A Plea From a WGU Alum
I’ve been reading some of the discussions here about the changes happening at WGU, particularly around return-to-office policies. I understand that many employees are frustrated, and you have every right to criticize WGU leadership, employment policies, or your experience working there.
But I have one request as an alum: please don’t take that frustration out on the degrees students and alumni worked hard to earn.
I’ve seen comments saying people would no longer recommend WGU “as a degree.” I’ve seen WGU described as the “Walmart of Education.” I’ve seen people questioning whether students actually learn anything because some complete degrees quickly, criticizing the assessment model, and even calling WGU a degree mill.
Those comments don’t just hurt WGU leadership. They hurt students and alumni.
A lot of us earned our degrees while working full-time, raising families, and managing everything else life throws at you. WGU gave us a model that allowed us to demonstrate what we already knew, learn what we didn’t, and earn an accredited degree without putting the rest of our lives on hold.
If you believe WGU is treating its employees poorly, say that. If you think the RTO policy is wrong, criticize it. If leadership has made decisions you disagree with, hold leadership accountable.
But please separate WGU the employer from WGU the university.
Students and alumni didn’t create the RTO policy. We aren’t responsible for management decisions. And diminishing the credibility of the education because you’re angry with your employer creates collateral damage for people who had absolutely nothing to do with that dispute.
Criticize WGU where you believe criticism is deserved. Just don’t use the degrees we worked hard to earn as ammunition.