WCC Launch, Summer 2024

Launch

Michigan Tech University

Northern Michigan University

Lake Superior State University

FROM WCC TO FORTUNE 500

Alum steers Google’s biggest clients

PREPARING FOR WHAT’S NEXT!

Healthcare programs educate and train students for in-demand jobs

SMART START

Transfer your WCC credits, start your career, save money!

Ferris State University

Central Michigan University

Michigan State University

Grand Valley State University

Wayne State University

University of Michigan

Eastern Michigan University

In This Issue Launch •

8

4

PATH TO TRANSFER SUCCESS

Over the last five years alone 16,761 WCC alumni enrolled in colleges and universities throughout Michigan and across the country, taking the next step to high-demand, high-wage jobs.

7

SKYE’S THE LIMIT FOR THIS HBCU-BOUND STUDENT Computer science student Skye Stonestreet has big dreams of transferring to an HBCU and working for Microsoft.

WHAT DO YOU CALL SOMEONE WHO ATTENDED WCC? EMPLOYED!

Alumnus Nick Avram helps some of Google’s largest Fortune 500 companies increase their business while also giving back to WCC.

SPARK YOUR CAREER!

11

The world of welding is broad and vast, and WCC-trained welders like Steven Knepper can write their own ticket in this high-demand industry.

Letter from the President

13

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED US

Following their military service, veterans

Melanie Chen (Army) and Nathaniel Jaskierny (Air Force) earn credits at WCC before transferring to universities to advance their career journeys.

WCC Board of Trustees

Greetings!

The heart of Washtenaw Community College’s mission is to make a positive difference in students’ lives. We do this by preparing you for high-wage, highdemand jobs.

Whether through direct placement in an exciting new career or through transfer to a four-year institution to advance your education, your community college is here to help.

Whatever your academic goals, I am sure there is a program at WCC to match your interest and career path. We offer more than 125 programs that include business, teaching, public safety, manufacturing, transportation technologies, computer technology, health sciences, broadcast communication, digital and fine arts. Our general studies and liberal arts transfer pathways are popular routes to help transition to larger universities.

Consider alumnus and Google strategy expert Nick Avram. Nick got his start at WCC and then, like thousands of students each year, transferred to complete his bachelor’s. In fact, in the past five years, more than 16,000 WCC alumni enrolled in other colleges and universities!

Angela Davis, Board Chair; William G. Milliken Jr., Vice Chair; David DeVarti, Treasurer; Ruth A. Hatcher, Secretary; Christina M. H. Fleming, Trustee; Alex Milshteyn, Trustee; Diana McKnight-Morton, Trustee

With our excellent resources and faculty members, coupled with our low tuition and ease of transfer, WCC is a smart choice to start your college education.

I look forward to seeing you on campus!

Rose B. Bellanca, Ed.D., President Washtenaw Community College

ENROLL NOW FOR SUMMER!

Flexible Class Schedule!

Visit wccnet.edu/enroll for the full list of programs and to learn more.

BROADCAST, COMMUNICATION, VISUAL, DIGITAL & FINE ARTS

BROADCAST & COMMUNICATION

Audio Production and Engineering

Broadcast Media Arts

Journalism

Technical Communication

DIGITAL ARTS

3D Animation

Animation for Film and Broadcast

Animation for Game Art

Digital Media Arts

Digital Video Production

VISUAL, FINE & PERFORMING ARTS

Arts Management

Digital Photography

Fine Arts

Fine and Performing Arts

Global Studies

Graphic Design

Photographic Technology

Portrait Photography

Traditional Photography BUSINESS

BUSINESS

Accounting

Accounting for Business

Administrative Assistant

Business Administration—

Transfer Pathway

Business Enterprise

Business Office Administration

Computer Software Applications

Core Business Skills

Digital Business Marketing and Sales

Entrepreneurship Essentials

Entrepreneurship Innovation

HR Essentials

HR Skills and Operations

Management

Occupational Studies

Retail and Business Operations

Retail Management

Sports & Entertainment Management

Supply Chain Essentials

Supply Chain Operations

Supply Chain Management

GENERAL STUDIES

General Studies—

Transfer Pathway

General Studies—

Employment Pathway

HEALTH SCIENCES

DENTAL

Dental Assisting

IMAGING

Computed Tomography (CT)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Mammography

