91Ƭ and National Rural Education Association Aiming to Strengthen Rural Teacher Pipelines Nationwide
Salt Lake City – Sept. 21, 2026 — Western Governors University (WGU) School of Education today announced a partnership with the (NREA) to support aspiring teachers who want to earn degrees without leaving their communities while simultaneously strengthening rural teacher pipelines nationwide.
The WGU-NREA partnership will support nearly 5,200 rural school districts in 34 states. Through the partnership, aspiring and current educators will have access to WGU programs, including a 5 percent tuition reduction, scholarship opportunities, single and bundled courses, and support connecting rural districts with WGU students.
“The teachers rural communities need are typically already living and working in those very communities. What they need is a high-quality, accessible pathway into the profession that doesn’t require them to leave their jobs, families or hometowns behind,” said Dr. Jeff Borden, Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of WGU’s School of Education. “Through our partnership with NREA, and leveraging a model that is perfect for that scenario, we can help rural communities grow their own educator workforce by preparing people where they live, so they can teach and lead where they live.”
³ұ’s School of Education is the largest nonprofit, competency-based degree conferrer of educators in the country. WGU supports rural educators and administrators serving students and communities across America.
"The challenge of the nationwide teacher shortage is especially complex in rural communities,” said Dr. Melissa Sadorf, NREA Executive Director. “By partnering with WGU, we are opening up flexible, accessible pathways that empower local talent to earn their degrees and certifications without leaving home. This keeps passionate educators in the communities that need them most.”
Helping “Grow Your Own” teachers in rural communities
Rural school districts often face challenges recruiting new teachers, making the development of local educator pipelines especially important. The WGU-NREA partnership will support district “Grow Your Own” programs for paraprofessionals and current high school students, creating pathways for local residents to enter the profession and serve their communities.
“This partnership is more than an agreement. It's about creating sustainable educator pipelines for communities that have historically struggled to recruit teachers,” said Borden. “The next generation of teachers is already living in these communities. They simply need access to quality education, which WGU brings to them, wherever they reside.”
About WGU
Founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors, Western Governors University is the nation’s leading nonprofit institution providing accessible high-quality education at a low cost.
From day one, WGU’s online, competency-based model has opened higher education pathways for students who previously lacked access due to location or other barriers. Through student-centered design and tech-enabled innovation, WGU continues to meet students where they are, delivering economic mobility at scale.
About NREA
Originally founded as the Department of Rural Education in 1907, the NREA is the oldest established national organization in the United States. NREA is a strong and respected organization of rural school administrators, teachers, board members, regional service agency personnel, researchers, business and industry representatives, and others interested in maintaining the vitality of rural school systems across America.
To learn more about WGU and the School of Education, visit wgu.edu/education
To learn more about the NREA, visit
