• WGU and Hawai’i CC Partner to Offer Graduates Pathways to Pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

    April 28, 2022
    Please see the news release attached and pasted below and this Flickr link with photos and captions.   
    Hawaii CC-WGU Partnership Press Release

    WGU and Hawai’i CC Partner to Offer Graduates Pathways to Pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees Online, nonprofit university extends special benefits to Hawai’i CC grads and employees

    HILO, Hawaii – (April 28, 2022) Online, nonprofit Western Governors University (WGU) and Hawai’i Community College announced a partnership offering graduates of Hawai’i CC pathways to high-quality, low-cost university degrees. The agreement between the institutions extends a generous transfer credit policy to Hawai’i CC alumni enrolling at WGU – meaning more of their work at Hawai’i CC will be recognized, saving them time and money on their way to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Additionally, Hawai’i CC alumni and employees will be eligible to apply for the WGU Community College Partnership Scholarship, valued up to $2,500.

    “Like Hawai’i Community College, WGU recognizes that – through education – we can build stronger communities and change lives for the better,” said Dr. Tonya Drake, WGU’s vice president of the Northwest region. “The partnerships our institutions share allows us to create more opportunities and make the dream of an education a reality for more people living on Hawai’i Island.”

    WGU is a nonprofit, online university offering more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, IT, teacher education, and health professions, including nursing. Its innovative, competency-based model allows students to study and learn whenever and wherever it is convenient and at a pace that fits their lifestyles.

    “Our state is home to many, wonderful universities, but getting to a brick-and-mortar campus isn’t always an option – especially for working adults,” said Dr. Rachel Solemsaas, chancellor of Hawai’i CC. “For that reason, providing Hawai’i Community College as many transfer options as possible is vital. WGU is well-respected, and students who transfer there can expect a high-quality experience.”

    Currently, nearly 70 WGU students and more than 150 graduates call Hawai’i Island home. Across Hawai’i, more than 550 individuals are enrolled at WGU, while more than 1,000 have already earned degrees from the online university.

    WGU is well-suited for busy, working adults and traditionally underserved student populations. The university provides students with individualized experiences and personalized guidance from dedicated faculty mentors and course instructors – from the time they enroll until they graduate. WGU is also committed to keeping tuition costs low.

    Students pay about half as much as their counterparts at similar institutions with tuition for most WGU degree programs at approximately $7,000 per year. For more information about WGU’s community college partnerships and scholarship opportunities, visit www.wgu.edu/cc.

    About WGU
    Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 130,000 students nationwide and has more than 270,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 23 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

    About Hawai’i Community College
    In the spirit of E ‘Imi Pono (Seeking Excellence), Hawai’i Community College has proudly served the Hawai’i Island community since 1941. Hawai’i CC delivers high-quality, accessible associate degree and certificate programs that support students’ career goals while developing an educated workforce for local businesses and organizations. Based in Hilo and with campus locations in Kona and Honoka’a, Hawai’i CC is committed to serving all segments of the Hawai’i Island community. Hawai’i CC is part of the 10-campus University of Hawai’i system and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.