Lane Community College (LCC) is expanding access to higher education in the region by launching a new partnership with nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU). The collaboration provides a new, highly flexible option for LCC graduates, faculty, and staff to earn a university degree while balancing work and life commitments.
The agreement creates a direct bridge to WGU's accredited, online bachelor's and master's degree programs and is specifically designed to support working adults and other nontraditional students who need a different pathway than a traditional brick-and-mortar university.
"When local talent is empowered to grow, the entire community thrives—that is the central goal of this partnership," said Dr. Tonya Drake, Regional Vice President for WGU. "Lane Community College excels at launching careers. Because the traditional university model doesn't work for everyone, we're proud to offer the next launchpad: a flexible and affordable online pathway for its graduates and staff to earn advanced degrees. Together, we are cultivating the next generation of leaders who will power Lane County's prosperity."
LCC joins six other community colleges in Oregon as a partner of WGU. The participating colleges include Chemeketa, Clackamas, Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood, Rogue, and Southwestern Oregon community colleges. As part of this partnership, all LCC graduates and employees are eligible to apply for the WGU Community College Partner Scholarship, which is valued at up to $3,500. This scholarship can significantly reduce the cost of WGU's already affordable, flat-rate tuition.
WGU has a significant and growing community in the region served by LCC. The university currently serves 535 students and has 1,648 graduates across Lane, Linn, Douglas, and Benton counties. Lane County is home to the largest concentration of this community, with 234 current students and 783 alumni contributing to the local workforce.
The partnership is effective immediately. More information on WGU’s commitment to Oregon’s community college graduates can be found at wgu.edu/partners/community-colleges/oregon.
Lane Community College educates over 15,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $675 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 8,900 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.