As Washtenaw Community College prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, we recognize
the thousands of alumni who turned opportunity into achievement. For six decades,
WCC has opened doors to education, careers and brighter futures — and these 60 Stories that will be compiled over the year reflect that enduring mission.
When Brooklyn Nichols was preparing for college, she only needed to look across the dinner table to see how Washtenaw Community College was the ideal starting point.
Her older brother, Miles Butler, was a clear role model for WCC alumni success.
From an unsure WCC student initially, Butler continued his education at the University of Michigan and Harvard University. Today, he develops artificial intelligence systems for federal clients as an IBM engineer in Washington, D.C.
"(WCC) was one of the best choices he ever made," Nichols said. "At WCC, he developed a passion for computer science, which allowed him to get serious about school and inevitably helped him succeed at U of M and Harvard.
"Witnessing the amazing opportunities his time at WCC provided him prompted my application."
Nichols' decision paid off. she earned a General Studies in Math and Natural Science associate degree last May with a near-perfect GPA.
She transferred to the University of Michigan's School of Kinesiology, where she's majoring in Movement Science and exploring career paths that include physical therapy and medical school.
"The WCC instructors I had shaped my experience for the better and helped me figure out my future goals and study plans," Nichols said. "Being a member of the WCC community taught me a lot about leadership skills, especially as the co-president of the Transfer to Success club"
Butler finished his WCC degree in 2019 with high honors before transferring to Michigan for an information science bachelor's degree. He later earned a data science master's degree from Harvard, along with coursework at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
"While I was (at WCC), I was able to realize that I was a good student and it really opened my eyes," Butler recalls. "After getting really good grades in my first year — something I didn't necessarily think I was capable of before — is when I started considering a transfer to Michigan."
For both siblings, the journey traces back to one pivotal starting point.
"WCC gave me the chance to explore different academic interests without feeling like I was taking a huge risk," Butler said. "I could try out classes, work as a lab aid and figure out what I was genuinely interested in — which ended up being data and computer science."
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Tags: 60 Stories, Alumni Profile, Launch, Launch Fall 2025, Transfer