Podcast: WGU Texas builds its profile in the Rio Grande Valley

MCALLEN, RGV - Steve Johnson, chancellor of Western Governors University in Texas, was recently in the Rio Grande Valley to build more alliances with education institutions in the region.In May of this year, Johnson, on behalf of WGU, signed an agreement with South Texas College President Shirley A. Reed aimed at furthering students’ education by utilizing course offerings available at WGU.WGU Texas was formed in 2011 and currently has 13,000 students. Nationally, WGU has 130,000 students. In the above podcast, Johnson talks about the history and priorities of WGU, as well as discussing the alliances he is forming in the Valley. He noted that the university is primarily driven by workforce needs and offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four specific areas - business, health professions, teaching, and information technology. “We are online and competency-based, which means students move through material as quickly as they can demonstrate competency,” Johnson explained.WGU Texas has nearly 200 students in McAllen metro area.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.