WGU Washington University Governance
A Degree-Granting University in Washington
WGU Washington’s principal mission is to expand access to affordable higher education for Washington residents through online, competency-based degree programs that address key workforce needs.
WGU Washington Governance
WGU Washington is the only state-endorsed university that operates entirely online. As a private, nonprofit institution established by the state of Washington, WGU Washington works in partnership with our parent institution, Western Governors University. As a result, WGU Washington is governed under the same WGU Board of Trustees consisting of educators, industry leaders, and state governors.
WGU Washington is led by Chancellor Jean Floten who resides in Washington and provides the university with the direction and leadership to best meet the needs of Washington residents.
Meet Chancellor Jean Floten
More about the Board of Trustees
National Advisory Board
WGU Washington is supported by Western Governors University’s National Advisory Board (NAB), consisting of representatives from prestigious corporations and foundations. These entities provide valuable support and expertise, allowing WGU Washington to benefit from their experience. Current members include:
CenturyLink
Dell Computer
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Hewlett-Packard
Hospital Corporation of America
Lumina Foundation
J. Willard and Alice S.
Marriott Foundation
Oracle
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Simmons Media Group
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
SunGard Higher Education
Tenet Healthcare
Wasatch Property Management
Zions Bank
More about the National Advisory Board
Academic Program Governance
WGU Washington’s curriculum, learning resources, mentoring, and student services are provided by our parent institution, Western Governors University. WGU’s skilled administration and faculty work with industry councils consisting of academic and industry experts to produce comprehensive and superior degree programs.
Academic Leadership
Assessment Council
Health Professions Program Council
Liberal Arts Program Council
Business Program Council
Information Technology Program Council
Education Program Council
"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is pleased that WGU will be helping expand access to educational opportunity in Washington. This new university will provide an important option by offering working adults in Washington another way to get a quality college degree—one that measures learning rather than time spent in class and puts student success at the center of everything it does."
—Hilary Pennington
Director of Education, Postsecondary Success, and Special Initiatives, U.S. Program
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
"As one of the Founders and as a member of WGU’s Board of Trustees since the university’s inception, I highly recommend WGU Washington as a quality institution. This new university provides the state of Washington with another quality higher education alternative—one that takes advantage of 21st century technology and a new learning approach designed to address the needs of working adults."
—Dr. Samuel H. Smith
President Emeritus, Washington State University
