Florissant Resident Receives Bachelor’s Degree from WGU Missouri

Brittany LoDuca, a resident of Florissant, has graduated from WGU Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts – Educational Studies in Elementary Education. LoDuca participated in the nonprofit, fully online university’s commencement ceremony on Oct. 22 in downtown St. Louis, where she and hundreds of other graduates were recognized and celebrated for their achievements.

Since beginning her educational journey, LoDuca faced many obstacles in her life that would have prevented most from completing their degree. With support from her husband and WGU Missouri-assigned mentor and with her children watching, she stuck with her program and achieved her goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

“There were many times when I wanted to quit and give up, but knowing my three beautiful babies were watching, I could not give up,” LoDuca said. “They were my reason to keep going and earn that degree. Without my mentor, my husband and kids, I don’t know where I would be. I am so thankful for them and so proud of who I have become through this journey.”

LoDuca found WGU Missouri’s flexible, competency-based model – which allows students to use their prior knowledge and experience to advance through courses at their own pace and graduate faster – to be a perfect fit.

“WGU has made my journey achievable,” she added. “A traditional university would have never worked for me, but because WGU isn’t traditional, someone like me could earn a degree.”

There were 301 undergraduate and 356 graduate degree recipients from 40 U.S. states who participated in the commencement ceremony, which was held at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. Approximately 73% of the graduates come from at least one of the following historically underserved populations: first-generation college students, students of color, rural residents and/or low-income earners. Graduates earned degrees in business, K–12 education, information technology and health professions, including nursing.

About WGU Missouri

WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members serve as mentors, working one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction. Established in 2013 through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $7,600 per year for most programs. Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Nursing College programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*), and the Health Informatics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.

*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).