LAS CRUCES, NM – Nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU) surprised Luna County resident Caitlin Duke with the WGU Resiliency Grant worth $4,000 during an interview with WGU South Region Strategic Partnerships Manager Jim Johnson.
With many people facing hardships over the past eighteen months, the Resiliency Grant offers new students up to $4,000 that can be used for tuition, fees, and instructional materials to start one of more than 60 online bachelor’s or master’s degree programs.
“Higher education can and should be affordable and accessible to all students. As educators, it’s our duty to help ensure students have the resources they need to attend and succeed in college,” said Linda Battles, Regional Director, WGU South Region. “WGU remains committed to increasing access to high quality, affordable and attainable programs that are connected to the workforce. It’s more important now than ever. We’re proud to support students like Caitlin, who are pioneers in their field, in getting their degree and furthering their career path.”
Duke is earning a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at WGU and has a background in information technology customer service. Her long-term goals are to obtain a master’s degree in cybersecurity and help pave the way for women in STEM, specifically in her community of Deming, New Mexico.
“When you’re working with cybersecurity, you’re more focused on helping people,” said Duke. “With a degree from WGU and the grant, I can accomplish my dream to be a woman in STEM. I'm also excited to show other girls who are interested in STEM fields that they can succeed in a male-dominated program.”
The WGU Resiliency Grant is open to new students or current students within 90 days of starting their program. Each $4,000 grant will be applied to WGU’s flat-rate tuition and credited at the rate of $1,000 per six-month term, renewable for up to four additional terms. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2021. For more information, visit wgu.edu/resiliency.
