Western Governors University Promotes Dr. Terrance Hopson to Regional Vice President for the Midwest
In his new role, the Orland Park, Illinois-based Hopson will lead university operations across a nine-state region.
CHICAGO— Western Governors University (WGU) today announced that Dr. Terrance Hopson has been promoted to the position of Regional Vice President for the Midwest Region. In his new role, the Orland Park, Illinois-based Hopson will lead university operations across a nine-state region and further raise its profile among prospective students, alumni and external partners in the region. He will place particular emphasis on continuing to develop and strengthen relationships with partner organizations to expand access and affordability among targeted student populations to WGU’s high-quality, nationally recognized, post-secondary programs.
With more than 10 years of experience in higher education, Hopson has focused on enhancing and expanding opportunities for students, especially historically underserved learners. As part of this work, he has led initiatives to create intentional Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) programs – designed to assist local businesses by skilling up and retaining workers, increasing competitiveness and providing a path for onboarding additional workers – and expand higher education access to students in marginalized neighborhoods.
Before being promoted to Regional Vice President, Hopson served for two years as Regional Director of WGU in the Midwest Region. In that role, he was responsible for growing awareness of the fully online, nonprofit university across Illinois and eight other Midwestern states – Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin – and advancing its reputation among prospective students and university partners.
Prior to joining WGU, Hopson spent six years with City Colleges of Chicago, serving in various leadership positions, including Associate Dean of Careers & Continuing Education for Chicago-Harold Washington College and Program Director of Academic Affairs for Malcolm X College. He also served as Director of the Cerf Center and Student Engagement for Illinois-based Eureka College. Additionally, his background includes serving in positions focused on student engagement, recruitment and TRIO – a federal outreach program targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.
“Terrance’s leadership and extensive experience in higher education, student engagement and career development is a big asset for WGU as we continue to grow pathways to opportunity for Midwesterners who need degrees and certificates to advance in their careers,” said Gene Hayes, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations at WGU. “His knowledge of the region and key employers and workforce development organizations – along with his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion – will benefit WGU’s students, alumni, employees and partners.”
Hopson holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago, as well as a Master of Science in Education and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Northern Illinois University. For more information, visit www.wgu.edu.
