Western Governors University (WGU) and Prairie Band Casino & Resort today announced they have entered into a joint partnership that will provide members and employees of Prairie Band Casino & Resort with an affordable option to earning their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Additionally, under the terms of the agreement, those who enroll in any of the fully online, nonprofit university’s 60-plus undergraduate or graduate degree programs in business, IT, K-12 teacher education or health professions – including nursing – will now be eligible to apply for scholarships offered through the WGU Collaborative Agreement Scholarship program.
Each scholarship is valued at up to $2,500 and will be disbursed in increments of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms based on satisfactory academic performance. Applicants who lack access to affordable, high-speed internet will also be eligible to apply for the WGU Online Access Scholarship, which covers internet installation and monthly access costs for the duration WGU students who qualify are active and in good standing. The program also provides devices to students who are in need.
“We are excited to partner with WGU and offer our team members another educational opportunity for personal development,” said Ruth Harjo, Director of Human Resources for Prairie Band Casino & Resort.
Prairie Band Casino & Resort is owned and operated by the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation. Located on tribal land just 15 minutes north of Topeka, the casino entertainment complex encompasses approximately 63,000 square feet and features 1,100 slot machines, a Bingo Hall, 31 table games and more. The casino also offers a diverse variety of dining options with three in-house restaurants: Longhouse Buffet, Ember’s Bar & Grill, and Three Fires
Steakhouse. Adjoining the facility is a 297-room hotel and convention center, which includes meeting rooms available with full catering and banquet facilities.
WGU offers Prairie Band Casino & Resort members and employees a competency-based approach to learning that allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and previous experience to quickly move through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. Students complete their programs by studying on schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon as they demonstrate they have mastered the subject matter. WGU faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support and individualized instruction. While WGU’s degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their progress and graduate faster, saving both time and money.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Prairie Band Casino & Resort to make quality, competency-based higher education more accessible to its members and employees,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “With approximately 800 individuals currently employed at the Mayetta facility – including 120 tribal members – Prairie Band Casino & Resort strives to support the upskilling of their employees by providing access to educational opportunities to advance their careers. This partnership will support that mission.”
For more information about WGU and its partnership with Prairie Band Casino & Resort, visit wgu.edu/partnerships.
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 131,000 students nationwide and has more than 257,000 graduates in all 50 states. 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 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. 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.
About Prairie Band Casino & Resort
Prairie Band Casino & Resort is owned and operated by the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation. Located on tribal land just 15 minutes north of Topeka, the casino entertainment complex encompasses approximately 63,000 square feet and features 1,100 slot machines, a Bingo Hall, 31 table games and more. The casino also offers a diverse variety of dining options with three in-house restaurants: Longhouse Buffet, Ember’s Bar & Grill, and Three Fires Steakhouse. Adjoining the facility is a 297-room hotel and convention center, which includes meeting rooms available with full catering and banquet facilities.
###
For more information, contact:
Merisa Ashbaugh
merisa@hausergrouppr.com
(309) 335-5453