St. Peters Resident Earns Bachelor’s Degree from WGU Missouri

Karen Mesler, a resident of St. Peters, recently graduated from Western Governors University (WGU) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Mesler participated in the nonprofit, fully online university’s commencement ceremony in late August, where she and thousands of other 2020 graduates were recognized and celebrated for their achievements.

Mesler is founder of Alleluia Baskets, a nonprofit organization that provides baskets filled with essential and fun items to St. Louis-area children in need during Easter time. She had always wanted to earn her degree and had attempted before, but when she suddenly found herself serving as a caretaker to her father-in-law – while working and raising a family – those dreams were put on hold. After her father-in-law passed away in 2016, she decided to move forward with plans to earn her degree and reached out to WGU to learn more.

“A good friend of mine had attended and graduated from WGU, and I felt empowered to make that happen for myself,” said Mesler. “After speaking with WGU and learning I could move over some of the credits I earned at the community college, I began classes in July 2016 and continued to work my full time job, expand Alleluia Baskets and take care of my family. I quickly learned how to study online and complete the work expected.”

WGU Missouri’s competency-based model, which measures learning rather than time spent in the classroom, worked well for Mesler and allowed her to complete coursework on a schedule that fit her life.

“During the months between January and May, the not-for-profit was extremely busy, so I completed less classes during that time – although I made up for lost time during the other months of the year,” she added. “As time moved forward, I set a personal goal to graduate by the end of 2019. Although my life became a bit of a fog in December 2019 when my dad did not recover from surgery, I persevered through and completed my courses on December 28 and officially earned my degree in January 2020. Earning my degree is a wonderful accomplishment,

especially at this point in my life. My determination, dedication and diligence has paid off, and I am now excited to say I have earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Management.”

Since the beginning of 2020, more than 30,000 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 197,000 degrees and has celebrated with ceremonies held multiple times per year, usually in cities across the country. The August commencement ceremony was held virtually in place of previously planned in-person celebrations.

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