Letter from the President
HOT JOBS!
Partnering with industry to fuel talent pipeline
Greetings!
One of the key differentiators between Washtenaw and other higher education institutions is our commitment to workforce development, and this edition of Launch magazine illustrates our leadership in training students for high-demand jobs.
HEALTH CARE CAREERS
Preparing students for highdemand jobs helping others
We listen to industry partners to understand their needs and develop programs to produce an exceptional workforce for Southeast Michigan and beyond.
WCC prepares students for direct placement in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s identified “Hot 50 Jobs” – or we put them on a solid path to further their education for these positions.
BROADCAST & COMMUNICATION
Audio Production and Engineering
Broadcast Media Arts
Journalism
Technical Communication
DIGITAL ARTS
MID-CAREER CHANGE?
Re-imagine your calling at WCC
The field is ripe for students with a wide range of interests. One of the biggest growing occupations is physical therapy assistants, expected to jump by more than 30% over the next seven years.
One of our Launch stories highlights recent grad Gina Thompson who is living her dream helping patients as a physical therapy assistant in Brighton.
TRANSFER PROGRAMS
Start at WCC and save big
Another hallmark of WCC is the value we offer through low tuition rates and the many transfer programs that allow students to take the first three years of their bachelor’s degree on our campus. What a great, smart option, whether you’re enrolling directly out of high school or contemplating a mid-career change.
3D Animation
Animation for Film and Broadcast
Animation for Game Art
Client-side Web Developer
Digital Strategist
Digital Video Production
Interface Designer
Server-side Web Developer
User Experience Designer Web Design and Development
VISUAL, FINE & PERFORMING ARTS
Arts Management
Fine & Performing Arts
Graphic Design
Photographic Imaging
PARENT NEED-TO-KNOW
New scholarship open to incoming freshman
On the cover: WCC’s longstanding partnership with the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters includes a comprehensive five-year education and trades training curriculum. Many UA students go on to earn certificates and associate degrees from WCC.
Photography: JD Scott
Mr. William G. Milliken Jr., Board Chair
Ms. Angela Davis, Vice Chair
Mr. David DeVarti, Treasurer
Ms. Ruth A. Hatcher, Secretary
Ms. Christina M. H. Fleming, Trustee
Mr. Richard J. Landau, Ph.D., J.D., Trustee
Ms. Diana McKnight-Morton, Trustee
Rose B. Bellanca, Ed.D., WCC President
Best wishes for a productive Winter semester at WCC!
With warm regards, Rose B. Bellanca, Ed.D., President Washtenaw Community College
Photographic Technology
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 Operations or Management
Retail Operations or Management
Sports & Entertainment Management
Supply Chain Essentials Supply Chain Operations Supply Chain Management
General Studies— Transfer Pathway
General Studies— Employment Pathway
DENTAL
Dental Assisting
IMAGING
Computed Tomography (CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Mammography Radiography
NURSING Nursing Assistant LPN to RN RN
OTHER 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
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 Global Studies
MANUFACTURING,
AUTOMOTIVE
Auto Body Repair
Automotive Services Technician Automotive Test Technician Custom Auto Body Fabrication and Chassis Design Motorcycle Service Technology Powertrain Development Technician Transportation Technologies
MANUFACTURING
Advanced Manufacturing (CNC) Automotive Specialist Industrial Electronics Technology Mechatronics-Robotics and Automated Systems Robotics Technician
MANUFACTURING, AUTOMOTIVE, SKILLED TRADES & CONSTRUCTION
Construction Management HVACR
Welding & Fabrication
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
Computer Networking Computer Systems Technology Cybersecurity Programming in C++ Programming in Java Web Database Programming Professional
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 Completion Construction Supervision Industrial Training Ironworkers Pre-Apprenticeship Journeyman Industrial Occupational Studies To learn more about our Student Success Guarantee, visit wccnet.edu/guarantee
When Ted Hauke graduated from Washtenaw Community College in 2020 it wasn’t just the end of his educational journey and the beginning of a new job.
Thanks to his WCC studies and connections, he was already well into his new career field programming robots at VRSI in Plymouth.
