ABOUT WGU
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
A university designed with equity in mind.
At WGU, our goal is to create an environment where students, faculty, and staff all feel comfortable and safe to be their best selves while having opportunities for educational development. We are passionate about the recruitment and retention of diversity in students and employees. We believe that by bridging the gap between access and opportunity, we can help students and employees pursue personal and professional growth.
Equity has been part of WGU since its inception. The concept of equity was written into the original WGU mission statement:“to improve quality and expand access to post-secondary educational opportunities by providing a means for individuals to learn independent of time or place and to earn competency-based degrees and other credentials...” When we expand access to education, we create equity for all.
WGU is committed to promoting inclusion, respect for differences, equal opportunity, and diversity in our institution. We believe in the power of education and the value of expanding access and opportunity to all individuals.
In 2020, WGU launched its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) program with the vision of explicitly committing to equity as part of our mission to create pathways to opportunity and focusing on the recruitment and retention of a diversity of students and employees.
At WGU, we have the courage to act on bold thinking, we understand the need for urgency in responding to major challenges, we have strive to offer innovative solutions, we hope to inspire and develop through our actions, and we can deliver results. Most importantly, we are student obsessed.
WGU Diversity,Equity, and Inclusion Mission:
"We are committed to promoting inclusion, respect for differences, equal opportunity, and diversity in our institution. We believe in the power of education and the value of expanding access and opportunity to all individuals."
-Jason Thompson, WGU's Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Meet Jason Thompson.
Jason Thompson is WGU's Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Jason has more than 20 years of experience specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion, community outreach, strategic planning, and more. Jason earned his bachelor's and master's degree in sociology from the University of Wyoming, and has worked at large global organizations leading diversity and equity, including Techstars, INTERGIS, and the United States Olympic Committee. Jason brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to WGU and is focused on helping the university in develop and accomplish diversity and equity intiatives and goals.
This vision is supported by the following tenets:
- People and Student Obsessed: We are passionate about our employee and student experience—their success serves the university.
- Diversity and Inclusion: We care deeply about the worth, contribution, and diversity of each individual. We are committed to a university that is inclusive and expands access to post-secondary educational opportunities for students and a diversity of professionals.
- Equity: We are committed to creating pathways to opportunity by actively identifying and eliminating barriers that prevent the full participation of any group.
- Stewardship: We are fiscally responsible, accountable, and strive for optimal ROI. We recognize all funding comes from student tuition. We keep confidential information confidential.
- Innovate: We are forward-thinking and our solutions support growth and expand access to educational opportunities. We design for the future to create a better experience for employees and students.
- Agile: We rapidly deliver solutions. We accept the challenges and risks that come from urgency, learn from our mistakes, and make meaningful adjustments.
- Evidence-based: We are data-driven and evidence-based in our work, particularly as it relates to creating educational experiences for underserved and underrepresented groups.
- PUSH (Persistent Until Something Happens): We are commited to the ideals of PUSH and understand that this commitment requires us to sometimes be uncomfortable, challenge views, perceptions, assumptions, and disrupt the status quo.
WGU Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Terms
Diversity
Diversity focuses on reflecting the mixture of differences and similarities found in the world and acknowledging the related tensions as we strive to develop more inclusive and high-performing environments.
Equity
Equity is the explicit commitment to access, opportunity, and advancement for all people. It is the active identification of and elimination of barriers that prevent the full participation of any group.
Inclusion
Inclusion is about creating, embracing, and maintaining an environment in which an individual's uniqueness, contributions, and strengths are welcomed and valued.
Underrepresented Groups
Underrepresented groups are composed of but not limited to:
- People of color
- Gender
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- People with disabilities
- Historically marginalized communities
- Indigenous people
- Military veterans
- First generation
- Rural and low-income individuals
Underserved Communities
Underserved communities are composed of groups of people who have limited access to basic necessities or resources commonly found in other communities.
Our Mission
Our Promise
Our Foundation
