2017 News Releases

Archived news releases from the Public Information Office

• December

  Longest-Serving Professor Don Takeda Retires

  Dec. 21, 2017
  NR-12.21.17-Takeda

  For many, Dec. 31, 2017 will simply mark the end of a year, but for Don Takeda, it will mark the end of a 46-year teaching career at College of the Canyons.

  As the college’s longest serving faculty member, Takeda was hired as a biology and math instructor on Jan. 1, 1972, which he chalks up to pure serendipity.

  I wasn't looking for a job, said Takeda, whose love for biology began on his family’s raisin farm in California’s Central Valley.

  Takeda had just finished his graduate botanical science studies at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) at the end of the fall quarter when his major professor encouraged his application to the position at COC, for the experience.

  COC, then only a three-year-old campus, was made up of modular buildings. “I initially thought, ‘Would I want to work here?’ “ said Takeda. With no teaching experience to speak of, he had little expectation of securing the job.

  The way it happened was unlike today's procedures, said Takeda, who came in for a single interview on a Friday afternoon. The committee consisted of Gary Mouck, vice president and assistant superintendent of instruction, Mildred Guernsey (mathematics), and Jim Boykin (biology). To his surprise, Mouck called Takeda Saturday morning with the job offer.

  With COC’s winter quarter set to begin and only one week to prepare before classes started, Takeda found teaching both lecture and lab and many different courses challenging. It took him several years until he found his stride in the classroom.

  Community college is different from a university, said Takeda. You don't have the uniformity of 18- or 19-year-olds in the classroom. There were many older students. To be able to reach and motivate the diverse groups of students with their varied educational and experiential backgrounds added to the teaching challenges.

  Fortunately, Takeda found sound guidance from Boykin, the college’s first biology professor, who would become his mentor and close friend. Together, they built the biology department and created a robust curriculum that would help students successfully transfer to four-year universities.

  Jim would just sit down at a typewriter and churn out a course curriculum with hundreds of objectives with articulation to the UCs in mind, said Takeda.

  When Takeda was overwhelmed by how much course content needed to be covered in class, Boykin invited him to sit in on his classes to learn from his teaching approach. Observing his teaching of what, as well as, how enabled an insight of what is meant to be a true teacher.

  Additional valuable lessons Boykin imparted to Takeda were the importance of respecting student diversity and to acknowledge the lasting impact of excellent education. “Students are people, not sponges, Boykin would say,” said Takeda. “They have sensitivities and you have to adjust accordingly.”

  Takeda and Boykin watched their two-person department grow and move from modulars to the permanent Laboratory Building, which was renamed the James D. Boykin Laboratory Center in Boykin’s memory.

  At the helm of the biology department, Takeda played a pivotal role in upgrading molecular-cellular biology and organismal biology courses, developing a biotechnology program, and re-emphasizing field studies that provide broad and diverse life science educational opportunities for all students.

  “It’s been amazing,” said Takeda of the college’s growth and evolution, that is, starting off with a few bungalows, moving to permanent buildings; and then, increased funding. “This is where Chancellor Van Hook has been proficient,” said Takeda, who was on the interview committee that hired Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook in 1988. “Her reputation to generate funding preceded her.”

  Chancellor Van Hook supported the department’s pursuit of a National Science Foundation instrumentation grant for a proposed certificate in biotechnology program in 1995.

  NSF grants for community colleges were not highly supported back then, said Takeda. But she said, “Let’s try for it. The grant was not awarded, but funding was realized for remodeling an existing lab to accommodate the innovative program.” Takeda provided oversight for the remodel of the biology classrooms and laboratories in Boykin Hall and, later, was instrumental in the design and development of Aliso Hall and Aliso Lab.

  At COC, Takeda not only found his calling as an educator, but it’s also where he met his wife, Cindee Robinson, in an explosive manner – almost. As a newly hired lab technician, Robinson found crystallized picric acid, a highly explosive compound, during a safety check of the central lab. Knowing the safety concerns to students and college personnel, she immediately called the fire department, which brought out the hazardous materials team and averted potential harm. Robinson’s quick thinking impressed Takeda.

