Minneapolis – (Oct. 21, 2020) … Western Governors University (WGU) is pleased to announce that Patrick Baker has joined the online, nonprofit university as Director of External Affairs. In his new role, Baker will work to lead and execute strategies with elected officials, political appointees and business leaders in Minnesota and eight other midwestern states to help advance the university’s mission of providing access to affordable, high-quality higher education to working adults. He will also work to develop and expand public and private partnerships throughout the Midwest.
Prior to joining WGU, Baker served as Vice President & Director of Government and Institutional Affairs for Greater Mankato Growth, his hometown regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Organization. There, he was responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit organization and all four of its business units. He also previously served as a legislative associate in the Office of Federal Relations for the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for representing the views of the nation’s governors on federal education and workforce issues before Congress, the White House, federal agencies and stakeholder groups. Baker graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. with a B.A. in Political Science and holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Management from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. He resides in Mankato, Minn.
“We are excited to welcome Patrick to our team,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “His leadership experience and background working with legislators, public officials and members of the business community make him the perfect fit for the role of Director of External Affairs. His experience will be vital in expanding access to affordable, flexible, high-quality education to working adults in Minnesota and throughout the midwestern states of Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. We look forward to working with him as we continue our efforts to improve the lives of our students by helping them achieve their educational goals and advance their careers.”
About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 117,000 students nationwide and has more than 157,000 graduates. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 22 years, the university has become a leading influence in the development of innovative workforce-focused approaches to education. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.
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For more information, contact:
Pamela Powell
(314) 436-9090
pam@hausergrouppr.com