Vice President's Message

Fall 2010

Fall 2010 marks the fourth year of operation at the beautiful Canyon Country Campus, with many exciting developments on the horizon. 

The Canyon Country campus opened on August 27, 2007 and was developed through the support of the voters for Measure C, which helped to purchase the site, and Measure M, which helped develop the interim campus we have today.  The Santa Clarita Community College District Board  of Trustees, the  Canyon Country Campus Site Selection Committee, the Measure C and Measure M Oversight Committees, and Canyon Country Campus Advisory Committee were instrumental in ensuring the success of the campus in Canyon Country.  Under the leadership of Chancellor Van Hook, the campus opened with nearly twice the students we originally expected when we first began planning for the new campus.

In 2009-10 the campus offered 511 class sections and served a total of 10,288 students (Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring terms).  Of the 1100+ students who graduated from College of the Canyons in June 2010, 58% took at least one class at the Canyon Country campus.  The Campus is clearly not a secret anymore!  Students who attend classes in Canyon Country enjoy the easy to navigate campus, the great quality of instruction, the variety of classes and student support services available, and the overall majestic setting of the campus.

We are also excited about the new Anthropology Lab developed on the Campus.  The lab houses an amazing collection of castings which support our terrific anthropology program.  In our PE/Activity Room, we added mirrors to better support our dance and yoga classes. 

We offered two outstanding Star Parties in the Carl A. Rasmussen Amphitheater.  In October 2009 the Star Party focused on Jupiter – part of our 40th Anniversary Celebration as well as the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first look at the Jovian moons.  In May, we turned our telescopes to Saturn, learning more about this amazing planet and its complex system of rings.  We were able to see the rings quite clearly through the telescopes available at the Star Party.  You can expect more Star Parties this year!

The number of degree programs available at the Canyon Country Campus has grown to sixteen, with an additional 13 certificate programs.  This year, we will be preparing to offer five more degree programs as part of our Applied Technology complex on the campus.  The new programs which will be available in Fall 2011 include Plumbing, Automotive Technology, Electrical/Electronics, and Alternative Energy - Solar Panel Installation.  Relocating from the Valencia Campus to the new Applied Tech complex will be Construction Management and Building Inspection.

Located high above Parking Lot 2, the Applied Technology Building includes four modular classrooms, office space for faculty, and a 10,000 square foot workshop for lab activities.  We expect the building to be complete in Spring 2011 so look for a ribbon cutting sometime in April or May!

We are also pleased to welcome a new partner to the Canyon Country Campus.  Maui Wowi Coffee will be serving specialty coffee drinks, smoothies and grab-and-go salads/sandwiches in their new location adjacent to the Carl A. Rasmussen Amphitheater.  We have created a wonderful shaded patio area next to the coffee building where students can enjoy their coffee or smoothie, fire up their laptop using our wireless technology system, and connect with each other while enjoying the majestic view of the surrounding hillsides. 

Despite these challenging economic times, College of the Canyons is a leader in developing innovative ways to get things done.  We continually seek out new opportunities, new partners, and new approaches to the needs of our students and the community.  This innovative spirit is evident when you step on the Canyon Country Campus.

I continue to be amazed at the beauty of the Canyon Country Campus.  The majestic hillsides above the campus, coupled with beautiful chaparral terrain surrounding the campus, makes the new campus feel worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of Sierra Highway below us.  The Canyon Country campus is indeed a special place, where dreams can take root, while future opportunities soar.
 

Dena P. Maloney, Ed.D.
Vice President of College of the Canyons

Dena P. Maloney, Ed.D.
Vice President,
Canyon Country Campus & Economic Development

"The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done; men and women who are creative, inventive and discoverers, who can be critical and verify, and not accept, everything they are offered."

            -Jean Piaget