WGU Sage Advice with Chris Bonnell

Welcome to the final episode of Season 2. Join our Sage Advice hosts, Chris Bonnell and Emma Salomon, for this series' wrap-up episode.Join Chris and Emma as they revisit some of their favorite moments, such as:- Teaching students market-ready skills- Preparing the next generation of cyber security experts - Combatting the teacher shortage and the nursing shortage- Empowering students from diverse backgrounds- Developing microskills Chris Bonnell is the Vice President of External Affairs at Western Governors University and he's been with WGU for over nine years. Chris is a public policy leader in competency-based education and psychology, with a focus on issues of mental illness and providing solutions.Emma Salomon is the Digital Advocacy Director at Western Governors University, having been with WGU for nearly five years. Before her current role, she was a Government Relations Director at WGU. Emma is passionate about giving underserved populations access to higher education.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

Welcome to this episode of Sage Advice. Host Chris Bonnell is joined by Dr. Adaira Landry and Dr. Resa Lewiss, the authors of the new book MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact. Join them as they:- Discuss the concept of microskills- Delve into the importance of mentorship and support- Explore the importance of taking initiativeDr. Adaira Landry is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School with almost a decade of experience mentoring students and early-career professionals. She is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, Forbes contributor, and award-winning mentor. She cofounded Writing in Color, a nonprofit that teaches the craft of writing. Dr. Resa Lewiss is a professor of emergency medicine, TEDMED speaker, TimesUp Healthcare founder, designer, entrepreneur, and award-winning educator, mentor, and point-of-care ultrasound specialist. She hosts the Visible Voices Podcast, amplifying content in healthcare, equity, and current trends.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

In this episode of Sage Advice, host Emma Salomon is joined by Dr. Lisa Herring, President of PROPEL and strategic advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education. Join them as they:- Discuss Dr. Lisa Herring's journey from administrator to president of PROPEL- Discuss the importance of preparing students for the workforce- Speak on the challenges of staffing and how to combat them- Explore competency-based education and its benefits for individual studentsDr. Herring has a career in education spanning 24 years, including experience as a teacher and administrator across urban and rural environments, and is now president of PROPEL, an innovation and learning hub for the HBCU community. Herring is recognized for her leadership in private-public partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, fostering stronger career paths for students and transforming their learning experiences. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

In this episode of Sage Advice, host Chris Bonnell is joined by Sarah DeMark, Vice Provost of Workforce Intelligence and Credential Integrity at Western Governors University (WGU).Join them as they:- Discuss Sarah's transition from traditional education to skills-centric learning- Delve into skills-based education, stackable credentials, and meeting workforce demands- Talk about transparency, value, and educational ROI for students- Discuss the unique approach of WGU in embracing skills-based hiringSarah DeMark joined in 2014 and advocates for skills-based credentials that benefit both individuals and employers. She leads WGU's strategy to ensure programs align with in-demand skills so that competency-based education delivers value for students. Additionally, Sarah serves as the interim Executive Director of the Open Skills Network and on 1EdTech's Board of Directors and spent over 15 years at IT giants like Cisco and VMware.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

In this episode of Sage Advice, host Chris Bonnell is joined by Michael Horn, co-founder of Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation.Join them as they:Discuss how Yale and Harvard Business School led Michael to the Clayton Christensen Institute-Dive into what disruptive innovation means in education and how it's already happening at WGU-Talk about disruptive innovation and its inherent inclusivity-Explore AI and its exciting possibilities in education, including individual personalized learning  Michael teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is an author of several books, including From Reopen to Reinvent: (Re)creating School for Every Child; The Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns; Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools; and Choosing College. Michael also co-hosts the top education podcasts Future U and Class Disrupted, is a regular contributor to Forbes.com, and writes the Substack newsletter The Future of Education. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here. Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