“VRSI hired me in a co-op position, so I was allowed to work as much as I possibly could. They were flexible with my school schedule, as well. They already had one other recent WCC graduate whose degree was similar to mine, which meant they understood what WCC was able to bring to the table. If I had not attended WCC, I likely would not be working in a robotics field,” says Hauke, who first earned a bachelor’s degree in German at Eastern Michigan University before changing career paths and enrolling at WCC. Here, he earned an associate degree in Mechatronics, concentrating in Electronics and Fluid Power. As project engineer, Hauke facilitates the design, manufacturing, and integration of vision systems for the automobile industry.
Of VRSI’s 100 employees, seven are WCC alumni. Hauke and fellow alumnus Eric Knight, senior robotics engineer at the company, help to guide the college’s curriculum by participating on
WCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Industry Advisory Board.
Washtenaw Community College has always prioritized its partnerships with industry. In fact, “Everything we do is employer driven,” college President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca frequently says. But in a market where the need for skilled workers is greater than ever, the relationship seems more and more symbiotic.
The State of Michigan’s recent “Hot 50 Jobs Outlook” and the broader “Career Outlook” forecast high-demand, high-wage careers through 2030. WCC’s many academic programs align with occupations that made the list, including those requiring applied health sciences, advanced manufacturing, business and computer science and STEM-related degrees and certificates.
For example, software developers and quality assurance analysts are projected to grow nearly 23%, and WCC’s associate degree in Computer Science among other business and IT programs can put a student on a path to this lucrative career. Jobs in CNC tool programming are forecast to grow 22%, and the college’s associate degree in Advanced Manufacturing (CNC) Machine Tool Setup, Operation and Programming will prepare students well.
Andrew Lixey, senior human resources manager at Penske Vehicle Services in Troy, attended the Fall Transportation Technologies Career Fair. Looking for more than just new, much needed employees, Lixey wants to welcome coworkers who the company can help develop and grow and become part of the family.
“It’s so competitive. Instead of trying to find employees, we thought we’d help build them, and WCC is a great place to do that,” Lixey says of a new apprenticeship program in the works. “ What we do wrenching on cars, it’s all in WCC’s wheelhouse. We want to get students excited about a career with us and to show them a clear, definite track and make it worth their while financially. ”
Most of WCC’s apprentice areas are in Advanced Manufacturing, Industrial/Facility Maintenance and IT/Computer User Support.
Additionally, the college has a 30+ year partnership with the UA, which last summer brought 3,000 people to campus for its annual “Train the Trainer week.” These instructors are enrolled as WCC students as part of a five-year program, and many of them go on to earn an associate degree or WCC certificate in addition to their UA certificate.
Among the UA members on campus this year were130 future instructors and another 30 competing in the International Apprenticeship Contest.
Within the past year, Washtenaw has ramped up its commitment to growing apprenticeships.
As a participant in the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) “Closing the Skills Gap” grant, WCC is focused on expanding apprenticeships in Advanced Manufacturing-related occupations. Approaches to achieving this goal include reimbursing employers for a registered apprentice’s tuition, as well as offering students career guidance and other support services.
Additionally, this fall the college committed to the USDOL’s “Apprenticeship Ambassador” initiative, with Kyrsten Rue named as WCC’s Ambassador. Washtenaw will increase access and support for underrepresented and underserved populations by launching new, innovative practices and partnerships, among other things.
WCC is also partnering with SEMCA Workforce Intelligence Network on a nearly $6 million “Apprenticeship Building America” grant to enroll hundreds of pre-apprentices.
While the college’s apprenticeship program is growing, WCC’s
partnership with industry through curriculum advisory board seats has long been a practice to cultivate relationships with experts in the field and develop programs to meet workforce needs.
In the transportation technologies and mobility program, Ford, Toyota, GM, Nissan and Roush are among companies with representatives on the advisory board. WCC has also recently become a training center for the Toyota TECS Elite and GM STEP programs, further strengthening relationships and opportunities for students.
VRSI’s Knight takes his role on the advisory board seriously. “We express our concern when needed and offer our input and guidance,” says Knight.
He credits WCC’s faculty with the knack for stoking creativity and curiosity among students while teaching the critical fundamentals. “The WCC alums are thrown into the fire and are very open-minded and enthusiastic and willing to learn. WCC has a way of making people communicate,” says Knight, who started at the college as a dual-enrolled student taking Washtenaw robotics courses taught at Pinckney High School.
Through its exceptional programs driven by industry input, WCC has equipped Andrew Wilczynski for two careers. After earning a first degree in automotive technologies at WCC in 2016, Wilczynski worked in the parts department for the Ann Arbor Mercedes dealership for six years.
