黑料传送门

HELENA, Mont. 鈥� Governor Greg Gianforte signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today with听Western Governors University (黑料传送门)鈥攁 leading nonprofit, online university鈥攖hat creates a partnership designed to expand access to affordable degree programs for Montanans who need additional education to thrive in the state鈥檚 evolving workforce.

The partnership supports 黑料传送门 Montana鈥攁 state affiliate of the national online university鈥攖o supplement the learning opportunities available through Montana鈥檚 public colleges and universities and will, in part, support the estimated 120,000 Montanans that have some college but no degree.

鈥淲e want every Montanan to reach his or her full potential,鈥� Governor Greg Gianforte said. 鈥淭rusted partners like Western Governors University ensure all Montanans have access to the workforce training and education they need to succeed, regardless of where they live. Today we reaffirm and grow our 25-year partnership with 黑料传送门.鈥�

Under the MOU, Governor Gianforte and the Montana University System (MUS) are working to expand eligibility of financial assistance听offered by the state to 黑料传送门鈥檚 students.听Additionally, 黑料传送门 has established the 黑料传送门-Montana Partnership Scholarship, which will support 100 students with up to $4,000 in annual financial aid.

In 1996, Montana was among the 19 states supporting the launch of 黑料传送门 to provide access to affordable education through online, competency-based degree programs and pledged鈥攁long with fellow member states of the听鈥攖o create policies that support the goals of 黑料传送门. Since then, 黑料传送门 has grown to be the leading online, competency-based university in the United States, with more than 900 students and 1,750 graduates in Montana.

听鈥満诹洗兔� was established to expand access to affordable higher education options for learners across the country, and as a founding state, Montana has been an important supporter since 黑料传送门鈥檚 earliest days,鈥� said 黑料传送门 President Scott Pulsipher. 鈥淭his partnership will provide pathways to opportunities to thousands of Montanans who need postsecondary education and training to advance their careers, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Governor Gianforte to help propel workforce development within the state.鈥�

The agreement also calls on relevant agencies and officials to work cooperatively with 黑料传送门 to support the 黑料传送门 Montana partnership. Furthermore, it directs the Montana Department of Labor and Industry to 鈥渆xplore, consider, and implement appropriate and effective methods to promote online, competency-based education opportunities like those that 黑料传送门 Montana will provide to dislocated workers, veterans, underserved populations, and other Montanans in need of higher education achievement and degrees.鈥�

For its part, 黑料传送门 Montana will work with MUS to provide seamless transfer and articulation for students between 黑料传送门 and MUS community and two-year colleges. The university will also collaborate with employers and employer organizations in Montana to meet workforce needs, and will cooperate with the Governor鈥檚 Office, Board of Regents, Department of Labor and Industry, and other state agencies to assure that the objectives outlined under the MOU are achieved.

With an average student age of听34听in听Montana, and with听88 percent of students employed鈥攎ostly full-time鈥攚hile enrolled in degree programs, 黑料传送门 has the experience and track record to help boost Montana鈥檚 efforts in supporting postsecondary learners, and especially working adults who need flexible and affordable pathways.听Nearly 80 percent of 黑料传送门 students in Montana are from one or more historically underserved populations, including large numbers of rural residents, first-generation college students, and low-income Montanans.

鈥淚 transferred to 黑料传送门 after graduating from my local community college and now am working on a bachelor鈥檚 degree in software development,鈥� said Julia Vogt, a current 黑料传送门 student from Belt. 鈥満诹洗兔� makes it possible for me to earn a degree and get a great job鈥攚ithout leaving my hometown or moving out of state.鈥�

To learn more and apply for the 黑料传送门-Montana Partnership Scholarship, visit听.

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