In this episode of WGU Sage Advice, host Chris Bonnell is joined by Kacey Thorne, Senior Director of Skills Architecture at Western Governors University.Join them as they:- Discuss the future of higher education. - Highlight the importance of skills in a rapidly changing job market.- Explore aligning educational models with workforce demands and how WGU is leading the way in skills-based hiring.- Explain the need to make degrees more incrementally valuable through a skills-based approach.- Dive into the benefits of continuous skill acquisition and WGU's modular course construction.Kacey Thorne is the Senior Director of Skills Architecture at Western Governors University; she has been at WGU for eleven years in various roles. Kacey currently operates at the intersection of higher education and the future of work, in which she is responsible for establishing a network of competencies and skills that are aligned to workforce needs. Kacey has established an emergent ecosystem of partnerships, processes, and technologies that continues to grow and evolve, and is passionate about the urgent call to action for higher education to better meet the needs of students and employers. She is deeply invested in student success and creating higher education systems that support access, equity, choice, and upward mobility. She holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from South College and a Master of Education in Instructional Design from WGU. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

In this episode of Sage Advice, host Emma Salomon is joined by Mitsu Frazier, Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of the College of Business at Western Governors University.Join them as they:Delve into the evolution of business education.Discuss WGU's approach to competency-based education for evolving business needs.Shine a light on the importance of power skills in business education.Talk about the growth of WGU's College of Business.Mitsu Frazier is the Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of the College of Business at Western Governors University. Mitsu has been a cornerstone of WGU for nearly 16 years, playing a pivotal role in steering the university's innovative and competency-based approach to business education. Her leadership has been instrumental in ensuring that WGU's programs are not only reflective of current industry standards but also at the cutting edge of academic innovation. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

In this episode of WGU Sage Advice, host Chris Bonnell is joined by Paul Bingham, Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of the College of Information Technology at Western Governors University (WGU).  Join them as they: • Discuss Paul's journey from FBI agent to educator • Delve into the importance of upskilling amidst rapidly evolving threats • Explore WGU's approach of integrating industry certifications into education • Talk about the critical role of cybersecurity in society  Paul Bingham, the Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of the College of Information Technology at Western Governors University (WGU), is a distinguished cybersecurity and information assurance leader. During his tenure at WGU, he has played a pivotal role in advancing student development, resulting in increased enrollment and graduation rates in the cybersecurity program. With a background as an FBI agent for 24 years, Paul led domestic and international cybersecurity investigations with FBI SWAT teams in over 100 high-risk tactical missions. Paul holds several professional certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Public Accountant, Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) Penetration Tester, GIAC Certified Incident Handler, and GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here. Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

In this episode of WGU Sage Advice, host Chris is joined by Stacey Ludwig Johnson, Senior Vice President of Western Governors University (WGU) and the Executive Dean of the School of Education. Join them as they:• Discuss the future of competency-based learning• Elaborate on WGU's impactful one-by-one approach to learning• Talk about the reason behind the shortage of teachersAs a pioneer of competency-based education, Stacey is envisioning, creating, and implementing academic services that optimize student progress and retention, attainment, and career success.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/wgu-in-your-state

In the first episode of Season 2 of WGU Sage Advice, host Emma Salomon is joined by Kim Kelly-Cortez, the interim Dean and Chief Nursing Officer at Western Governors University (WGU) and the Vice President of Nursing for the Levitt School of Health,  to discuss the future of nursing education and the innovative approaches being taken to prepare the next generation of nurses.Join them as they:Delve into Kim's journey into nursingDiscuss the challenges in nursing educationShine a light on WGU's pre-licensure program for nursing Talk about the current nursing shortageKim Kelly-Cortez is the interim Dean and Chief Nursing Officer at Western Governors University (WGU) and the Vice President of Nursing for the Levitt School of Health. With a background in education and a passion for healthcare, Kim has played a crucial role in driving the nursing faculty at WGU into the 21st century. She has helped expand enrollment, improve NCLEX scores, and increase student satisfaction.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Sage Advice is brought to you by Western Governors University. To learn more about WGU and how it's pioneering a new path in higher education, visit https://www.wgu.edu/impact

Higher education is at a crossroads, with traditional models being challenged and reimagined every day. At Western Governors University, we're not just participating in this transformation; we're leading it.Welcome to Sage Advice.We bring together thought leaders, policymakers, and educators from WGU to discuss our unique approach to learning that prioritises student success, affordability, and real-world skills.Make sure to search for “Sage Advice” in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else podcasts are found and follow so you don't miss any future episodes.Are you ready to dive into the future of education? Listen to Sage Advice now. Trust me, it's a conversation you don't want to miss – we're reshaping the world of learning, one episode at a time.

