Patrick Partridge
President of WGU Academy | Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Pat Partridge serves as President of WGU Academy, specializing in college readiness, workforce development and employee upskilling, and innovation in higher education.
Areas of Expertise:
College Readiness, Social-Emotional Learning, Adult Education, Distance Learning, Higher Education, Leadership, Marketing, E-Learning, and Marketing Strategy
Education:
University of Virginia - Darden Graduate School of Business Administration: M.B.A., Business Administration 1982
University of Virginia: B.A., Arts 1976
Social: LinkedIn
Media.
WGU Academy Webinar: Developing Resilient Learners in Difficult Times
Mindset Matters Most: Can We Cultivate Remarkably Resilient Learners at Scale?
Biography.
Patrick (Pat) Partridge is President of WGU Academy, where he’s responsible for the independent nonprofit entity’s operations and external relations. Partridge received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Virginia, earning his MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration in 1982. He spent several years in general management and entrepreneurial roles in cable television, wireless and publishing – including general manager of two cable television operations, vice president of operations, and part owner of a private cable TV company.
Prior to leading WGU Academy, Partridge served as Chief Marketing Officer at Western Governors University (WGU), overseeing the university’s marketing, public relations, enrollment, scholarships, alumni, and admissions departments. Beginning at WGU in 2002, when the university had about 400 students, he directed strategic marketing and enrollment programs that helped the university grow its online student body to over 115,000 students and more than 140,000 graduates throughout all 50 states.
Links
Selected media appearances and articles.
How colleges are changing remedial education
Education Dive, 2019-06-19
"Traditional approaches to college preparedness are increasingly scrutinized because their outcomes are poor, by and large," said Patrick Partridge, president of WGU Academy, the new remedial education platform offered by Western Governors University, one of the nation's biggest online colleges.
Western Governors Addresses College Readiness Gap with New Academy
Campus Technology, 2019-05-01
Although students intending to enroll at WGU are the first target for the academy, the new organization hopes to set up partnerships with other institutions "to scale its impact," the university stated. The goal is to reach many more students who need foundational support that will help them succeed in their college careers.
The academy is headed by Patrick Partridge, who has led WGU's own successful student outreach, enrollment and admissions operations for 15 years.
Western Governors U Launches College Readiness Pathway
Inside Higher Education, 2019-04-10
“College readiness -- or the lack of it -- is one of the primary barriers to opportunity for many Americans, particularly those who are part of underserved or disadvantaged populations,” Patrick G. Partridge, WGU Academy president, said in a press release.
“WGU Academy will provide an affordable -- and scalable -- solution by closing the gap in college readiness,” he said.
WGU Academy: The New Mega-Pathway To College Readiness
Forbes, 2019-04-10
Western Governors University (WGU) has just launched WGU Academy, a new program to address the college-readiness gap faced by an increasing number of students. The Academy will operate as a separate unit under the WGU umbrella and will offer courses designed to help aspiring, but underprepared, college students get up to speed for college success. Enrollment will begin May 1, 2019.