WCC News: Alumni Profile

Photo of Ana Andrade

Alumni Profile: Brazil native started with ESL classes, ended with associate degree in Nursing

WCC Public Relations - December 18, 2023

Ana Andrade arrived in Michigan from Brazil in 2018, speaking very little English, and today is a nurse in the medical surgery cardiac unit at Detroit Medical Center. During the five years in between played out a story of perseverance and perspective.

View Post :   Alumni Profile: Brazil native started with ESL classes, ended with associate degree in Nursing

tags: Alumni Profile, Launch, Nursing, Launch winter 2024, ESL

Photo of Felipe Agurto

Alumni Profile: Advanced Manufacturing graduate fine-tuning his career

WCC Public Relations - December 15, 2023

Like many people, Felipe Agurto wandered along life’s path for a while before finding the right direction for his career. After graduating from high school on the west side of the state, Agurto enrolled in the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering but soon discovered it wasn’t really what he wanted to do.

View Post :   Alumni Profile: Advanced Manufacturing graduate fine-tuning his career

tags: Alumni Profile, Launch Winter 2023, 2023, Advanced Manufacturing, Launch

Photo of Lauren Alexander

Alumni Profile: Teacher says 'attending WCC was the best decision I could have ever made'

WCC Public Relations - December 13, 2023

Early on, Lauren Alexander knew she wanted to be a teacher. After graduating from Saline High School, Alexander began the pursuit of her dream at WCC. She earned an Associate in Arts in Elementary Education Degree and a Liberal Arts Certificate before transferring to Eastern Michigan University to complete her bachelor’s.

View Post :   Alumni Profile: Teacher says 'attending WCC was the best decision I could have ever made'

tags: teacher, Launch winter 2024, Alumni Profile, 2023, Launch

Photo of Mike Rudisill

Alumni Profile: Veteran helping advance the safety of intelligent vehicles

WCC Public Relations - December 12, 2023

Mike Rudisill played the long game when it came to his education at Washtenaw Community College. He showed up, stayed late, listened, studied and connected with his instructors. Today, he leads a team at an innovative tech company which focuses on future vehicle technology – from smart infrastructure, to autonomous vehicles, to driver experiences.

View Post :   Alumni Profile: Veteran helping advance the safety of intelligent vehicles

tags: Mechatronics, 2023, Alumni Profile, Veteran, Launch winter 2024

Photo of Liz DeRensis

Alumni Profile: Graphic designer sees a bright future

WCC Public Relations - December 10, 2023

Her Washtenaw Community College instructors called her an ideal student – positive, hardworking, focused, and exceptionally open to feedback. That’s why it was no surprise when Liz DeRensis, armed with an Associate in Applied Science-Graphic Design and Technologies from WCC, landed a job as the graphic designer for SEE Eyewear.

View Post :   Alumni Profile: Graphic designer sees a bright future

tags: 2023, Graphic Design, Alumni Profile, Launch winter 2024

Joe Hallisy, Creative Director

Award-winning creative manager got his start at WCC

Kayla Gahagan - July 04, 2023

Hallisy appreciated the approach to teaching the technical side of video production as well as the human and emotional side of capturing video. He puts those skills to use in his role as creative manager, collaborating with patients, faculty, hospital and university staff, executives, his own team and more.

View Post :   Award-winning creative manager got his start at WCC

tags: Video Production, What Do You Call, Career, Alumni Profile, Digital Media Arts, Summer 2023, Student Success, Digital Video Production, Launch

Jason Karas quote

Certificates align higher education with workforce needs

Rich Rezler - March 29, 2023

“Creating shorter certificates is crucial for working professionals returning to college, because it gives students quick and flexible options to re-skill themselves,” said Trinity Health Director of Digital Marketing and Websites Jason Karas, who transitioned into the industry thanks to a WCC credential.

View Post :   Certificates align higher education with workforce needs

tags: Web Design, Adult Education, Certificates, Alumni Profile, March 2023, On The Record

Alex Spencer in front of Mustang Mach-E

WCC grad Alex Spencer exemplifies next generation of transportation workforce

Fran LeFort - August 10, 2022

WCC is educating a nimble, highly skilled workforce for the next generation of automated transportation and mobility, and recent graduate Alex Spencer is poised to become one of those new leaders.

