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UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE

WGU and States

The WGU Model


 

Originally founded by state governors, Western Governors University is the largest nonprofit university in the U.S. We lead education and workforce innovation across the country. Part of this important work is to build state partnerships that remove financial barriers for students, supplement public higher education offerings, and help meet state workforce goals.

190,685


total current students at WGU from across the United States
-March 31, 2025

422,734


total graduates from WGU across the United States
-March 31, 2025

Support for Students and the Workforce

WGU encourages bipartisan support for education and works with state leaders to meet education needs. Every state has it own specific goals and challenges and, through close partnerships, WGU helps state policymakers find ways to serve states' entire populations. In establishing state-specific partnerships, students can become eligible for state grand funding and gain access to scholarships. State partnerships also give students an easier path to transfer local state or community college credits to WGU, allowing them to complete their programs more quickly. 

Skilled Workers, Satisfied Employers

78%

WGU students who say they acquired job- or work- related skills, compared to 54% nationally.

Source: 2023 National Survey of Student Engagement

100%

Employers who said WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.

Source: 2023 Harris Poll Employers Study

98%

Employers who said WGU graduates meet or exceed expectations (59% said "exceed").

Source: 2023 Harris Poll Employers Study

State Partnerships

  • Utah
    Established in 2021.
  • Idaho
    Established in 2021.
  • Ohio
    Established in 2018.
  • North Carolina
    Established in 2017.  
  • Nevada
    Established in 2015
    .
  • Missouri
    Established in 2013.
  • Tennessee
    Established in 2013.
  • Washington
    Established in 2011.
  • Texas*
    Established in 2011.
  • Indiana
    Established in 2010.

*Western Governors University (“WGU”) is not regulated under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. WGU’s primary federal regulator is the United States Department of Education. In addition, WGU is a participant of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Pursuant to SARA, WGU maintains postsecondary education authorization from its home state of Utah through the Utah Division of Consumer Protection. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Students experiencing unresolved issues should refer to WGU’s Student Complaint and Grievance Policy. Individuals may also find information on contacting or submitting complaints at the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, NC-SARA, or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

State Level Leadership and Advisory Boards

Alison Bell, WGU Regional Vice President, Central

Advisory Board:

  • Barb Smoot
  • Scott Dutey
  • Ken Tietz
  • Kashif Smiley
  • Lisa Gray
  • Gen. Mark Bartman
  • Dan Molina
  • Darla Cade

Dr. Ben Coulter, Chancellor WGU North Carolina

Kim Estep, WGU Regional Vice President, Southeast

Advisory Board:

  • Dr. Lisa Chapman
  • LtGen Walter Gaskin
  • Gov. Beverly Perdue
  • Mr. Gregg Sinders
  • Dr. Monique Perry-Graves
  • Dr. Angela Hinson Quick
  • Mr. Jon Armke

Richard Benbow, Regional Vice President, West Region

Bob Benson, Regional Director, West Region

Kim Estep, WGU Tennessee Chancellor

Ben Coulter, WGU Southeast Regional Director

Advisory Board:

  • John R. Ingram
  • Shannon A. Brown
  • Mark Cate
  • David A. Golden
  • Bobbie J. Murphy
  • Ralph J. Schulz
  • John M. Steele
  • Dr. Michael Torrence
  • Kyle Barron

Tonya Drake, Regional Vice President, Northwest Region

Ismar Vallecillos, M.Ed., Northwest Regional Director, Western Governors University

Advisory Board:

  • Dr. Andre Alfred
  • Marty Brown
  • Al Davis
  • Dr. Michael Dunn
  • Dr. Justin Guillory
  • Dr. Jean Hernandez
  • Heather Lewis
  • Steven Maheshwary
  • Steve Mullin
  • Bill Poppy
  • Mike Schindler
  • Dr. John A. Polm

Linda Garza Battles, WGU Regional Vice President, South

Manuel Gonzalez, WGU Regional Director, South

Advisory Board:

  • Andres Alcantar
  • Patricia Diaz Dennis
  • John Fitzpatrick
  • Bernie Francis
  • Bonnie Gonzalez
  • George V. Grainger
  • Stephen C. Head
  • William Serrata
  • Cristie Remmel

Alison Bell, WGU Regional Vice President, Central

Read our Policy Blog