WGU Alumni Podcast
WGU’s alumni network now has more than 350,000 graduates living in all 50 states. The WGU alumni podcast highlights the incredible work that our alumni are doing in their local communities. We also share benefits, perks, resources and partner information to help our graduates stay engaged and get the most out of the alumni community.
Episodes
65 episodes
Making a difference and standing firm: Distinguished Graduate and IT Leader Linzie Starr III's Journey
What if you could redefine success on your terms, no matter where you start from? Join us on the latest episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast as Linzie Starr III, an IT professional and recent WGU distinguished graduate honoree, who climbed the ran...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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50:36
From Military Service to Community Leadership: Distinguished Graduate Roxanne Thalman's journey
What does it mean to truly embrace the mantra "Never Too Late"? Hear the inspiring journey of Roxanne Thalman, a change maker, US Air Force veteran, former elected official, and proud WGU alumna. A standout WGU distinguishe...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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34:44
Empowerment Through Experience: WGU Distinguished Graduate Adriana Richard’s Path to Advocacy
What happens when a determined educator channels her passion into transformative advocacy? Meet Adriana Richard, a distinguished graduate from WGU, who has turned her life experiences into a force for change. On this episode of the...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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24:03
From Educator to Ed Tech Entrepreneur: WGU Distinguished Graduate Jessica Shelley’s Journey
Jessica Shelley, a soon to be four-time WGU graduate, rejoins the WGU Alumni Podcast following the recognition of being named a 2024 WGU Distinguished Graduate. The CEO and co-founder of Dailies, shares her journey as a passionate educator to a...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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23:06
From Pharmacist to Cybersecurity Leader: Distinguished Graduate Dr. Brady McNulty's WGU journey
Imagine facing immense pressure in your job during a global pandemic and deciding it's time to make a bold career change. That's exactly what Dr. Brady McNulty did, transitioning from pharmacy to cybersecurity. In this episode of the WGU Alumni...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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25:48
Introducing new season "It's Never Too Late"
On this new season of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we’re sharing the inspiring stories of our distinguished graduates who went back to school to pursue a degree and better their lives. Over the next few months, you’ll hear graduates who took cont...
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Season 2
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1:02
How education and inclusivity champion empowers others (Cole Frandsen-Smith)
On this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, learn how Cole Frandsen-Smith, a 2023 WGU graduate in Human Resource Management, has become a strong champion for education, inclusivity, and the power of community.Also, learn how Cole's life,...
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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28:22
Empowering Healthcare Leader and Trailblazing Nurse at Cedars-Sinai (Ebony Gray)
Meet Ebony Gray, a WGU graduate and former president of WGU's Student Nurses Association, share her experiences. From her 13-year tenure at Cedars-Sinai to her leadership roles, Eb...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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26:00
Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur, Teacher, Mother, and 4x WGU Graduate (Jessica Shelley)
Meet Jessica Shelley, a WGU alumna who's revolutionizing education and entrepreneurship while balancing family life with five children and supporting her husband's academic journey at WGU. Explore her journey from elementary teacher to Forbes' ...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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26:39
Male postpartum nurse, half marathon enthusiast, and WGU graduate shares his zeal for life
Nontraditional graduate, Washington Native Eric Miller, joins the alumni podcast to share his motivation on his WGU journey, his passion for nursing, and his interesting hobbies such as cross-stitching and running half marathons, more than 100 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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29:59
Newest alumni team member walks the talk after graduating with two WGU degrees
Recent WGU graduate and current member of the alumni team, Ginny Ersery, joins the podcast to share her thoughts on her recent commencement experience in Chicago, and how things are going in her new role.
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Season 1
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Episode 55
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33:52
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Bowling Hall of Fame Inductee talks "rolling turkeys" after WGU degree
Recent WGU Graduate, bowling coach, and two-time bowling hall-of-fame inductee Ronald Simms Jr. joins the podcast to share his thoughts on his WGU journey, his experience speaking at WGU's commencement last spring, and how his bowling team chal...
