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SALT LAKE CITY,聽March 4, 2026聽鈥斅燱hat聽do聽a statewide nursing leader, a national digital equity聽executive and a statewide life-skills education advocate聽have in common?聽They鈥檙e聽all Western Governors University (WGU) alumni and among the 14 honorees receiving WGU鈥檚 2026 Distinguished Graduate Award. Selected from hundreds of nominations, the 2026 honorees exemplify WGU鈥檚 mission to expand access, promote equity and deliver real-world career outcomes.聽From advancing healthcare access to strengthening cybersecurity and empowering students and communities, each graduate聽demonstrates聽how flexible, skills-based education can drive lasting personal and societal impact.

聽鈥淭his year鈥檚 cohort of distinguished graduates embodies the very best of WGU and the far-reaching impact of our mission,鈥� said Robert Sullivan, senior director of Alumni Relations. 鈥淎s our alumni community continues to grow, so does the influence of their leadership and service. These 14 distinguished graduates are exemplary in every sense鈥攄riving meaningful change in their careers and communities while setting a powerful example for those they inspire.鈥�

The 2026 honorees are part of WGU鈥檚 growing alumni network of more than聽425,000聽graduates nationwide鈥攎any of whom are first-generation college students, working adults, parents, veterans and learners from underserved backgrounds. Return on investment聽isn鈥檛聽just something WGU talks about鈥攊t鈥檚聽real. WGU bachelor's degree earners see an average salary increase of more than $21,000 within two years of graduation and more than $31,000 within four years. Master's degree earners see an average salary increase of more than $18,000 within two years and $34,000 within four years of graduation鈥攇ains that strengthen families, communities, and the workforce.

Whether leading healthcare systems, expanding digital access, mentoring future professionals or shaping policy, these distinguished graduates reflect the urgent need for鈥攁nd power of鈥攁ccessible, career-aligned education.

Meet a few of the 2026 WGU Distinguished Graduates.

Dr. Joy King

MBA Healthcare Management (2020) - Macon, GA

President, Georgia Nurses Association | Family Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Joy King is a nationally respected nursing leader and healthcare advocate committed to advancing聽equitable聽care and professional development across the nursing workforce. As president of the Georgia Nurses Association, she supports and聽represents聽nurses statewide while continuing to serve patients as a family nurse practitioner. Her career spans clinical practice, higher education instruction and policy advocacy, with a growing focus on addressing health disparities through research and community engagement.

Hope Kiehl

M.S. Curriculum and Instruction (2024) 鈥� Bloomsbury, NJ

Family and Consumer Science Teacher

Hope Kiehl聽is聽a family and consumer science teacher and statewide advocate for practical life-skills education.聽A current titleholder in the Miss America Opportunity as Miss Central Jersey Coastline, she previously served as Miss New Jersey Volunteer 2024 and United States of America鈥檚 Miss New Jersey 2023. Leveraging her platform to promote youth leadership, inclusion, and community engagement, Hope equips students with the skills they need for long-term independence and success.

Dr. Kiesha King MBA聽(2025)聽

MBA (2025) 鈥撀燯nited States聽聽

U.S. Head of Education Strategy, T-Mobile

Dr. Kiesha King has led one of the nation鈥檚 most consequential efforts to bridge the digital divide. Through her work at T-Mobile, she led Project 10Million, a聽$10.7 billion聽commitment to expanding student connectivity to more than 6.4 million underserved households nationwide, supported by more than聽$1 billion聽in federal funding. Dr. King has been recognized by the FCC for her contributions to digital equity. Drawing on her background as a school district administrator, her leadership聽demonstrates聽how cross-sector partnerships can transform access to education and opportunity at scale.

The full list of WGU's 2026聽Distinguished Graduates is available聽here.