But the college is expanding beyond its local designation with a new study that came out recently listing WCCCD as first in the annual rankings by the Community College Times as the top degree producer in the nation for African Americans. Out of 1,200 community colleges surveyed, WCCCD got the number one designation as the leading degree producer for Blacks.
The college has maintained consistently for the last 15 years the distinction of being among the top producers of degrees for African Americans. Now it has topped the list at a time when many universities are facing the challenge of creating a diverse student campus.
WCCCD Chancellor Dr. Curtis Ivery, the man who has been credited with transforming the college into an A-1 academic institution, welcomed the latest national ranking.
“This new ranking is important for our region given that Wayne County Community College District serves the most diverse and challenging communities in the state and remains an open-door institution where other colleges have chosen not to emphasize this fundamental aspect of their mission,” Ivery said. “At the college we strive to offer an experiential learning environment that appreciates the talents and skills that each student brings and we make sure that students seeking a WCCCD education are not turned away.”
Ivery said with fall classes about to begin and financial assistance being a determinant for more than 70 percent of all WCCCD students, the message at a recent “Financial Aid Marathon” was that no student will be turned away.
“It goes without saying that the focus on student success permeates the District,” Ivery said. “WCCCD has constantly sought innovative, creative and sometimes non-traditional approaches to serving students.”
Ivery said the work of the faculty at WCCCD is to be commended as well as the leadership of the District. He also cited the work that takes place outside of the classrooms as contributing to the success of the college.
“Exceptional efforts to collaborate with local, regional and national partners in workforce and talent development, economic attraction, and leveraging public resources with the private sector with initiatives focused on health services, information technology, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics and cyber security have resulted in new opportunities for students in high demand and high growth sectors,” Ivery explained.
“These partnerships have embraced local workforce organizations, faith-based communities, and reached into each of the 32 cities and townships served by the District.”
A strong feature of WCCCD is working with public agencies and law enforcement through the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education. The organization has trained and assisted with initiatives in emergency preparedness, Homeland Security, health and wellness assurance.
“The dedication of faculty and staff to ensure that students matriculate and enter into professional licensure or transfer to baccalaureate degree institutions speaks to the quality of the educational experience throughout the multi-campus District,” Ivery said.
“In the tradition of exceptional learning communities, WCCCD has replicated successful models for student/faculty interaction, intrusive advising and early alert systems in environments that range from deeply urban to suburban and rural communities surrounding the five campuses and university center.”
Another distinction for the college is its Institutional Effectiveness and Information Technology Unit.
Last year the college received an A+ credit rating from Fitch, whic cited “strong budgetary and fiscal management practices,” despite the challenges of the local economy.
“We want to continue being a significant educational partner in the region and that is why we ensure that every student who walks into any of our campuses is not turned away,” Ivery said. “As an academic institution we are charged with the sacred responsibility of empowering the next generation of leaders. And that is what this new ranking shows and underscores why college remains integral to the life and advancement of our communities.”