Nonprofit, online university appoints eight key Nevada leaders to board
Las Vegas / Reno, Nev. (Sept. 10, 2015) – WGU Nevada Chancellor Dr. Spencer Stewart announced this week that eight prominent business, education, policy, and healthcare leaders have joined the governor-supported, nonprofit university’s Advisory Board.
The Board will provide counsel to the chancellor and address specific needs and trends to help shape the direction of the university in the state. The board members bring expertise in industries that are important to Nevada’s economy.
The newly appointed WGU Nevada Advisory Board members are:
- Dr. Dana Bennett, President, Nevada Mining Association
- Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson, Co-Assistant Minority Floor Leader, Nevada Legislature
- Denice Miller, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, MGM Resorts International
- Sandy Colón Peltyn, Principal of Marketing and Community Relations, DeSimone Consulting Engineers
- Walt Rulffes, Former Superintendent, Clark County School District
- Michelle Sanchez-Bickley, Vice President of Human Resources, Renown Health
- Todd Sklamberg, CEO, Sunrise Hospital
- Judy Stokey, Vice President of Government and Community Relations, NV Energy
“WGU Nevada is a great asset for our entire state, providing an accessible and affordable path for those seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree,” said Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison. “The assembled advisory board brings together a diverse group of leaders from key industries across Nevada to help us grow our economy and meet our evolving workforce needs.”
In June, Governor Brian Sandoval issued a proclamation and signed a memorandum of understanding establishing WGU Nevada. Formed by a partnership between the state and nonprofit, nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Nevada was created through a $2 million grant from USA Funds. The university offers accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four high-demand sectors critical to building Nevada’s economy: business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. To learn more visit nevada.wgu.edu.
WGU Nevada is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university established to expand Nevadans’ access to higher education throughout the state. Formed through a partnership between the state of Nevada and nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Nevada is open to all qualified Nevada residents.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*.
In addition to WGU Nevada, there are five other WGU state-based, state-endorsed universities: WGU Indiana, established in June 2010; WGU Washington, established in April 2011; WGU Texas, established in August 2011; WGU Missouri, established in February 2013; and WGU Tennessee, established in July 2013. For more information, visit the WGU Nevada website, nevada.wgu.edu, or call 877-214-7005.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington, DC 20036, 202-877-6791).
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