  What Takeda is proudest of are the students who were inspired by his biology classes to pursue biology-related professions that include many registered nurses at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

  When his mother broke her hip and was transported there, many of his former students thought it was him when they saw Takeda on the hospital admittance log. When I got there, they were disappointed because they thought they were going to get their revenge, said Takeda. But when it turned out to be my mom, she received the best of care.

  During his tenure at COC, Takeda has worked under the leadership of five different superintendent-presidents and has witnessed the transformation of the Valencia campus and is looking forward to the development of the Canyon Country campus. He has also seen the biology department grow from a two-person department to one that now includes nine full-time faculty, six full-time technical staff, and more than 30 adjunct instructors.

  Takeda served as lead faculty/chair of the college’s biology department for over 25 years before passing on the baton to professor Miriam Golbert in 2008 so that he could again focus on teaching. He plans to teach microbiology as an adjunct instructor at the Valencia campus and in the future Science Building at Canyon Country.

  Takeda's retirement plans also include spending time with his family and attending the college graduations of his daughter Phoebe (B.A.) from Kent State University and son Cameron (M.A.) from CSULA. Both are former COC students.

  “It’s been challenging but stimulating; and with terrific students, colleagues, and friendships enjoyable!” said Takeda of his career at COC. “There hasn’t been a day that has not been active. What keeps you going and why 46 years can go by in a flash is based upon how engaged you are. If the days are tedious and cumbersome, then it truly becomes a job.”
  
  

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  Logix Underwrites Cost for 10 First-Year Promise Students

  Dec. 21, 2017
  NR-12.21.17-Logix

  The College of the Canyons First-Year Promise program, which offers qualifying full-time freshman students free tuition and fees during their first year of study, received a $10,000 pledge from Logix Federal Credit Union. The credit unions pledge will provide 10students with a $1,000 scholarship in 2018 and 2019.

  The donation supports the COC Foundations pledge to raise $500,000 over the next two years to ensure the future of the FYP program.

  "College of the Canyons is a valued partner in the community, and this program is a great example of why," Logix Executive Vice President Andrea Carpenter said. "We recently toured the COC campus and were impressed by the outstanding facilities and resources available to students of all walks of life. We want to be part of sharing First-Year Promise with the college and we look forward to helping further this program."

  In addition to receiving free tuition, students are offered priority registration and helpful orientation sessions to learn about majors and receive academic guidance. Courses include digital textbooks, ongoing counseling and student support, as well as a $100 supplies voucher each semester.

  "We are so grateful to Logix for their generous donation to the First-Year Promise program," said Murray Wood, chief development officer for the college’s foundation. "Their donation will help ensure the academic success of future First-Year Promise students at College of the Canyons."

  Logix also donated $2,000 in proceeds from a recent Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer event held at Wolf Creek Brewery.
  
  

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  Students Create Film Based on Holocaust Survivor

  Dec. 6, 2017
  NR-12.06.17-ThePromise

  A group of 25 advanced animation students at College of the Canyons spent the entire spring 2017 semester bringing to life the memories of Holocaust survivor Leon Malmed, resulting in the animated documentary "The Promise," which will be screened at the COC Library on Friday, Dec. 8.

  During Nazi occupation of Northern France, between the years of 1940 and 1945, Malmed and his sister lived in hiding saved by a French family in the city of Compigne. The film documents Malmed's experience as a child during those years of the Holocaust.

  "Artistically, the film's paint on glass technique beautifully illustrates Leon's story using a fluid style and a subtle color palette," said Jeff Baker, chair of the Media, Entertainment and Arts department. "Students have successfully used the evocative nature of animation to bring out the memories and emotions of the past."

  The MEA 265 Animation Production class offers students the opportunity to work as a team to create an animation for a client or project. Taught by Masha Vasilkovsky, the students also had the guidance of Ruah Edelstein, a filmmaker in residence.

  "The Promise" is a student-created, instructor-led example of project-based teaching, said Baker. "Students learned, through firsthand experience a part of human history. They heard and had to understand and empathize with Leon's history in order to successfully create the movie."