Radiography

NURSING

Nursing Assistant

LPN to RN

RN

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

Cardiac Telemetry Technician

Health Administration

Health Care Foundations

Health Program Preparation

Medical Assisting

Medical Billing and Coding

Physical Therapist Assistant

Sterile Processing

Surgical Technology

HUMAN SERVICES, PRE-EDUCATION & PUBLIC SAFETY

HUMAN SERVICES

Addiction Studies

Human Services

PRE-EDUCATION

Child Development

Early Childhood Education

Introduction to Elementary Education

Secondary Education

PUBLIC SAFETY

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement

Paralegal Studies/Pre-Law

Police Academy

LIBERAL ARTS TRANSFER

Liberal Arts Transfer

MANUFACTURING, TRANSPORTATION

TECHNOLOGIES, SKILLED TRADES & CONSTRUCTION

TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES

Auto Body Repair

Automotive Cybersecurity

Automotive Services Technician

Automotive Test Technician

Custom Auto Body Fabrication and Chassis Design

Powertrain Development Technician

Transportation Technologies

MANUFACTURING

Advanced Manufacturing (CNC)

Automation Specialist

Industrial Electronics Technology

Mechatronics-Robotics and Automated Systems

Robotics Technician

SKILLED TRADES & CONSTRUCTION

Construction Management

HVAC

Welding & Fabrication

COMPUTERTECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATH AND SCIENCE

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

Computer Networking

Computer Systems Technology

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Operations

Principles of Cybersecurity Programming in C++ Programming in Java

ENGINEERING

Engineering and Design Technology

Pre-Engineering Science-Transfer

MATH AND SCIENCE

Environmental Science

Exercise Science

General Studies in Math and Natural Sciences

Math and Science

Biology/Pre-Medicine

Chemistry/Pre-Medicine Mathematics

Pre-Actuarial Science

Pre-Pharmacy

APPRENTICESHIP & UNION TRADES

Apprenticeship Completion

Construction Supervision

Industrial Training

Ironworkers Pre-Apprenticeship Journeyman Industrial

100% online

To learn more about our Student Success Guarantee, visit wccnet.edu/guarantee

Scan here to enroll

wccnet.edu/enroll

The Path To Transfer Success

Starting your college journey at WCC is asmart choice for many reasons. With its low tuition, the financial value alone paves the way for students to start their new careers with less or no debt burden. Smaller class sizes provide easy access to instructors, meaning more one-onone opportunities for deeper understanding.

WCC students know this value. Over the last five years alone, 16,761 WCC alumni enrolled in colleges and universities throughout Michigan and across the country, taking the next stepping stone to high-demand, high-wage jobs and dreams fulfilled.

The majority of former students who transferred, 51% or 8,573 alumni, enrolled in three institutions — University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University.

In all, former WCC students enrolled in

DID YOU KNOW?

1,147 institutions in all 50 states, including prestigious universities like Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, storied HBCUs and top-flight aeronautical and engineering universities.

“Thanks to exceptional faculty and academic programs, our students leave confident and well prepared for

continued success whether they’re transferring to a four-year university to further their education or placed directly in the workforce,” says WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca.

Fedor Dolgachev agrees. Dolgachev’s interest in robotics was sparked while a student at Skyline High

School in Ann Arbor. His courses at WCC helped him narrow down his career dreams of becoming a robotics engineer.

After earning an Associate in Applied Science (Mechatronics) in 2021, he transferred to Kettering University to pursue a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering. He now

works as a continuous improvement engineer, managing the automation processes at Net Shaped Solutions in Canton, an appliance, electrical and electronics manufacturer.

“ I got a full-ride scholarship, so WCC was a great way to avoid lots of debt and give me time to save up for Kettering. Because of the Michigan Transfer Agreement, I was able to complete many Gen Ed classes before I transferred over to Kettering. This saved me a whole bunch of time and money,” Dolgachev says.

Dolgachev credits WCC for introducing him to the rigors of a college education and says instructors were always willing to help.

