May 20 & 21 Commencement Weekend in Philadelphia

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, is President and CEO of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management. With over 300,000 members in 165 countries, SHRM is the largest HR trade association in the world, impacting the lives of 115 million workers. A nationally bestselling author, Mr. Taylor is a sought-after voice on all matters affecting work. He is frequently asked to testify before Congress and authors the weekly USA Today column "Ask HR."

He is the author of RESET: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval. Immediately upon its release in September 2021, RESET was in the top three of the Wall Street Journal’s list of best-selling hardcover business books. All author proceeds benefit the SHRM Foundation, which is committed to empowering HR as a social force for change.

He was appointed chairman of the President’s Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and served as a member of the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board during the Trump Administration. He is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Miami, Governor of the American Red Cross, and member of the corporate boards of Guild Education, iCIMS, and XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO).

Shayne Moore is a multi-certified IT professional who has been a leader in the technology field for more than 20 years. Moore, who is vice president of information technology at Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, grew up in the Nicetown neighborhood of Philadelphia and knew few people who went to college.

His mother pushed him and his brother to earn a degree, and in 2014, he earned his bachelor’s in information technology from WGU. After this, he discovered the wisdom behind his mother’s encouragement: with a degree and certifications he no longer had to find jobs, because the jobs found him. 

In addition to his successful professional career, Moore is committed to serving others and making a difference in his community, often helping those who come from underserved populations.

He has been ordained and served as an assistant pastor for Trumpet of Zion Tabernacle for 16 years, and for 12 years has volunteered at Philadelphia prisons. He is co-director for H.O.P.E. Ministries, a group that volunteers in the Philadelphia Prison System, and is vice president for Aim For The Net, a program that mentors children while also providing sports as an alternative to the streets.

Moore’s hometown of Philadelphia is known as the “City of Murals,” with close to 4,000 murals, sculptures and ceramic and stained-glass works of art, and in 2020, WGU honored Moore’s professional and charitable contributions by commissioning a 35X30 foot mural on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Berkley Street in Philadelphia.

Deirdre believes our most vulnerable members of society are also our most valuable, and how we advocate for and include our special needs population directly mirrors our own sense of community.

She and her husband, John, are raising three children: Liam, Cian and Roan. In her free time, Deirdre enjoys writing, binge watching period dramas and teasing and being teased by her children.

Sean Gilbert
Ludington, MI
B.S. Data Management / Data Analytics

Sean Gilbert has been sharing his artistic talents with his community for two decades as a saxophonist, vocalist, and actor. He competed in the 2013 Voice of McDonald’s singing competition, earning a place as a U.S. top 25 semi-finalist.

Completing his bachelor’s degree in data management and data analytics from WGU in 2021, Sean works as a data specialist with West Michigan Community Mental Health. In this role, Sean helps maintain and improve data systems used to coordinate and provide mental health services to the community. His degree from WGU has been instrumental in securing and excelling in his role.

Sean, his wife and son live on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.