  The film also features a musical score composed by Bernardo Feldman, chair of the college's music department, which was mixed by Jon Amador, a sound arts professor at the college.

  "It was truly a collaboration of the School of Visual and Performing Arts," said Baker.

  The animated film will be screened at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 in the COC Library (2nd floor).

  The screening will be accompanied by an exhibition of student artwork made for the film.

  A reception with light refreshments will be held before the screening at 5 p.m.

  Production for "The Promise" was made possible through a grant from the College of the Canyons Foundation.

• November

  Runners of All Ages Invited to Ninth Annual 'Turkey Trot'

  Nov. 15, 2017 
  NR-11.15.17-TurkeyTrot

  The College of the Canyons Athletics Department invites community members of all ages to run, walk, or jog in the ninth annual Thanksgiving Day "Turkey Trot" event, benefiting the cross country and track & field programs.

  Participants will run a 3-mile cross country course through the Valencia campus, beginning at the baseball field and continuing through the campus, winding through the hills overlooking the Santa Clarita Valley, and finishing inside Cougar Stadium.

  The event begins at 8:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23.

  Registration takes place at the race start, so no pre-registration is necessary. Participants can sign in at the track finish line on the day of the event. An entry fee of $20 per runner includes a race T-shirt. 

  Finishing times for each participant will be announced at the end of the race. Awards will also be given to the top three men and women in each age division.
  
  

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  Registration Under Way for Winter; Spring Registration to Begin

  Nov. 14, 2017
  NR-11.14.17-WinterSpring

  Registration is under way for the College of the Canyons winter semester, which boasts more than 360 class sections.

  The winter schedule of classes primarily consists of general education core classes that all students need to either graduate, transfer to a four-year school and/or meet course prerequisites associated with their immediate educational plans.

  Running from Jan. 2 to Feb. 3, the winter session will be especially robust with the addition of more biology, chemistry and math classes, including transfer-level "Introduction to Statistics" and "General Chemistry." The winter class schedule also includes entry-level courses to in-demand career education programs, such as culinary arts and architecture.

  COC is also gearing up for a robust spring semester, which will offer more than 1,900 class sections for students in a variety of formats at both theValencia and Canyon Country campuses.

  Working students can benefit from the new weekend Business Administration Associate Degree for Transfer and the accelerated pathways for sociology and psychology, which will be offered exclusively at the Canyon Country campus.

  Students enrolled in these pathways will benefit from face-to-face class offerings, as well as the convenience of hybrid and online courses.

  Registration for spring 2018 will begin Tuesday, Jan. 2. The spring semester will run from Monday, Feb. 5 to Thursday, May 31. Registration for winter and spring will be ongoing at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses until classes are full.
  
  

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  Music Department Presents Electronica Concert

  Nov. 14, 2017
  NR-11.14.17-Electronica

  The College of the Canyons music department will present its fall Electronica Musique & Multimedia Concert on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at the Black Box Theater.

  Featuring new works by 12 up-and-coming student composers, the concert will feature a variety of music, dance and lights that will expand and challenge the audiences expectations, leaving them with a sense of wonder and a new appreciation for this timeless medium.

  "Audiences will have a unique opportunity to partake of an awe-inspiring fusion of visual and sonic elements that blend synthetic timbres with acoustic instruments and voices," said Dr. Bernardo Feldman, chair of the colleges music department. "They will be transported to unimaginable places where anything could happen. Along with it, abstract visuals will complement the experience, providing an intoxicating encounter of the senses."

  The concert will also feature performances by distinguished COC alumni Daniel Lowry, John Kirk, and Chris Scott.

  A virtuoso guitarist, Lowry will mix live-electronics with live guitar in order to create his trademark dramatic and cinematic style.

  Without the use of voice, John Kirk (Bio-Hazard) expertly manipulates synthetic voices and creates a musical narrative within a computer.

  "The results are both fascinating and enigmatic," said Feldman.

  Chris Scott (Cloud Seeker) specializes in creating energetic and dance-inciting landscapes that manage to be both accessible and intriguing.

