For the fourth consecutive year, Oakland Community College’s (OCC) Paralegal program
has earned the top educational program ranking in “Michigan Lawyers Weekly” reader survey.
OCC student Joseph Bazzetta credits the program's knowledgeable, passionate faculty
and their commitment to student success for the top ranking.
“The professors are there to help in every aspect of it,” said Bazzetta. “It's the
personal investment, the way they take time to see that you're on the right course,
that you're satisfied and that you're making good progress. It's rewarding.”
The annual survey recognizes businesses and organizations serving and working with
Michigan's legal community. For OCC Paralegal Program Director Sara Bowman, the perennial
recognition is especially meaningful because the readers casting the votes include
professionals who are hiring OCC paralegal graduates.
“To have the recognition shows that we’re doing so many great things in our program,”
she said.
The OCC Difference
As Bazzetta approaches graduation, he is putting classroom knowledge into practice
while preparing for a mock trial in faculty member Amy Roemer’s Evidence Preparation
and Property Law class.
“It's very enjoyable to go in and have all this information put into hands-on practical
use, because now you're seeing it in real time,” he explained. “In the mock trial,
you see a complaint, there's a voir dire for the jury, here's your instructions for
the jury, here's your different types of opening statements. You have not only the
academic rigor, but the practical application, too.”
Students also connect with current and former paralegals at monthly networking meet-and-greets,
Lunch and Learn programs and mixers with the Oakland County Bar Paralegal Committee.
Bowman also provides additional career support, reviewing students' job applications
and helping them prepare resumes.
“I’ve been in a few interviews now where I mention the OCC Paralegal program, and
they immediately say ‘oh, yes.’ It has a reputation around the area,” he said.
“I don’t have one success story; I have hundreds”
Bowman’s commitment to student success begins before classes start. She meets with
every prospective Paralegal program student to discuss their goals and how the program
can help them succeed.
“We focus on the whole student, not just the academic aspect,” said Bowman. “We have
top-notch faculty, led by licensed attorney Rob Long, who’s built a solid academic
foundation, supplemented by fabulous, experienced adjuncts who are all licensed attorneys.”
The program equips students with the technical and practical skills to succeed as
a paralegal, including implementing AI in their workflow. For Bowman, every graduate
represents a success story.
“There’s not a commencement that I attend where I don’t cry,” said Bowman. “Because
I know what it took for them to get up on that stage!”
Learn more about OCC’s Paralegal program.
About OCC
Oakland Community College (OCC) has empowered individuals through education since
1965. Serving more than 20,000 students annually, OCC offers 80+ degree and certificate
programs, workforce training and community education programs with flexible class
options, low tuition, robust services, and top transfer opportunities. Ranked Michigan’s
top online college and seventh nationally by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025, OCC delivers education that drives opportunity, workforce growth and community impact.
Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 |
contactus@oaklandcc.edu