In this episode of the Sage Advice podcast, host Chris Bonnell interviews Jim Ogsbury, former Executive Director of the Western Governors Association (WGA). They discuss the powerful bipartisan collaboration between the WGA and Western Governors University (WGU), and their shared mission to impact the Western states and beyond.WGA, a non-partisan group of leaders focusing on policy rather than politics, was founded in 1984 to develop policies that address significant challenges such as natural resources, human services, economic development, international relations, and state governance. The association represents the governors of 19 states and three Pacific territories, with their policy recommendations carrying significant influence in Congress.Ogsbury emphasizes the effectiveness of the Western governors and applauds their collaborative, bipartisan efforts, highlighting several initiatives achieved during his tenure. These include a multi-state agreement on charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, a coordinated approach to regional invasive species, and the launch of the Reimagining the Rural West initiative.One of WGA's significant achievements, according to Bonnell, is the creation of WGU, an innovative online, competency-based educational model built from the ground up. Established in the late 1990s, WGU filled the gap in post-secondary educational opportunities identified by the governors, and has been a pioneer in the online education space.While independent, WGU maintains a robust and symbiotic relationship with WGA, providing substantial support and contributing to the association's policy enterprise. The partnership led to the establishment of the Western Governors Leadership Institute, an incubator for young leaders in the West. This institute organizes leadership forums where delegates engage in dialogues with political leaders, promoting a shared commitment to uplifting those eager to learn.Overall, the conversation emphasizes the value of bipartisan collaboration and how the WGA's work, supported by WGU, impacts not just the Western states, but the entire nation. The commitment to promoting meaningful and impactful policies, irrespective of political differences, remains a vital takeaway from this episode.

Our guest today, David Quam, has had a fascinating career. From his high-paced start as a young employee working on the Contract with America in the mid-1990s to founding his firm, 56 Capitals, two and a half decades later, there has been no shortage of excitement, long hours, and hard-won negotiations. In our conversation with David, we discuss his time in Washington, the crucial role that state and local government play in the American Federal System, and the power of relationships in politics. We also discuss the partnerships between Republican and Democratic representatives, how David has seen them put politics aside, and why the dedication of senators and other public servants continues to give him hope, despite our turbulent political landscape. David has a wealth of knowledge and the exposure of his career has facilitated a keen insight into the American political system. Tune in to hear all of David's incisive observations on American legislation, politics, and the power of relationships!

Mike Grote is a political consultant and WGU's voice in the great state of Missouri. He has played a pivotal role in helping the university to make high-quality, low-cost online education available to Missourians. Tune in to hear his story of working closely with legislators to empower students' journeys, with a vision to see an impact for generations to come. We touch on the idea that following the pandemic, digital infrastructure has become a human right, and discuss how it has highlighted the need for high-performing practitioners in the state of Missouri. Key Points From This Episode:Mike Grote's role in supporting WGU bridge the digital divide and making low-cost online education accessible.Two things that motivated Mike to take on a role at WGU.Student stories that illustrate the incredible value offered by WGU.Working closely with rural electric cooperatives.How digital infrastructure is becoming a human right.How COVID-19 highlighted the need for accomplished practitioners throughout the state.WGU's efforts to create a centralized opportunity for practicums and in-service experience opportunities.Working together with Senator Hough to get more people into healthcare professions through the Nursing Lab.Governor Mike Parson's role in providing pathways to opportunity.The incredible rewards of working to empower students. 