  Electronica will be held at 7 p.m. at the Black Box Theater. Admission is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.
  
  

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  Ensemble to Perform at First National Jazz Conference

  Nov. 8, 2017
  NR-11.08.17-JustJazz

  The College of the Canyons Jazz Ensemble "Just Jazz” will start the new year with a bang by heading to its first national convention. The award-winning ensemble will perform at the 9th annual Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference in Dallas Jan. 3 to 7, 2018.

  The event represents the largest educational/performance conference in the global jazz community.

  "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Julie Lawson, the ensemble's director. "Being selected to be showcased at a national convention is overwhelming.”

  Just Jazz was selected to perform based on a live recording Lawson submitted from a recent concert.

  At the JEN conference, the vocal jazz ensemble band will perform a 50-minute set that will include a variety of tunes, such as songs composed by Al Jarreau, Thad Jones, Harry Connick Jr. and an Afro-Cuban arrangement of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia.”

  Accompanied by Lawson, the team of 13 students will also travel with a professional rhythm section: Alex Nizzoli (piano), Emilio Terranova (bass) and Brijesh Pandya (drums).

  Just Jazz has been a regular fixture at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, which has selected the ensemble to perform six times in the past seven years.

  "Monterey is a competitive festival, and Just Jazz has walked away with five awards over the years," said Lawson.

  Established by a group of jazz leaders in 2008, JEN was created to foster the jazz arts community through promoting performance, advancing education, and inspiring new audiences. Since then, JEN has grown to boast thousands of members across the nation and around the world.

  “I'm so grateful for the ongoing support from Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook, my colleagues Lori Marie Rios and Dr. Bernardo Feldman, my Dean, Dr. Carmen Dominguez, and the Patrons of the Performing Arts,” said Lawson. “Without their encouragement and generosity, this trip wouldn’t be possible.”

  Catch Just Jazz in action during Jazz Tidings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center lobby. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students/seniors and will be available for purchase at the door.
  
  

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  College to Host McKeon Leadership Forum

  Nov. 7, 2017
  NR-11.07.17-McKeonForum

  College of the Canyons, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. and U.S. Rep. Howard P. Buck McKeon (Ret.) will present the Third Annual McKeon Leadership Forum, with a special keynote presentation from Gen. Richard A. Cody (Ret.), Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

  The forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, located on the college’s Valencia campus.

  "We are honored to have General Cody as this years McKeon Leadership Forum speaker," said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. "The Forum gives us an opportunity and an excellent platform to encourage civic dialog and encourage community members to become involved with current issues."

  Cody’s presentation is titled “21st Century Geo-Political-Military Challenges and Leadership.”

  "General Cody was a strong leader in the US Army throughout his 36-plus years of active duty and remains as engaged today as he was while in uniform,” said McKeon. “He has great knowledge and expertise on the current world situation. When you have the opportunity to hear and learn personally from a person of his caliber, you should take advantage of it.”

  Established in 2015, the McKeon Leadership Forum is a speaker series aimed at promoting civic engagement through personal involvement. Thought leaders from the world of politics, government, and military are invited to speak at the Forum in order to engage community members into dialog and inspire them to become involved in current issues. The Forum also highlights the community’s robust economic industries, such as the aerospace sector.

  The Santa Clarita Valley is home to many companies in the aerospace and defense industry, said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation. The McKeon Leadership Forum provides a unique opportunity for the leaders of these companies to hear about the latest issues directly from top military and defense leaders.

  Conceived as an engaging, thought-provoking exchange, the Forum proposes to not merely entertain, but encourage attendees to shape the future of their community.

  Admission to the McKeon Leadership Forum is free and open to the public. Complimentary parking will be available in Lot 14.

  About Gen. Richard A. Cody

  Gen. Richard A. Cody (Ret.) was the 31st Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from June 2004 to August 2008.

  Born in Vermont, Cody is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Transportation Corps Officer Basic and Advance Courses, the Army's Aviation Maintenance Test Pilot School, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

  During his military service, Cody served in six of the Army's combat divisions and held various command positions, such as Company Commander, E Company, 24th Aviation Battalion; Company Commander, B Company, 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion; and Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (AH-64).