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Season 1
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Episode 54
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32:55
Catching the Alumni Vision with WGU Leadership
As we kick off the new year, listen to the latest episode to hear WGU Senior Vice President of Regional Operations, Gene Hayes, and Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Development, Robert Sullivan, share their insights into exciting ...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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45:29
Serial Entrepreneur and WGU MBA Grad Corey Alexander
Serial entrepreneur, WGU MBA graduate, and Nashville resident Corey Alexander joins the alumni podcast to share how he manages to run six different business while balancing family and other commitments in the community. A form...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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30:36
Episode 51_WGU's Alumni Events Specialist Michael Daniel
We are talking alumni events with Michael Daniel from WGU's alumni team. Next up is WGU alumni's annual virtual 5K, the Night Owl Trot. Michael highlights the 5K and the Alumni Celebration, and recaps the Kindness Quest. Visit www.wgu.edu/event...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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14:35
Episode 50_WGU VP Paul Bingham and two-time WGU IT grad Chris Abbey talk new Cyber Security Web Series
WGU College of IT Vice President Paul Bingham and two-time WGU IT graduate Chris Abbey join the alumni podcast to highlight the new Cyber Security Web Series on LinkedIn. Learn about the series, why it's important, and watch the first episode e...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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21:30
Small Business Owner leverages capstone project to take ice cream business to the top
WGU Graduate and small business owner Nathan Todd joins the alumni podcast to share how his business capstone at WGU led him to purchase a local Iowa ice cream business and who he's successfully expanded into three locations.
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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36:04
Episode 48_WGU IT Graduate and Author Bill Burns
Two-time WGU graduate and recently published author Bill Burns joins the podcast to discuss his journey as a Senior Principal DevOps Engineer at a Fortune 50 company as well as his latest project: publishing his first book.
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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26:01
Episode 47_ Professional Soccer Player beats the competition with WGU's model
Professional Soccer star and WGU Graduate Samantha Johnson joins the alumni podcast to share her experience earning her degree while competing in the National Women's Soccer League and also how she's using her degree in education to impact kids...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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33:32
Episode 46_WGU's Senior Vice President of Regional Operations Gene Hayes
Gene Hayes joins the alumni podcast to share WGU’s focus on increasing access and outcomes in higher education. Gene joined WGU in 2020 as Senior Vice President of Regional Operations and is committed to advancing WGU’s mission. In addition to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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29:20
CEO of Professional Sports support network talks success after WGU journey
WGU grad Amanda Banks is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sports To Suits, LLC. She is also the host of the weekly live show "Sports To Suits", an enterprise sales leader, strategic partnerships creator, and joy enthusiast. She joins the alumni podcas...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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21:44
Episode 44_WGU Business Alum Devi Pariya
Raised in Nepal, WGU student Devi Pariyar is fueled with the desire to give back and help the next generation. She’s seen firsthand the importance of compassion, good leadership, and the power education has on changing lives. On this episode sh...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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25:32
Episode 43_ IT Grad Chad Welch and WGU Texas Chancellor Linda Battles
WGU Texas was created 10 years ago as a partnership between the state of Texas and WGU to expand access to more Texans. On this episode of the podcast, we visit with WGU's Regional Vice President and WGU Texas Chancellor Linda Battles about the...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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31:27
Episode 42_Diversity and inclusion advocate Carmen Kingston
Diversity and inclusion advocate Carmen Kingston, a leader from Sam’s Club and Walmart, Inc., spoke at WGU’s summer commencement and now joins the alumni podcast to share her impressions at commencement and how she continues to be inspired by l...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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33:36
Episode 41_WGU - Veteran Friendly and Military Focused
As WGU honors our veterans in the month of November, we are featuring some of the key figures at WGU who are moving the university from military friendly to military focused. Dave Ammons and Casey Byington from WGU's Veteran's Employee Resource...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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20:58
