WGU Missouri, the state’s only fully online, competency-based university, is pleased to announce that John Hardin, of Chesterfield, Missouri, has joined the organization as community relations manager. Bringing 20 years of sales and marketing experience to the university, Hardin will advance WGU Missouri’s mission to increase access to affordable higher education for Missouri residents in order to help address key workforce needs.
Hardin has an extensive background in analyzing, implementing and managing all aspects of
corporate sales and marketing initiatives. In his new role with WGU Missouri, Hardin will work to generate awareness of WGU Missouri’s programs and help enhance enrollment. He will be responsible for developing and building relationships and partnerships within the St. Louis region’s business, educational and health care communities and creating comprehensive marketing plans.
“We are excited to have John join our team, and we know that his experience and leadership skills will help generate awareness of WGU Missouri, while building our engagement with the community,” said Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “We work to give Missouri residents an affordable education and know John will help reach many more of the 750,000 working adults in the state who have some college but no degree.”
Hardin joins WGU Missouri at a time of significant growth for the university, which recently celebrated its second year anniversary. Enrollment has climbed to almost 1,600, and as a result, WGU Missouri also recently added seven enrollment counselors, who will work alongside Hardin at the university’s Clayton office to help meet the needs of the growing student population. With the recent growth in staff, WGU Missouri’s payroll has reached nearly $5 million.
About WGU Missouri
WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members provide one-on-one guidance, support, and instruction.
Established through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on a flat-rate tuition of about $6,000 per year for most programs.
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*).
*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).
Contact for media inquiries:
Kelly MacNeil
314.677.2303
Contact for enrollment information:
855-948-8493