  He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, a Bronze Star, a Legion of Merit medal, and was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.

  After 36 years of service, Cody retired in 2008 and is currently a corporate senior vice president and officer for L-3 Communications Corp.

  Cody serves on the boards of several organizations such as Homes for Our Troops, National Trust for Wounded Warriors, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, the George C. Marshall Foundation, and Hope for the Warriors. He is also the founder and lead pilot for Operation Flying Heroes, an organization that provides flights for Wounded Warriors in Afghanistan and Iraq.

  He and his wife Vicki Lynn have two sons, Tyler and Clint, who have done several combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq as army helicopter pilots.
  
  

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  Theatre Department Presents 'Kill Me, Deadly'

  Nov. 6, 2017
  NR-11.06.17-KillMeDeadly

  The College of the Canyons theatre department will present its production of Bill Roben’s film noir “Kill Me Deadly” beginning Friday, Nov. 10, at the Black Box Theater.

  Originally produced at Hollywood’s Theatre of NOTE, the play is focused on the hard life of Charlie Nickels who works as a detective in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. With the help of some colorful characters, Nickels works to solve the murder of a client and the theft of a 300-karat diamond.

  "The play eloquently uses tropes of film noir including the loner detective protagonist, a femme fatale, a good girl Friday, and a corrupted world of gangsters hiding out in dark alleyways," said Maureen Huskey, who is making her COC directorial debut. "It pays homage to the genre while ultimately having its satiric, comedic way with it."

  Performances are scheduled 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 and 17, and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 18; matinees are scheduled 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 and 19.

  The cast and crew is comprised solely of College of the Canyons theatre students.

  General admission tickets are $12. Tickets for students and seniors are $6.

• October

  College to Honor McKeon with Silver Spur Award

  Oct. 30, 2017
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  In recognition of his continued advocacy for higher education and decades of service to the Santa Clarita Valley, the College of the Canyons Foundation has named U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (Ret.) the recipient of the 2018 Silver Spur Community Service Award.

  As a driving force behind the City of Santa Clarita’s incorporation, McKeon was elected as the city’s first mayor in 1987, a position he held until he was elected to California’s 25th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992.

  Once in Washington, McKeon never forgot about the city that elected him into office, especially the city’s only community college.

  At College of the Canyons, McKeon played an instrumental role in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center fundraising campaign as honorary chair. Serving alongside chairs Lou Garasi and Tom Lee, McKeon helped the college acquire roughly $2.3 million in federal funding to help open and equip the Interim University Center, which opened in 2002.

  As honorary chair, McKeon also helped the college secure meetings with other potential donors and arranged visits to other University Center facilities across the country to prove the project’s viability and showcase how this model could be used back home in Santa Clarita.

  Four years later, McKeon was elected chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee in Congress, where he focused on a myriad of issues including teacher quality, school choice and access to higher education. McKeon also worked to increase Pell Grant authorizations, cut student loan interest rates, and streamline the financial aid system for college students. In addition, he demonstrated a continued interest in clearing pathways for veterans to return to college, providing new job training options for local students and residents, and supporting the college’s Center for Applies Competitive Technologies (CACT).

  “Buck McKeon has been a longtime supporter of College of the Canyons and higher education,” said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “From his time as mayor of Santa Clarita to his tenure as chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, he has made access to quality education a top priority.”

  After retiring from Congress in 2015, McKeon established the McKeon Leadership Forum, a speaker series that promotes civic engagement through personal involvement, at COC. Thought leaders from politics, government, and military engage community members and inspire them to become involved in current issues.

  McKeon also donated an array of personal items and official documents from his service in Congress to the college in an effort to help inspire the next generation of civic leaders. The McKeon Collection, archived in the colleges library, includes official documents, as well as numerous awards, plaques, and photographs acquired over McKeons political career.

  Last year, McKeon donated $10,000 to seed the McKeon Scholars scholarship fund through the College of the Canyons Foundation. The annual $500 award is given to students majoring in political science and/or pursuing careers involving public service and civic engagement.