In this episode of the Sage Advice podcast, host Chris Bonnell speaks with Allen Clarkson, Government Relations Manager at Western Governors University (WGU), discussing the incredible growth and evolution of the university over the years.Clarkson, who joined WGU as a contracted employee in 2005, shares his journey from grading papers for the IT college to becoming a pivotal part of WGU's expansion, holding 15 different titles in various departments. Initially intending to stay at WGU only for a short term, Clarkson was drawn in by the innovative model of the institution and the opportunity to contribute to something bigger.Underlining WGU's extraordinary growth from 2,000 to 132,000 active students, Clarkson attributes this success to the quality of education, commitment to innovation, and their focus on governmental relations. He discusses how WGU matured alongside internet technology, constantly learning to leverage it to better support students, and developing a unique model providing students with five points of contact within the faculty.However, the institution's expansion was not just about growing numbers but also about creating meaningful relationships with elected officials. WGU, originally founded by states for states, has never lost sight of its roots. The Government Relations team, including Clarkson, focuses on advancing policies that enhance access to education and uphold the credibility of a WGU degree. As a result, they've established partnerships with 13 affiliate states, creating opportunities for thousands of potential students.According to Clarkson, when partnering with a state, WGU doesn't focus on what they can gain but rather what they can contribute to the state and their students. Through this student-centric approach and consistent advocacy, WGU has grown into an institution beyond Clarkson's imagination.Bonnell's sage advice is inspired by Clarkson's favorite saying, "Don't leave 10 minutes before the miracle happens." He expresses gratitude for Clarkson's dedication and contributions to WGU's evolution, which illustrates the miraculous impact of staying committed to a vision.In all, this conversation offers insights into the remarkable growth of WGU, underlining the value of innovation, student-centricity, and beneficial partnerships.

Episode 02: Show Notes.Achieving a baccalaureate degree in a single year sounds impossible, but what if accreditation was based on competency instead of credit hours? Today, we are discussing competency-based education with the Vice President of Western Governors University, Lucas Kavlie. Tune in to hear the story of Lucas's background with accreditation, compliance, and institutional effectiveness, before studying cyber and education law. We go on to discuss why Western Governors University prioritizes competency-based education and how they ensure that every person who is accredited progresses fairly. Lucas explains that growth is not the primary goal of the university and tells us why, before explaining why there is a shrinking gap between secondary and post-secondary education. Tune in to hear all this and more today. Key Points From This Episode:What motivated Lucas to study accreditation, compliance, and institutional effectiveness.How the State Authorization Mandate led Lucas to study cyber law and education law.Assisting with the Association of Governing Boards and the President's forum.Stepping into a role as Vice President to manage compliance, accreditation and academic engagement.Competency-based education and what it entails.How Western Governors University enables people with no experience in higher education to get a baccalaureate degree within a year.What motivates them to choose this structure.How they have managed to facilitate fast-paced learning and accreditation. The meticulous steps taken that ensure there's no ability for someone to progress unfairly.Contrasting competency based education with the traditional credit hour.Lucas responds to Chris's mention of the number 300 000.His prediction for future graduate growth.A reminder that growth is not the major goal of Western Governors University.Their goal to show the world that this is a better way to approach higher education.The shrinking gap between secondary and post-secondary education.What commencement means: the beginning. Tweetables:“We're still trying to ensure that what an individual needs to know is assessed in a way that the individual does have what needs to be known in order to be successful out in the field. We know it works.” — Lucas Kavlie [0:09:08]“We have some individuals who come into Western Governors University, having not done higher education before, and they leave Western Governors University within a year with a baccalaureate degree.” — Lucas Kavlie [0:10:14]“Through psychometrically sound and legally defensible methodologies, we've established the way to ascertain that this person does know what needs to be known, regardless of where the individual obtains that knowledge.” — Lucas Kavlie [0:11:04] “Western Governors University has figured out how to say, let's not worry about time. Let's worry about competence.” — Lucas Kavlie [0:17:58]Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Lucas Kavlie on LinkedIn Lucas Kavlie on Twitter Western Governors University 