He’d been thinking about pivoting his experiences and education for some time and transitioned into a career of cybersecurity in 2021. He re-enrolled at WCC to pursue a cybersecurity associate degree and will graduate this semester.
ZOLLER Inc. is deploying a multi-pronged approach in its partnership with WCC to develop a skilled workforce.
The third generation, family owned, German technology company, whose North American Headquarters is based in Ann Arbor, is donating more than $200,000 in equipment to train students on state-ofthe-art tool measuring and inspection machines and is developing a robust apprenticeship program that will hire and train 4-6 students per year for high-demand careers with the company.
The equipment, which includes a tooling management software system, tool station with workbench, CNC presetter and numerous other components, will begin arriving on campus in the coming months and be installed in the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Lab for the beginning of the Fall 2023 semester.
The donation elevates WCC’s Machine Tool (CNC) certificates and associate degree in Advanced Manufacturing (CNC) - Machine Tool Setup, Operation and Programming.
“The donation is only one part of the equation. We want to help develop the curriculum and support instruction and have students visit our headquarters for live demos and technical presentations. We’re offering an accelerated journey that no other college is receiving,” said Michael Stepke training and development manager at ZOLLER.
Through the company’s new Application Engineer Apprentice program, ZOLLER
will cover tuition while providing employment with health and retirement benefits and additional weekly stipends, with a minimum commitment from the apprentice of two years of employment after graduation. Graduates would be part of the service team to calibrate ZOLLER’s precision tool measurement equipment installed at manufacturing facilities throughout the country— from automotive, shipbuilding and aerospace companies to medical devices and energy technology facilities.
“They will learn how to calibrate, install and update our machines, but they will also develop a deep sense of how the tool data flows from point A to point B and what is required to create a connected tool room in a modern machine shop. I’m not aware of any community college being able to offer this concept. Usually CNC equipment is taught by going to machines or workbenches independent of each other. This will give the edge to these students,” Stepke says.
Wilczynski almost immediately found a job in his new career field with SBD Automotive – a research and consulting firm whose primary audience is the automotive industry – and is wrapping up his first year in the company’s graduate program, which is sponsored by Ann Arbor SPARK
“The biggest thing I tell people about Washtenaw is the flexibility –a lot of different programs, a lot of different options. Online classes are nice for working people, or if you have kids, and night classes are helpful if you work during the day – just the flexibility and range is what I definitely recommend,” Wilczynski says.
Separately, SBD Automotive, whose North American headquarters is based in Ann Arbor, has reached out to the college to build a relationship and potentially hire WCC students for its growing business.
“I love my new job and working for a company that doesn’t just see you ‘on paper’ and actually wants to see what you’re capable of when it comes to doing the job, and at WCC the instructors give you such real world examples and a lot of simulation. They’ve really prepared me well.”
Marrying his automotive and cybersecurity education backgrounds brought Wilczynski to this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit with SBD. Washtenaw’s participation as the only community college at the Auto Show exemplifies its strong partnership with industry.
Eight years ago WCC launched the Advanced Transportation Center to integrate advanced manufacturing, transportation technologies and information technologies to educate and train students for the talent pipeline. Always looking ahead, the college is now integrating automotive cybersecurity and electric vehicle design into its curriculum.
“We work closely with our mobility partners and train students to be job-ready when employers need them,” college President Dr. Bellanca says. We focus on the future as well as the present, which is important because you want to be prepared when they call. We have that approach to all of our programs.”
WCC works with business and industry to develop programs to meet talent pipeline needs in various ways. Among them:
•Apprenticeships
•Corporate Training Solutions
•Workforce Certification Center
•National Union Partnerships and Group Training
www.wccnet.edu/business/
“There are so many opportunities out there right now,” Harvey says. “We get really excited about helping people find the right fit.”
The college helped Thompson land in her new and fulfilling profession, which is actually her second career. After graduating in 2002 from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and minors in Dance and World Literature, Thompson owned a dance studio for 13 years. She loved
her life’s work but the schedule became grueling as she started a family. “I wasn’t being the mom I wanted to be.”
She took a year off, applied to WCC, and balanced parenthood, work and classes to reimagine her career path.
The physical therapy assistant program exceeded her expectations. “It was exceptional, and I felt completely supported,” she says. When she graduated last spring, her instructors assured her she
would not have a hard time finding a job. They were right. She graduated in May of 2022, passed her boards in July and was at work by August.
