WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Stay Connected:
Catch Up on Alumni News and Stories
Read Past Alumni Newsletters
Stay connected and engaged with the WGU community by exploring past editions of the WGU Alumni Newsletter! Each issue is packed with valuable resources, inspiring graduate stories, career insights, alumni events, and exclusive alumni opportunities. Whether you're looking for professional growth, ways to stay involved, or motivation from fellow Night Owls, our past newsletters are a great place to start.
Revisit past editions and discover something new today!
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The WGU Alumni Podcast
Listen to Alumni Voices and Their Stories
Robert Sullivan (left)听Senior Director, Alumni Engagement
Jeff Burton (right)听Senior Manager, Alumni Engagement
Pinned Episode
From Graduation to Growth: How WGU Supports Alumni for Life
91制片厂 Senior Director of Alumni Engagement Robert Sullivan joins the alumni podcast to explore what happens after graduation鈥攈ow a WGU degree becomes real momentum through lifelong career support, community, and connection. He walks us through the services alumni can tap into at any stage, from resume reviews and interview prep to region-based events and local networks that help graduates stay relevant in a changing job market.
Robert also pulls back the curtain on WGU鈥檚 AI-powered Ask-a-Grad tool, which gives learners and alumni fast, practical insights from people who鈥檝e walked the same path. He shares why commencement remains such a powerful milestone, how community shapes resilience, and what it means to build an alumni ecosystem that supports every learner for life. His perspective is a reminder that the WGU journey doesn鈥檛 end at graduation鈥攊t expands.
2025 Episodes
Explore the Latest Podcast Season
Have you ever thought, "Is it too late for me?" The truth is, you have more time than you think! We鈥檙e living longer, doing more, and collecting more meaningful moments.
In this new season, we鈥檙e sharing the inspiring stories of distinguished graduates who returned to school to earn their degrees and transform their lives.
Their journeys will inspire you to realize: it鈥檚 never too late to chase your dreams.
91制片厂 Alumni Podcast with Michelle Mills
December 1, 2025
Michelle Mills joins us to share how she finished her WGU degree while living in an RV during deployments鈥攁nd how that experience fueled her mission to fix underemployment for military spouses and veterans. She talks about building a firm that uses location-agnostic, role-based compensation, tripling pay for military-connected talent, and how returning to school helped her rebuild confidence, identity, and direction.
91制片厂 Alumni Podcast with听Tim Galluzi
November 7, 2025
Nevada CIO and Marine Corps veteran Tim Galluzi shares his journey from combat tours to state leadership and how earning his WGU MBA in IT Management helped him turn technology into a force for public good. Hear how he鈥檚 elevating IT in Nevada, fostering innovation and collaboration, and proving that growth doesn鈥檛 have to follow a straight line鈥攊t鈥檚 about confidence, humility, and purpose.
91制片厂 Alumni Podcast with听Ashley Emsweller
October 28, 2025
From farm life to data-driven leadership, Ashley Emsweller Hungate shares how earning her MBA helped her turn nonstop motion into meaningful momentum. She reflects on balancing family, career, and graduate studies while transforming her passion for data into public good at Indiana鈥檚 Management Performance Hub. Hear how lessons from farm life鈥攁nd advice from her grandfather鈥攃ontinue to inspire her drive to map the steps, begin, and keep moving forward.
91制片厂 Alumni Podcast with Destiny Hunter
May 16, 2025
Staff Sergeant Destiny Hunter鈥檚 journey is a powerful blend of service, innovation, and purpose. As a WGU Distinguished Graduate and founder of Kuinua Tech, she shares how her military background and commitment to ethical technology led her to create solutions that uplift underserved communities.
In this episode, Destiny reflects on completing her WGU master鈥檚 program while actively serving in the U.S. Army Reserves, the story behind Kuinua Tech, and why she believes AI must be shaped by diverse voices and grounded in human accountability. Her story is a must-listen for those passionate about tech with impact.
91制片厂 Alumni Podcast with Christie Jandora
April 17, 2025
Christie Jandora鈥檚 journey is one of extraordinary resilience, leadership, and purpose. As a 2024 Distinguished Graduate and Director of Emergency Trauma Services at Ascension, she oversees 500 associates across five Florida counties鈥攁ll while preparing to serve as President-Elect of the Florida Emergency Nurses Association.
In this episode, Christie shares how she rose through the ranks of nursing while balancing personal loss, single parenthood, and a demanding career. From completing her master鈥檚 during the height of COVID to leading multiple ERs and trauma centers, her story is a powerful testament to grit, growth, and giving back.
91制片厂 Alumni Podcast with Anna and Chris Decker
March 14, 2025
Anna and Chris Decker鈥檚 journey proves that with determination, teamwork, and a shared vision, anything is possible. While raising two young children and working full-time, they supported each other through late-night study sessions, exam prep, and balancing parenting duties鈥攁ll while earning their WGU degrees together.
In this episode, Anna and Chris share how they navigated their busy lives, leveraged employer benefits to make education financially feasible, and applied their newfound knowledge to advance their careers. Their story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of lifelong learning.
91制片厂 Alumni Podcast with听Juan Longoria
February 27, 2025
Juan Longoria鈥檚 journey is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and lifelong learning. As a three-time WGU graduate, he has continuously pursued his dreams while uplifting others along the way. His dedication to mentorship and community impact shines through his nonprofit, REVJLO Charities, and the newly founded Lo Nuestro Collective, both of which focus on empowering others to reach their full potential.
In this episode, Juan shares how he balanced personal and professional ambitions, the pivotal role mentorship has played in his success, and why it鈥檚 never too late to learn, grow, and give back.
91制片厂 Alumni Podcast with听Kristian Sevison
February 20, 2025
Kristian Sevison鈥檚 journey proves it鈥檚 never too late to pursue education. Driven by a desire for growth, he overcame self-doubt and discovered the power of WGU鈥檚 competency-based learning. His military experience shaped his resilience, and now, he鈥檚 passionate about mentoring others. Kris believes in lifelong learning and its ability to create new opportunities. Join us as we explore his inspiring path to personal and professional fulfillment.
Meet Our Podcast Hosts
About Our Host
Jeff Burton is the Senior Manager of Alumni Engagement at WGU and a proud WGU graduate, earning his MBA in 2016.
A natural connector and networker, Jeff joined the university in 2014 and has worked across the Public Relations, Commencement, and Alumni teams. He is passionate about podcasting, storytelling, and turning ideas into reality.
He enjoys connecting with WGU graduates, being inspired by their stories, and amplifying their successes.
About Our Co-Host
With more than 20 years of experience in marketing, communication, and alumni relations, Robert Sullivan leads WGU's alumni team as the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Development.
His passion lies in uplifting others, building strong teams, and solving complex problems. He enjoys working with individuals, empowering them to unlock their potential and achieve their goals, and believes in the power of optimism and positivity.
Listen to Previous Episodes
Explore every past podcast and be inspired today!
With over 400,000 graduates across all 50 states, the WGU Alumni Podcast highlights the incredible impact Night Owls are making in their communities. Each episode features inspiring alumni stories, career insights, and valuable resources to help you stay connected and get the most out of the WGU alumni network.
Tune in to hear about alumni achievements, exclusive perks, and ways to stay engaged with WGU.
