Gene Hayes joined WGU as Senior Vice President of Regional Operations in 2020, managing operations and driving strategies across WGU’s seven regions and eight state affiliates.

Hayes leads regional vice presidents, as well as chancellors of WGU’s state affiliates—WGU Washington, WGU Nevada, WGU Texas, WGU Missouri, WGU Indiana, WGU Ohio, WGU Tennessee, and WGU North Carolina—to collaborate and implement strategies that support the full student lifecycle, from prospect to alum.

Hayes joins WGU after serving nearly two decades in higher education leadership roles. He has extensive experience developing both national and international programs, and his areas of expertise include business development, academic operations, and the delivery and expansion of online programs.

Hayes earned his MBA in general management with an international emphasis from the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. He also holds a B.S. in economics from BYU.  

The Oaxaca, Mexico, native is multi-lingual and currently serves as a Business Language Case Competition judge at the Marriott School of Business, helping students from universities across the country showcase their international business acumen, presentation, and foreign-language skills in real-life global business scenarios. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Utah Foster Care.