Governors Guinn, Richardson to Co-Chair Western Governor’s University

At the fall meeting of the Western Governors Association, two Western governors were elected as co-chairs of Western Governors University (WGU), http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/index.html the nation’s only online competency-based university. Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson take over leadership of the WGU Board of Directors from Washington Governor Gary Locke and Utah Governor Michael Leavitt.

Govtech.net

Gov. Guinn, former superintendent of the Clark County School District and former interim president at UNLV, brings a wealth of education experience and leadership to the WGU Board. Nevada was one of the first states to approve WGU’s teacher education programs.

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"I consider Western Governors University an important resource to meet the growing demand for qualified teachers in Nevada," Guinn said. "School aides who desire to become certified teachers can access WGU’s online programs wherever they live and earn a degree through the Transition to Teaching program."

Gov. Richardson, former secretary of energy in the Clinton administration, is currently president of the Western Governors Association. In his first year as governor of New Mexico, he succeeded in passing extensive education reform legislation.

The governors take over leadership of WGU at a time of impressive gains and growth. In the first nine months of the year, enrollment in WGU degree programs doubled from 750 to more than 1,500 students. According to WGU President Robert Mendenhall, "The dramatic increase in degree program enrollment is an indication that WGU is establishing a great reputation just four years after offering its first degree, and is attracting students from every state and several foreign countries."

He said that in the last six months, following the announcement by U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige launching the WGU Teachers College, http://www.centerdigitaled.com/converge/?pg=magstory&id=56515 more than 600 students have enrolled in teacher degree programs.

At the announcement in Washington last March, Paige said, "the WGU Teachers College provides an innovative option for individuals who would be turned off by the hoops and hurdles of traditional teacher preparation and certification programs." Mendenhall said the proof of this is in the growing number of applicants for admission. He said the Teachers College is the only national program providing accredited, online, competency-based degrees and elementary and secondary licensure to K-12 teachers and prospective teachers in math, science, and learning technology.

The announcement of the Teachers College followed directly after the university received accreditation from the Interregional Accrediting Committee (IRAC), becoming the first online institution to receive accreditation and the first time that four IRAC members have collaborated to oversee the evaluation process. The four-region accreditation is historic, making WGU the only university to be simultaneously accredited by multiple commissions.

WGU was founded and is supported by 19 states and governors, as well as 25 leading corporations and foundations. WGU offers associates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in three areas: IT, business and education.

http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=2003.10.31-75423