KENT, Wash., Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jean Floten, Chancellor of WGU Washington, will deliver the keynote address at the Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to address a group of such accomplished women at this year's Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference," said Floten. "One of the most exciting changes that I have seen in my career is the record number of women who are earning college degrees, entering the workforce, and taking exciting and fulfilling jobs. Higher education is the best pathway to family wage positions, employment stability, and upward mobility - and the marketplace has benefited from great numbers of talented, educated women. I look forward to sharing more information about women in higher education and the workplace."

The Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference is a powerful one-day event that brings together accomplished female leaders, corporate executives, business owners and young professionals to share insights, exchange ideas and empower one another. Since the inaugural event in 2012, the conference has grown into Eastern Washington's largest career and professional development event for women. The event will feature two keynote presentations, seminars, workshops and a wine social to conclude the day. The event brings in over 300 all-day conference participants, 500-600 luncheon attendees and 30 exhibitor booths.

WGU Washington is the only online, legislatively-endorsed university in the state. Chancellor Floten became the university's first chancellor in 2011. Created nearly six years ago by the Washington legislature through a partnership with Western Governors University, WGU Washington offers online, competency-based bachelor's and master's degree programs in more than 60 high-demand, career-oriented fields. Having dedicated her career to postsecondary education, Chancellor Floten was drawn to the university's mission of expanding access to affordable higher education for all Washington residents. Under her leadership, WGU Washington has grown to more than 10,000 students and awarded more than 7,400 bachelor's and master's degrees.

Additionally, Floten currently serves on the Editorial Board of The Journal Of Competency-Based Education. She has previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, the Key Bank Advisory Board and the National Community College Advisory Board of Educational Testing Service. She has been named a "Woman of Influence" by the Puget Sound Business Journal, one of Seattle's "Most Influential People" by Seattle Magazine, and earned the Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa's "Pathfinder Award."

Event Details:
What: Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference
When: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: TRAC Center, 6600 Burden Blvd, Pasco, WA 99301

About WGU Washington

WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in 2011 in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents.

The state-endorsed, online university offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education and Health Professions, including Nursing. WGU Washington's competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree. It's non-profit and receives no money from the state.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education and Zions Bank.

* One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791

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    Contact for media inquiries:            Contact for enrollment information:

    Jake Riddell - Public Relations Manager 877.214.7004

    (206) 512-0025                          washington.wgu.edu

    jake.riddell@wgu.edu

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SOURCE WGU Washington