Meet Our Honorary Degree Recipients

Dr. Charles Sorenson

August 17, 2024, at Salt Lake City commencement
Lives in: Salt Lake City, UT

Dr. Charles Sorenson is the Founding Director of the Intermountain Healthcare Leadership Institute where he provides executive coaching to senior healthcare leaders around the United States. He is also President and CEO Emeritus of Intermountain Healthcare having served as CEO from 2009 to 2016. Prior to this, Sorenson acted as chief operating officer for 11 years and worked for decades as a urologic surgeon at the Utah-based, nonprofit hospital system—continuing to perform urologic cancer surgery even after moving into the C-suite. 

In addition to his passion for healthcare, Dr. Sorenson has been committed to high quality, affordable education as a pathway to opportunity.  He served on WGU’s Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023, spending his final four years as Chair of the Board. Dr. Sorenson earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Utah and a Doctor of Medicine from Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University. He is a board-certified urologic surgeon, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Adjunct Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah.  

Ted Mitchell

March 16, 2024, at Anaheim commencement
Lives in: Washington, DC

On March 16, 2024, we awarded Ted Mitchell an honorary degree at our Anaheim Commencement ceremony. Ted has been at the helm of the American Council on Education (ACE) since September 2017, where he serves as president, overseeing the nation's colleges and universities. Working closely with Congress, the executive branch, and the private sector, he’s advanced policies and practices that benefit postsecondary learners. Ted has dedicated his career to enhancing access to quality education and improving student outcomes, including his tenure as U.S. under secretary of education during the Obama administration, where he spearheaded initiatives such as reinstating Pell Grants for incarcerated adults and creating the College Scorecard. 

Before his role at ACE, Mitchell held various leadership positions in higher education, serving as president of Occidental College, vice chancellor and dean at the UCLA, and professor at Dartmouth College. Additionally, Mitchell has made significant contributions to K–12 education as the CEO of the NewSchools Venture Fund and president of the California State Board of Education. Throughout his career, Mitchell has advocated for an educational system that prioritizes excellence, equity, and social justice. He holds bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees from Stanford University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and currently sits on the boards of several prominent educational organizations.

WGU is thrilled to recognize Ted’s tireless efforts to advance WGU’s mission of creating pathways to opportunity for students. We present Ted Mitchell with an honorary degree and add his name to the list of passionate individuals reinvigorating higher education and renewing its promise to all students.