HILL AIR FORCE BASE—Military personnel, their families and civilian employees at Hill Air Force Base will now be able to take graduate degree classes from Weber State University (WSU) on base through a recently formed partnership. WSU will become the first public university in the state to be part of an airbase education program. 

“We’ll be the third entity that offers courses on base,” said Julie Snowball, WSU’s assistant vice president for strategic regional partnerships. “The other two are Park University and Embry-Riddle, an Air Force wide private institution. We’ll work closely with them so we don’t duplicate classes. Our program will have classes they don’t offer.”

WSU has worked with Hill to identify degrees that are in high demand, she said. “We’ll have courses for Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration. This includes active duty military, dependents, retirees and the 40,000 civilians who work there and their families. People who are approved to be on base.”

The classes will be held on base in the Education & Training Office building. “Students can also pick up one online or on the Davis Campus for classes that aren’t on base,” Snowball said. “We’ll have advisors there in the education office to assist families and spouses.”

There are alternatives for people getting into those programs, she said. “There are some military discounts that vary person to person depending on what active duties they have.”

“We need every airman to be able to fulfill their personal and professional potential,” said former 75th Air Base Wing and installation commander at Hill Air Force Base, Col. Jeffrey Holland. “It’s partnerships with our educational institutions like Weber State that make that possible.”

Snowball said the plan is to start in the fall. “We’re hoping to have four to six classes per semester depending on the demand with the possibility of expanding to include a variety of certificates, associate's and bachelor’s programs in the future. We’re excited.” 

“Weber State is dedicated to the mission of supporting Hill Air Force Base and the Air Force,” said WSU President Brad Mortensen. “Not just because it’s good for our economy and creates good opportunities for our students, but because it’s good for our national defense and our freedom.”