Approximately 58% of current WCC students indicate they intend to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a higher degree.

Students from major universities enroll at WCC as “Guest Students” to earn transferrable general education credit in courses such as biology or algebra at a lower tuition rate. Most take a WCC course while on their summer break, but guest students enroll during the Fall and Winter semesters, too. Story on page 14.

TRANSFER Questions Answered QA

Helping students succeed is our mission. Student Advisors Brittany Middlebrook & Christie Pagel answer your questions about transferring from WCC to other institutions.

Q: WHAT RESOURCES DOES WCC HAVE FOR TRANSFERRING?

A: Students at WCC have numerous transfer resources — Advising, the University Transfer Center, Transfer to Success student club and transfer events. We also regularly host colleagues from transfer institutions on WCC’s campus. Some students also find mitransfer.org useful.

Q: WHAT IS THE MICHIGAN TRANSFER AGREEMENT?

A: The Michigan Transfer Agreement is a reciprocity agreement among community colleges in Michigan and participating four-year institutions in the state. Earning the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) designation — comprised of 30 credits of general education coursework — is like having a safety net, provided the student transfers to an institution that accepts the MTA. In some cases, it totally fulfills the general education coursework that students would otherwise be expected to complete at their transfer institution.

Q: WILL MY CREDITS BE ACCEPTED AT THE SCHOOLS I WANT TO GO TO?

A: Many institutions have up-todate internal transfer equivalency databases. Michigan Transfer Network is another great resource to check course equivalencies and each individual institution’s stance on the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). Out-of-state schools may also have data loaded into a resource like Transferology. Students should reach out to their intended transfer institutions for guidance and to better understand requirements.

Q: IS IT OK TO NOT KNOW WHAT COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY I WANT TO TRANSFER TO?

A: While in a perfect world students know from the beginning of their college journey what they want to study and where, this is rarely the case. Earning the MTA can be helpful if the student ultimately transfers to a participating institution. Meeting regularly with your advisor and attending transfer events are essential ways to get information and make sure you’re taking the right courses and steps to meet your goals.

Q: CAN I TRANSFER OUT OF STATE?

A: Yes! We routinely assist students with navigating their intended transfer universities’ websites to ensure they’re able to connect with the transfer admissions team as soon as possible. It’s crucial to understand requirements.

Q: WHAT PROGRAMS ARE BEST FOR TRANSFERRING?

A: All WCC’s Associate in Arts and Associate in Science programs are transfer-friendly because they have the MTA embedded within them. WCC offers some programs that have ‘transfer’ in their names — the Liberal Arts Transfer program, the Business Administration Transfer program and the Pre-Engineering Science Transfer program, for example.

Q: WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS/ MAJORS AT FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS?

A: Endless options! Try to meet with your advisor early and regularly to discuss goals — including your desired future program at the four-year level and desired future institution, etc.

LAND YOUR DREAM JOB!

There’s preparing for a new career by furthering your education and sharpening your skills. And then there’s preparing

WCC’s 126 academic programs are designed to educate students for a wide range of hot jobs — in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, IT, and more.

WCC’s Center for Career Success helps you take your education and skills to the next level — meeting recruiters, landing interviews and scoring job offers. Preparing like a pro means paying attention to the details on your resume, practicing your elevator speech, brushing up on your interview techniques and dressing to impress.

“Once you get your education at WCC, then it’s time to get your dream job. We’re here to help you put your best foot forward,” says Cheryl Harvey, Director of the Center for Career Success. The center helps with developing resumes and cover letters, landing interviews and more.

Are you ready to start searching for your next job?

CENTER FOR CAREER SUCCESS

Student Center, SC 112 734-677-5155

careers@wccnet.edu wccnet.edu.net/careers

PREPARE LIKE A PRO.

A POSITIVE IMPRESSION

WHAT’S IN YOUR INTRODUCTION?

Do you plan to get your toes wet by visiting one of our Career & Internship fairs? Here are a few tips.

Introduction: Who are you? Greet the employer with a smile (handshake recommended). Introduce yourself and provide a copy of your resume.

Summary: What have you done?

