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.
Carpus used what she learned at Washtenaw Community College to later open The Play Station with her brother, Garrison Mull, in September 2023. The child-friendly gathering space has quickly become a popular spot for local families.
“I had a great experience at WCC,” says Carpus, who enrolled after graduating from Milan High School in 2013. “I felt the instructors really cared about me and my success, not just my money. I took what I learned with me to other classes, jobs and life experiences.”
Over the course of three years, Carpus earned a Child Care Professional associate degree — a program now offered as a Child Development associate degree. She then transferred to Liberty University online in early 2016 and brought in enough credits to earn an Early Childhood Education Interdisciplinary Studies bachelor's degree in less than two years.
“WCC is a very cost-efficient way to earn credits, get experience with different courses, and really figure out what you want to do,” she said. “I loved the smaller campus that helped me get used to what college is without overwhelming me.”
The Child Development associate degree prepares students for careers in early childhood education. The program meets Michigan’s licensing requirements for directors and lead teachers in child care centers, home-based providers, and support roles in public school early childhood programs and Head Start agencies. It also seamlessly prepares students to transfer into bachelor’s degree programs, which Carpus did.
“We've found that much of the community enjoys the space and we're so grateful to be able to provide an area where families can gather, kids can play, and adults can relax in this child-friendly environment,” Carpus said.
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This story first appeared in the Winter 2026 edition of Launch magazine. See the full issue here.