  “Buck is most deserving of the Silver Spur award, our highest accolade we can bestow upon an individual who has contributed to the betterment of life in the Santa Clarita Valley and whose actions reflect a distinction and interest in the college,” said Van Hook. “College of the Canyons owes a great deal to his tireless behind-the-scenes efforts in Washington, and we are truly honored to count Chairman McKeon among the college’s most passionate supporters.”

  In 2000, McKeon was granted an honorary associate of arts degree from COC for his commitment to education.

  A Los Angeles native, McKeon attended Brigham Young University where he earned a bachelors degree in business, which proved useful when he went into business with his four brothers. The family-operated company, Howard and Phils Western Wear, went on to become the largest western wear retailer in the nation.

  Before serving as mayor of the City of Santa Clarita, McKeon had already proven his passion for civic engagement. He was elected to the William S. Hart Union High School District and was chairman of the board of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. Always a strong supporter of local businesses, McKeon helped create Valencia National Bank, which gave local businesses access to small business loans, resulting in more jobs within the community. He also served on the Santa Clarita Valley Small Business Development Center Business Survival Committee in 1992.

  Since retiring from Congress, McKeon has continued to advocate for a variety of education issues with his team at the McKeon Group, a consulting firm that provides advocacy, public relations, strategic analysis, and government relations for clients. He and his wife of 55 years, Patricia Kunz, have six children, 31 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

  Tom Dierckman, a member of the College of the Canyons Foundation Board of Directors and past recipient of the Silver Spur Award, praised McKeon’s consistent focus on meeting the needs of Santa Clarita. “At our college, in our community, or at the national level, Buck has always distinguished himself as a hands-on leader willing to do whatever was required to make things better, to achieve the greater good,” Dierckman said.

  “As one of Santa Clarita’s founding fathers, Chairman McKeon has dedicated his life to the growth and development of this community,” said Brian Koegle, who is co-chairing the event with his wife Lindsay. “His support of College of the Canyons, and Chancellor Van Hook’s vision for a true community college, has been indispensable. We are absolutely thrilled to honor his career achievements and community contributions with the 2018 Silver Spur Award.”

  Also co-chairing the event are Foundation Board members Nick and Elise Lentini. “As co-chairs with Brian and Lindsay Koegle, Elise and I could not be more excited and honored to be involved with the 2018 Silver Spur event Honoring Buck McKeon,” said Lentini. “Buck has done so much not only for College of the Canyons but our community as well. We look forward to an enjoyable evening celebrating Buck’s accomplishments and community service.”

  The 2018 Silver Spur Celebration will take place Saturday, March 24, 2018, at The Ronald Reagan Library, Air Force One Pavilion, located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley. The festivities begin at 6 p.m., with guests able to enjoy music, cocktails and hors doeuvres under Ronald Reagan’s retired Air Force One, tail number 27000. The evening will also include dinner and a live auction featuring a selection of unique items. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The evening will also include a video tribute to McKeon and a live auction.

  Previous Silver Spur recipients include: Jack and Doreen Shine; Jill Mellady; Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation; Remo and Ami Belli, Barry and Pati Gump, Richard and Marian Sandnes, Diana Cusumano, Myrna and Gary Condie, Harold and Jacquie Petersen, Wayne Crawford, Rita Garasi, Tom Veloz, Charlotte and Frank Kleeman, Gary Cusumano, Jay and Joyce Rodgers, Tom Lee, Lou Garasi, Michael Berger, Roberta Veloz, Dick Luechtefeld, Robert Ormsby, LaVerne Harris, John Hoskinson, Scott and Ruth Newhall, Elisha Aggie Agajanian, Cliffie Stone, and Tom Dierckman.

  Note: Views and opinions expressed by College of the Canyons are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation.
  
  

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  UCLA Professor Donates Horror Films to Cinema Department

  Oct. 25, 2017
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  Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl was watching a horror film when a young woman sitting next to him grabbed his arm in the movie theater darkness and asked, “You’re scared, aren’t you? Admit it, you are scared!”

