WGU Government Relations

Chris Bonnell serves as the Vice President of External Relations for Western Governors University. Chris has decades of experience in higher education external relations with a focus on state and local legislative affairs. Chris is an established public policy leader in the fields of competency-based education and psychology, with a focus on issues of mental health and providing solutions/services. He is also passionate about philanthropic leadership and work that ensures the needs of the community are met in a thoughtful, solution-based manner. Chris holds a law degree from Hamline University School of Law and is a graduate of Concordia College. In his personal life, Chris is passionate about hockey and a board member of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation, an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s ice hockey player.

Hailing from the great state of Minnesota, Patrick helps lead and execute a nationwide state government relations strategy that creates pathways to opportunity by partnering with elected officials, political appointees, business partners and communities of interest to ensure WGU lives up to its credo of being built by states, for states. Prior to his role at WGU, Patrick served as Vice President & Director of Government and Institutional Affairs for Greater Mankato Growth, his hometown regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Organization. Patrick was also fortunate to work for the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C. where he served in the Office of Federal Relations. Patrick graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., with a B.A. in Political Science and holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Management from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Outside of work, Patrick enjoys road tripping with his wife Claire, being a dad to his beautiful daughters Eliza and Greta, and spending time with friends and family, especially if it’s at a brewery, winery or around a bonfire.

Allen has been with Western Governors University since 2005 in both faculty and administrative roles. He works to increase access to affordable, quality education for students in collaboration with policymakers, institutions, and businesses. Beyond access to education, Allen emphasizes the credibility of workforce-aligned degree programs to change the lives not only of students but also their families and communities. Prior to his time at WGU, Allen was a Latin, Public Speaking, and Computer Science teacher, taught graduate-level Technology Management and Emerging Technologies, and pursued extensive research in and practiced digital forensics, investigation, user rights, and law enforcement methods. Allen received a B.A. in Classical Studies and Philosophy and an M.S in Technology Management from Marshall University, and J.D. and M.J. degrees from Michigan State University College of Law. He also holds certificates from Christ Church College, Oxford, and Humboldt Universität, Berlin. Allen and his wife have four children who remind him on a regular basis that, at the end of the day, being a dad is the highest title to which he can aspire.

Dr. Rarkimm Fields is a socialpreneur with over twenty years of successful leadership experience in the service based, higher education, and nonprofit industries. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Dr. Fields attained his PhD in Public Policy & Administration from Walden University. Dr. Fields dissertation was titled “The Ferguson Effect Impact on Police Officers’ Culture and Perceptions in Local Police Departments”. Rarkimm also holds an MBA and MSML degrees from Western Governors University, MS in the Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix, and a BA in Political Science from Brooklyn College.

Rarkimm is a community advocate, educator, and social change agent as evidenced by his 15+ years of experience in nonprofit leadership as an Executive Director of Waste Not Want Not Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that focuses on mitigating waste and increasing awareness to food insecurity in the Metro Phoenix area, where he oversaw the government relations department and served as a business program faculty member at Western Governors University, assisting students reach their academic potential and educational goals through undergraduate degree attainment. 

Dr. Fields is an active member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) where he volunteers, promotes, and supports social change initiatives through public administration at the Federal, State, and Local levels of government. Rarkimm’ s research interests include Policing, Social Justice & Sustainability Studies, and Education Policy Initiatives. To unwind Rarkimm is an avid traveler as well as book reader. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 28 years and their three grandsons. His favorite quote is “If you had FUN you WON”!

In her role, Lyn works on behalf of WGU students, faculty, and employees to advance WGU’s mission and goals with elected officials at all levels of state government, agency personnel as well as, business and community thought leaders.  

Prior to joining WGU, Lyn served as Director of External Affairs for CMOC Mining Corporation,  Clark Hill Law Firm, and Freeport McMoRan Mining Co, where for nearly two decades she served as the company’s Government Relations Director. In her public affairs roles, Lyn facilitated numerous public policy accomplishments. In addition, she has served on numerous associations, boards, and commissions.  

She has extensive expertise in government affairs and management at the local, state, and federal levels of government. In addition, she has a wide range of experience in civic,  community, and political activities. She is a graduate of Arizona State University. Lyn enjoys spending time with friends and family. She lives in Arizona with her husband Tim, son Dylan, and daughters Danyelle and Robyn.

Emma Salomon is a Government Relations Director for Western Governors University, where she advocates for states to diversify their higher education options. She has spent over a decade working in state legislatures focusing on education policy. Outside of WGU, Emma serves on the board of non-profits that advance global connectedness and free market economies.

An advocate for equal access to higher education and opening doors of opportunity for all learners, Mindy leads WGU’s grassroots engagement and digital advocacy efforts at the state level.  She came to WGU in 2018 with decades of experience, working in various administrative roles across a diverse group of industries including building materials, heavy equipment, law enforcement and military training, healthcare insurance, and higher education.  A determined, innovative thinker with a knack for finding creative solutions to challenging problems, Mindy is passionate about serving the underserved through missions and volunteer work, as well as promoting fairness, justice, and inclusivity in the community.  A native of Seattle, Washington, Mindy currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina where she enjoys spending time with her three children and granddaughter, playing piano, travel, sports, classic cars, and attending an eclectic mix of music concerts and events. Mindy received her B.S. in Business Administration Marketing from Western Governors University and is currently earning grassroots management certification through the Public Affairs Council.