60 Stories: Lots to smile about for Dental Assisting graduate
Morgan Nalepa - July 24, 2026
When Fan Zhang enrolled in WCC's Dental Assisting program, she was seeking the skills and confidence to launch a healthcare career. What she discovered was even more impactful: a supportive community that continues to empower her well beyond graduation.
View Post : 60 Stories: Lots to smile about for Dental Assisting graduatetags: Alumni Profile, 60th Anniversary, 60 Stories, Dental Assisting
60 Stories: WCC graduate now inspires the next generation of students
Terry Jacoby - July 21, 2026
Chelsea High School teacher Duane Moss brings his students to WCC’s Manufacturing Day each fall. He said being back on campus has been both nostalgic and inspiring.
View Post : 60 Stories: WCC graduate now inspires the next generation of studentstags: 60 Stories, Alumni Profile, Manufacturing Day, Advanced Manufacturing, CTE, 60th Anniversary
60 Stories: Saline police chief's service career began at WCC
Terry Jacoby - July 17, 2026
Marlene Radzik, who became the Saline Police Department’s first female Police Chief in March 2022, graduated from the police academy at Washtenaw Community College in 1991.
View Post : 60 Stories: Saline police chief's service career began at WCCtags: Criminal Justice, Launch Fall 2026, Police Academy, 60 Stories, 60th Anniversary, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: Path to Ph.D. began at WCC for Brazil native
Anita LeBlanc - June 25, 2026
When Fernanda Cross left her native Brazil to learn English, she never could have imagined that 20 years later she would be a tenure-track professor at the University of Michigan.
View Post : 60 Stories: Path to Ph.D. began at WCC for Brazil nativetags: Alumni Profile, 60th Anniversary, WCC Foundation, Student Succes, 60 Stories
60 Stories: Engineer saved time and money by starting at WCC
WCC Public Relations - April 21, 2026
Dolgachev’s interest in robotics was sparked while a student at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor. His courses at WCC helped him narrow down his career dreams of becoming a robotics engineer.
View Post : 60 Stories: Engineer saved time and money by starting at WCCtags: Mechatronics, 60th Anniversary, Transfer, Affordability, 60 Stories, University Transfer Center
60 Stories: Veteran alum advancing the safety of intelligent vehicles
WCC Communications - April 15, 2026
Mike Rudisill leads a team at an innovative tech company that focuses on future vehicle technology – from smart infrastructure to autonomous vehicles to driver experiences and more.
View Post : 60 Stories: Veteran alum advancing the safety of intelligent vehiclestags: Advanced Manufacturing, Student Veterans, Alumni Profile, Advanced Transportation, 60 Stories
60 Stories: WCC alum building a banking career
WCC Public Relations - April 03, 2026
Like many high school graduates, Jasmine Thomas wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next — but she knew where to begin. WCC.
View Post : 60 Stories: WCC alum building a banking careertags: Launch Summer 2026, General Studies, Alumni Profile, 60 Stories
60 Stories: Alumna builds success in business and on the farm
WCC Public Relations - April 01, 2026
For Kaitlin Lesser, her Washtenaw Community College education is on display every day — from the fields of her family farm to the operations floor of a local manufacturing business.
View Post : 60 Stories: Alumna builds success in business and on the farmtags: Launch Summer 2026, Alumni Profile, Business, 60 Stories
60 Stories: WCC helps grad transition from district manager to c-suite
Fran LeFort - March 30, 2026
David Graham was in his mid-40s and parenting multiple children when he enrolled at WCC. The regional manager of a national auto parts chain enjoyed his career, but something was driving him to finish his college degree.
View Post : 60 Stories: WCC helps grad transition from district manager to c-suitetags: Adult Learners, 60 Stories, 60th Anniversary
60 Stories: Apprenticeship led to career as robotics technician
Terry Jacoby - March 25, 2026
Andrew Matthews completed the Magna Apprenticeship Program at WCC, earning a Robotics Technician certificate in the process.
View Post : 60 Stories: Apprenticeship led to career as robotics techniciantags: Robotics, Apprenticeship Programs, Launch Summer 2026, 60 Stories, Alumni Profile, Apprenticeships
60 Stories: Navy flight instructor pivoted to education career at WCC
WCC Public Relations - March 20, 2026
Caleb Coon enrolled at WCC in Winter 2014 to take core science courses needed to pursue his master’s degree. Staff at the Wadhams Veterans Center helped him navigate VA-eligible programming.
