Kansas City Resident Earns Master’s Degree from WGU Missouri

Kadie Showalter, a resident of Kansas City’s Nashua neighborhood in Clay County, recently graduated from WGU Missouri with a Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership and Management. Showalter participated in the nonprofit, fully online university’s commencement ceremony in November, where she and hundreds of other graduates were recognized and celebrated for their achievements.

Showalter has worked as a nurse for 10 years in a variety of capacities, including the NICU, outpatient Peds GI clinic, pediatric hematology-oncology and labor and delivery. She also has served as a nursing program coordinator. Showalter made the decision to go back to school and earn her master’s degree so she can continue to grow professionally and advance her career.
During her time at WGU, Showalter faced many challenges but was still able to power through and complete her coursework. She transitioned to being a bedside nurse after serving in a clinic setting for four-and-a-half years at the same time she enrolled at WGU, and she also gave birth to her fourth child during her second term. WGU’s competency-based model allowed Showalter to move through her coursework at her own pace and on her own time.

“It was a lot of change at once but totally worth it,” she said. “It was a long road, as it took me two years to complete the program, but I am so proud of all my hard work and am incredibly grateful for the support of my husband, kids, friends, family and coworkers who encouraged me along the way.”

Since March 1, 2020, 32,377 individuals have earned degrees from WGU, most of them while working full-time jobs and raising families. In its 23-year history, WGU has awarded more than 206,000 degrees and has celebrated with ceremonies held multiple times per year, usually in cities across the country. The November commencement ceremony was held virtually in place of a previously planned in-person celebration.

For more information about the university or its programs, visit wgu.edu.