WGU Texas Announces $50,000 in Scholarships and Initiatives To Strengthen El Paso's Workforce
Online, nonprofit university offers new initiatives to help El Pasoans complete their degrees
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mirroring national trends, Texas employers face persistent hurdles in finding qualified candidates to fill key positions in the areas of information technology, engineering, and nursing. And as the demand for educated and skilled workers rises, El Paso continues to be far below the statewide average in the number of working adults who have obtained a college degree.
Recognizing this, WGU Texas (texas.wgu.edu)— the state-endorsed, online, nonprofit university—is joining forces with major employers and economic groups to launch the "Education That Works for El Paso" initiative to expand access to affordable, flexible higher education and help working adults finish their degrees.
New scholarship: WGU Texas is offering $50,000 in scholarships to new WGU Texas students in El Paso. Ten scholarships, each valued at up to $5,000 ($1,000 per term for up to five terms) will be awarded. This is one of the largest scholarships awarded in the school's history, making one of Texas' most affordable universities even more accessible. To learn more about the scholarships, visit texas.wgu.edu/elpasoachievers.
New academic partner: WGU Texas is proud to announce a new Guaranteed Pathway Program Agreement in Nursing with El Paso Community College, which allows students and staff to receive a 5 percent tuition discount and scholarships to advance their nursing careers at WGU Texas. This dual-admittance program is designed to facilitate the seamless transition of nursing students from El Paso Community College into specific WGU Texas RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) or RN to Master of Science in Nursing (RN-MSN) programs. The Guaranteed Pathway Program complements existing statewide transfer agreements through its Finish to Go Further program.
New corporate partner: WGU Texas has teamed with the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to offer members and their employees a 5 percent tuition discount and scholarship opportunities that will help them finish their bachelor's or master's degree. For information about the EPHCC partnership benefits, visit texas.wgu.edu/ephcc.
"The need for a college-trained workforce is stronger than ever before," said Veronica Vargas Stidvent, Chancellor of WGU Texas. "We look forward to working with local employers and community groups to help more El Pasoans gain the education and skills they need to fill high-demand jobs."
"Providing students an affordable option to complete a college degree program that has value in the workplace is an essential strategy for El Paso's continued prosperity," said William Serrata, President of El Paso Community College. "WGU Texas' flat-rate tuition and flexible learning model represents a viable opportunity for working adults with some college to gain that credential and achieve their educational goals."
WGU Texas offers more than 50 accredited online degree programs in the fields of business, information technology, K-12 education, and healthcare, including nursing. Designed to meet the needs of working adults, WGU Texas' competency-based learning model allows students to study and learn on their own schedules and at their own pace. As a result, many students are able to accelerate their time to graduation—the average time to a WGU Texas bachelor's degree is under three years. Tuition is charged at a flat rate of $3,000 per six-month term for most programs, and terms begin on the first day of any month.
About WGU Texas
As the state's only online, competency-based university, WGU Texas offers accredited bachelor's and master's degrees in today's high-demand fields. WGU Texas' model is unique—rather than earning degrees based on time spent in class, students advance toward their credential at their own pace by demonstrating competency. Most degree programs are charged at a flat rate of $3,000 per six-month term, and terms can begin on the first day of any month. Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Learn more at texas.wgu.edu or call 1-877-214-7011.
Follow WGU Texas:
http://www.facebook.com/WGUTexas
http://www.linkedin.com/companies/western-governors-university
http://www.twitter.com/wgutexas
http://www.youtube.com/user/WesternGovernorsUniv
Contact for media inquiries:
Holly Subervi, PR Manager
512-225-6652 or 512-965-4500
[email protected]
Contact for enrollment information:
877.214.7011
texas.wgu.edu
SOURCE WGU Texas
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