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.
Duane Moss graduated from Milan High School in 1983, and like many young local students do, started his career journey at Washtenaw Community College. His path literally began at the drawing board, enrolling in a architectural drafting program at WCC.
But something wasn’t lining up right.
“After working as a draftsman for a period of time, I realized that a traditional office environment was not the right fit for me,” said Moss. “I was motivated by movement, interaction and problem solving in a dynamic environment.”
For Moss, that “dynamic environment” was located at the head of a classroom.
Moss transferred his WCC credits to Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts Education. He would later return to EMU to earn a master's in Education Technology.
Moss, 60, credits his time at WCC for showing him a more satisfying and rewarding path.
“I really enjoyed my time at WCC,” he said. “Instructors were approachable and helpful, and I liked that I could schedule classes around my work schedule. My experience at WCC played a significant role in both my success and my decision to pursue a career in education."
Moss began his teaching career at Beach Middle School in Chelsea, where he spent 10 years teaching hands-on technology courses and computer classes. He also established the district's FIRST LEGO League team, providing students with opportunities to engage in collaborative, project-based learning through engineering and robotics.
For the next 10 years, Moss split time between Beach and Chelsea High School, continuing to expand and strengthen the technology program across both levels.
Currently in his 31st year of teaching in the district, Moss has transitioned into a Career and Technical Education (CTE) role, teaching engineering and robotics for the South & West Washtenaw Consortium. In this position, he focuses on providing students with hands-on, industry-relevant experiences that develop technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and career readiness.
One of those teachable experiences has been bringing his students to WCC’s Manufacturing Day each fall. He said being back on the WCC campus has been both nostalgic and inspiring.
“It was great to see the very buildings where I attended classes more than four decades ago are now transformed into state-of-the art advanced manufacturing labs,” he said. “Many of my students were excited to see the facility and equipment, especially the FANUC robots, which are similar to the one they use in our own class. The experience helped them to make connections between their current coursework and real-world industry applications.”
Moss says his students view WCC as a strong and practical step in their educational journey.
“Many recognize WCC as a respected institution that provides clear pathways to both employment and transfer opportunities to four-year universities,” he said. “The college offers learning environments that closely mirror real-world industry settings, allowing students to build both competence and confidence.
"Whether a student’s goal is to enter the workforce directly or to continue on to a university, WCC provides the resources and support necessary to help them take the next step successfully.”
Tags: 60 Stories, 60th Anniversary, Advanced Manufacturing, Alumni Profile, CTE, Manufacturing Day