Show Notes.Today Kurt Gunnell joins us to share a little of his world and unpack his role as the Director of Institutional Research at WGU. As someone so focused on the important data of the university, he has amazing insight and ideas around how the data can be leveraged to best serve the students and staff, and we get a real inside look at some of the processes that Kurt and his team are involved in. He also talks about collaborating with Gallup, his experiences over the last 10 years, and what makes his job so satisfying for him. For Kurt, using available resources to serve students as precisely as possible is the key to his work, and he comments on the investment in private-public partnerships, technology integration, subjectivity, and state grants along the way. We finish off this illuminating chat, by looking at the impact of Kurt's work on students who may otherwise find it difficult to access what the university has to offer, so to hear it all from today's special guest, press play! Key Points From This Episode:Looking back on Kurt's journey at WGU and his first role at the institution. Kurt talks about his career before WGU and his previous data management roles. Unpacking the typical day of someone working in institutional research at WGU.   Data and decisions; support and integration of technology at WGU. Breaking down the information at the university and how Kurt and his team use the available information.  Tackling the subjectivity in data and the need for the most up-to-date data and metrics.  The role of third parties in vetting and validating results at WGU. Weighing the value and power of state grants and student aid.  Kurt talks about the recent survey project with Gallup and the data they collated. Reflections on the vocation of creating greater pathways for underserved students.Tweetables:“One really big differentiator between WGU and possibly other institutions around this, is that we are just very technologically supported and integrated.” — Kurt Gunnell [0:06:43]“We're able to break this down into smaller bites of retention, progress, completion, to see where our students are accelerating, or where they may be pausing for a little bit, and then have our faculty jump in on that.” — Kurt Gunnell [0:07:23]“The great thing is that we have different levels of data granularity that really allow us to take a peek into how students are progressing.” — Kurt Gunnell [0:07:39]Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Tellwell Story Co.Kurt Gunnell on LinkedInGallupWGU

Episode 03: Show Notes.There are multiple avenues that students can pursue when it comes to acquiring financial aid. But many aren't aware that your resultant debt can vary substantially based on a few key choices, and can be greatly minimized through good advice and a personalized financial plan. Today on the show we welcome Bob Collins, WGU's Vice President of Financial Aid, to discuss his career in financial aid and higher education along with some of the important services, funds, and scholarships that students can take advantage of at WGU. Bob breaks down some of the most recent developments at WGU, including how the WGU Online Access Scholarship helps underrepresented communities of low-income, rural students. He unpacks how the needs of younger students seeking financial aid differ from those of adult learners, and how WGU helps accommodate the needs of adult learners wishing to continue and complete their studies. Bob also sheds light on WGU's financial literacy program, Financial Avenue, and the financial calculator that assists students on their financial aid journey and beyond. If you're interested in learning more about WGU and some of the best ways to structure your finances for minimum debts after college, then be sure to tune in for this important conversation.Key Points From This Episode:Introducing today's guest, Bob Collins, Vice President of Financial Aid at WGU.How Bob's experience as a student recipient of financial aid led to a career in higher education and financial aid.Bob's history with WGU and his intimate knowledge of their financial aid delivery system.Learn about the fundamental principles on which the WGU financial aid program is founded.The needs of adult learners and how they differ from younger students.Demographic trends in the US and why it's essential to address the adult learner market.An overview of how the WGU program supports adult learners.A rundown of the Responsible Borrowing Initiative (RBI) and why it was created.How the RBI is helping students borrow wisely with a personalized financial plan.The student loan calculator and how it helps you optimize your financial plan.How the RBI reduced overall student loan debt by 30%.Learn about WGU's financial literacy program, Financial Avenue.The WGU Scholarship Platform, Scholarship Universe, and how it connects students to internal and external opportunities.How the WGU Student Emergency Aid Fund assists students in need.A breakdown of the WGU Online Access Scholarship and how it serves low-income, rural students.A rundown of the financial hardship fund and how it helps students during times of difficulty.Why Bob would love to see states advance an adult learner grant that doesn't have an application deadline.Tweetables:“It was fascinating to be able to be here from the beginning at WGU. Before the first students enrolled, I was a consultant for WGU.” — Bob Collins [0:04:01]“If we're going to meet the needs of workforce development, we need to address the adult learner market.” — Bob Collins [0:08:19]“When we first implemented this program, the debt for undergraduate students at graduation was $21,000. After we implemented the Responsible Borrowing Initiative, we reduced that by 30%.” — Bob Collins [0:19:04]“The state-funded programs have this artificial, unintended consequence, that doesn't meet the needs of adult learners. I'd love to see the states grow an adult learner grant that doesn't have an application deadline.” — Bob Collins [0:32:18]Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Bob Collins on LinkedIn