Provide a brief summary of your education and experiences that are directly related to the role you are seeking in the organization.

Objective: What do you want to do?

Tell the employer what type of opportunity you are seeking. What research have you done into this organization and this type of opportunity?

Closing: What’s next? End with a question to lead the conversation. Follow-up with thank-you letters.

[

Keep your speech pattern in even low tones.

Stop talking if you feel like you are rambling.

SMILE! This helps you feel excited and exude positivity.

QUESTIONS TO ASK RECRUITERS

What type of education or training do you look for in employees?

MICHIGAN LABOR MARKET

Visit milmi.org/ to learn more about employment trends and the hot jobs in Michigan!

Are there opportunities for advancements within the organization?

What are the skills and attributes you value most in your employees?

How would someone like me contribute to the company?

What are the biggest challenges for the positions that you are hiring for?

What do you enjoy most about working for the company?

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS MAJOR?

What can you do with your course of study? This easy-to-maneuver resource whatcanidowiththismajor.com lets you search by employer categories or alphabetically by major.

Skye’s the limit for this HBCU-bound student

SSkye Stonestreet needed a little flexibility when it came to college, and Washtenaw Community College offered exactly that.

Stonestreet, 18, is now in her second semester at WCC and dreams of working for big tech someday.

“My career goal is to work for Microsoft down in Atlanta, Georgia,” she says. “I’ve had this plan since my freshman year in high school. I love how diverse the company portrays itself. I would like to fulfill the role of an IT director there.”

Her WCC education and a potential transfer to HBCU Clark Atlanta University in 2025 would get her that much closer to fulfilling her dreams. Clark is one of America’s 107 designated Historically Black Colleges & Universities.

She would join a growing number of Washtenaw HBCU transfer students. Since 2021, when the college launched the HBCU Pathway program to help students transfer, nearly 150 students have enrolled at HBCUs. The program offers mentoring, monthly workshops, study groups, tours to its partner HBCUs and many other support services to help

students earn a bachelor’s degree from an HBCU.

Currently, WCC has established agreements with six HBCUs — and the list is expected to grow — but whether students plan to enroll at one of the partner schools or any other HBCU, advisors stand ready to help. Partnership agreements include guaranteed admission, access to in-state tuition, ease of transfer credits and more.

A self-described technology geek, Stonestreet plans to complete an associate degree in Computer Science & Information Technology at WCC and ultimately work toward a master’s.

“I love the broad choice of studies WCC has and its flexibility to be able to maneuver around my personal life,” says Stonestreet, who graduated from Belleville High School in 2023 and juggles her studies with jobs at J.P. Morgan and at Blue Skye Cleaning Services, where her mother is CEO.

HBCU PATHWAY

Whether you dream of transferring to one of WCC’s partner HBCU schools or another of the nation’s revered Historically Black Colleges & Universities, WCC’s counselors go the extra mile to help ease your transition!

HBCU Partners

• Jackson State University (Mississippi)

• Mississippi Valley State University

• Southern University at New Orleans (Louisiana)

• Alabama State University

• Tuskegee University (Alabama)

• Central State University (Ohio)

• The list is expected to grow!

“Having two jobs leaves a tight schedule but WCC makes it so much easier to attend school while working.” In addition to flexible class schedules, Stonestreet says WCC has been the perfect starting ground because of its strong academic programming and affordability.

JOIN US!

Learn about college and an affordable path to earning a bachelor’s degree from an HBCU at WCC’s second annual HBCU Day on May 3. For details, check out wccnet.edu/hbcu or email diversity@wccnet.edu.

What Do You Call Someone Who Attended WCC? Employed.

When it comes to spreading the message about the many benefits of starting your higher ed journey at a community college, it’s safe to call alumnus Nick Avram one of WCC’s biggest advocates.

A senior account manager at Google, Avram shares how he started smart at Washtenaw Community College before transferring to Michigan State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in advertising.

