News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2020-12-22-board
December 22, 2020
Board Holds Organizational Meeting
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College
of the Canyons, received recognitions for service, swore in recently elected board
members, named its new officers, and set its 2021 meeting schedule at the board’s
business and organizational meeting held on Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Recognitions for Service
Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) spoke during the virtual meeting, as did Javier
Reyes, representative for Assemblywoman Suzette Valladares (AD-38), to recognize outgoing
Board President Ms. Michele Jenkins and retiring board member Mr. Steve Zimmer.
Zimmer, who represented Trustee Area 3, retired after serving on the board for eight
years.
“You have been a great asset to the college and we’re going to miss you on the board
but we’re not going to miss you in the community,” said Wilk. “I wanted to be here
to personally thank you for all your years of service and wish you Godspeed in whatever
your next adventures are.”
Wilk complimented Jenkins’s leadership as board president during 2020 when the college
maintained a high level of service to the community throughout the pandemic.
“I’ve gotten zero complaints from constituents about the services they have received
this year from College of the Canyons and this is a testament to all of you working
together as a team,” Wilk said.
Speaking on behalf of Valladares, a COC alumna, Reyes spoke of the well-known impact
Jenkins and Zimmer have had in public service and private entrepreneurship.
“Suzette greatly thanks each one of you for your service on this board because the
innovation and the excellence in education, the seed you have planted over your tenure,
will continue to grow,” said Reyes.
“This was a year unlike any other in the history of our college and our community,”
said Jenkins, a 36-year member of the board. “From multiple wildfires, to a devastating
pandemic, to continuing economic disruption, to the urgent call to address racial
injustice, we faced unprecedented challenges. I am proud, that as a college, we worked
together to find solutions and our accomplishments were significant. We successfully
converted 96 percent of our courses to online formats, welcomed our largest-ever Canyons
Promise class, achieved numerous distinctions and laid the foundation for continued
success by achieving a balanced budget that avoided layoffs or salary cuts among full-time
employees.”
Trustee Michael Berger expressed his appreciation for Zimmer’s long commitment to
College of the Canyons, which began with his service on the Foundation’s board of
directors in 2002. “Access to education opens doors of possibility that leads to life-changing
outcomes for our students, and through his many years of service, Steve has made a
difference in the lives of thousands of students,” Berger said. “His dedication to
serving others has set an inspiring example for all of us to follow.”
Swearing in of Recently Elected Members
Three board seats were on the Nov. 3 ballot, and the recently elected members were
sworn in at the meeting, including Jenkins, who represents Trustee Area 4. Also sworn
in were Dr. Edel Alonso, who represents Trustee Area 2, and newcomer Mr. Sebastian
Cazares, who replaces Zimmer in Trustee Area 3.
“College of the Canyons continues to create new possibilities for our community through
its focus on innovation and partnerships,” Jenkins said. “It is a privilege and honor
to have been re-elected by the voters to serve on the Board of Trustees. My service
is a source of personal pride and honor given what our college has accomplished.
The opening of the Multicultural Center this year was particularly exciting, and we
will continue to build on our efforts to create a welcoming environment for all students.
I am looking forward to expanding access for those looking to launch new careers and
those who rely on us for the programs, instruction and partnerships that will provide
them with needed training and education. Increasing participation among high school
students remains a top priority, and we remain focused on building out the Canyon
Country campus to its full potential.”
“I am honored to be elected by the voters for a second four-year term and to be selected
by my fellow trustees to serve as president of the board for 2021,” said Alonso. “The
year ahead is sure to present many challenges but we will face them with a strong
commitment and high expectations for student access, equity, and success. One of my
personal priorities is to develop a positive college environment focused on practicing
respect, transparency, and the highest ethical standards of conduct. I look forward
to working with the members of the board and with the Chancellor to meet these goals.”
Cazares, 20, is the youngest-ever elected official on record in Santa Clarita Valley
history. A Saugus resident, Cazares graduated from COC in 2020 and is currently a
UCLA undergraduate studying American Politics and Chicano Studies.
“To serve my hometown in a historic moment for the youth has been the greatest honor
of my life,” said Cazares, who was appointed by the board to serve as clerk. “I hope
to get to work and positively improve my alma mater — advocating for programs that
champion transparency, empower the public, promote equity, and ensure quality education
for all. I will fight tooth and nail to provide meaningful representation for our
students, putting their needs first.”
Selection of Officers
The board voted to appoint Alonso, who was elected to the board in 2016, to the position
of President. Ms. Joan MacGregor, who has been a board member since 1993, was selected
to serve as Vice President. Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook will serve as Secretary-Parliamentarian.
2021 Meeting Schedule
The board also confirmed its meeting dates for 2021, with business meetings typically
scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month, and workshops/special sessions scheduled
on select fourth Wednesdays throughout the calendar year. Open sessions begin at
5 p.m., however board meeting start times will be adjusted as needed. Any changes
will be noted when the meeting agenda is distributed. The board meets online via Zoom,
and meeting dates can be found here.