James Hedges is a strategic innovation and workforce development leader who oversees Weber State University’s Division of Online & Continuing Education. He specializes in designing forward-looking education solutions that anticipate workforce needs, including non-credit–to-credit pathways, stackable credentials, corporate and government partnerships, and prior learning assessment. Since becoming dean in 2022, James has advanced competency-based education and flexible pathways that help working professionals upskill and reskill for evolving industries. He led the division’s strategic plan, implemented a campus-wide online education strategy, launched new fully online programs, and introduced an online tuition model expanding access for out-of-state learners. Focused on employer-driven program development, he builds trusted industry partnerships to align education with labor market demand and strengthen the future workforce.