A Washtenaw Community College employee and members of a campus-wide initiative were honored with Justice in Action Awards during the college’s 2026 MLK Day Celebration on December 15 for work that advances access, advocacy and student success.
Executive Director of Financial Aid Andrew Munguia and the WCC Accessibility Task Force were recognized for efforts that reflect the values and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including leadership, service and a commitment to justice.
Meet the honorees:
ANDREW MUNGUIA
Category: WCC Faculty/Staff Member
Position: Executive Director of Financial Aid
In his position, Munguia plays a central role in ensuring students have access to the resources they need to pursue and complete a college education. His work focuses on reducing financial barriers, simplifying complex processes and supporting students who may be navigating higher education for the first time.
Under his leadership, WCC’s Financial Aid Office has implemented practices designed to make financial aid more transparent and accessible, particularly for first-generation students and those facing economic challenges. Those efforts include expanding points of access for assistance and fostering a department culture centered on respect, patience and student dignity.
Munguia advocates for policies that promote access and works with community partners to expand support for underrepresented students. He also collaborates with faculty and staff to raise awareness of the financial and systemic challenges many students face, helping the college respond more effectively to student needs.
Colleagues note that his work has contributed to improved access to financial aid and increased student persistence, with many students crediting his leadership and support for helping them remain enrolled and succeed at WCC.
WCC ACCESSIBILITY TASK FORCE
Category: College Program, Initiative, or Department
The WCC Accessibility Task Force is a cross-functional group working to embed accessibility into everyday teaching, learning and communication across the college.
Formed in August 2025, the task force has led a coordinated, institution-wide approach to accessibility that moves beyond compliance and focuses on proactive design of the college's online learning tools. Its work has influenced every course transitioned to Canvas during the college’s learning management system migration, providing accessible templates, clearer navigation and more consistent course structure.
Members of the task force include (in alphabetical order):
— Amy Artiles-Espinosa, Learning Solutions Specialist
— Kimberly Bentley, Director of Learning Support Services
— Kasey Gitzen, Part-Time Instructional Designer (task force assistant chair)
— Dave Goodrich, (task force chair)
— Matthew Kerr, Online Support Specialist
— Kaz Markey, Part-Time Instructional Media Support
— Caitlin Reid, Part-Time Instructional Designer
— Nicole Rose-Palmer, Learning Experience Designer
— Susan Ruellan, Learning Experience Designer
— Henny Tasker, Temporary Learning Specialist
— Sean Thomas, Academic Technologist
— Lia Vallina, Temporary Learning Specialist
— David Vrooman, LSS Assistive Technology Specialist
— Arista Williams, Managing Director, WCC-UA Educational Technology
The group has supported hundreds of faculty through training, tools and hands-on guidance, helping instructors align with accessibility standards while maintaining academic intent. Students who use assistive technology now encounter fewer obstacles and more predictable learning pathways, and staff have gained resources that improve the usability of internal documents and communications.
By bringing together instructional design, learning support services, academic technology and faculty, the group has created sustainable processes, including accessibility audits, remediation workflows and campuswide guidance for accessible documents, media and assessments.
Members of the task force approach accessibility as an issue of dignity and inclusion, designing solutions that reduce barriers for all learners and support WCC’s mission to expand opportunity and belonging.
Tags: Accessibility, Awards, MLK Day, Student Success