March 1, 2002
INFORMATION: Sue Bozman or John McElwain, (661) 362-3415 or 3494

FEATURE RELEASE

College Has Winning Educational Partnership with Cal State Bakersfield

When Cindy Queen moved to the Santa Clarita Valley two years ago, the only thing she really dreaded was the idea that she had to get on the freeway three or more times during the week for the nearly 40-mile round trip to pursue her goal of becoming a credentialed teacher. She’d leave her house an hour early to get to class on time, arrange complex logistics in order to get child care for her children, and was completely “stressed out” before she ever arrived at the classroom. According to Queen, “That was not fun at all!” Then things changed.

Queen discovered that California State University Bakersfield’s (CSUB) Regional Programs, in partnership with College of the Canyons, was offering upper-division programs at the Interim University Center in the Santa Clarita Valley. She got very excited. After she earned her bachelor’s degree, Queen, like so many others who have benefited from having access to higher education in the Santa Clarita Valley, arranged to start the elementary education credential program through CSUB’s Regional Program at University Center.

The University Center concept has caught on in a big way at College of the Canyons. Institutions such as Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Fresno, Chapman University, University of La Verne, ELS Language Centers and Nova Southeastern University have signed on as University Center partners, bringing with them advanced-degree and training programs. It means residents can earn bachelor's and master's degrees right on the College of the Canyons campus ­ eliminating the need to travel beyond the Santa Clarita Valley.

“I cannot tell you how much simpler my life is now. The convenience of having a CSUB/COC partnership local accredited university program makes things easier for many of us. This program is building such a great reputation that even students from the San Fernando Valley are traveling up here just to be a part of it. And the impact that this program has had on my life is tremendous.”

For Sara del Villar, the CSUB Regional Programs presence on the COC campus has allowed her to complete a bachelor's degree in liberal studies. Completing the program in just 24 months, del Villar was one of the first graduates of the liberal studies program in Santa Clarita. Currently enrolled in the elementary education credential program with Queen, del Villar also commuted to the San Fernando Valley after earning her AA from COC. When universities began offering programs on the College of the Canyons campus, there was no reason to go anywhere else. Now she is attending classes and completing her education just minutes from her home. “I have lived in Santa Clarita for most of my life, and having university programs here made my educational experience so much more enjoyable. Although the hours and the hard work sometimes seemed never-ending, I am now about to finish the CSUB credential program and do what I have always wanted to do -- teach!”

Not considered an extension program, CSUB’s Regional Programs is a resident, self-supported program offered entirely on the COC campus. Responding to the critical shortage of credentialed teachers, CSUB initially offered the bachelor degree in liberal studies in January 2000. Within three months, the elementary education teaching credential was added to the CSUB/COC partnership.

Faculty from the main campus in Bakersfield drive to COC to teach most of the courses, while some local educators are hired to assist in providing depth to the course offerings. CSUB will soon have an office located in the Interim University Center (Room Y-116) located on the COC campus.

The Interim University Center is a modular “quick fix” to meet demand, allowing CSUB and other university partners that comprise the future SCV University Center to begin offering their programs on the COC campus prior to the building of a permanent, larger structure. The interim center is nicely outfitted with 10 classrooms, some faculty offices and other amenities. It is already filled to capacity 15 hours a day, six days a week.

According to Queen, “The CSUB instructors are all wonderful people who dedicate their time to providing excellent and relevant information to the students. Also, the students are responsible and reliable individuals who demonstrate their interests in succeeding and their willingness to meet their goals, adding to the success of the program. Because of this program, I have the opportunity to further my education by obtaining a master’s degree, which you can bet I will do just as soon as I am eligible."

Queen has even recruited her husband Larry to join one of CSUB’s graduate programs.