WGU, Washington, and the Power of Partnership
Across the country, communities face the same critical question: How do we build and maintain higher education pathways that adapt to the lives of working adults while meeting the rapidly changing needs of our modern workforce?
Fifteen years ago, state leaders in Washington created an innovative solution to that question. In 2011, lawmakers passed landmark legislation establishing WGU as Washington’s first and only state-endorsed online university. That moment built on a visionary legacy tracing back to former Washington Gov. Mike Lowry, one of 19 bipartisan governors who founded WGU in 1997 with a mission to expand access to postsecondary learning nationwide.
As we mark the 15-year anniversary of this public-private partnership, Washington serves as a powerful model of what is possible across the nation. What began as a bold statewide experiment with less than 1,000 students at launch has expanded into a thriving learning community of more than 13,000 active students today. That local impact was on full display during our recent summer commencement weekend in Seattle.
Honoring State Leadership: The WGU Elevate Award
The weekend of celebration began with the WGU Elevating Impact Dinner, during which the university presented the State of Washington with the WGU Elevate Award. That award honors a decade and a half of transformative collaboration between the university and the state. Gov. Bob Ferguson accepted the award on behalf of all Washingtonians through a special video address, emphasizing how public-private partnerships can effectively address workforce needs while creating more pathways to opportunity.
"This recognition, this award, really belongs to many leaders over the years who have championed the truly unique partnership between our state and Western Governors University," Gov. Ferguson shared. He noted that WGU provides "accessible education for many, many Washingtonians who work full time or take care of a family member," while supplying skilled talent for "STEM fields, nursing, teaching, and many other fields."
Gov. Ferguson’s words reflect a truth that resonates far beyond state borders: when higher education adapts to the diverse needs of working adults, it can be a catalyst for change for families and communities nationwide.
Corporate Alignment and Expanding Access Across the Nation
Commencement also highlighted WGU’s deep alignment with corporate America and leading employers. Keynote speaker Dr. Kiesha King – a WGU MBA alumna and corporate executive – exemplified the power of this national workforce connection. Having held senior leadership roles at Bellevue-based T-Mobile and currently serving as U.S. Head of Strategic Engagement and Market Development for K-12 Education at Apple, Dr. King’s career embodies a lifelong dedication to expanding access to technological infrastructure and bridging the digital divide.
WGU shares those values with major partners across the Evergreen state including global tech leaders, regional healthcare networks, community and technical colleges, and local school districts spanning from the Olympic Peninsula to Palouse. Together, we recognize that digital equity, a strong workforce, and economic mobility go hand in hand.
Addressing the graduates, Dr. King shared a powerful message on what true innovation demands in today’s world.
"Graduates, we live in a time when innovation is no longer optional. It is oxygen,” she said. “But true innovation isn’t only about advanced AI or faster software. The innovation I believe in ensures that no one is left sitting in the audience when world-changing opportunities arise."
A Blueprint for Nationwide Impact
That spirit of expanding opportunity was on full display as nearly 2,200 graduates celebrated in Seattle. Those individuals are entering or advancing in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, healthcare, K-12 education, and business – filling critical workforce gaps across the region and the country.
For the Washingtonians celebrating during commencement weekend, their achievements are part of an historic benchmark: the Evergreen State is home to more WGU graduates than any other state in the nation, with more than 50,000 degrees conferred to Washington residents to date. That success illustrates the outstanding impact when WGU’s nationwide approach integrates into regional ecosystems.
Co-Creating the Next Era of Opportunity
As we look ahead, the next 15 years and beyond calls for the same courage and creativity that launched this historic partnership between WGU and the state of Washington. Through ongoing collaboration, we will continue to build new pathways that address workforce needs more quickly and provide more opportunities for working adults. In Washington, we have proven what partnership can make possible; now it is time to take that promise even further.
