ALEXANDRIA, V.A. (August 15, 2023) – Western Governors University, an accredited online university with more than 8,700 graduates in Virginia, has named Mario D. Mejia of Alexandria, Va., a recipient of the school’s Distinguished Graduate Awards. He is one of only 15 alumni selected nationwide this year to receive the award. WGU selects Distinguished Graduates for their work and volunteer efforts that go above and beyond, making a significant impact in their communities and career fields.
“Being selected as a WGU Distinguished Graduate is truly a high honor, and I congratulate Mario on this rare recognition,” said Rebecca L. Watts, Ph.D., regional vice president for WGU. “To put it in context, he was selected from among nearly 300 nominations this year from our more than 331,000 alumni nationwide. That is truly a remarkable achievement and an indication of his outstanding commitment to encourage, inspire, and lift-up others.”
Mejia is vice president of delivery channels at Democracy Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va., and earned an M.B.A. from WGU in 2018. A devoted husband and father, Mejia is active in the community having served as the chair of the Young Professional Network, Ambassador of the African American Credit Union Coalition, and representative of various chambers of commerce, Hispanic Leadership Connection, Loudoun Interfaith Relief and more. As a volunteer, partner, and organizer, he is an avid philanthropist. Mejia works closely with Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Washington DC, local schools in Fairfax, District of Columbia, and Prince Georges Counties, food pantries, and local leaders focused on empowering underserves communities in the DC metropolitan area. As an ordained minister, he connects his passion for financial literacy and freedom to other social mediums through local civic organizations by teaching financial literacy, English as a second language, and music lessons for youth and young adults.
Meija said, “Education has been the catalyst to my personal and professional growth, providing a foundation for a wider range of career options through knowledge, and improved skills, such as critical and strategic thinking. To me, this award represents impact on a high level of academic pursuit, professional growth, and achievement. More specifically, this award symbolizes service to others, and I hope it is inspirational.”
Through Mejia’s work at the credit union, he collected and distributed thousands of pounds of donated food and money to the local food banks. He is a Certified Financial Counselor that has created financial literacy programs for youth and supported the creation of financial programs that helped credit union members save $100,0000 in 2020. As in innovator in the credit union space, he also created a philanthropic program responsible for connecting more than 400 volunteers with various activities, contributing over 2,000 volunteer hours at more than 140 events.
Mejia is a recipient of Credit Union Magazine’s Rock Star award, Credit Union Times Magazine’s Trailblazer award, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40 award, the Maryland|D.C. Credit Union Association’s Excellence in Social Responsibility Awards for financial development in the community, and several Diamond awards from Credit Union National Association. To reach a greater audience with the message of financial freedom for all, he became a certified TV producer and created a three-part series focused on financial freedom. The series aired on Comcast public access throughout the greater DMV area.
About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 146,000 students nationwide and has more than 330,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 30 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News and CNN and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.