View Post : 60 Stories: Navy flight instructor pivoted to education career at WCCtags: 60 Stories, STEM Careers, 60th Anniversary, Wadhams Veterans Center
60 Stories: Never the same day twice for auctioneer
WCC Public Relations - March 16, 2026
For Mathias Donat, no two workdays are alike. One moment he’s supporting families at an estate sale, the next repairing an old tractor, and later he may be on stage in a tuxedo, energizing a crowd of more than 1,000 at a black-tie benefit auction.
View Post : 60 Stories: Never the same day twice for auctioneertags: Alumni Profile, liberal arts, 60 Stories, Business, Launch Summer 2026
60 Stories: French teacher's accelerated career path started with dual enrollment
Fran LeFort - March 05, 2026
In 2017, Annie Peurach earned her associate degree from Washtenaw Community College one day before walking across the stage to receive her high school diploma. The benefits of her dual enrollment experience are almost immeasurable.
View Post : 60 Stories: French teacher's accelerated career path started with dual enrollmenttags: 60 Stories, 60th Anniversary, Dual-Enrollment, Washtenaw Technical Middle College
60 Stories: Vietnam veteran found a home at WCC
Rich Rezler - February 27, 2026
It was 1971 when Dale Throneberry first walked onto the campus of WCC. The college opened just five years prior and community colleges were emerging nationwide as an expanding pathway to higher education.
View Post : 60 Stories: Vietnam veteran found a home at WCCtags: On The Record, 60 Stories, Alumni Profile, March 2026, Wadhams Veterans Center, Faculty Profile
60 Stories: Wilczynski started two careers at WCC
Fran LeFort - February 22, 2026
WCC has equipped Andrew Wilczynski for two careers. After earning a first degree in Transportation Technologies at WCC in 2016, Wilczynski returned to the college to study Cybersecurity.
View Post : 60 Stories: Wilczynski started two careers at WCCtags: Automotive Cybersecurity, 60th Anniversary, Transportation Technologies, Advanced Transportation Center, 60 Stories
60 Stories: Alumna calls WCC her 'launching pad'
Terry Jacoby - February 18, 2026
Alicia Shivers began her academic career at WCC, an experience that proved pivotal in shaping her future.
View Post : 60 Stories: Alumna calls WCC her 'launching pad'tags: 60 Stories, On The Record, March 2026, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: Alum takes WCC photo training to global level
Rich Rezler - February 10, 2026
Rob Woodcox, a 2012 graduate of WCC's photography program, recently produced a major global photography campaign for Nike in collaboration with the SKIMS apparel brand.
View Post : 60 Stories: Alum takes WCC photo training to global leveltags: Photography, 60 Stories, Digital Photography, On The Record, Alumna Profile, March 2026
60 Stories: Alum's recipe for success is a dash of maturity and heaping scoops of knowledge
Rich Rezler - February 03, 2026
After struggling in high school and dropping out of college, Michael Kozma found new motivation at WCC and graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
View Post : 60 Stories: Alum's recipe for success is a dash of maturity and heaping scoops of knowledgetags: Alumni Profile, 60 Stories
60 Stories: WCC alum is a cybersecurity 'good guy'
Anita LeBlanc - January 28, 2026
A WCC associate degree and his own dedication to continuous learning has been enough for Alexander Sabin to build a successful cybersecurity career.
View Post : 60 Stories: WCC alum is a cybersecurity 'good guy'tags: 60 Stories, cybersecurity, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: First-generation college graduate now advocates for WCC
WCC Communications - January 20, 2026
When it comes to spreading the message about the many benefits of starting your higher ed journey at a community college, it’s safe to call alumnus Nick Avram one of WCC’s biggest advocates.
View Post : 60 Stories: First-generation college graduate now advocates for WCCtags: 60 Stories, Affordability, Transfer, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: Sterile Processing graduate 'wanted a career, not a job'
Kayla Gahagan - January 15, 2026
Statia Hamilton started her family young and took a less traditional educational pathway to her dream job as a medical instrument technician at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Ann Arbor.
View Post : 60 Stories: Sterile Processing graduate 'wanted a career, not a job'
60 Stories: Award-winning student turns into video production professional
Rich Rezler - January 08, 2026
Patrice Scott won two first-place trophies from the Michigan chapter of the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences while he was a student at WCC.