“ My B.A. degree doesn’t have an ‘Asterisk: Transferred from Washtenaw,’ but I kind of wish it did because it would help tell my full story. Whenever anyone asks what I thought about my time at WCC, I rave about the great experiences and how it sets students up for success — only paying one-third of the cost (compared to a four-year university) and getting three times the visibility,” Avram says, referring to the low student-to-instructor ratio which opens the door for deeper learning.

fewer students using it. This provides more access for everyone with less wear and tear,” Avram says. “A lot of companies and institutions aim to make a profit, whereas WCC is there to empower students and the local community, which is priceless!”

A first-generation college student, Avram graduated from Ann Arbor Huron High School and enrolled in WCC with a plan to complete his first two years of general education courses and then transfer to Michigan State. He worked in Chicago for several years before his move to Google allowed him to return home to Ann Arbor in 2018.

“WCC gets properly funded so you get the latest tech with

DID YOU KNOW?

In addition to helping Fortune 500 companies grow their businesses with digital marketing strategies through strong partnerships and collaboration, Avram gives back to his alma mater. He mentors entrepreneurial-minded students at WCC’s Entrepreneurship Center.

“It’s been an incredible experience making strong relationships and helping businesses grow in my career. However, I was craving the opportunity to mentor students heading into the professional world and give back to my local community that helped me thrive! I want to help position Michigan as the Silicon Valley of the Midwest,” Avram says.

The O*NET program is the nation’s primary source of occupational information. The O*NET database contains information on hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific jobs: www.onetonline.org

Kenneth Welther

FROM: Coleman, Michigan

BACKGROUND: Served in U.S. Marines as fixed-wing airframe mechanic; earned associate in Mechatronics — Fluid Power Specialty from WCC in 2019; will complete bachelor’s in Technology Management from Eastern Michigan University in December.

EMPLOYED: Magna International, (Lansing), Controls Engineer

How did you choose WCC, and what were the benefits compared to other colleges or pathways?

What truly set WCC apart for me was its emphasis on hands-on learning. The experiential learning has been instrumental in shaping my skills and preparing me for success in my field.

How did WCC set you up for your career successes?

The caliber of education and mentorship I received at WCC was exceptional. Having attended multiple institutions, WCC stood out for its commitment to ensuring student comprehension and achievement. WCC provided a solid foundation in robotics, electricity, materials and processes, fluid power and automation.

Any advice for current for prospective students?

What Do You Call Someone Who Attended WCC? Employed. & QA

FROM: Romania

BACKGROUND: Immigrated to the U.S. with wife and son in 2002; previously earned associate in Computer Networking before earning associate in Mechatronics — Robotics and Automated Systems from WCC in 2021

EMPLOYED: Guardian Industries (Carleton), Maintenance Scheduler and CMMS Site Administrator

Can you tell us about your educational journey?

Technology fascinated me at an early age, but access to it was challenging in Communist Romania in the ’70s - ’80s. Even having a VCR required authorities’ approvals. ...I started looking for colleges where I could learn robotics, something I wanted to do for a very long time. My job as a maintenance planner got me very close to various types of assets like robots, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and my priority was to improve myself and have a

deeper understanding of what’s behind every piece of equipment running in our company.

How did WCC prepare you for your career?

My instructors were an open library of knowledge and wisdom. I felt smarter when I drove back home each day, and walking through the plant’s lines at work, I had “AHA!” moments seeing a robot “know” when to start or stop. WCC has amazing instructors, great mentors and advisors! I owe a lot to them.

Any advice for current or prospective students?

Don’t ever quit following your dreams. As hard as the efforts to achieve your goals are, the feeling will be great when you get to the finish line.

I highly recommend prospective students to consider enrolling in the mechatronics program at WCC. The manufacturing industry is currently facing a shortage of skilled tradespeople. By pursuing a mechatronics degree at WCC, students can acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the demands of this evolving industry. Not only does this offer excellent job prospects, but it also provides a pathway to long-term job security in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Gateway to Healthcare Careers

Washtenaw Community College is an ideal launch point for a career in healthcare.

The college’s 17 programs form a gateway to an industry constantly in high demand for trained professionals. Beginning your career journey at WCC offers many advantages — like low cost, small class sizes, excellent transfer opportunities to advance your education at a four-year institution, or direct job placement.