View Post :   WCC grad Alex Spencer exemplifies next generation of transportation workforce

tags: Launch, On The Record, December 2022, Automotive Services, Advanced Transportation, CCAT, ousearch_News_Launch Magazine, Alumni Profile, Automotive, Launch Fall 2022

Alex Chumney in Biology lab

Goldwater Scholar on track to be next WCC alumna turned STEM star

Fran LeFort - August 06, 2022

Look no further than recent alumna Alex Chumney’s achievements to see WCC’s relevance in bringing up the next generation of STEM leaders.

View Post :   Goldwater Scholar on track to be next WCC alumna turned STEM star

tags: Launch Fall 2022, Alumni Profile, Automotive Cybersecurity, Launch, ousearch_News_Launch Magazine, STEM, cybersecurity, NASA, STEM Scholars Program

Annie Peurach teaching at Emerson School

Local French teacher's accelerated path to a career started with dual enrollment

Fran LeFort - April 18, 2022

Less than five years out of high school, Annie Peurach has already earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, spent a year in France and is in her first year teaching at Emerson School in Ann Arbor.

View Post :   Local French teacher's accelerated path to a career started with dual enrollment

tags: Washtenaw Technical Middle College, Dual-Enrollment, Launch Summer 2022, Alumni Profile, wtmc

Kevin Ryan

WCC made a mid-career pivot possible for PA

Rich Rezler - March 24, 2022

Kevin Ryan was 35 when his employer announced it was closing its doors after more than 100 years in business. He could find another job in a dying industry or make a dramatic change. He chose change. And he chose Washtenaw Community College to help make it happen.

View Post :   WCC made a mid-career pivot possible for PA

tags: On The Record, March 2022, Alumni Profile

Lorem ipsum

WCC grad is one of cybersecurity's 'good guys'

Anita LeBlanc - March 24, 2022

WCC graduate and former White Hat Society member now serves as a 'force for good' in the growing cybersecurity field.

View Post :   WCC grad is one of cybersecurity's 'good guys'

tags: cybersecurity, On The Record, March 2022, Alumni Profile, Student Organizations

Lorem ipsum

WCC alumna now fluent in 4 languages: Spanish, English, Law and Tech

Rich Rezler - January 22, 2022

Alejandra Hornak came to WCC to pursue a career in law enforcement, but is now part of an international cybersecurity firm that travels the globe protecting organizations from cyber threats.

View Post :   WCC alumna now fluent in 4 languages: Spanish, English, Law and Tech

tags: January 2022, On The Record, Criminal Justice, Alumni Profile, English as a Second Language, cybersecurity

Miles Butler on Harvard campus

After 'finding his path' at WCC, Miles Butler is pursuing a master's degree at Harvard

Rich Rezler - October 13, 2021

Miles Butler's educational journey started at Washtenaw Community College and continued at two of the elite academic institutions in the nation — the University of Michigan and Harvard University.

View Post :   After 'finding his path' at WCC, Miles Butler is pursuing a master's degree at Harvard

tags: On The Record, Transfer, Alumni Profile, December 2021, Student Success, University Transfer Center, Center for Career Success

Mott patient gaming

Esports streaming fundraiser to purchase gaming carts for patients at UM's Mott Children's Hospital

Fran LeFort - September 16, 2021

Washtenaw Community College students will be streaming for good as they host a week-long Esports event Oct. 3-9 to raise money to purchase gaming devices for patients at the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

View Post :   Esports streaming fundraiser to purchase gaming carts for patients at UM's Mott Children's Hospital

tags: fundraising, Student Activities, Alumni Profile, Esports

Dan Tyrrell at work

Medical researcher got debt-free start at WCC

WCC Communications - August 19, 2021

With WCC’s affordable tuition and an academic scholarship to boot, Dan Tyrrell started his educational journey without the burden of student debt. The money he saved went toward a Ph.D. program at Wake Forest University.

