FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. COC-07-089-JM
May 3, 2007
U.S. Secretary of Education, Congressman McKeon to Hold Round Table Discussions at College Subject: U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, and Congressman Buck McKeon to visit College of the Canyons and meet with University Center administrators, faculty and students to gather some "best practices" ideas that have the potential of being replicated across the country. Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 4, 2007 Place: College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Contact: Eric Harnish (661) 362-3400 or John McElwain, (661) 362-3494 Event: The Secretary and Congressman will meet in the lobby of the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center for opening remarks and a briefing about the University Center concept by College of the Canyons Superintendent-President, Dianne Van Hook. After the 10-minute briefing, a round table discussion will be held with administrators, faculty, and students who provide and have participated in University Center programs on the COC campus to learn specifics of how the operation works. The University Center concept is the brainchild of Van Hook. It is a means by which colleges and universities bring complete bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs to the local community college campus to provide increased access to education for those who are working adults, have a need to live at home, can't travel freeways for any number of reasons, or who simply wish to access high-quality academic programs locally. An interim center has been operation on the COC campus since 2002 with more than 1300 students taking classes and 724 already earning degrees that they otherwise would not have achieved. Press: A press availability with Secretary Spellings, Congressman McKeon and Dr. Van Hook will be held in the upper level lobby of the Performing Arts Center beginning at approximately 10:15 a.m. | 