About 1,500 students are enrolled in WCC’s healthcare programs, which range from associate degrees in nursing, physical therapist assistant and health administration to certificate programs in sterile processing, magnetic resonance imaging and medical billing and coding.

“ WCC has prepared me in my new career by opening up doors I did not expect! I was able to acquire a position at Michigan Medicine within a month.”

Every area of study is based on real-life needs, with industry professionals guiding the growth and direction of the college’s programs.

The Cardiac Telemetry Technician certificate of completion is a relatively new, one-semester program developed in collaboration with area health practitioners.

Zakariya Abuzir was quickly placed

in a job after completing the program in May 2023.

“WCC has prepared me in my new career by opening up doors I did not expect. I was able to acquire a position at Michigan Medicine within a month of completing the program.”

Abuzir says.

Many students land jobs before graduating, often within their clinical setting placements where they worked directly with seasoned professionals.

Most certificates are “stackable,” meaning they’re great routes for an immediate job placement but can also be counted toward a different or more advanced healthcare program if someone wants to build up their career options in the future.

HEALTH ASSOCIATE DEGREES

Health Administration

Health Program Preparation

Nursing, LPN to RN

Nursing, Registered

Physical Therapist Assistant

Radiography

Surgical Technology

HEALTH CERTIFICATES

Dental Assisting

Healthcare Foundations

Medical Assisting

Medical Billing and Coding

Sterile Processing

Cardiac Telemetry Technician

Nursing Assistant

Computed Tomography

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Mammography

Median salaries of healthcare careers can range from $104,830 for medical and health services managers to $35,740 for nursing assistants.

Source: O*NET Online

Spark Your Career! WCC Welding Students

Contribute to a MULTITUDE of Industries

TThe world of welding is broad and vast. And with one of the largest welding labs in the state and exceptional instructors, Washtenaw Community College trains some of the best.

On average, more than 400 welding students are enrolled each semester in four certificate and associate degree welding programs. Students hone their skills for high-wage, high-demand jobs in one of the largest shops in the state, with 72 welding booths.

The college’s students feed industries throughout the country, with an increasing number seeking bachelor’s degrees.

“Because we sit in such an industrially diverse area, our students have so many options as it relates to their career paths,” says Alex Pazkowski, Professional Welding Faculty member who himself went through WCC’s program.

Students are so well-trained, and there is such a high demand for their skills, that

DID YOU KNOW?

they’re often scooped up by industry even before they complete their program. The college’s programs include Associate in Applied Science degrees as well as two certificates. Some students who eventually may want to earn advanced degrees in welding or in metallurgical engineering can follow WCC’s new transfer pathway to Wayne State University or the 3+1 transfer program with Eastern Michigan University.

Student Steven Knepper’s goal is to transfer to Wayne State for a bachelor’s in Welding Engineering Technology.

Just 20-years-old, the Tecumseh High School graduate has already reached impressive milestones in his career. He recently advanced to among the top 13 qualifying spots for the international World Skills Competition in welding.

“We are incredibly proud of Steven. To be chosen as one of the few to compete at the level he did is a huge feather in his cap and for the WCC program as well. Steven is amazingly talented, confident, dedicated to excellence,

and he has grit. He can write his own future,” says Pazkowski, who has mentored Knepper.

Pazkowski himself competed in the 2013 World Skills Competition in Germany and won a Silver Medal and the Best in Nation award (best overall score from Team USA).

Knepper credits his successes to Pazkowski and the entire WCC welding department and says he may follow in his mentor’s footsteps as a teacher.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere without Alex. He’s taught me everything,” Knepper says. “I can’t even put into words how grateful I am. I’d like to pass this knowledge along to others.”

LEARN MORE!

Find out more about WCC’s Welding & Fabrication programs at wccnet.edu/welding, 734-973-3638, or atp.div@wccnet.edu.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median salaries for welding careers include $66,920 for boilermakers; $60,500 for structural ironworkers; $60,090 for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters; and $47,450 for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers.

After graduating from high school and launching her college studies in the middle of a pandemic, Anjelika Varma needed a little confidence boost.

