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WGU Alumni Networking Night: Join Us May 28 in El Paso
WGU is bringing together alumni, students, and partners for a valuable career networking opportunity as we celebrate our military community.
Event details
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m. (MT)
Location: Veterans One Stop Center
10737 Gateway Blvd W #350
El Paso, TX 79935
- Featured speaker
Jonah P. Herd, Military Programs, Aerospace, and Defense Contract PM at Workforce Solutions Borderplex - Luther Jones, Veterans Program Coordinator, City of El Paso
What to expect
- Professional networking with fellow WGU alumni and local employers
- Guest speakers sharing career insights and experiences
- Career insights and opportunities
- Recognition of our military and veteran community
- Dinner
Whether you're looking to grow your professional network, explore new career paths, or simply connect with others in the WGU community, this event is for you.
We hope to see you there!
Meet the Speakers:
Luther Jones Jr. is a U.S. Army veteran and Veterans Program Coordinator for the City of El Paso, serving as a liaison between Fort Bliss, city leadership, and regional veteran organizations. Raised in a military family, he understands the challenges of service and transition. He served as a Combat Medic and later a Patriot Missile System Maintainer (14T). After his military career, he worked with colleges, universities, and state agencies to support veterans transitioning to civilian life. For over a decade, Luther has helped veterans access employment, education, mental health resources, and benefits.
His experience includes roles with the Texas Veterans Commission and the Texas Veterans Leadership Program at Fort Bliss. He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.S. in Communication and Leadership from Park University.
In his current role, he leads initiatives that expand resources, strengthen partnerships, and improve outcomes for veterans and military families. A frequent speaker on leadership and transition, Luther is also a husband and father of two.
Jonah Herd, EMBA, PMI-ACP, is a Military Programs Project Manager at Workforce Solutions Borderplex, leading workforce initiatives that support transitioning service members, veterans, and their families in the El Paso and Fort Bliss region. A former U.S. Army Ranger with 18+ years in special operations and multiple combat deployments, he earned two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars with Valor. Jonah holds an Executive MBA from UTEP and specializes in aligning workforce systems with industry needs, managing large-scale grant programs, and driving measurable outcomes. He is also the founder of The Centurion Collective LLC, a veteran-owned consulting firm focused on workforce strategy and leadership development.
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1: 2024 Harris Poll
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2: 2024 Harris Poll
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3: Source: Analysis of IPEDS data, report year 2023
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