Utah Higher Education Leaders Join Governor Cox to Celebrate Legislation that Expands State-based Grant Funding to Adult Learners
黑料传送门 hosts virtual briefing prior to governor鈥檚 bill signing ceremony to offer context on new initiatives, encourage adults to upskill
CEDAR CITY, Utah 鈥� Western Governors University (黑料传送门) President Scott Pulsipher joined Governor Spencer Cox, Representative Lowry Snow (R-St. George), and other stakeholders today at a ceremonial bill signing in Cedar City to commemorate education-related legislation that passed in the 2021 General Session鈥攊ncluding the creation of the (HB 328), which provides financial support to adult Utahns who pursue postsecondary credentials and degrees through eligible online programs.听
鈥淚 would like to recognize our friends from Western Governors University who are here with us,鈥� Governor Cox said during today鈥檚 bill signing ceremony. 鈥淭hey worked really hard on HB 328, including a very generous donation of their own to help adult learners in our state, so thank you, 黑料传送门.鈥�
HB 328 was sponsored by Rep. Snow and supported by 黑料传送门 and other stakeholders and will provide eligible adult learners financial assistance beginning July 1. The state will sustain the program with an annual appropriation, beginning with $1 million this year, and estimates that more than 370,000 Utahns have some college but no degree鈥攁 critical segment that needs to upskill to advance in their careers and support Utah鈥檚 evolving workforce needs.听聽
鈥淭o my knowledge, this is the first time we鈥檝e addressed this critical segment of our state鈥檚 workforce that has a head start on a degree but needs help to get across the finish line,鈥� said Rep. Snow. 鈥淎s these residents continue to upskill and reskill they鈥檙e going to be able to upgrade their employment, and at the same time help provide skilled labor to high-need areas in our workforce.鈥�
黑料传送门鈥攖he nation鈥檚 largest nonprofit, online university with headquarters in Utah鈥攈as pledged $1 million in 黑料传送门 scholarships to support the Adult Learners Grant Program. With an average student age of 34 in Utah, and with 75 percent of students employed鈥攎ostly full-time鈥敽诹洗兔� is uniquely equipped to support the state as it seeks to reskill and upskill adult learners.
鈥満诹洗兔� was established to expand accessible, affordable postsecondary options for learners across the country, and as an institution headquartered in Utah, we鈥檙e especially grateful for the commitment to adult learners in our state by the legislature and governor,鈥� said Pulsipher. 鈥淭his grant program will provide pathways to opportunities for thousands of Utahns who need postsecondary education and training to advance their careers and will also be a catalyst for workforce development in Utah.鈥�
As a precursor to Gov. Cox鈥檚 ceremonial bill signing, 黑料传送门 hosted a virtual briefing to highlight new postsecondary initiatives designed to increase access and improve outcomes. Commissioner Dave Woolstenhulme (USHE), Nina Barnes, Vice Chair (USHE), Rep. Lowry Snow, and 黑料传送门 student Israel Sanchez participated in the conversation, which was moderated by 黑料传送门鈥檚 Senior Vice President of Regional Operations, Gene Hayes. The group discussed positive higher education outcomes resulting from the pandemic, the importance of supporting adult learners and the challenges those students face, how online learning is alleviating some barriers for adults learners, and how the state is expanding financial assistance to more students, among other topics. The briefing is available for on-demand viewing at wgu.edu/briefing.听
In addition to HB 328 Adult Learners Grant Program, Gov. Cox and other stakeholders today celebrated the passage of , , , and .