She’s not surprised by the need for more health care workers, particularly in the area of physical therapy. “There’s a movement right now for a more holistic approach to medicine,” she says, including the use of therapy and other healing options before medication or surgery.
The outlook for Medical & Health Services Manager will increase by 31.5%, requiring an bachelor’s degree and work experience.
GinaThompson still can’t believe it.
“I won the lottery on my dream job. I still have to pinch myself. Some days I’m writing notes on patients, and I can’t believe I get paid to do this,” says Thompson, who graduated from Washtenaw Community College’s physical therapy assistant program last spring and now specializes in helping patients with neurological deficits at Oxford Recovery Center in Brighton.
As a board certified physical therapist assistant, Thompson works with patients from ages 2 to 81. The vast majority are children with autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, who she helps to reach missed childhood milestones. Thompson also works with adults with neurological deficits such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke and Parkinson’s disease, helping them to regain function in activities of daily living.
In addition to the physical therapy assistant program, health care pathways at Washtenaw Community College include radiography, surgical tech, the school’s acclaimed nursing programs and more.
The college offers an array of certificates and associate degrees allowing students to go directly into the workforce from the programs or transfer to a fouryear school to extend their education. Additional programs through WCC’s Health Science department include health administration, sterile ops and cardiac telemetry.
With its low tuition and high-caliber academic programs, WCC is a smart starting point for students seeking to transfer associate degrees in Math and Science or General Studies in pursuit of a health care career path that requires four or more years of study.
According to a recently released Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives report, the need for more health care workers in general to fulfill high-paying positions will steadily rise through 2030.
If a recently-released “Michigan Career Outlook Through 2030” report plays out as forecasted, the need for more physical therapy assistants like Thompson will increase by 30% over the next seven years.
WCC grads are also in a good transfer position to continue their education at a four-year university to become a physical therapist, an occupation expected to jump 18% in coming years.
The need for and momentum to educate and equip additional health care workers is keeping WCC’s Center for Career Success busy. “Employers are really pushing right now to find the right people,” says Cheryl Harvey, Center Director. The Center offers a variety of services for students pursuing internships or work during or after college and has welcomed an increasing number of health care employers on campus that recruit students. WCC also partners with employers to host boot camps to provide quick training in the care of senior citizens, a program that often leads to immediate jobs.
WCC has a unique advantage being located directly between Trinity Health-St. Joseph Hospital and Michigan Medicine. “They snatch up our students so fast,” Harvey says, adding that employers in general are calling more often because they know the value of WCC skills earned through certificates and courses, and they can train students for open positions.
The outlook for Surgical Technologists will increase by 7.3%, requiring post-secondary certificate or moderate-term training.
The outlook for Physical Therapy Assistants will increase by 30.6%, requiring an associate degree and license.
The outlook for Registered Nurses will increase by 7.9%, requiring an associate degree or higher and license.
The outlook for Radiologic Technologists & Technicians will increase by 6.9%, requiring an associate degree, long-term training or apprenticeship.
*Michigan’s Career Outlook Through 2030,” State of Michigan, www.Michigan.gov/LMI
If it’s time for a career change, why not now and why not Washtenaw Community College?
Anne Roth got her start on a fulfilling career as a social worker after graduating from WCC about 20 years ago. She’s made impactful changes in her community through grant writing and other work at her nonprofit located in Midtown Detroit. But something is stirring in her to make a change of her own – a career change, that is.
As she navigates the possibilities of a major pivot, Roth is grateful for the insight of mentors and staff at WCC, her trusted resource since the beginning.
web site design and real estate.
Her vision for the future is bright. “I want to make an impact, not just in Detroit, but in the world at large,” she says. “I’m considering lots of different careers, and I’m really leaving nothing off the table.”
She’s not alone. According to a Harris Poll conducted for Fast Company, 52% of American workers are considering a job change, with the most likely candidates for a mid-career change-up earning between $50,000 and $75,000.
Though she’s had a different career track than Roth, WCC alumna Sparkle Wall shares a familiar story.
help students get back on their feet after an unexpected life change or to start fresh in a new field.
“ I was really scared to start college, but I ended up loving the classes so much. I remember one of my teachers told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and that set a standard for me.”
