Galvez to develop initiatives to expand higher education access for under-represented communities

Online, nonprofit, accredited Western Governors University (WGU) has appointed Claudia Galvez as senior community relations liaison to develop and nurture community outreach initiatives with human services organizations in the New York City metro area. The initiatives will focus on strategies to expand higher education opportunities to historically under-represented communities. The position promotes the value of WGU’s programs and their ability to strengthen the lives of individuals, especially those living in poverty and people of color.

Galvez comes to WGU with more than 10 years of experience in community engagement, advocacy, and job training programs that promote equity. As a global health and patient access associate at Pfizer Inc., Galvez managed partnerships with external organizations focused on helping to improve health equity across ethnic minorities and underserved communities in the U.S. Through Pfizer’s Multicultural Center of Excellence, she partnered with patient advocacy groups, community groups, healthcare provider associations, and legislative caucuses to drive patient understanding of available services. During her seven-year tenure at Pfizer, she also held U.S. policy and emerging markets and established products roles. Prior to that, she managed employment programs for people experiencing homelessness in New York City.

“Claudia is filling a new role at WGU that embodies our mission to provide equitable education access to high-quality, low-cost competency-based degree programs that lead to in-demand, sustainable wage careers,” said Rebecca Watts, Ph.D., regional vice president of the northeast region. “Her passion for improving lives through relationship building and advocacy will make a positive difference in helping us achieve our goals.”

Galvez holds a B.A. in international relations from Florida International University and an M.S. in international relations and diplomacy from Schiller International University. She volunteers her time for the Rainforest Alliance annual benefit gala and is multilingual in English, Spanish and French.

WGU offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the in-demand career fields of business, K–12 teacher education, information technology and health professions. For more information about WGU, visit www.wgu.edu.

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 123,000 students nationwide and has more than 190,000 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 23 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 was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.