By starting her college education at Washtenaw Community College, she found that and more in the nurturing environment of the STEM Scholars program. Varma transferred to the University of Michigan in January to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

She is leaning toward a career in pharmaceutical research, possibly developing new medications or testing medications for various side effects to improve the formulas. She says the mentoring and support from WCC’s STEM Scholars program has been invaluable in shaping her path.

“Students receive insight that they might not get from their family or friends. Being able to talk with

mentors about what they’ve done most of their life really helps you see yourself in certain career roles and in asking questions like, ‘Will I really like this?’” says Varma, a 2021 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park high school graduate who followed the Michigan Transfer Agreement pathway at WCC.

She began her studies at WCC in the Fall of 2021 and was encouraged to apply for an undergraduate research opportunity, which led to a summer placement at a U-M pharmacy lab, where she assisted with researching addictions related to opioid dosing.

“When I started at WCC I wasn’t very confident in myself. But they bolstered me to try, like with my research opportunity. I would not have expected myself to do any of that, but it’s made all the difference. They really care here,” Varma says.

ENGINEERED FOR SUCCESS STEM Scholars Launch Careers

Daniel Ha spent the first 10 years of his life in Kentucky before his family moved to Korea, where he ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree. In 2022, he returned to the States and the Ann Arbor area, where his sister lives. His goal is to attend a United States medical school, most of which require specific pre-requisites he didn’t have from Korea.

Ha enrolled at WCC to earn those pre-requisites and in doing so earned a Math & Science Associate Degree with a concentration in Biology/Pre-Med. He participated in the STEM Scholars program for two semesters and found himself relying on the abundance of mentoring opportunities from seasoned professionals to guide his path.

“The biggest thing that helped me was to meet with academic advisors and instructors to decide what

my next steps would be. I’m in the gray area, not a traditional student. My initial plan was to get another bachelor’s here in the States, but they said there is no reason to repeat what you’ve already done. It’s time to take the next steps in your career,’” Ha says.

As a result, Ha is applying to several universities to pursue a Master of Biomedical Science in advance of medical school. Ha’s ultimate goal is to help patients as an emergency medicine physician.

STEM SCHOLARS AT WCC

STEM Scholars encourages, supports and facilitates success for students interested in STEM careers and seeking degrees in STEM disciplines.

Apply by June 19 for the Fall semester

Email: sdentel@wccnet.edu

Call: 734-973-3409

Online: wccnet.edu/stem

VETS PREPARE TO CONTINUE LIFETIME OF SERVICE

&

MELANIE CHEN READIES FOR A MEDICAL CAREER

One of the best aspects of Melanie Chen’s time at Washtenaw Community College has been the lineup of instructors who teach in-depth and make time for students outside of class.

“All of them are engaging, willing to sit down with you and have an eagerness to teach others what they know,” says Chen, a 27-year-old student from New Jersey.

Chen worked in intelligence while serving in the U.S. Army from 2015 to 2019 and already has a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Michigan. At WCC, she’s been taking needed general and pre-requisite courses

NATHANIEL JASKIERNY LOOKS TO INFLUENCE THE NEXT GENERATION

Adjusting to civilian life after the military came with challenges, but Nathaniel Jaskierny has navigated the transition smoothly from the campus of Washtenaw Community College.

Jaskierny, a six-year U.S. Air Force veteran whose military work included nuclear security and presidential security, moved from Maryland a year and a half ago to attend WCC.

“It was a lot of big life things all at once,” says Jaskierny, now 27. “We bought a house. We were planning a wedding. I was separating from the military.” Jaskierny’s wife, whose family is from the area, is a nurse. He initially planned to follow the same path.

Connecting with the Wadhams Veterans Center on campus was vital to his transition and realizing what he wanted to do — help influence today’s children and teens as a teacher. Jaskierny decided to study chemistry at WCC and this fall will transfer to Eastern Michigan University to earn a secondary teaching degree in chemistry.

to build up her educational resume as she prepares to apply to competitive Physician Assistant schools.

“ I would love to practice medicine and help others and will likely end up in endocrinology, emergency medicine or surgery,” she says. “WCC hits all the marks of what I need.”

Chen appreciates how well-connected she feels to the college community, crediting the Wadhams Veterans Center staff and her fellow vets. The college is especially equipped to prepare students like her for their next chapter.

