Washtenaw Community College honored its Spring Class of 2026 Corrections Academy graduates during a ceremony held on May 1. The event recognized 16 new corrections officers who completed their training through the college’s Public Service Training department.
The graduation ceremony brought together family, friends, and law enforcement colleagues to celebrate the achievements of the class. Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer delivered the keynote address, while Paul Gomez, Assistant Director of Public Service Training at WCC, served as master of ceremonies.
Graduates had already been hired as corrections officers by sheriff’s offices in Washtenaw, Lenawee, and Monroe counties. State requirements mandate that these officers complete academy training within their first year of employment. WCC operates one of ten approved corrections academies in Michigan.
During his address as class president, Gerald Nightingale said: “It gave structure to what we’d already experienced. It sharpened our instincts, reinforced our discipline, and set the standard we are expected to meet every single day.” Nightingale also thanked instructors for preparing them for the demands of their career.
Gomez said that each graduate completed 160 hours of instruction across fourteen modules and passed a comprehensive final exam to earn certification as Local Corrections Officers responsible for supervising inmates in county jails. Nicholas Massengill from Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received the High Academic Award with a score of 98.6%.
The broader impact is seen in strengthening local law enforcement teams with well-trained professionals prepared to serve their communities.