View Post :   Medical researcher got debt-free start at WCC

tags: Affordability, August 2021, Alumni Profile, Transfer, STEAM, On The Record, Student Success

Aisha Bowe scholarship

WCC grad Aisha Bowe honored with 2021 MCCA Outstanding Alumnus Award

Rich Rezler - July 21, 2021

A self-described “unmotivated and unfocused” student in high school, Bowe found her passion and purpose while attending WCC from 2003 to 2006. The former NASA aerospace engineer is the founder and CEO of STEMBoard, an engineering solutions company.

View Post :   WCC grad Aisha Bowe honored with 2021 MCCA Outstanding Alumnus Award

tags: Outstanding Alumnus Award, On The Record, STEM, Aisha Bowe, Alumni Profile, August 2021

Cat Hadley

WCC alumna, current U-M student selected as Truman Scholar

Rich Rezler - May 10, 2021

WCC alumna Cat Hadley is one of 62 Truman Scholars from around the country, selected from a record number of candidates.

View Post :   WCC alumna, current U-M student selected as Truman Scholar

tags: Student Awards, Transfer, ousearch_News_2021, Student Success, Alumni Profile

Hunter Darrow

WCC nursing grad: 'I knew what I was getting into'

Rich Rezler - May 04, 2021

WCC alumna Hunter Darrow started her nursing career in the midst of a global pandemic. "I knew what I was getting into,"she said. "I knew it wasn't going to be easy."

View Post :   WCC nursing grad: 'I knew what I was getting into'

tags: On The Record, Alumni Profile, April 2021, ousearch_News_2021, Nursing

Chanel Stitt

Detroit Free Press business reporter Chanel Stitt, a WCC alumna, is Free College Week closing speaker

Rich Rezler - April 05, 2021

Detroit Free Press business reporter Chanel Stitt, a WCC alumna, is the closing speaker for WCC's Free College Week on April 12-19.

View Post :   Detroit Free Press business reporter Chanel Stitt, a WCC alumna, is Free College Week closing speaker

tags: April 2021, Alumni Profile, On The Record, Journalism, Free College Week, ousearch_News_2021

William Glover

Never too late: William Glover finds path to rewarding career at WCC

WCC - March 04, 2021

William Glover is an award-winning television producer, but the journey to a full-time job in a profession he loves wasn’t easy.

View Post :   Never too late: William Glover finds path to rewarding career at WCC

tags: ousearch_News_2021, Alumni Profile, On The Record, Digital Video Production, February 2021, Student Success

Nicholas Ochal

Nicholas Ochal's search for a purpose

WCC Communications - February 26, 2021

It was a winding road with some fits and starts that took WCC alumni Nicholas Ochal to the career in social work that he enjoys today.

View Post :   Nicholas Ochal's search for a purpose

tags: On The Record, Student Success, ousearch_News_2021, February 2021, Alumni Profile

Carl Vitullo

Hip to crypto: 2 associate degrees led WCC grad to high-tech job in NYC

WCC - December 21, 2020

Carl Vitullo credits WCC for helping to prepare him for his job as an engineering manager and front-end developer for Stellar Development Foundation.

View Post :   Hip to crypto: 2 associate degrees led WCC grad to high-tech job in NYC

tags: Business and Computer Technologies, Alumni Profile, On The Record, ousearch_News_2020, December 2020, ousearch_News_On The Record

Aisha Bowe and Kim Hurns holding checks to WCC Foundation from Bowe

WCC alumna Aisha Bowe endows scholarship for engineering transfer students

Rich Rezler - February 03, 2020

The Aisha R. Bowe eMpower Engineering Scholarship will be awarded to select WCC students who’ve earned a minimum of a 3.3 GPA while completing at least 14 credits in a WCC academic program designed to transfer into the University of Michigan College of Engineering.

View Post :   WCC alumna Aisha Bowe endows scholarship for engineering transfer students

tags: ousearch_News_2020, Scholarships, WCC Foundation, STEAM, Aisha Bowe, Alumni, Alumni Profile, Transfer

Take the
Next Step