  Abou El Fadl, a world-renowned scholar and the Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Distinguished Professor in Islamic Law at the UCLA School of Law, smiled and thought to himself, “I’m three times your age, Arab of Egyptian culture, and a Muslim. But here we are, both of us scared of this paranormal encounter.”

  That experience is how Dr. Abou El Fadl realized the equalizing and transcendent power of horror films and fell in love with the genre – so much so that his collection of American, Japanese and Korean horror films topped 500 titles. Now, he has chosen to donate those films to the College of the Canyons Cinema Department.

  “Regardless of our backgrounds, we all have an inherent knowledge of what is evil, what it looks like and feels like,” said Abou El Fadl. “Horror films emphasize what we all share as human beings, the same fears, worries and anxieties. Horror films do just that, create a powerful common experience, no matter who we are, where we come from or what we believe in.”

  Abou El Fadl will discuss his love of horror films on Saturday, Oct. 28 during a double-feature screening of two films from his donated collection, Baskin (2015) and The Babadook (2014).

  “We are very grateful to Dr. Abou El Fadl for donating his impressive horror film collection to the college,” said Guido Santi, a cinema instructor at the college. “The Cinema Department has approximately 600 films and possibly a dozen horror titles. His donation would extend our horror film collection, making it possibly the largest among California community colleges.”

  Santi, who is also an independent filmmaker, met Dr. Abou El Fadl while working on a new project about Islamophobia.

  “Over the course of several meetings, I learned about his passion for horror films and about his impressive DVD collection,” said Santi. “I told him a lot about COC and the many screenings and events organized in our department. I shared with him some of the titles of our Friday Night Film programs and he was favorably impressed.”

  Abou El Fadl and Santi will co-host the double feature screening, scheduled 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 in Hasley Hall, Room 101. The screening is free and open the public.

  Attendees are welcome to wear horror costumes to the screening.

  About Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl

  Considered one of the world’s leading experts on Islam and Islamic Law, Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl is the Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Distinguished Professor in Islamic Law at the UCLA School of Law and Chair of the Islamic Studies Interdepartmental Program at UCLA. He lectures on human rights, law and terrorism, national security law, Islamic jurisprudence, political asylum, and human trafficking.

  Among the more than 14 books he has authored, Abou El Fadl’s latest book “Reasoning with God: Reclaiming Shariah in the Modern Age” was named one of the best books of 2014 by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Religion and Ethics website.

  A passionate human rights advocate, Abou El Fadl has served on the board of directors of Human Rights Watch and was appointed by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom.
  
  

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  Chancellor Honored by University of La Verne

  Oct. 19, 2017
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  College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook has been named among the 125 Notable Leos for Life chosen by the University of La Verne (ULV) to mark its 125th year anniversary. 

  Van Hook, who earned her masters degree and doctorate degree in education from ULV in 1976 and 1981, respectively, will be honored during a three-day homecoming weekend event Oct. 27 to 29.

  “It is a tremendous honor to have been included among the University of La Verne’s 125 Notable Leos for Life,” said Van Hook. “The education I received at the University of La Verne was second to none, and the memories and friendships I made during my time at the university are among my most cherished.”

  The private university, whose leopard mascots are named Leo and Lea, selected the 125 alumni based on the significant impacts they have made in their fields, for embodying the university’s values, and leading lives of purpose and meaning.

  "They are Leos for Life, and we look forward to recognizing them during homecoming weekend 2017," says ULV’s online announcement.

  Homecoming weekend will kick off with a dinner at the Sheraton Hotel and end with a farewell brunch at the La Verne Church of the Brethren.

  Earlier this year, Van Hook was named as the National Pacesetter of the Year by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR). The award recognizes a president or CEO at a two-year community or technical college who has demonstrated leadership and support in the area of college communications and public relations.

  Established in 1891, ULV is a private university located in La Verne, Calif. that is consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the best private California institutions.
  
