News Brief - 6/4/08
Western Governors University Comes of Age
Non-profit, Online University Founded by 19 Governors, Defies Skeptics
to Grow Rapidly
SALT LAKE CITY -- As online higher education comes of age, the innovative, non-profit
online Western Governors University (WGU) has reached another milestone: 10,000
students.
Nothing comes easily, but for the 19 U.S. governors who founded WGU (www.wgu.edu) just over 10 years ago, today's milestone is a dream
come true. Back in 1997, the skeptics said Western Governors University was destined
for failure. The dire predictions went something like this: As a new non-profit
online school, WGU couldn't survive without state financing. It would be blown away
by the deep-pocketed for-profit online universities, such as University of Phoenix.
In addition, it would be difficult if not impossible to receive regional accreditation
because of its competency-based approach.
Today, the online university boasts over 10,000 students and is still growing rapidly.
WGU students are scattered across all 50 states, range in age from 16 to 72, live
everywhere from major cities to remote rural areas, and pursue one of WGU's 42 online
degrees or certificates in business, education, information technology, and health
professions.
Although nothing has come easily for WGU, the institution has been undaunted by the
challenges. Incorporated in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors (20 are now supporters) in
true bi-partisan fashion, WGU has been a groundbreaking leader in many ways. It
was the first university to build its entire academic system around a competency-based
academic model that relies upon students demonstrating skills and knowledge through
rigorous assessments instead of class time and grades.
WGU also creates personalized academic action plans for each student, and encourages
students to proceed through their courses of study on self-directed, even rapidly
accelerated paces. WGU mentors provide continuous encouragement and academic student
support, something that helps these distance learners stay on track.
Despite the skeptics, regional accreditation came quickly. WGU received full regional
accreditation in early 2003. In fact, WGU was reviewed and approved by four regional
accrediting bodies simultaneously, the only institution in history with that distinction.
It has already received its five-year renewal. In 2006, WGU's Teachers College became
the first (and, to date, only) online teachers college to receive accreditation
from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The university
is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).
In April, the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) awarded WGU its
21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning for 2008 for its competency-based
approach and for expanding access to higher learning online. According to Dr. John
Flores, CEO of USDLA, "Western Governors University has raised the bar of excellence,
and we are truly honored by WGU's contributions to the distance learning industry."
"Our success thus far is primarily because of our intense focus on the student learning
experience," said Robert Mendenhall, president of WGU since 1998. "We emphasize
competency because we want our graduates to be highly successful in their careers.
We use a mentoring approach because we want students to succeed at WGU."
Adults with full-time jobs and families are the primary audience for WGU programs,
so flexibility is important to WGU students. Approximately 73 percent of students
are enrolled in online undergraduate programs, the remaining 27 percent in graduate-level
programs. The average age of students is 37.
Perhaps most amazingly, WGU receives no state support yet is able to grow dramatically
with one of the lowest tuitions among online universities (approximately $5,800
per year for most undergraduate and graduate programs).
"A key part of our mission is to expand access to higher education," noted Mendenhall.
"A great education doesn't have to be expensive and saddle our graduates with a
heavy burden of student loans."
WGU also reaches under-served populations. About 70 percent of the WGU student body
falls into one of four traditionally under-served groups: low-income, minority,
first-generation college, or rural.
WGU anticipates continued strong growth while maintaining high quality service. The
online Teachers College is truly national, and helps place new teachers in such
high-needs areas as mathematics, science, and special education all around the country.
The College of Information Technology integrates high-demand IT certifications right
into the online degree programs. And the new nursing programs in the College of
Health Professions are expected to grow rapidly.
"We're proud that WGU has earned high respect and is prospering," said Jim Geringer,
current chairman of WGU's Board of Trustees. Geringer, the former governor of Wyoming
and one of WGU's founding governors, has remained closely involved with the school
for over 10 years. "The board and all the founding governors are pleased that WGU
continues to help thousands of adult learners achieve their education and career
goals. We didn't just create a new university. We've unlocked the future for the
many students WGU serves."