View Post : 60 Stories: Award-winning student turns into video production professionaltags: Video Production, Student Production Awards, 60 Stories, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: WCC makes mid-career pivot possible for physician assistant
Rich Rezler - January 04, 2026
Kevin Ryan was 35 when his employer announced it was closing its doors. His choices were simple: Find another job in what was a dying industry or make a dramatic change. He chose change. And he chose Washtenaw Community College to help make it happen.
View Post : 60 Stories: WCC makes mid-career pivot possible for physician assistanttags: Alumni Profile, 60 Stories, Adult Learners
60 Stories: Marine started transition to Chemical Engineer at WCC
Kayla Gahagan - December 20, 2025
Jason Franchi never planned to go to college. He entered the Marines directly out of high school and served for five years. It wasn’t until he decided to sign up for classes at WCC that he envisioned life with a college degree.
View Post : 60 Stories: Marine started transition to Chemical Engineer at WCCtags: Engineering, Alumni Profile, 60 Stories
60 Stories: Medical researcher got debt-free start at WCC
WCC Communications - December 18, 2025
Dan Tyrrell's educational journey began at Washtenaw Community College, where he earned a General Studies in Math and Natural Science associate degree, with honors, in 2008.
View Post : 60 Stories: Medical researcher got debt-free start at WCCtags: General Studies, Alumni Profile, 60th Anniversary, 60 Stories
60 Stories: Tom Butman is a WCC alum and valued employer partner
Fran LeFort - December 14, 2025
As an industry board member for the past 12 years, Tom Butman helps to guide the college’s curriculum to meet industry workforce needs.
View Post : 60 Stories: Tom Butman is a WCC alum and valued employer partnertags: 60 Stories, Transportation Technologies, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: The only diploma on attorney J.T. Iacovetta's wall is his WCC associate degree
Fran LeFort - December 08, 2025
Of all the diplomas he's earned since being discharged from the U.S. Navy, only a WCC associate degree is displayed in attorney J.T. Iacovetta’s office.
View Post : 60 Stories: The only diploma on attorney J.T. Iacovetta's wall is his WCC associate degreetags: Alumni Profile, 60 Stories
60 Stories: 'Welding My Way to a Bright Future'
Rich Rezler - December 03, 2025
When Caleb Rogers crossed the stage to receive his Washtenaw Community College degree, the bright yellow cut-out letters spread across his black mortar board perfectly summarized the moment: “Welding My Way to a Bright Future!”
View Post : 60 Stories: 'Welding My Way to a Bright Future'tags: Welding, 60th Anniversary, Alumni Profile, 60 Stories
60 Stories: Chelsea siblings turn WCC into launchpad for success
Terry Jacoby - November 23, 2025
View Post : 60 Stories: Chelsea siblings turn WCC into launchpad for successtags: Transfer, Launch Fall 2025, 60 Stories, Launch, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: WCC alumna opens family hub in Milan
Terry Jacoby - November 21, 2025
The path that would eventually lead Olivia Carpus to co-found a community play space in her hometown of Milan began more than a decade earlier — in a WCC classroom where she first felt supported and inspired.
View Post : 60 Stories: WCC alumna opens family hub in Milantags: Community enrichment, Child Development, Launch Winter 2026, Launch, 60 Stories, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: 'Finding where your passion meets demand'
Kayla Gahagan - November 20, 2025
When Mark Jones arrived at WCC in 2019, he hadn't yet figured out how his education — or his future — would unfold. Today, he's thriving in hi career as Operations Supervisor at Dayton Freight in Indianapolis.
View Post : 60 Stories: 'Finding where your passion meets demand'tags: Launch Winter 2026, Center for Career Success, 60 Stories, Alumni Profile
60 stories: Path from GED to GM started at WCC
Rich Rezler - November 14, 2025
John Benjamin is Chief of Staff for General Motors’ Autonomous Vehicle Product Management team. His path to the cutting edge of automotive technology wasn’t a straight line.
View Post : 60 stories: Path from GED to GM started at WCCtags: Adult Learners, Adult Transitions Pathways, GED, Alumni Profile, 60 Stories, 60th Anniversary, November 2025, On The Record
60 Stories: Desire to protect drivers led to fulfilling career
Fran LeFort - November 06, 2025
Zach Van Buren's deep desire to understand and be a part of helping to protect other drivers and passengers has paved the road to a fulfilling career with Toyota Motor North America.
