Chancellor named for online MO university

A chancellor has been appointed for the Missouri chapter of Western Governors University, which was established via an executive order signed by Gov. Jay Nixon in February.

Allen Goben has been elected as the first chancellor for the nonprofit online university, according to a news release.

Goben joins WGU Missouri with more than 20 years of education experience, most recently as president of Heartland Community College in Normal, Ill.

“WGU Missouri represents the future of higher education and offers a unique opportunity for working adults in the state to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree,” Goben said in the release. “I am looking forward to working with community and business leaders and to partnering with other higher education institutions throughout the state to establish WGU Missouri as one of the state’s great higher education opportunities."

Currently, WGU Missouri has 450 students enrolled throughout the state, including 60 in Springfield. The school offers roughly 50 bachelor's and master's degree in business, information technology, K-12 teacher education and health professions, the release said. WGU was established in 1997 by 19 governors, according to its website.