Dedication & Commitment to Students

Duane Dillard, Higher Education Professional at Western Governors University, has a unique knack for listening to each student’s needs and providing the proper solution to satisfy them. If a question is asked that cannot be answered at the time, then it is essential to let the student know and provide a proper timeframe to get back to the student when the answer is known. Having a mindset that the student is always first is what has made Duane an extremely innovative leader and was recently selected as Top Director of the Year in Admissions for 2023 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry.

Inclusion with the International Association of Top Professionals is an honor in itself; only a few members in each discipline are chosen for this distinction. With over two decades of experience, Duane has certainly proven himself an authority and expert in his field. His areas of expertise include but are not limited to leadership, ministry, school counseling, recruitment, mentoring, management, outreach, business, and marketing. Duane is an excellent recruiter scouting talented individuals to enroll in their preferred degree programs and offers individualized advice to help potential students flourish academically and accomplish their career goals. Being a multi-dimensional professional with extensive expertise, he is a recognized preacher and ordained clergyman, in addition to his excellent skill set.

Duane leads by example – the student comes first. “I can take calls that have been escalated from students within the enrollment process. I carefully and intently listen to their needs and can provide a quick solution. I can teach other team members and know where to go for resources within the university,” he explains. “I constantly make suggestions to streamline the enrollment process within the university. We strive continually to become more student friendly. A recent strategy that was incorporated was a student self-enrollment process which has led to successful results.”

Armed with over two decades of experience in the higher education industry, Duane started his journey from humble beginnings as an enrolment advisor at a career college. He rapidly advanced to the title of Director of Sales and Enrolment. He has extensive experience in both private and public schools, colleges, and universities, and his areas of expertise include but are not limited to leadership, school counseling, recruitment, mentoring, training, management, outreach, business, and marketing.

“I am an expert when recruiting and scouting talented individuals to enroll in their preferred degree programs and offer individualized advice to help potential students flourish academically and accomplish their career goals,” states Duane. “I am considered by my peers and colleagues as a multi-dimensional professional with extensive expertise as a Director of Enrolment. I am also a recognized preacher and ordained clergyman, in addition to his excellent skill set.”

Duane is taking the university’s mission to a higher level with this brilliant mindset. The mission of Western Governors University is “We change lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity.”

This mission statement applies to both students and employees. “By helping others, both students and team members, I strongly believe that I can have a huge impact on changing each other’s lives,” he elucidates. “I am big on asking for referrals and have rolled out referral training for team members. I discovered early in my career that when I have provided the highest level of customer service to students, it becomes easy to ask for referrals.”

Western Governors University offers a Competency-Based Method (CBM) that provides the ability for students to accelerate through their courses as fast as they can. This is a non-traditional way of going to school. They also offer third-party professional IT certifications within their IT degree programs that are included in the cost of the courses. The university has a flat rate for our tuition and fees and does not charge per course or credit hour. Western Governors University is constantly looking for opportunities to reach out to the underserved community. They look for opportunities to partner with organizations throughout the country, for instance, their partnership with B4Women in Technology, which has provided a grant for women of color to enroll in technology programs of study at the university.