View Post : 60 Stories: Desire to protect drivers led to fulfilling career
60 Stories: Restoring a Chevelle at WCC catapulted Colby McLaughlin to dream career
Terry Jacoby - October 31, 2025
Willis native Colby McLaughlin is president and board member at Trim Illusion Holdings. He began the dream career at WCC.
View Post : 60 Stories: Restoring a Chevelle at WCC catapulted Colby McLaughlin to dream careertags: Launch Winter 2026, Custom Cars and Concepts, 60 Stories, 60th Anniversary, Launch, Transportation Technologies, Auto Body Repair
60 Stories: Two generations of WCC nurses
Rich Rezler - October 24, 2025
When Seema Awan walks across the stage at WCC's nursing pinning ceremony in December, she’ll be following in the footsteps of her mother, Anna, who began her own nursing journey at the college a decade ago.
View Post : 60 Stories: Two generations of WCC nursestags: Alumni Profile, Nursing, November 2025, 60th Anniversary, Student Profile, 60 Stories, On The Record
60 Stories: WCC grad learns cool new skills, earns hot new job
Terry Jacoby - October 15, 2025
Anya Pomykala enrolled at WCC at the age of 30 and at a crossroads. She left with a new career in a hot job market.
View Post : 60 Stories: WCC grad learns cool new skills, earns hot new jobtags: 60 Stories, HVAC, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: Physical Therapist Assistant grad turns clinical experience into business ownership
Terry Jacoby - October 12, 2025
Clinical rotations are a key part of WCC's Physical Therapist Assistant program. For Maysa Fontoura Barbosa, one of those rotations turned into the opportunity of a lifetime.
View Post : 60 Stories: Physical Therapist Assistant grad turns clinical experience into business ownershiptags: 60 Stories, Alumni Profile, 60th Anniversary, Physical Therapist Assistant
60 Stories: 'A person saw potential in me'
WCC Public Relations - October 03, 2025
Alaa Almounauar would tell you one of the best things that happened to her was someone calling her out — to pursue more education.
View Post : 60 Stories: 'A person saw potential in me'tags: 60 Stories, Student Succes, STEM Scholars Program, Alumni Profile
60 Stories: Apprenticeship program jumpstarts healthcare IT jobs
Terry Jacoby - September 25, 2025
Apprenticeships aren't just for the skilled trades anymore! WCC and Michigan Medicine have partnered on a paid apprenticeship program in Healthcare Information Technology, offering a fast track into one of today's most in-demand fields.
View Post : 60 Stories: Apprenticeship program jumpstarts healthcare IT jobstags: Information Technology, Fall 2025, Launch, Apprenticeships, 60 Stories
60 Stories: WCC grad exemplifies next generation of transportation workforce
Fran LeFort - September 09, 2025
Washtenaw Community College is educating a nimble, highly skilled workforce for the next generation in automated transportation and mobility, and recent graduate Alex Spencer is poised to become one of those new leaders.
View Post : 60 Stories: WCC grad exemplifies next generation of transportation workforcetags: Alumni Profile, Advanced Transportation Center, 60 Stories
60 Stories: Teacher says attending WCC was 'the best decision I could have made'
WCC Public Relations - September 07, 2025
Early on, Lauren Alexander knew she wanted to be a teacher. Today, the Saline native is doing exactly that as a kindergarten teacher in Monroe.
View Post : 60 Stories: Teacher says attending WCC was 'the best decision I could have made'
60 Stories: Advanced Manufacturing grad fine-tuning his career
WCC Public Relations - September 05, 2025
Like many people, Felipe Agurto wandered along life’s path for a while before finding the right direction for his career.
View Post : 60 Stories: Advanced Manufacturing grad fine-tuning his career
60 Stories: Brazil native started with ESL, finished with Nursing degree
Fran LeFort - September 03, 2025
Ana Andrade arrived in Michigan from Brazil in 2018 and started working as a cardiac nurse in 2023. During the five years in between played out a story of perseverance and perspective.
View Post : 60 Stories: Brazil native started with ESL, finished with Nursing degreetags: Nursing, ESL, 60 Stories, Alumni Profile