. To the extent a Performance Award is designated as a Qualified Performance Award, it shall be subject to the additional provisions set forth in Section 11.

11. Qualified Performance Awards.

11.1 Designation as Qualified Performance Award. The Committee may designate whether any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award granted to an employee is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation”, within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

11.2 Performance Measures. Any Award designated as intended to be performance-based compensation shall be, to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, either (1) conditioned upon the achievement of one or more of the following performance measures or (2) granted based upon the achievement of one or more of the following performance measures: (i) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); (ii) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (iii) net revenue or net revenue growth; (iv) gross profit or gross profit growth; (v) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (vi)return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, or sales); (vii) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and cash flow return on capital); (viii) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization; (ix) gross or operating margins; (x) productivity ratios; (xi) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return); (xii) expense targets; (xiii) margins; (xiv) operating efficiency; (xv) objective measures of customer satisfaction; (xvi) working capital targets; (xvii) measures of economic value added; (xviii) inventory control; (xix) enterprise value; (xx) enrollment metrics; (xxi) retention metrics; and (xxii)graduation metrics. Performance goals may be established on a Company-wide basis or with respect to one or more business units or divisions or Affiliates. The targeted level or levels of performance (which may include minimum, maximum and target levels of performance) with respect to such performance measures may be established at such levels and in such terms as the Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods, or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies. When establishing performance goals for a performance period, the Committee may exclude any or all “extraordinary items” as determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles including, without limitation, the charges or costs associated with restructurings of the Company, discontinued operations, other unusual or nonrecurring items, and the cumulative effects of accounting changes.

11.3 Additional Requirements. Any Award that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” shall also be subject to the following:

(a) No later than 90 days following the commencement of each performance period (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (1) grant a target number of shares or units, (2) select the performance goal or goals applicable to the performance period and (3) specify the relationship between performance goals and the number of shares or units that may be earned by a Participant for such performance period.

(b) Following the completion of each performance period, the Committee shall certify in writing, which may include a resolution of the Committee, whether the applicable performance targets have been achieved and the number of units or shares, if any, earned by a Participant for such performance period.

(c) In determining the number of units or shares earned by a Participant for a given performance period, the Committee shall have the right to reduce (but not increase) the amount earned at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the performance period.

12. Stock Awards.

12.1 Grant of Stock Awards. A Stock Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. A Stock Award may be granted for past services, in lieu of bonus or other cash compensation or for any other valid purpose as determined by the Committee. A Stock Award granted to an Eligible Person represents shares of Common Stock that are issued without restrictions on transfer and other incidents of ownership and free of forfeiture conditions, except as otherwise provided in the Plan and the Award Agreement. The Committee may, in connection with any Stock Award, require the payment of a specified purchase price.

12.2 Rights as Shareholder. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 12 and the applicable Award Agreement, upon the issuance of the Common Stock under a Stock Award the Participant shall have all rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock, including the right to vote the shares and receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect thereto.

13. Change in Control.

13.1 Effect of Change in Control. In the event of any transaction resulting in a Change in Control of the Company, outstanding stock options and other Awards that are payable in or convertible into Common Stock under this Plan will terminate upon the effective time of such Change in Control unless provision is made in connection with the transaction for the continuation or assumption of such Awards by, or for the substitution of the equivalent awards of, the surviving or successor entity or a parent thereof. In the event of such termination, the holders of stock options and other Awards under the Plan will be permitted, immediately before the Change in Control, to exercise or convert all portions of such stock options or other Awards under the Plan that are then exercisable or convertible or which become exercisable or convertible upon or prior to the effective time of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may, in its discretion, upon or in advance or contemplation of a Change in Control, accelerate the vesting, lapse of restrictions, payment or settlement of any or all Awards, in whole or in part.

14. Forfeiture Events.

14.1 General. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement at the time of the Award that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or clawback upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, violation of material Company policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates.

15. General Provisions.

15.1 Award Agreement. To the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, an Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in a written or electronic form approved by the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock or units subject to the Award, the exercise price, base price, or purchase price of the Award, if any, the time or

times at which an Award will become vested, exercisable or payable and the term of the Award. The Award Agreement may also set forth the effect on an Award of termination of Service under certain circumstances. The Award Agreement shall be subject to and incorporate, by reference or otherwise, all of the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan, and may also set forth other terms and conditions applicable to the Award as determined by the Committee consistent with the limitations of the Plan. The grant of an Award under the Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in the Plan as being applicable to such type of Award (or to all Awards) or as are expressly set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee need not require the execution of an Award Agreement by a Participant, in which case, acceptance of the Award by the Participant shall constitute agreement by the Participant to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations set forth in the Plan and the Award Agreement as well as the administrative guidelines of the Company in effect from time to time.

15.2 Transferability of Awards. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no Award granted under the Plan shall be transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in accord with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, an Award may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant or, during the period the Participant is under a legal disability, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.

15.3 Deferrals of Payment. The Committee may in its discretion permit a Participant to defer the receipt of payment of cash or delivery of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be due to the Participant by virtue of the exercise of a right or the satisfaction of vesting or other conditions with respect to an Award. If any such deferral is to be permitted by the Committee, the Committee shall establish rules and procedures relating to such deferral in a manner intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including, without limitation, the time when an election to defer may be made, the time period of the deferral and the events that would result in payment of the deferred amount, the interest or other earnings attributable to the deferral and the method of funding, if any, attributable to the deferred amount.

15.4 Rights as Shareholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a holder of shares of Common Stock with respect to any unissued securities covered by an Award until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of such securities. Except as provided in Section 4.3 hereof, no adjustment or other provision shall be made for dividends or other shareholder rights, except to the extent that the Award Agreement provides for dividend payments or dividend equivalent rights.

