Bringing Student Voices to California’s Capitol
Connecting real student experiences to Workforce policy and economic mobility
For years, education policy conversations have focused on funding formulas and enrollment data, but behind those numbers are working parents, career changers, and adult learners striving to improve their lives. These individuals represent the backbone of the economy that California and the nation depend on every day. Too often, however, policymakers don’t have the opportunity to hear directly from these unique learners, so in March, WGU helped bridge that gap by hosting its inaugural Day at the California State Capitol.
The event brought together a delegation of 20 students, alumni, and faculty to engage with state legislative offices, with the mission of sharing how competency-based education (CBE) expands access and why flexible learning is a necessity for all Californians. This reflects a broader shift across the nation, as conversations about workforce readiness and opportunity continue to evolve, highlighting the need for higher education systems that better align with how people live, work, and build new skills today.
Day at the California State Capitol attendees
The Power of the Student Voice
Today, WGU serves 16,600 Californians, with an alumni network in the state exceeding 47,300. While traditional institutions are often still designed for the 18- to 24-year-old demographic, our median learner in California is 33. These students are doing more than just “going to college.” WGU internal data shows that 75% of our students are employed, and 59% are employed full-time. These figures align with research from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), which finds that up to 80% of undergraduates nationwide are balancing employment with their studies.
“Education plays a critical role in preparing individuals for meaningful careers and strengthening our workforce,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong, chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee during his visit with the WGU delegation. “It’s important that we continue to support pathways that meet the diverse needs of students.”
Among the delegates was Nikila Walker Gibson of Fairfield, a student-parent advocate balancing two businesses, homeschooling her four daughters, while pursuing a degree.
“Attending WGU is the first time I could see myself completing my degree,” said Gibson. “It’s something I do for myself after taking care of everyone else and being able to work on it during small moments, like when my girls are at practice or after a long day, is what makes finishing feel possible.”
While each delegate’s journey was unique, a common thread emerged that success depends on education that fits into people’s lives, not the other way around.
Nikila Walker Gibson with her daughters
More Than a Degree: A Workforce Solution
Beyond individual success stories, WGU’s visit was an opportunity to position the university as one of the primary engines of workforce development for the state. California, like much of the nation, is facing a challenging teacher shortage, made more urgent by the fact that nearly half of the current educators are considering leaving the profession within the next decade.
WGU is already proving this possible through targeted initiatives such as the Golden State Teacher Grant and California High Road Training Partnership. To date, these programs have helped add almost 200 more teachers to the state’s pipeline, with an impressive 93% on track to graduate before their grant period ends. This data shows that removing the barriers of time and place also produces a more resilient workforce.
“What we’re seeing is that when education is designed to recognize what people already know and give them a clear path forward, it doesn’t just benefit the individual, it strengthens entire communities and the economy,” said WGU regional vice president Rick Benbow.
That impact is reflected across disciplines and in the career of Alex Knapp, a Sacramento-based alumnus who pursued a bachelor’s in accounting during the pandemic while working full-time.
“The competency-based model validated the skills I was already building in the workforce,” Knapp noted. “I didn’t know project management as a ‘science,’ but I did it every day at work. I was able to apply those skills to my coursework and accelerate, focusing my time where it mattered most.” Within five months of graduating, Knapp secured a role as an auditor with a government agency.
A Moment of Recognition
To close the visit, WGU’s delegation was recognized in the Assembly gallery by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio who highlighted WGU’s role in expanding affordable, flexible education for working adults across the state.
This inaugural Day at the Capitol was only the beginning. It reflects a commitment to ensuring that student parents and nontraditional learners are not just “considered” in policy conversations but actively included. By amplifying these voices, WGU is helping shape a future in which educational pathways reflect the realities of today’s learners, making economic mobility accessible to all.
Mike Fong with the WGU delegation
