You Can Thrive with Individualized Faculty Support and Instruction
At WGU, you have an entire team of faculty members whose #1 job is empowering you toward success. WGU faculty members are leading experts in their fields. They are there to provide you with personalized instruction and support in your specific courses and with your overall degree program. You interact with these faculty members regularly to help you stay on track, get answers to questions, and find success.
Below you will find more information about the individuals you will interact with on your WGU journey and how you will be supported.
4,300+ Faculty Members
WGU has over 4,300 faculty members living and working in all 50 states—a diverse, experienced group of experts giving our university a national perspective.
900+ Instructors
Currently there are over 900 Course Instructors at WGU. These faculty members engage with students regularly, helping with course material and student competency.
1,500+ Program Mentors
Over 1,520 Program Mentors support WGU students. Your mentor's focus is you—your program, your goals, your path.
1,200+ Evaluators
WGU has over 1,200 Evaluators. These expert faculty review student work and determine if competency has been achieved.
Who Will I Interact With As a WGU Student?
Students primarily interact with three types of faculty at WGU: Program Mentors, Instructors, and Evaluators. Mentors and instructors interface with students by phone or by web to provide tailored instruction and support in their areas of experience, while evaluators provide feedback and perspective on student assessments. This "division of labor" enables each type of faculty member to deliver top-notch, student-focused support.
Program Mentor
Once you are enrolled, you are assigned a program mentor who will be with you all the way until you graduate.
How you interact with Program Mentors:
Collaborate with your Program Mentor to create a personalized plan for communication to help you progress through your program
Work with your Program Mentor to create a personalized plan for completing your courses during each six-month term
Reach out with any questions you have on programs, policies, and procedures
Reach out if you are having any problems or concerns that are impacting your ability to complete your program
Instructors
Instructors are subject-matter experts with experience in the field who are assigned to teach a specific course.
How you interact with instructors:
Learn from instructors through their written materials, recorded videos, and study plans, helping you build your competency in each course according to your learning preferences
Interact in real-time through one-to-one or one-to-many live forums
Reach out to them if you have questions or concerns about the material
Connect with them if you are struggling with an assessment and need more individualized help
Evaluators
Evaluators are experts in their areas of evaluation, with doctoral degrees or other post-graduate training or certifications, who review assessments to determine if competency has been demonstrated by the student.
How you interact with evaluators:
Review their clear and comprehensive feedback on assessments to ensure you can demonstrate mastery
No additional personal interaction with Evaluators, helping them to remain bias free as they assess your work
Curriculum and Assessment Faculty
While students interact with faculty members who specialize in instruction, support, and evaluation, behind the scenes another group of faculty members is busy developing our high-quality curriculum and assessments, ensuring the quality of what students are learning and the value of their degrees. This separation of faculty roles is key to WGU's ability to provide on-demand, one-on-one faculty support without sacrificing our commitment to continuous improvement in our programs.
Assessment Faculty
Assessment faculty members are experts in the science and craft of creating high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable. Assessments that can establish which students have achieved competency and which still need additional learning are central to WGU's competency-based model.
WGU's teams of assessment experts are aligned by college and guided by Academic Vice Presidents and other leaders committed to the highest levels of academic integrity. They also collaborate with student-facing faculty and other subject-matter experts to ensure that WGU always employs an evidence-based approach to student assessment and always invests in continuous improvement in assessment.
Curriculum Faculty
Faculty members who specialize in curriculum development are experts in the science of learning. These college-aligned faculty members are deeply informed about the competencies required by academic standard-setting organizations and the industries they serve. They ensure the curriculum and instructional materials are evidence-based and academically rigorous—as well as engaging and focused on student success.
Curriculum faculty members collaborate with student-facing faculty and other subject-matter experts—including Academic Vice Presidents and Program Councils of academic and industry experts—to ensure content is accurate and pedagogically sound.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is a lifelong process through which we all develop adaptive Power Skills that contribute to academic, and career success and overall wellbeing.
Power Skills
The foundational building block for effective social and emotional learning, positive psychology, personal growth, and professional development. It is the conscious and clear perception and understanding of our own personality, feelings, thoughts, emotions, beliefs, strengths, weaknesses, character, desires, and motivation. The more we are self-aware, the better we can understand other people's perceptions, attitudes, and mindsets.
Self-management is the ability to accept responsibility, be accountable for, and effectively manage our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Self-management skills are critical for getting things done and taking control of our life. They utilize strategies and mindsets that help us become organized, efficient, and most effective in our endeavors. Self-management is the roadmap for our personal and professional success. Interpersonal communication to build strong personal and professional relationships.
