WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
WGU Alumni Ambassadors
Pay Forward in Meaningful Ways
Are You WGU's Biggest Fan?
Make an Impact as a WGU Alumni Ambassador
Being a WGU Alumni Ambassador is a leadership opportunity for graduates who want to give back to the Night Owl community. Ambassadors share their time, experience, and enthusiasm with prospective students, current learners, fellow alumni, and their local communities.
As an Ambassador, you can participate in activities that advance WGU’s mission—depending on your interests, background, and availability. From mentoring and offering testimonials to supporting events, legislative outreach, or social media storytelling, Ambassadors help strengthen the WGU network and celebrate student success.
Why Alumni Love Serving as Ambassadors
- Support students on their educational journey
- Share your WGU pride
- Build leadership and communication skills
- Expand your professional network
- Give back in flexible, meaningful ways
Ambassador Positions & Responsibilities
Ambassadors support university initiatives such as sharing testimonials, participating in media or marketing campaigns, attending networking events, or representing WGU at regional activities. When applying, you can choose the areas where you’d like to participate. Here’s what each role involves:
Social Media & Public Relation
Ambassadors share their WGU stories and experiences on social media in coordination with WGU’s Social Media team. They also volunteer to assist in regional PR efforts as needed.
Government Relations
Ambassadors work with WGU External Affairs to support government relations initiatives, helping educate policymakers about WGU’s mission, model, and goals for student success.
Peer Mentor
Offer encouragement and insights to current WGU students. This may include participating in official WGU LinkedIn groups or other university networking spaces.
Workplace Promotion
Help raise awareness of WGU within your workplace or industry. This may involve sharing opportunities, supporting employee resource groups, or connecting fellow Night Owls professionally.
Share Your Expertise, Experience, and Benefit
This unpaid volunteer role gives WGU alumni the opportunity to support fellow graduates as well as current and prospective students—while gaining meaningful experience. Ambassadors build skills in leadership, public speaking, mentoring, marketing, and event support, and are encouraged to add their involvement to their résumé or LinkedIn profile.
Meet the WGU Ambassador Board
Meet the dedicated alumni leaders who help guide and support the Ambassador program.
Andrew Nebus, a longtime WGU alumnus and Ambassador Co-Chair, is a trusted advocate for alumni engagement and leadership development. With a strong background in technology and government operations, he brings strategic insight and mentorship to the WGU community, helping graduates expand their networks and elevate their careers. A lifelong traveler who has visited 48 states and destinations around the world, Andrew draws on his global perspective to foster connection, curiosity, and opportunity within the alumni network.
Arby Dickert, an educator and technical professional from Tennessee, has spent the past decade inspiring students through science and engineering. He taught high school Chemistry and Physical Science before expanding into higher education, teaching an Aerospace course at a local community college through ProjectGrad, an initiative exposing high school students to STEM career pathways. Arby holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University, an M.A. in Teaching Science, and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design—both from WGU. Driven by his passion for helping others succeed, he is committed to supporting learners as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
Arteja Stamps, from Arkansas, is an entrepreneur, community advocate, and pageant director dedicated to empowering women and youth. She is the Founder and National Director of F.A.C.S. Worldwide Pageants, an organization focused on combating childhood starvation while promoting confidence, leadership, and service. With an MBA from WGU and a DBA from South College, Arteja blends academic excellence with hands-on impact as a project manager and adjunct professor. Known for her authenticity, drive, and heart for service, she continues to build platforms that inspire others to lead with purpose and “Reign With Reason.”
Chris Abbey, from Colorado and now based in Tennessee, is a cybersecurity expert with more than 20 years of experience across healthcare, finance, government, military, nonprofit, and startup sectors. A member of WGU’s Ambassador Leadership Program, he is passionate about educating others, contributing to webinars, web series, and alumni programming focused on cybersecurity awareness. Chris is also a familiar voice within the WGU community, featured on multiple episodes of the WGU Alumni Podcast and the “Risky Business” cybersecurity series. Currently pursuing a master’s in computer science with a focus on machine learning and AI, he exemplifies lifelong learning and continues to advance the field through mentorship, innovation, and community leadership.
Maggie Hernandez, a proud Texan and Marine Corps veteran currently residing in Rhode Island, is an emerging business and technology professional committed to supporting people and strengthening organizations. She earned her B.S. in Business with a focus in Human Resources Management from Western Governors University and is currently pursuing her M.S. in IT Management at WGU. Maggie currently serves as Vice President for WGU WinTech and formerly contributed to WGU SHRM as Director of Programming, Certifications, and Workforce, bringing experience in HR operations, benefits administration, and project management. A bilingual Spanish speaker and former Resilience Building Leader Program Coach, Maggie is driven by a passion for service, community engagement, and professional growth. She is preparing to sit for the SHRM-CP exam in December 2025 and aspires to join an organization that values work–life balance, mission-driven impact, and continuous learning. She enjoys supporting nonprofits—particularly veteran-friendly organizations and allies of all military branches.
