A Rich History

On January 15, 1965, Washtenaw County residents went to the polls and voted overwhelmingly - 11,109 in favor and 5,085 opposed - to establish the two-year college and elect its first Board of Trustees.

WCC’s first board chair Samuel Harmon, listed these as among the most important accomplishments of that first board, which served from 1965 to 1967:

• The decision that the college should be a multi-purpose institution emphasizing technical-vocational programs, while at the same time offering strong college transfer and general education, and

• The decision to pursue an open door admissions policy whereby students are accepted on the basis of what they are ready to do, rather than what they have done.

Since then, Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor has served as an open door to all in the community, while striving to make a difference in people’s lives through accessible and excellent educational programs and services.

WCC has continued to meet business and industry needs for an even more highly skilled workforce. Whether pursuing an academic degree or certificate or learning new skills through the college’s professional development and continuing education offerings, WCC students receive world-class instruction to prepare them to meet life’s many challenges.