Chicago public servant Brian Mueller went from digging water lines to leading the team that keeps the city running—and he did it while earning two WGU degrees late at night after his kids went to bed. He shares how a career-altering injury pushed him toward education, how competency-based learning fit a union schedule, and how real-world field experience became the backbone of his leadership style.Brian’s journey is proof that late-career pivots are possible: 50% higher pay, greater impact, and sons who watched him cross the stage twice. If you’re thinking about your own “not too late” moment, this episode will give you the questions, habits, and mindset to start.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Chicago public servant Brian Mueller went from digging water lines to leading the team that keeps the city running—and he did it while earning two WGU degrees late at night after his kids went to bed. He shares how a career-altering injury pushed him toward education, how competency-based learning fit a union schedule, and how real-world field experience became the backbone of his leadership style.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Brian’s journey is proof that late-career pivots are possible: 50% higher pay, greater impact, and sons who watched him cross the stage twice. If you’re thinking about your own “not too late” moment, this episode will give you the questions, habits, and mindset to start.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Chicago public servant Brian Mueller went from digging water lines to leading the team that keeps the city running—and he did it while earning two WGU degrees late at night after his kids went to bed. He shares how a career-altering injury pushed him toward education, how competency-based learning fit a union schedule, and how real-world field experience became the backbone of his leadership style. Brian’s journey is proof that late-career pivots are possible: 50% higher pay, greater impact, ...

From Digging Ditches to Driving Infrastructure: Distinguished Graduate Brian Mueller’s Journey

Michelle Mills joins us to share how she finished her WGU degree while living in an RV during deployments—and how that experience fueled her mission to fix underemployment for military spouses and veterans. She talks about building a firm that uses location-agnostic, role-based compensation, tripling pay for military-connected talent, and how returning to school helped her rebuild confidence, identity, and direction.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Michelle Mills joins us to share how she finished her WGU degree while living in an RV during deployments—and how that experience fueled her mission to fix underemployment for military spouses and veterans. She talks about building a firm that uses location-agnostic, role-based compensation, tripling pay for military-connected talent, and how returning to school helped her rebuild confidence, identity, and direction.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Michelle Mills joins us to share how she finished her WGU degree while living in an RV during deployments—and how that experience fueled her mission to fix underemployment for military spouses and veterans. She talks about building a firm that uses location-agnostic, role-based compensation, tripling pay for military-connected talent, and how returning to school helped her rebuild confidence, identity, and direction. 

Instability to Impact: Michelle Mills’ Work for Military Families

WGU Senior Director of Alumni Engagement Robert Sullivan joins the alumni podcast to explore what happens after graduation—how a WGU degree becomes real momentum through lifelong career support, community, and connection. He walks us through the services alumni can tap into at any stage, from resume reviews and interview prep to region-based events and local networks that help graduates stay relevant in a changing job market.Robert also pulls back the curtain on WGU’s AI-powered Ask-a-Grad tool, which gives learners and alumni fast, practical insights from people who’ve walked the same path. He shares why commencement remains such a powerful milestone, how community shapes resilience, and what it means to build an alumni ecosystem that supports every learner for life. His perspective is a reminder that the WGU journey doesn’t end at graduation—it expands.

<description>&lt;p&gt;WGU Senior Director of Alumni Engagement Robert Sullivan joins the alumni podcast to explore what happens &lt;em&gt;after&lt;/em&gt; graduation—how a WGU degree becomes real momentum through lifelong career support, community, and connection. He walks us through the services alumni can tap into at any stage, from resume reviews and interview prep to region-based events and local networks that help graduates stay relevant in a changing job market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Robert also pulls back the curtain on WGU’s AI-powered Ask-a-Grad tool, which gives learners and alumni fast, practical insights from people who’ve walked the same path. He shares why commencement remains such a powerful milestone, how community shapes resilience, and what it means to build an alumni ecosystem that supports every learner for life. His perspective is a reminder that the WGU journey doesn’t end at graduation—it expands.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

WGU Senior Director of Alumni Engagement Robert Sullivan joins the alumni podcast to explore what happens after graduation—how a WGU degree becomes real momentum through lifelong career support, community, and connection. He walks us through the services alumni can tap into at any stage, from resume reviews and interview prep to region-based events and local networks that help graduates stay relevant in a changing job market. Robert also pulls back the curtain on WGU’s AI-powered Ask-a-Grad t...

