The venue was the University of Michigan, but the graduates and their certificates were from Washtenaw Community College. Twenty-five U-M employees took advantage of a unique opportunity to earn Commercial Building Maintenance (CBM) certificates from WCC.
In a partnership between WCC and U-M Facilities Maintenance representatives, U-M maintenance staff didn’t have to leave their own campus to participate in and graduate from the four-semester (12-credit) custom program taught by WCC instructor Zak Purdon.
Designed to better serve the maintenance mechanic’s customers, the CBM program provides a structured and accredited pathway for staff to improve necessary skills and meet standard competencies. Over the last six years that the program has been offered, more than 150 U-M staff have enrolled in a course, and 69 have continued on to complete the full certificate.
“I could not have been more proud to hear the accolades that were given to the instructor, Zak Purdon. His talents clearly make this program exceptional,” said Kristin Good, dean of Arts and Sciences at WCC.
Dean Good was on site to hand out certificates to the program graduates. “This is an example of a great partnership between WCC and U-M,” she said.
By Jessica Bibbee
Intern,Public Relations