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Class of 2026 to be Honored June 5
May 26, 2026 – College of the Canyons will honor its 2026 graduating class during the 57th annual commencement celebration on Friday, June 5, in Cougar Stadium. Jonathan Gonzalez, co-anchor of the NBC4 weekend evening newscasts, will be keynote speaker. “I wish to extend my sincerest congratulations to the Class of 2026,” said Dr. Jasmine Ruys, superintendent/president. “Their tenacity, perseverance, and hard work have guided them to this momentous milestone, and we look forward to the many contributions they will make to our community in the future.”
A First-Gen Student's Path to Graduation
June 1, 2026 – Being a first-generation college student has been both exciting and nerve-wracking for Shauntell Lowe. “Prior to COC, I didn’t even know what a college credit was,” said Lowe, who will graduate with honors on June 5, with an associate degree in communication studies. “I have to walk in full confidence in a space that I’ve never really been in before. I’m setting the foundation for my siblings and doing my best every step of the way.” The Saugus High School graduate says starting at her local community college made all the difference.
Bachelor Program's First Graduating Class
May 19, 2026 – Launching California’s first Bachelor of Science in Building Performance program in 2025 felt both exciting and uncertain, said Jason Oliver, chair of the architecture and interior design department. “It felt like we were building a plane and trying to fly it at the same time,” Oliver said. Now, the program’s inaugural 11-student cohort is preparing to cross the commencement stage Friday, June 5.
Dreams Find their Voice
This short documentary highlights the impact of the Commercial Music Program, showcasing how College of the Canyons provides students with real-world, industry-level opportunities in music, recording, and entertainment. This video was produced by Video Bump Inc. for the College of the Canyons Foundation's 2026 Silver Spur Celebration.
Gary Cusumano (center) is joined by family members and college officials during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly named building on April 16, 2026.
Ceremony Heralds Newly Named Cusumano Culinary Arts Building
College of the Canyons held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, April 16, to celebrate the renaming of the Institute for Culinary Education (ICuE) building as the Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Building, also known as Cusumano ICuE. The renaming honors a historic $1 million gift from the Cusumano family, the largest single contribution in the history of the College of the Canyons Foundation. The donation establishes both the Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Endowed Program Fund and the Cusumano Family and Friends Endowed Scholarship Fund, providing long-term support for students and faculty.
Board Selects Ruys as College's Next CEO
The Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Jasmine Ruys to be the next superintendent/president of College of the Canyons. Ruys said she looks forward to working with all stakeholders to build on the college’s strong foundation, expand opportunities for student success, and advance innovation, equity, and excellence.
Advanced Technology Center Taking Shape
The planned Advanced Technology Center will be equipped with the technology to teach laser welding, robotics, mechatronics, metrology, welding, and CNC machining. Architectural plans are on track for state approval this spring, setting the stage to begin construction later this year.
New Healthcare Program Debuts this Fall
Scheduled to launch this fall, the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program will prepare students to become skilled healthcare professionals who work under occupational therapists to provide hands-on support and intervention. The program requires four semesters to complete.
The announcement that federal immigration agents can make arrests at educational institutions has prompted questions about how to respond should that occur on one of our campuses. College of the Canyons is committed to following all laws and ensuring the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. All employees must abide by board policies, as well as state and federal laws. Please follow the link for the recommended response.
Registration Ongoing for Summer Sessions
April 29, 2026 – With multiple sessions running from June 8 to Aug. 15, the College of the Canyons summer semester offers more than 590 class sections across a wide range of academic subjects and disciplines. Four sessions will give students a variety of options in class formats to help them achieve their educational goals, from starting a new career, earning an associate degree, or transferring to a four-year institution.
Umoja Celebration
The Umoja Community celebrated its first-year graduates and transfers during a celebration at the University Center on Wednesday, May 27. The program honored 48 students who will graduate or transfer to four-year institutions. The program focuses on enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of Black, African American, and historically underrepresented students.
Cultural Appreciation
College of the Canyons celebrated the diverse experiences and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) on Monday and Tuesday, May 18 and 19. The AANHPI Heritage Month celebration at the Intercultural Center featured a Polynesian dance performance, lei-making, film screening, animation workshop, and native food.
Scholarship Reception
More than 300 scholarships valued at $331,750 were awarded to students as part of the 2026/27 Scholarship Awards Program. The awards were made possible through the generosity of donors and support from the Associated Student Government. Recipients had an opportunity to meet and thank some of those donors during the Annual Scholarship Reception on Tuesday, May 12.
Focus on the Stars
The Canyon Country campus rolled out the high-powered telescopes and portable planetarium for the ever-popular Star Party and Science Showcase on Friday, April 24. Teresa Ciardi, an astronomy and physical science professor, served as guest speaker on the topic The Life of a Star: From Birth to End. The event also featured science presentations and hands-on activities for all ages.
Job Fair Returns
Hundreds of job seekers descended on the West PE gymnasium Friday, April 24, for the Santa Clarita Job Fair. Ninety employers – most seeking to fill multiple positions – were on hand for the twice-yearly event presented by College of the Canyons, the City of Santa Clarita, SCV Chamber of Commerce, America's Job Center of California, and SCV Economic Development Corp.
20th Anniversary
The Land Surveying Department marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration at the University Center on Saturday, April 18. More than 60 alumni and faculty members attended. “This milestone reflects the dedication of our faculty, the accomplishments of our students and alumni, and the strong support of our industry partners," said Regina Blasberg, department chair. Read More
Sim Center Opens
A ribbon-cutting celebration at the Canyon Country campus on Wednesday, April 1, marked the official opening of the Health Professions Simulation Center in the Takeda Science Center. The interactive training lab, funded through a $1 million state allocation obtained by Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, adds a touch of realism to student learning in the health professions.
Radiant Run
The Intercultural Center and Athletics Department held the college's first Color Run at the Valencia campus on Tuesday, March 31. Color runs are inspired by Holi, the Hindu festival of colors that celebrates the arrival of spring, victory of good over evil, and spirit of unity and forgiveness.
