WGU North Carolina, USO of North Carolina Form Partnership

RALEIGH — WGU North Carolina, a competency-based nonprofit university, and the USO of North Carolina (USO of NC) have joined forces to expand access to educational and career resources to military communities across the state. The agreement also includes a joint scholarship program, which is set to launch early this summer, awarding eight $2,500 scholarships to local military service members, veterans, and their dependents. As a result of this commitment to supporting our nation’s service members, WGU North Carolina has been inducted into the USO of NC Patriot Circle as a One-Star Partner.

WGU’s competency-based education programs provide military personnel the ability to apply their life experiences and knowledge to more than 60 industry-relevant, accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, information technology, teacher education, and health professions, including nursing. Currently, 19 percent of WGU North Carolina’s students are part of a military community.

“WGU North Carolina’s online degree programs put education in reach of service members and their families as they look to either upskill while on active duty or as they transition to civilian life and a new career,” said Lt. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin (Ret.), a member of WGU North Carolina’s Advisory Board. “Military personnel are accustomed to using competency-based education and training to achieve their professional goals, and that’s what makes WGU North Carolina a natural fit for those with a military background.”

Recognized as one of the nation’s “Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities” for 10 consecutive years, Western Governors University (WGU) has a long-standing commitment to supporting military servicemen and women. Under the partnership, the university and the USO of NC will create special events and programs designed to support the unique needs of active duty military, veterans, and their families. Workshops, such as the USO’s Operation Exit Strategy, will be supported by WGU representatives to help equip service members with the transition skills and career resources necessary to make the next steps in their careers, from resume writing to interview techniques and more.

“As a nonprofit organization not funded by the government or national USO, partnerships like this one are critical to the success of our mission. We welcome WGU North Carolina to our Patriot Circle as a one-star partner,” said John Falkenbury, president of the USO of North Carolina. “With WGU’s support even more service members and military families will have access to educational and career resources, ensuring a successful transition to civilian life when they leave the service.”

The USO of North Carolina supports the fourth largest military population in the U.S., through life-changing and even life-saving programs offered at 11 locations across the state. The organization stands by the side of our service members from the time that they enter the military through their transition to successful veteran status.

WGU North Carolina officially launched in October 2017 through a partnership between the state and nationally recognized WGU. As of April 2018, WGU has more than 1,600 students in the state, and nearly 2,200 North Carolinians have already graduated from WGU.