About Washtenaw Community College
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) serves residents of two university communities: Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti; its 285-acre main campus is located in Ann Arbor, however, four extension centers bring learning to off-campus areas: west of Ann Arbor, Brighton, Hartland, and Ypsilanti. In Fall 2009, the college enrolled 14,200 students; 33% were students of color. The Fall 2009 Achieving the Dream cohort had a high percentage of students placing into developmental math; while 26% of students in this cohort placed into developmental English and 21% into reading, an alarming 65% were referred to developmental math.
As the economic situation in Michigan has worsened, the college's student population has grown quickly and become more diverse. Dramatically larger numbers of older, lower-skilled adults now attend the college. These displaced workers require academic support to relearn basic skills and gain computer literacy. Many need financial support, guidance to choose new career paths, and emotional support as they grieve the loss of their familiar lifestyles. The number of formerly incarcerated individuals enrolling at the college has increased as well.