USDLA

  • About
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • USDLA Bylaws
    • Advisory Board
    • Higher Education Certification
    • Contact
  • Memberships
  • Chapters
    • State Chapter Fees
    • Chapter and Member Benefits
    • State Chapters
  • Global Partners
  • Resources
    • Video Assets
    • USDLA Podcasts
    • Members Area: Distance Learning Resources
    • Archived Research
    • Blogs
    • Books/Articles
    • Conversations@USDLA
    • Distance/Online Information
    • Public Policy
    • Education Journals
    • Newsletter
    • USDLA Quarterly Journals
    • Careers
  • Events
    • 2023 National Conference
    • 2023 NDLW
    • Friday Webinar Series
    • Annual Legislative Policy Forum
  • Sponsorships
  • Certification
    • Higher Education
    • Professional Learning
  • Awards
    • 2023 International Distance Learning Awards
    • 2022 International Distance Learning Awards
    • 2021 International Distance Learning Awards
    • 2020 International Distance Learning Awards
    • 2019 International Awards
    • 2018 International Awards
    • 2017 International Awards
    • 2016 International Awards
    • 2015 International Awards
    • 2014 International Awards
    • The Minority Broadband Initiative
    • Chapter Events
    • Archived Events
      • 2022 National Distance Learning Week
      • 2022 National Conference
      • 2021 IFWE – International Forum for Women in eLearning
      • 2021 National Distance Learning Week
      • 2021 National Conference
      • 2020 International Forum for Women in E-Learning (IFWE)
      • 2020 National Distance Learning Week
      • 2019 National Conference
      • CLO Symposium Spring 2019
      • 2018 Water Cooler Chat Series
      • IFWE 2018 Archive
      • 2018 Government Learning Technology Symposium (GLTS)
      • 2018 National Conference
      • 2017 National Conference
      • 2016 National Conference
      • 2017 Policy Forum
      • 2016 Policy Forum
      • IFWE 2016
      • 2016 Webinar Series
  • Member Login
You are here: Home / General News / Western Governor’s University:  History and Connection 

July 11, 2017

Western Governor’s University:  History and Connection 


 

This blog post written by:

Julie Young

USDLA Chair Emerita

 

It’s hard to change the world.  People spout platitudes about being world-changers, reaching to be a landscaper of thoughts, ideas, and practices. Leaders strive to be part of a system that makes such a difference to the people within it.  One of the most impactful practices that has truly changed the world is distance education. A leader in the pack from within distance education, Western Governor’s University once again has set itself apart as a winner of the 2017 USDLA 21st Century Learning Award. 

When I first worked to open Florida Virtual School and now launching ASU Prep Digital, I learned that the landscape of distance education evolves very quickly:  thought leaders emerge, soar high, and then welcome other leaders into the space. It’s the rare school that remains constantly at the forefront of innovative learning practices because ideas wane, new thoughts rise to the top, and it becomes another’s time to shine.  However, year over year, WGU has proven that its mission-driven approach to competency-based education remains the leader for all those who come after. And this year, WGU has once again been honored for their breakthrough practices in distance education.   

Western Governor’s University had a good idea—it wanted to take high quality education and ensure that everyone, regardless of geography or resources, had access to education to meet the demands of employers and industries across the nation.  To put it simply, WGU took that good idea and made it more than an idea:  they made WGU a household name.  They did this with a combination of some great ideas, hard work, and absolute faithfulness to their mission to expand access to higher education for all. 

All innovators have to face the hard choice between mission fidelity and mission drift—remaining and improving upon a good idea, or iterating far away from center.  WGU has navigated its evolution through the last 20 years with poise and devotion to helping adults meet their goals—educationally   and in their careers. 

Nelson Mandela wrote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Western Governor’s University started with a mission to change the world.  And so they did.

 

In Photo: Dr. Allison Barber, Chancellor of WGU Indiana and Dr. Fred Hurst, WGU’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and John Flores, PH.D., C.E.O/Executive Director USDLA

Save the Date: 

2017 Policy Forum

National Distance Learning Week (NDLW)

2018 National Conference

Learn more about the USDLA and how you too can be a member. The association supports all core markets including Enterprise, Government, Telemedicine, Education and others.

USDLA Membership

Our Association is unique, not only for its historical commitment to distance learning, but also for engaging with a broad spectrum of distance learning professionals – K-12, higher education, corporate, government, military, telehealth, and home schooling. While more narrowly focused organizations have an important role, a powerful perspective emerges when bright minds serving diverse constituencies come together.

The USDLA was formed in 1987. At that time, companies like Yahoo and Google were still years away. “Power users” were boasting of their Intel 386 processors. In that context, DL was a concept well outside the educational mainstream. Granted, a few people knew something of the process but hands-on DL experience was rare. USDLA, then, provided a means for these pioneers to find one another.

Today, with more than one-third of college students taking an online class, it’s a far different world but USDLA remains a vital player. Our members continue to seek out other DL professionals. These practitioners still want to grow and want to offer students a strong education in a robust community of learning. Today’s USDLA stands out as a remarkable resource for teachers and administrators who want to enhance the learning experience.

Become a USDLA Sponsor today!

 

Filed Under: General News

Join the USDLA today!

Become A Member

Email Newsletter

Thanks for signing up!

Sign up to get interesting news and updates delivered to your inbox.

By submitting this form, you are granting: USDLA, 840 First Street, NE , 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20002, United States, https://usdla.org permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.) Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Search

Recent Posts

  • The best teachers are also amazing learners
  • Best Practices in Education for School Readiness & Community Planning
  • Learning From the Resiliency of HBCUs Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Interview with Eric Jones
  • Covid 19 Pandemic and Distance Learning Today
  • Memberships
    • Membership Levels
    • Sponsorships
    • Job Opportunities
  • Chapters
    • Chapter and Member Benefits
    • State Chapters
    • Chapter Tool Kit
    • Chapter Events
    • Global Partners
  • Distance Learning Resources
    • USDLA Quarterly Journals
  • Events
    • 2022 National Conference
  • Awards
    • 2023 International Distance Learning Awards
  • About
    • President’s Welcome
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact

Search

Copyright © 2023 USDLA · All Rights Reserved.