The higher-order mental processes that enable us to manage complex tasks, such as organizing and planning, remembering information, problem-solving, regulating emotions, and controlling cognitive flexibility. Executive function skills are essential to our ability to think critically, adapt to change and persist. Developing our executive function skills contributes to our ability to make responsible decisions and achieve our goals.
Essential for adapting to diverse workplace environments and communities. These skills allow us to engage, react, and respond in a variety of social situations by understanding the complex needs of others. Socially aware individuals can appropriately modify their behavior and apply effective interpersonal communications strategies to achieve the most optimal outcomes in a variety of social contexts.
How to use SEL at WGU: We have created detailed articles that are written with the student experience in mind. We also offer several quick tools to help you balance your school, work, and family life.
WGU Student Wellbeing Services
WGU partners with leading student wellbeing and mental health support services to provide free resources aimed at helping students navigate personal, family, and financial challenges that can affect their academic progress and other responsibilities. Students receive free Mental Health and Wellness Services, 24/7 Crisis Support, and Referral to Local Basic Life Need Resources. Learn more about the services offered by reviewing the list below.
- Confidential, mental health support with a counselor at no cost to the student, spouse/partner.
- 24/7 counseling available via telephone or chat.
- Telephone, video, and in-person counseling by appointment for short-term support.
- Language and lived-experience counselor-matching upon request.
- Connection to local resources such as housing, food, caregiving needs (including childcare).
- Legal and financial consultations
- Self-directed resources including articles, videos, assessments, virtual fitness.
Students may access the confidential counseling and support resources that WGU provides 24/7/365 via Student Wellbeing Services.
The Writing Center is a one stop shop for students to get assistance with writing resources. We have self-serve resources that students can reference to sharpen their academic writing skills. We also offer live assistance for students to work with a Writing Mentor one on one.
Self-Serve Options
- APA Basics and Help with APA
- We have several resources and articles about how to correctly use APA 7th edition style in your writing.
- Writing Organizational Tips
- If you need help with structure and putting your thoughts together, we have organizational tips to maximize the impact of your writing.
- Proofreading Strategies
- We have resources to help you put the final touches on your paper including proofreading tips, strategies, and tips on professional communication to make sure your written work is at its best!
Live Assistance
- Attend a Live Event
- We offer a variety of schedules for our live events including APA Help, Writing for Success, and Revision and Proofreading Strategies.
- Schedule an Appointment
- Work directly with a writing center mentor by scheduling an appointment that is convenient for you.
- Live Chat and Writing Center Help Line
- If you need assistance, help is always a click or a phone call away!
Self-Serve Options
- Learning Guides
- If you are looking to build foundational math concepts, we have study paths that will help you build a solid foundation of math skills.
- Math Study and Calculator Tips
- We have great resources for calculator advice and help as well as math strategy and study tips.
Live Assistance
- Math Center Events and Appointments
- If you are needing some math assistance, we have math center mentors who can meet with you. We also have several great events you can attend to sharpen your skills.
Self-Serve Options
We have numerous resources available to current students and alumni to help you get the job you want! From cover letter writing, resume building and creating a portfolio, we can help you set up a solid foundation for your job search.
You have submitted your cover letter and resume and now it’s time to nail the interview! The Career Center has resources for employer research, interview preparation and salary negotiation. Come take a look at our resources and see how we can help you secure your dream job.
Live Assistance
Talk through your career plan strategy with one of our career advisors. We have advisors for each college who will help steer you in the right direction.
Professional Development Resources
Whether you are currently employed in the position you desire or are searching for a new position, it never hurts to keep yourself informed, educated, and up to date in your professional realm. Taking time to engage in professional development opportunities not only keeps you cutting-edge within your field, it also allows you to network with other professionals and develop your professional brand - all of which can advance your career! We offer services from these providers:
- Handshake
- WGU Students have access to this resource where they can find jobs, internships, connect with employers, peers, and alumni to get career information.
- Skillport
- This website provides professional modules and information students can implement in their everyday business practices and procedures.
- MindEdge
- WGU partners with MindEdge to provide free online business training for alumni! Alumni can use the discount code wgualumni at check-out to get access to the courses for free.
- LinkedIn
- WGU offers students and alumni free access to LinkedIn Learning. Courses in Business, Technology, and Creative Skills taught by industry experts.