15.5 Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan, in the grant of any Award or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Eligible Person any right to continue in the Service of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate the Participant’s employment or other service relationship for any reason or for no reason at any time and whether or not such termination results in (i) the failure of any Award to vest; (ii) the forfeiture of any unvested or vested portion of any Award; and/or (iii) any other adverse effect on the individual’s interests under the Plan or an Award.

15.6 Securities Laws. No shares of Common Stock will be issued or transferred pursuant to an Award unless and until all then applicable requirements imposed by Federal and state securities and other laws, rules and regulations and by any regulatory agencies having jurisdiction, and by any exchanges upon which the shares of Common Stock may be listed, have been fully met. As a condition precedent to the issuance of shares pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award, the Company may require the Participant to take any reasonable action to meet such requirements. The Committee may impose such conditions on any shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under

the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, under the requirements of any exchange upon which such shares of the same class are then listed, and under any blue sky or other securities laws applicable to such shares. The Committee may also require the Participant to represent and warrant at the time of issuance or transfer that the shares of Common Stock are being acquired only for investment purposes and without any current intention to sell or distribute such shares.

15.7 Tax Withholding. The Participant shall be responsible for payment of any taxes or similar charges required by law to be withheld from an Award or an amount paid in satisfaction of an Award, which shall be paid by the Participant on or prior to the payment or other event that results in taxable income in respect of an Award. The Award Agreement may specify the manner in which the withholding obligation shall be satisfied with respect to the particular type of Award, which may include procedures to permit or require a Participant to satisfy such obligation in whole or in part (but only up to the statutory minimum) by having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares to which the Participant is entitled. The number of shares to be withheld shall have a Fair Market Value as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined as nearly equal as possible to (but not exceeding) the amount of such obligations being satisfied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company, in its sole discretion, may withhold all such required taxes from any amount otherwise payable to a Participant.

15.8 Unfunded Plan. The adoption of the Plan and any reservation of shares of Common Stock or cash amounts by the Company to discharge its obligations hereunder shall not be deemed to create a trust or other funded arrangement. Except upon the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to an Award, any rights of a Participant under the Plan shall be those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company, and neither a Participant nor the Participant’s permitted transferees or estate shall have any other interest in any assets of the Company or any Affiliate by virtue of the Plan or an Award issued thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to implement or set aside funds in a grantor trust, subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors or otherwise, to discharge its obligations under the Plan.

15.9 Other Compensation and Benefit Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other share incentive or other compensation plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall the Plan preclude the Company from establishing any other forms of share incentive or other compensation or benefit program for employees of the Company or any Affiliate. The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not constitute includable compensation for purposes of determining the amount of benefits to which a Participant is entitled under any other compensation or benefit plan or program of the Company or an Affiliate, including, without limitation, under any pension or severance benefits plan, except to the extent specifically provided by the terms of any such plan.

15.10 Plan Binding on Transferees. The Plan shall be binding upon the Company, its Affiliates, its transferees and assigns, and the Participant, the Participant’s executor, administrator and permitted transferees and beneficiaries.

15.11 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

15.12 Foreign Jurisdictions. The Committee may adopt, amend and terminate such arrangements and grant such Awards, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may deem necessary or desirable to comply with any tax, securities, regulatory or other laws of other jurisdictions with respect to Awards that may be subject to such laws. The terms and conditions of such Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary for such purpose. Moreover, the Board may approve such supplements to or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of the Plan,

not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose.

15.13 Substitute Awards in Corporate Transactions. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Committee to grant Awards under the Plan in connection with the acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or other corporate transaction, of the business or assets of any corporation or other entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may grant Awards under the Plan to an employee or director of another entity who becomes an Eligible Person by reason of any such corporate transaction in substitution for awards previously granted by such entity or an affiliate of such entity to such person. The terms and conditions of the substitute Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary or appropriate for such purpose to conform the substitute Awards to the provisions of the awards for which they are substituted.

15.14 Governing Law. The Plan and all rights hereunder shall be subject to and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws, and to applicable Federal securities laws.

15.15 Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, the Committee is authorized to modify Awards, and the Board is authorized to modify or terminate the Plan, in either case without the consent of any Participant, to the extent the Committee or the Board determines to be necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition on thea Participant of additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code.

16. Effective Date; Amendment and Termination.

16.1 Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective, following its adoption by the Board upon its approval by the Company’s shareholders at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

16.2 Amendment of Outstanding Awards. Except as provided in Sections 6.8 and 7.7, the Committee may modify, amend, extend or renew outstanding Awards at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Section 15.15, no amendment or modification shall materially adversely affect any Award without the consent of the Participant or the permitted transferee of the Award.

16.3 Plan Amendment. The Board may at any time and from time to time and in any respect, amend or modify the Plan. The Board may seek the approval of any amendment or modification of the Plan by the Company’s shareholders to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its discretion for purposes of compliance with Section 162(m) or Section 422 of the Code, the listing requirements of the NASDAQ National Market or other exchange or securities market or for any other purpose. Except as provided under Section 15.15 of the Plan, no amendment or modification of the Plan shall materially adversely affect any Award theretofore granted without the consent of the Participant or the permitted transferee of the Award.

16.4 Termination. The Plan shall terminate on April 25, 2015. The Board may, in its discretion and at any earlier date, terminate the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided under Section 15.15 of the Plan, no termination of the Plan shall materially adversely affect any Award theretofore granted without the consent of the Participant or the permitted transferee of the Award.

Laureate Education (LAUR) 8-KEntry into a Material Definitive Agreement