Robert Mendenhall

Robert Winton Mendenhall
Born	(1954-11-18) November 18, 1954
Occupation(s)	Educational technology executive, University president
Known for	President of Western Governors University (1999–2016)

Robert Winton Mendenhall (born November 18, 1954) is a prominent figure in educational technology, recognized primarily for his role as president of Western Governors University (WGU) from 1999 until 2016.

Family and church life

A convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mendenhall completed a two-year mission in Veracruz, Mexico. Throughout his church service, he has held significant leadership positions such as bishop and stake president. He is married to Kathleen White, and together they have seven children and twenty-five grandchildren.

Presidency of Western Governors University

Mendenhall assumed the presidency of WGU in 1999, coinciding with the university’s initial student enrollment. WGU operates as a private, non-profit institution delivering online, competency-based bachelor's and master's degree programs across disciplines including Business, Teacher Education, Information Technology, and Health Professions such as Nursing. Established in 1997 by nineteen governors from western states through the Western Governors Association, WGU’s mission centers on enhancing educational quality and broadening access to higher education. Under Mendenhall’s guidance, the university expanded nationwide, serving more than 84,000 students and producing over 91,100 graduates.

In April 2016, Mendenhall resigned as president and was honored with the title of WGU’s first President Emeritus. His successor, Scott D. Pulsipher, took office in March 2016. Additionally, Mendenhall contributed as a member of WGU’s Board of Trustees.

He characterized WGU as "an innovative model for higher education that leverages technology to increase accessibility and reduce expenses while implementing competency-based degree programs to enhance learning accountability."

Experience and education

Bringing over three decades of experience in technology-driven education, Mendenhall previously oversaw IBM’s K-12 education division and served as executive vice president at Jostens Learning Corporation.

From 1980 through 1992, he founded and led Wicat Systems, Inc., a publicly traded enterprise focused on computer-based curricula, instructional management systems, school testing services, and technology training for both government agencies and private industry.

His board memberships have included the Presidents' Forum, Committee for Economic Development, NGA/ASTD Commission on Technology & Adult Learning, IBM Education Advisory Council, National Forum on 21st Century Skills Education Advisory Board, California Postsecondary Education Commission’s Technology Working Group, and Utah’s Department of Business and Economic Development Board.

Mendenhall earned a bachelor’s degree in university studies along with a doctorate in instructional psychology and technology from Brigham Young University. On July 15, 2017, Western Governors University awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Commission on the Future of Higher Education

At the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, Mendenhall participated in the Commission on the Future of Higher Education. The commission released a report in 2006 titled "A Test for Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education," which critically examined various facets of American higher education and proposed recommendations for reform. Reflecting on the report, Mendenhall stated, "It’s not about assigning blame... Our findings were more critical than necessary toward academia but did not fully emphasize the severity of challenges facing American higher education."

On December 5, 2011, he joined other academic leaders at the White House alongside President Obama to address issues related to college affordability and educational improvements. In 2012, he provided testimony before the U.S. Senate Higher Education Committee regarding innovations aimed at making college more affordable.

Awards and recognition

In 2010, Mendenhall was honored with the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education, recognizing his success in expanding impactful educational initiatives to enhance student outcomes. That same year, Utah Business Magazine designated him as CEO of the Year, and the U.S. Distance Learning Association acknowledged his exceptional leadership in distance education. The following year, Ernst & Young presented him with the Utah regional Entrepreneur of the Year award, highlighting his contributions to Technology and Education.

Mendenhall's guidance at WGU earned him the 2012 Virginia B. Smith Innovative Leadership Award from the Higher Education Policy Institute alongside the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.

In 2016, Presidents’ Forum bestowed upon him the Champions of E-Learning Heavy Lifter Award in recognition of his significant impact on e-learning advancement.