Marcel Johnson, based in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is a multitalented leader whose career spans cybersecurity, public health, military service, and civic engagement. A three-time WGU graduate, he holds a bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, a master’s in Public Health, and an MBA in Healthcare Management. Marcel currently serves as a Cybersecurity & Communications Security Project Manager with the Department of Defense, where he safeguards critical national systems. In the Navy Reserves, he contributes as a Career Counselor and Clinic Manager, and in his community he serves as a Chief Election Judge, ensuring fair and accessible elections. His work reflects a deep commitment to service, leadership, and public trust.
Paul McDowell, from Shawnee, Oklahoma, is a seasoned technology professional known for his blend of cybersecurity expertise, software engineering depth, and practical problem-solving. As the founder of Cyber Blacksmith, an MSSP built on customer-centric service and long-term relationships, he has spent more than a decade designing secure systems, developing software solutions, and supporting local businesses with critical IT needs. Paul’s career spans red team operations, network design, and full-stack development, including serving on a Department of Defense red team and leading IT and software engineering initiatives for manufacturing, broadband, and e-learning organizations. With experience ranging from virtualizing enterprise server environments to modernizing legacy codebases and building cloud-integrated systems, Paul takes pride in crafting high-quality, resilient technology solutions. A two-time WGU graduate with degrees in IT/Software Engineering and Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, he continues to bridge security and innovation—moving quickly when needed, fixing what matters, and helping teams adopt technologies that advance their mission.
Rich Hightower, from Northwest Arkansas, is a dedicated healthcare professional with more than 24 years of federal nursing experience. As a Consult RN for the Veterans Administration’s Office of Community Care, he brings deep expertise in trauma, critical care, and disaster response to support veterans and their families. A proud WGU graduate with both his BSN (2016) and MSN (2017), Rich blends clinical excellence with a lifelong commitment to service. With additional backgrounds in law enforcement and firefighting, he offers a uniquely holistic approach to patient care. Outside of work, Rich channels his creativity as a bass player, performing for over a decade with The Rachel B Band.
Tammy Purcell, MSN, RNC-OB, is a respected clinical leader with more than 30 years of nursing experience. As a Clinical Nurse Executive at Elsevier, she combines her deep clinical knowledge with healthcare technology expertise to improve patient care and support nursing professionals. Tammy is passionate about strengthening the patient experience and enhancing clinical outcomes through innovation, education, and evidence-based practice. She is committed to ensuring clinicians have the tools they need to deliver exceptional care in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Tell Us More About You—Apply Today
Looking for Other Meaningful Ways to Pay it Forward?
Share Your Story
Your WGU journey can inspire others.
Share your experience to help prospective students and fellow alumni see what’s possible through WGU.
Join an Online Community
Stay connected by joining an alumni chapter or online group to build relationships, exchange ideas, and grow your professional network.
Connect with Your Regional Manager
Get involved locally by connecting with your regional alumni manager. Join events, share ideas, or help shape alumni engagement in your area. Email alumni@wgu.edu.
Ambassadors Making an Impact
Our alumni ambassadors support students and represent WGU at events across the country—strengthening the Night Owl community through connection and service.
Ambassador Theresa Garza with Indiana State Director of Nursing Mary Carney at the Ancilla Nursing Job and Transfer Fair
Ambassadors may attend job fairs, transfer events, and community gatherings to answer questions, share firsthand experiences, and help prospective students explore educational and career pathways with confidence.
Ambassador Erik Kautz’s Table Representing WGU at a Fifth Third Bank College Fair in Ohio
From hosting information tables to connecting learners with WGU resources, alumni ambassadors serve as a welcoming, knowledgeable presence for prospective students at college and community events.
WGU Grad Helps Single Mothers Escape Homelessness
WGU grad Gina Abbey shares her story and how WGU created a pathway to opportunity. Gina is a graduate from WGU’s B.S. Marketing program, and her husband, Chris, graduated from WGU's B.S. IT Management and M.S. Cybersecurity programs.
WGU Alumni Ask A Grad Webinar: Top 10 Questions from Prospective IT Students Ambassador Spencer Wade
Watch WGU School of Technology graduate, Spencer Wade, answer the top 10 questions from prospective School of Technology students about earning an IT degree online.
Investing in Future Night Owls
WGU Alumni Ambassadors give their time and voice—but there are many ways to make an impact. Through WGU Advancement, alumni can also support student success by helping fund scholarships that open doors to education for future Night Owls.
Every contribution directly supports learners working toward their goals, creating lasting impact for students, families, and communities. Together, our alumni community helps ensure opportunity, access, and success for the next generation.
#WGUGRAD
Share your WGU success story with your friends and family. Don’t forget: include #WGUgrad in your post for a chance to be featured on WGU’s social media.