“While big schools focus on

a research background, the classes at WCC are in-depth and I find them more relevant to the healthcare profession,” she says. “The education itself can lead people to success wherever they choose to go.”

She is also getting plenty of experience in healthcare settings as a medical assistant at a Novi urgent care facility and as a concierge volunteer at Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield.

at Trinity Health Hospital in Chelsea, Jaskierny is busy but excited about the future.

Between his family responsibilities — he just became a firsttime father — his classes and work as a patient care assistant

“When I was in the military, I did a lot of training and I’ve always enjoyed teaching. My classes at WCC made it easy to learn. Chemistry always felt like an interest instead of schoolwork, and I want to elicit that same feeling in my own students someday,” he says.

“They’re the next generation and I don’t want them to fall through the cracks.”

Jenna Lee is wrapping up her freshman year at Michigan State University and is excited to return home to Chelsea to spend the summer with family and friends.

But that doesn’t mean she’s taking a vacation from her academic pursuits.

Lee will be one of an estimated 3,000 students from four-year universities who will spend some of their summer break taking a class or two at Washtenaw Community College. The summer semester is an ideal time for students to catch up with — or get ahead of their academic progress.

Many WCC guest students attend local institutions — the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University — and reside in Washtenaw County yearround. Others, like Lee, are coming home for the summer from universities around the state and country. Last summer, WCC hosted guest students from 182 different institutions, including prestigious universities

From Big University to Home’ for the Summer!

such as Harvard, MIT, Georgetown and others. In either scenario, students are seeking the same benefits from WCC: affordability, flexibility and smaller class sizes.

Lee, a Kinesiology major at MSU with plans to pursue a career in physical therapy, is enrolling in BIO 162: General Biology II, Cells & Molecules at WCC this summer. It will transfer back to MSU as BS 161: Cell & Molecular Biology, a required class in Lee’s program.

people in them, so I really like the intimacy of WCC and its class sizes.”

According to WCC’s Tuition Savings Calculator, taking the four-credit class at WCC will save Lee more than $1,700 compared to its cost at MSU. Because Lee retains her permanent address within Washtenaw County, she’ll pay just $99 per credit hour at WCC.

Plus, on-campus sections of BIO 162 and most other classes at WCC are capped at approximately 25 students, giving Lee and other learners access to individual attention and instruction, strong relationships and networking with faculty members and fellow students, and more opportunities for hands-on learning.

“ WCC is a lot more affordable than Michigan State, so whenever I can save money I would like to do that,” says Lee. “Plus, I find it a lot easier to learn in smaller classes. At Michigan State, on average, my lecture classes have anywhere from 300 to 500

DID YOU KNOW?

WELCOME, GUESTS

Last summer, 2,843 WCC students identified themselves as guest students pursuing degrees at nearly 200 colleges and universities. Here’s where most of our guests came from:

University of Michigan (1,619)

Eastern Michigan University (200)

Michigan State University (184)

Wayne State University (69)

Grand Valley State University (64)

Michigan Tech University (54)

Western Michigan University (36)

University of Michigan-Dearborn (32)

Oakland University (27)

Central Michigan University (22)

The Michigan Transfer Network database can help determine transferability of classes, but WCC recommends students confirm with their home institution’s course equivalency guide that a course will transfer back as intended.

Will Glover is an award-winning broadcast journalist for Detroit Public Television who learned his craft at Washtenaw Community College.

After earning his Associate of Arts in Digital Video Production from WCC, Glover landed a job at DPTV, assisting line producers, main producers and executive producers with programs on the viewer-supported PBS member station in Southeast Michigan.

He worked his way to producer of “One Detroit,” a local public affairs program focusing on issues that matter most to the region, and host of DPTV’s “Future of Work” series.

His numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for Excellence in Journalism Awards, Detroit Chapter, include General News Reporter (2023); News/Public Affairs (2022); Community/Local News reporting (2022 & 2019-2020); and Education Reporting (2021)

Online: wccnet.edu/digitalmedia

Email: bct.division@wccnet.edu

Call: 734-677-5431