News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2020-09-11-donation
September 11, 2020
Donation to Fund Auto Technology
College of the Canyons has received a $20,000 donation from the Greater Los Angeles
New Car Dealer Association (GLANCDA) in support of the college’s automotive technology
program. The funds will allow the program to purchase the equipment, curriculum materials,
and supplies required to expand hybrid vehicle training.
“We are so grateful to receive this funding from the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer
Association to help provide our automotive technology students with the training and
skills they need to enter the specialized field of hybrid vehicles,” said College
of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “These kinds of partnerships are
only possible through the collaboration and support of our business partners.”
The college’s automotive technology program is designed to prepare students with the
entry-level skills needed for an automotive technician position in a variety of settings
including dealerships, independent automotive repair facilities, as well as with county
or federal agencies.
The program offers certificate and degree pathways that range from one semester to
two years in length allowing students to get into the workforce quickly by providing
in-depth training with extensive hands-on experiences in all nine ASE (Automotive
Service Excellence) certification programs and State of California Smog Tech Training.
“I would like to extend our gratitude to Cheri and Don Fleming for arranging for the
college to be the recipient of this grant,” said Michele Jenkins, president of the
Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees. “This is the second time
that Cheri has generously helped us secure these dollars and we appreciate her outreach
and initiative. This donation will assist the college in supplying a reliable pool
of trained workers to local auto dealers.”
With roots that trace back to the early 1900s, GLANCDA provides educational and philanthropic
benefits to new car dealer members and the local region. Members are individuals,
partnerships, or corporations owning and operating a franchised motor vehicle dealership
engaged in the sales of automobiles or trucks and licensed by the State of California
and located within Los Angeles County.?
“I am very grateful to be a board member of the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer
Association,” said Cheri Fleming, co-owner of Valencia Acura. “Service technicians
are essential to the auto industry and we employ many COC auto technician graduates
at Valencia Acura. We are proud to present this donation to COC to help train the
next generation of technicians.”
The College of the Canyons Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) auxiliary organization
supporting the college district by generating funds to support programs for student
success and innovation. The foundation provides financial resources for scholarship
endowment, educational programs, and capital improvements, which can mean the difference
between ordinary and extraordinary programs and services.