COLUMBUS – WGU Ohio, a growing leader in competency-based online higher education, set a new milestone this month when it awarded its 5,000th degree in the state.  

WGU was established in 1997 by a partnership of state governors to offer students, particularly adult learners, the chance to go to college while working and caring for their families. In 2018, Ohio became the eighth state to partner with WGU, part of efforts by policymakers to close Ohio’s skills gap with a new pathway for adults to seek careers in such in-demand careers as healthcare and nursing, business, teaching, and information technology.

“Advanced education and career readiness have the power to significantly transform lives. The 5,000 bachelor’s and master’s degrees WGU Ohio has awarded to hard-working women and men across the state are not only impacting those graduates, but also their families, coworkers, and entire communities,” said K.L. Allen, who leads WGU Ohio. “I count that as many thousands of lives across Ohio, all transformed by the power of education. 

According to Allen, the average age of WGU Ohio students is 37, and more than three-quarters work full time. Since its 2018 launch here, nonprofit WGU Ohio has significantly grown the number of college graduates in the Buckeye State by offering high quality, competency-based, online education that is both affordable and accessible for nontraditional students..

Allen also recognized the graduate receiving the university’s milestone 5,000th Ohio degree. 

“Of all the ambitious, self-starting women and men to earn degrees from WGU Ohio, the distinction of being the university’s 5,000 thousandth graduate goes to Kyleigh Martin of Cridersville who earned a bachelor of science in nursing,” he said.