“WCC means so much to me,” she says. A nontraditional student, Roth waited ten years before originally attending college but found solid guidance and support from the WCC community.
“I realized I really wanted to help people like me,” she says. “I was really scared to start college, but I ended up loving the classes so much. I remember one of my teachers told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and that set a standard for me.”
Roth graduated from WCC in the early 2000s and went on to earn her Master’s degree from Wayne State University. Her current work is focused on grant writing for key issues related to the city of Detroit. Though her work has been deeply fulfilling, she’s working with WCC’s Center for Career Success to look at other options, including business,
Wall has taken advantage of courses at WCC for years, including the classes that helped bring her success in the sales world.
But her achievements do not mean she’s going to stay put. She’s one of many students this year who will be looking to improve skills through additional classes or even fully change careers.
Many students and workers engaging WCC’s Center for Career Success are pursuing new job fields altogether or seeking opportunities to earn more money.
Some of the local career shifting can be attributed to recent layoffs and a tightening economy. Turnover is an opportunity to learn something new and hop back into the job market or come back to school while still employed to pursue another career. WCC offers affordable, accelerated programs to
Sometimes, it’s simply about earning more to create financial stability. Other times, it’s a desire to contribute to communities or families in a different way, a sentiment Wall understands.
A death in her family changed her perspective, and she spent the last year reflecting on what she wants her future to look like.
“I love sales and I’ve been doing it on and off for 20 years, but I’m developing a real passion for the medical field, ” she says. Wall has applied for WCC’s radiography program. “If I get in, I’ll be starting all over but that’s OK,” she says. “Why not make a change? I say, ‘go for it.’”
It’s a great time to make a career change, and WCC’s Center for Career Success loves seeing students from all walks of life taking advantage of the college’s services to meet their goals.
With accelerated certificates and programs in high-demand fields, and resources like scholarships, financial aid and the Career Center, WCC can open doors for those in transition.
The Center offers free assessments for people looking to explore additional fields and hosts two annual career fairs drawing more than 150 employers. It also offers multiple virtual recruiting seminars and a job board that allows companies and students to connect.
For Wall, WCC has been one of the greatest catalysts for her to continue moving toward her goals. “ I feel like they are always preparing me for the next challenge,” Wall says. “I’m very thankful for that. ”
Adults who do not plan to stay with their current employer.
Adults who said that if they could start over again they would try to get more or different information about jobs or career options than they did the first time.
Adults who believe the “globalization of the American economy” will impact their jobs through loss, the need for retraining or new skills, or through other ways.
Adults in the labor force who believe that the advances in technological automation will force a change in their careers.
If you are contemplating a careerchange, visit WCC’s Center for Career Success to put you on a solid path forward. Find a new career path that best aligns with your interests, goals, skills, values and the job market outlook. The Center will connect you with employers, help prepare you for job interviews and more. Stop by the Student Center, SC 112, call (734) 6775115 or email careers@wccnet.edu.
transfer program or up to 30 credit hours of general education courses through the Michigan Transfer Agreement,WCC alumni who plan ahead can save thousands of dollars.
Specifically, transfer programs build on the cost-conscious strategy of securing a two-year associate degree from a community college before transferring to a four-year institution where tuition and fees are considerably higher. In the 3+1 approach, students, whose goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree, remain at WCC for a third year before finishing their journey at a university.
Articulation agreements for this program spell out which courses are accepted at the university and will be counted toward the bachelor’s degree, eliminating ambiguity and ensuring a smooth transfer.
According to the College Board, attending an in-state community college averages $3,770 ($2,280 for in-district at WCC) per year in tuition, compared to that of an in-state public university where annual tuition averages $10,500. Over two years, savings in tuition averages $13,000. Over three, tuition savings alone rise to about $19,800. Add fees, room and board, spending a third year at a community college can save students as much as $30,000, especially if they live at home with their parents.
simulation animation and gaming.
Like many, Cason started his pursuit of a degree at a four-year university but detoured onto another path before finishing. During the ensuing 20+ years, he climbed the ladder at media ratings giant Nielsen before deciding to travel the world teaching English to people in places ranging from Central and South America to China and East Africa. When the global COVID-19 pandemic struck, he returned to Michigan to weather the storm. During that time, he decided to take advantage of WCC’s low tuition, program quality and articulation agreements to earn his bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible. “I was truly impressed,” Cason said of WCC. “The instructors; the positivity I got from WCC; the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational experience – I was valued.”