From Graduation to Growth: How WGU Supports Alumni for Life

Nevada Chief Information Officer and Marine Corps veteran Tim Galluzi joins us to talk about his journey from combat tours to the cabinet table—and how a WGU MBA in IT Management helped him turn technology into a force for public good. He shares what it took to elevate IT to a cabinet-level department in Nevada, why that move matters for cybersecurity and collaboration, and how he’s building a culture where innovation actually sticks.Tim also opens up about returning to school later in life, tackling imposter syndrome, and learning to break big modernization projects into small, winnable steps. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t have to follow a straight line—and that confidence, humility, and the right team can take you farther than you think.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Nevada Chief Information Officer and Marine Corps veteran &lt;b&gt;Tim Galluzi&lt;/b&gt; joins us to talk about his journey from combat tours to the cabinet table—and how a &lt;em&gt;WGU MBA in IT Management&lt;/em&gt; helped him turn technology into a force for public good. He shares what it took to elevate IT to a cabinet-level department in Nevada, why that move matters for cybersecurity and collaboration, and how he’s building a culture where innovation actually sticks.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tim also opens up about returning to school later in life, tackling imposter syndrome, and learning to break big modernization projects into small, winnable steps. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t have to follow a straight line—and that confidence, humility, and the right team can take you farther than you think.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Nevada Chief Information Officer and Marine Corps veteran Tim Galluzi joins us to talk about his journey from combat tours to the cabinet table—and how a WGU MBA in IT Management helped him turn technology into a force for public good. He shares what it took to elevate IT to a cabinet-level department in Nevada, why that move matters for cybersecurity and collaboration, and how he’s building a culture where innovation actually sticks. Tim also opens up about returning to school later in life,...

From Combat to Cabinet — How Nevada’s CIO, Tim Galluzi, is Leading with Purpose

On the next episode of the WGU Alumni podcast, Ashley Emsweller Hungate —public servant, farm mom of four, and WGU alum—shares her journey of turning nonstop motion into focused momentum. From mini donkeys braying during proctored exams to leading culture and talent at Indiana’s Management Performance Hub, Ashley shows how purpose and practicality can thrive together.She shares how earning an MBA amid family and farm life built confidence, opened new career lanes, and helped her turn data into public good. We also trace the roots of Indiana’s Statehouse Market, a farmers market turned food ecosystem, and the simple advice from her grandfather that still fuels her drive: map the steps, begin, and keep moving.

<description>&lt;p&gt;On the next episode of the WGU Alumni podcast, Ashley Emsweller Hungate &lt;b&gt;—&lt;/b&gt;public servant, farm mom of four, and WGU alum—shares her journey of turning nonstop motion into focused momentum. From mini donkeys braying during proctored exams to leading culture and talent at Indiana’s Management Performance Hub, Ashley shows how purpose and practicality can thrive together.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She shares how earning an MBA amid family and farm life built confidence, opened new career lanes, and helped her turn data into public good. We also trace the roots of Indiana’s Statehouse Market, a farmers market turned food ecosystem, and the simple advice from her grandfather that still fuels her drive: map the steps, begin, and keep moving.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

On the next episode of the WGU Alumni podcast, Ashley Emsweller Hungate —public servant, farm mom of four, and WGU alum—shares her journey of turning nonstop motion into focused momentum. From mini donkeys braying during proctored exams to leading culture and talent at Indiana’s Management Performance Hub, Ashley shows how purpose and practicality can thrive together. She shares how earning an MBA amid family and farm life built confidence, opened new career lanes, and helped her turn data in...

From Donkeys to Data: Distinguished Graduate Ashley Emsweller Hungate’s Journey

WGU’s alumni network now has more than 350,000 graduates living in all 50 states. The WGU alumni podcast highlights the incredible work that our alumni are doing in their local communities. We also share benefits, perks, resources and partner information to help our graduates stay engaged and get the most out of the alumni community.&nbsp;

WGU Alumni Podcast

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