The 13th annual Corrections Academy began Monday morning at Alpena Community College. Offered in partnership with local and regional law enforcement, the academy provides skills leading to certification allowing trainees to gain employment as corrections officers. The academy attracted 22 trainees from as far south as Oakland County to Chippewa County in the Upper Peninsula. Significantly, it is also the first face-to-face training to take place on campus since March 10, when the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted face-to-face instruction and closed all buildings to students, the public, and much of the ACC staff.

Originally scheduled to begin May 18, the Corrections Academy start date was moved to June 1 to comply with executive orders from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer related to the pandemic. From the start, the college committed to providing housing at College Park Apartments to trainees for the month-long duration of the academy. We are honoring that commitment.

Now that the academy has begun, and college officials know how many apartments are committed to academy trainees, we are able to offer MediLodge health care workers the same accommodation we extended to MidMichigan Medical Center workers and Alpena County first responders when they reached out for support: a place to stay for free if you need it.

A number of ACC nursing students and program graduates work at MediLodge facilities. We admire their commitment and the courage of all health care workers on the front lines of this pandemic. At Alpena Community College, our commitment to the health care community remains steadfast. We say yes whenever we can. In the future, if questions arise about college business, please feel free to reach out and give me a call. I’m in every day.

DON MacMASTER,

president,

Alpena Community College