The GO-US, acting as a management institution, would increase the course offerings to WGU students through its international affiliate, The Open University in Britain, which pioneered distance learning in Great Britain 29 years ago and is its largest university. WGU awards its competency-based degrees and certificates based on what a student knows, rather than on the number of hours a student spent in class or the number of credits earned. Assessments are administered that give students an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of a particular subject area. Those same assessments give an employer or prospective employer confidence in the student's abilities. New officers will be elected at the next board meeting January 15 in San Jose.
Board members serve three-year terms.
Under Knowles' direction, Alaska joined WGU at the urging of the University of Alaska president. WGU member states are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. South Dakota is expected to join soon.