I am the strong nurse I am today because of my time at COC
– Nicole De Stefano
“I attribute the Nursing Program as the foundation to my whole career. The instructors
really cared about your success, and pushed you in the best of ways. I am the strong
nurse I am today because of my time at COC.”
COC taught me to be disciplined in studies
– Circe Denyer
“COC taught me to be disciplined in studies. I took more classes online where discipline
is very important to success.”
This experience I believe forever changed the outcome of my life
– Samantha Severyn
“Once I enrolled at COC and I was finally challenged at the educational level that
I was supposed to be challenged at I flourished immediately. I received all As and
a few Bs, graduating with honors. This experience I believe forever changed the outcome
of my life.”
I consider COC a 'launching pad' in helping me take my professional self to the next level
– Thomas Iland
“I consider COC a ‘launching pad’ in helping me take my professional self to the next
level and putting me on the path towards discovering who I really am and who I am
meant to be.”
The support I received from my counselor and professors as a returning adult student was incredible
– Laura Chesler
“The support I received from my counselor and professors as a returning adult student
was incredible. They were my cheerleaders when I wanted to give up, and gave me the
resources I needed to help me realize my dream of finally earning my degree.”
The professors were excellent
– Alicia Harris
"The professors were excellent. The classes were interesting, informative and interactive."
Thanks so much to so many!
– Rodney Grimes
• What is your best memory of your time at COC?
The small temporary classrooms and intimate atmosphere. The Bonelli Center was still
under construction. Travel to Lone Pine & Bishop for a Rocks & Minerals class "Dig".
I was fortunate to be the Chairman of the Black Student Union with a seat on the Student
Council. At graduation, I also received a Certificate of Appreciation for support
of the College.
• What are you doing now?
After retiring from a successful 36-year career in the pharmaceutical industry in
San Francisco, Chicago and Phoenix, I am currently a freelance photojournalist and
amateur cultural historian in my hometown of Phoenix, Ariz.
• How did COC help prepare you for your future?
The recognition and realization that hard work and dedication to achieve a goal will
pay off.
• What achievement(s) are you most proud of?
Graduation. Making the Deans' List.
• Is there anything else you'd like to mention?
I will always be indebted to my Sociology Instructor Dr. Dale Smith. Dr. Smith, with
great understanding and monumental patience, instilled in me the passion for hard
work and academic success. I also fondly remember and appreciate the Counselor, Mrs.
Fran Wakefield for her guidance on financial aid assistance. I also greatly appreciate
the understanding and support of the Nursing Instructors Mrs. Hazel Carter and Sherwood
Holland for reminding me to view the larger picture when it appeared the immediate
struggle was too great. Thanks so much to so many!
College of the Canyons helped me find myself after high school
– Tiffany Franklin
“College of the Canyons helped me find myself after high school. I grew a lot over
the years and COC was always there to teach me and help me discover who I am and what
I love learning and doing most.”
Helped me get the education I needed to transfer to a 4-year university
– Joseph Evinger
• What is your best memory of your time at COC?
Playing on the football team and transferring to a Division 1 university on a full-ride
scholarship.
• What are you doing now?
Probation Officer with the adult felony division in Floyd County, Indiana.
• How did COC help prepare you for your future?
Helped me get the education I needed to transfer to a 4-year university.
• What achievement(s) are you most proud of?
Scholarship, degree, and current employment.
College of the Canyons helped me prepare for my future with the internship program
– Robert Lopez
"College of the Canyons helped me prepare for my future with the internship program offered to students. I was able to spend time with the Building Inspectors from the city of Santa Clarita in order to learn firsthand about Building Safety and Fire Protection."
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we're inviting current and former students to share their stories. Are you a College of the Canyons alum? Whether you earned a degree or just took a class or two that made a difference in your life, we want to hear from you!
Going to COC was one of the sweetest times of my life
Jeanne Turco Dilekoglu
“COC breathed the breath of life into me and gave me an undying passion for learning.
Going to COC was one of the sweetest times of my life, and it changed the course of
my life forever. It was full of beautiful, caring, wonderful people who encouraged
me my entire life.”
COC gave me the opportunities to continuously learn and grow
Heather Stewart
"I think COC gave me the opportunities to continuously learn and grow while still
having a life outside of school. I learned how to balance work, life and school while
I was there."
College of the Canyons is student centered
Peggy Cannistraci
“College of the Canyons is student centered. The model that they created forever changed
my view of what education should look like, especially for my own children but also
in the school I started.”
It’s a place of many fond memories and a turning point
Suzanne Finne
“When people ask me where I went to college, I always lead with ‘College of the Canyons.’
It’s a place of many fond memories and a turning point in my young life that put me
in the direction to where I am today. It’s a good thing.”
COC provided me with the opportunity to obtain a great education
Kevin Holmes
“When I went to COC, I was 25 years old with no direction for my future. COC provided
me with the opportunity to obtain a great education, and explore potential career
fields, at a cost that I could afford.”
I just had to find the right school for me
Ingrid Mares
“I love my community, but I drove to COC instead of my local college where I was told
college wasn’t for everyone, I almost gave up continuing my education. I just had
to find the right school for me.”
Gave me the computer and business skills I use every day
Catherine Thompson
• How did COC help prepare you for your future?
Gave me the computer and business skills I use every day.
• What achievement(s) are you most proud of?
Going back to school at 51 and finishing my degree and getting a great job with benefits
because of the skills I learned at COC.
I learned writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills that I use in my career daily
Jodie Hoffman
• What is your best memory of your time at COC?
The feeling of empowerment of accomplishing something I didn't believe possible with
the support of teachers, tutors, and friends who encouraged me.
• What are you doing now?
Principal, Golden Oak Adult School
• How did COC help prepare you for your future?
At COC, I learned writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills that I use in my
career daily.
I am most proud of being an Honors Graduate and being accepted to Cal State Northridge
Steve Sanders
• What are you doing now?
I am an Associate Producer at Jay Leno's Garage on CNBC.
• How did COC help prepare you for your future?
COC helped prepare me in so many ways. English 101 with Dr. Otoo set an excellent
foundation for me to be successful in a variety of different classes and subjects.
RTVF instructors Dave Brill, Ron Entrekin, and others introduced me to the world of
TV Production and provided me with the knowledge to sustain a career.
• What achievement(s) are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being an Honors Graduate of COC and being accepted to Cal State
Northridge as a transfer student.