- Night Owl Network
- Introducing the Night Owl Network, an exclusive professional community of WGU Night Owls from around the world! Connect with other Night Owls near and far with a variety of industry backgrounds. Give back by sharing industry insights, starting a mentorship, or giving career advice. Discover and join professional interest groups, make life-long connections, and find resources to help keep your career goals on target.
The WGU Library is your one stop shop for all your research needs! We have an impressive collection of e-books, databases, publications and e-reserves to meet all your research requests.
Resources
- The WGU library has an A-Z list of all our available databases. Students can also view available resources by college from the main page!
- Can’t find what you are looking for? It’s not a dead end! You can request articles and books that you need, and the library can help.
- Even after you graduate, WGU offers alumni select access to various articles, magazines, and books on a variety of professional development and career topics.
Support Services
- Attend a live webinar—Our WGU librarians have several monthly options for live webinars! Webinars include a comprehensive introduction to library resources and research strategies.
- Schedule an appointment with a librarian—WGU librarians are available at times that are convenient for students. Students can schedule phone appointments to get assistance with resource questions.
- Ask a librarian chat—Staying up late researching and need a hand? The WGU Library has a 24/7 Ask a Librarian chat feature.
Students Are at the Center Of Everything We Do
WGU faculty and staff are committed to focusing on students in every aspect of their work. Innovation, ownership, a sense of urgency, and continuous learning are part of every employee’s job description.
"What we do here changes lives. When someone earns a degree, that changes things for their family and, through the influence of their family, changes the community. And that changes the world. I have the chance to help change the world every day at work, and that inspires me to give my best."
— Jim McCleskey
Course Instructor, School of Business
“Encouraging students to believe in their capacity for success is an integral part of mentoring. WGU Course Instructors couple that encouragement with a commitment to creatively supporting students’ mastery of the competencies in our courses. We frequently remind students that learning requires exertion, but they are not laboring alone.”
— Carmen Turner
Course Instructor, Teachers College
“WGU students humble me because many of them persist through adversity that might have overwhelmed me. They inspire me to help every one of my students succeed.”
—Gideon Weinstein
Course Instructor, Teachers College
"Exceptional mentoring means believing in our model. Our unique approach coupled with deep collaboration between mentoring support teams is not only effective, but demonstrates a university-wide commitment that is special and second to none."
— Kari Toney
Program Mentor
University Academic Leaders
- Program Development
- Leavitt School of Health
- School of Education
- School of Business
- School of Technology
- Program Curriculum
Dr. Sarah DeMark
As the Vice President of Program Development at WGU, Dr. DeMark helps keep WGU at the forefront of competency-based education by directing the university’s academic portfolio strategy as well as program design and development, with a portfolio of more than 60 degrees, 600 courses, and 1,000 assessments.
Keith Smith, Ed.D., MBA, MA
Smith is responsible for driving the academic and operational strategies of the Leavitt School of Health. He is a member of the Chair Academy Practitioner Board, Journal for Higher Education Editorial Board and Journal of Continuing Education Editorial Board. He is also a member of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education, Association of North America Higher Education International and Online Learning Consortium.
Dr. Stacey Ludwig Johnson
As the Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of WGU's School of Education, Ludwig Johnson will drive the academic and operational strategies of the largest, nonprofit, accredited school of education in the U.S. She has a long history championing and supporting the work of WGU, having invested more than 24 years envisioning, creating and implementing academic services, including faculty and clinical experience models, that optimize student progress and retention, attainment and career success.
Mitsu Frazier
As the Executive Dean and Senior Vice President of the School of Business, Mitsu Frazier has extensive experience serving WGU students and working to enhance what WGU offers. Her long tenure at WGU in a variety of positions has provided her opportunity to work directly with students and advance the WGU mission and purpose.
Paul Bingham
Paul Bingcam joined Western Governors University in October of 2019 as an Associate Dean in the School of Technology. Paul spent 24 years with the FBI, conducting and managing domestic and international investigations. He is an accomplished instructor and featured presenter in topics including cybersecurity and incident response. Paul holds cyber certifications including the CISSP, GCIH, GSEC, and GISP. He earned his Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University.
Joann Kozyrev
As Vice President for Design & Development, Kozyrev leads curriculum specialists, instructional designers, assessment experts, and content creators and curators. Continuously improving the relevance and quality of our learning experiences ensures that WGU graduates can credibly demonstrate the value they have to offer to employers and their communities.
Learn More About Who You Interact With at WGU