Cason transferred approximately 90 credits to EMU, a combination of WCC courses and those earned at his original four-year school. He is on track to graduate with his bachelor’s degree at the end of the Fall 2022 semester. After that, he plans to stay at Eastern to pursue a master’s degree in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL).
Another top transfer destination for Washtenaw students is the University of Michigan (U-M). In fact, WCC is the top community college feeder school to the U-M, with 24% of the university’s transfer students coming from WCC.
Lizararo, who has one year left to complete her Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at U-M, says she came to Washtenaw with the intent of transferring her WCC credits toward her engineering bachelor’s degree. “I also worked with success coaches at WCC to make sure my essays met U-M’s standards and that the courses I took were what I needed to transfer to U-M, ” Lizararo says.
Dr. Susan Montgomery is a G. Brymer Williams Collegiate Lecturer Emerita and Academic Coach at the University of Michigan’s School of Engineering. WCC’s STEM programs produce many students who transfer to U-M to complete their undergraduate degrees, and Dr. Montgomery counsels them.
Affordability – WCC’s in-district tuition is among the lowest in the state at $95 per credit hour. Tuition for two fulltime semesters at WCC totals $2,850 compared to $15,036 on average at a Michigan public four-year institution.
For students and their families, there is a seemingly eternal struggle to forge through financial paperwork, academic demands and administrative requirements to move toward a degree.
When it comes to getting the best value for your educational investment,
beginning one’s higher education journey at Washtenaw Community College and transferring to a four-year college or university is a smart choice. The best place to learn more about the many options is through Washtenaw’s University Transfer Center and Academic Advising. Whether transferring with an associate degree or certificate from an approved
This year WCC students are enrolled in 63 transfer agreement programs among partner four-year universities and trade schools throughout the state and beyond, according to Kelley Holcomb, WCC’s Transfer and Articulation Coordinator.
WCC alumnus James Cason is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication at Eastern Michigan University. EMU is one of WCC’s longtime articulation partners, offering more than 40 transfer agreements ranging from cybersecurity and computer science programs to
I was trulyimpressed, Cason said of WCC.
“
“WCC is a great partner. It’s a gem,” she says. “I love going to WCC and talking to students before they get here. WCC makes sure students take all the right courses in the right order. It’s a great place to start.”
Dr. Montgomery also values the different routes WCC transfers bring to U-M’s engineering programs. “There is a wider age range. They’ve done more. This enriches the experience for all students at U-M.”
Room and board – Annual room and board averages more than $11,000, according to the College Board of Trends in College Pricing for 2021-2022. It is common practice for community college students to live at home or with family.
Scholarships and grants – Associate degree candidates have a wonderful opportunity to compile admirable grades and extracurricular achievements to compete for scholarships and grants at four-year institutions.
Among the numerous WCC success transfer stories to U-M is Andrea Lizararo, an Ypsilanti native and graduate of both WCC and Washtenaw Technical Middle College located on campus.
Small class sizes – Average class sizes are significantly smaller at WCC, allowing for more one-on-one interaction with the instructor.
The instructors; the positivity I got from WCC; the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational experience –I was valued. ”2022 WCC graduate, James Cason
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship, launched by the State of Michigan in November, will help graduating seniors lower their cost of college by thousands of dollars a year.
“Scholarships like these are critical to helping secure not only our students’ prosperous futures but ensure that we have a steady talent pipeline to fill Michigan’s jobs and fuel Michigan’s economy, ” says WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca.
Students should talk to their parents or guardian, gather documents, and fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Beginning with the high school graduating class of 2023, up to $2,750 per year in scholarships may be awarded to eligible students at WCC.
WCC’s tuition rate is already among the lowest in the state, at $95 per credit hour
for in-district students. The college also offers nationally recognized programs, small class sizes with top-notch instructors, exceptional support services and approved transfer programs to four-year universities.
The new scholarship is another step toward reaching the state’s Sixty by 30 goal of 60% of adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.
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Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society alumnus Alex Spencer is a future mobility leader. He graduated with Transportation Technologies and Automotive Test Technician associate degrees at WCC. Thanks to articulation agreements, Alex earned enough credits to transfer to Eastern Michigan University with just one year to complete a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management with an automotive emphasis. He’s on the road to leading a team or managing projects related to the next generation of electric and automated vehicles!
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