  

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  Canyon Country Campus to Hold Star Party

  Oct. 18, 2017
  NR-10.18.17-StarParty

  On Friday, Oct. 27, the fall 2017 Star Party at the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus will focus on the pathways to space that exist for those who are captivated by the many mysteries of the universe.

  This semester’s Star Party will feature a panel of speakers that includes:

  • Jessica Ta (test operations engineer at SpaceX and COC alumna) “Rockets: The Future of Space Travel”
  • Dr. Patricia Foley (COC assistant chemistry professor) “Rethinking Life”
  • Dr. Johanna Teske (Carnegie Origins Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Observatories) “Finding and Characterizing Other Worlds Around Other Suns”

  
  “We are very excited about the upcoming Star Party,” said Ryan Theule, vice president of the Canyon Country campus. “This event has a great tradition of inspiring wonder and fueling academic inquiry through science. Our panel of speakers will continue this tradition and share valuable insights on pathways to space from a variety of academic and career perspectives.”

  The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a variety of interactive displays and activities presented by college clubs and organizations.

  Attendees will also have the opportunity to gaze at the stars through the multiple telescopes set up by local astronomy groups throughout the evening.

  The event will also feature a classroom-size planetarium, which will allow attendees to learn more about astronomy through projected images of the night sky.

  “This is the first time we will be using a planetarium at Star Party,” said Anthony Michaelides, dean of campus services and operations at the Canyon Country campus. “This new component fits inside a classroom and will allow attendees to view celestial bodies that are unlikely to be visible in the night sky that evening.”

  The fall 2017 Star Party will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Carl A. Rasmussen Amphitheater located on the Canyon Country campus. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site.
  
  

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  College of the Canyons Art Gallery Presents 'Light Fields'

  Oct. 18, 2017
  NR-10.18.17-Sheldon Figoten

  The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will showcase the work of Los Angeles-based painter Sheldon Figoten in a one-person exhibition of new paintings, “Light Fields,” opening Saturday, Oct. 28.

  With a deft nod to the luminaries of California Hard-Edge painting that inspired him, artists like John McLaughlin, Karl Benjamin, and Fredrick Hammersly, Figoten’s large-scale works take things further, pairing vibrant color with unexpected angles and compelling curves that engage viewers both viscerally and conceptually.

  “These are new paintings by Mr. Figoten, and we are delighted to present them to our COC community,” said Pamela Lewis, COC art gallery director. “Geometric abstract painters in California expanded the art worlds very definitions of what painting could be. Sheldon Figoten is an important member of that pioneering group of painters. He was innovating then, and continues to innovate now.”

  Long dedicated to the potential of geometric abstraction, Figoten has been creating his elegant abstractions for decades.

  “I want to see something I haven’t seen before,” said Figoten when asked about his latest series of works. “Modern color. Imbalance. Non-rectilinearity. I’m interested in how we see what we see. That is the subject matter of these paintings. A little bit of quiet beauty in the stream of life. A few minutes of contemplative calm.”

  The exhibition will run through Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2017. A reception for the artist will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. A special conversation with the artist will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9.

  The College of the Canyons Art Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Those unable to visit the gallery during normal hours are welcome to contact the gallery to schedule a viewing appointment.

  All gallery exhibitions and related events are free and open to the public.
  
  

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  College, Hart District Host College & Career Fair

  Oct. 17, 2017 
  NR-10.17.17-College&CareerFair

  College of the Canyons and the William S. Hart Union High School District will host the 2017 College & Career Fair on Saturday, Oct. 21.

  Held in the college’s Honor Grove, the event will give COC and Hart students the opportunity to explore more than 100 colleges and universities, as well as career preparation schools and apprenticeship programs.

  “Choosing a career path can be overwhelming for many students,” said Kari Soffa, director of outreach and school relations at the college. “The College & Career Fair is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about their career and college options from experts who can answer their questions in person.”

  Workshops will also be offered on a wide range of topics, such as financial aid, career exploration, college transfer, and free college classes available to high school students.

  The College and Career Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon in the Honor Grove, located at the colleges Valencia campus.

  Free parking will be available in all student lots for the duration of the event.
  
  

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  Baseball Team, Playa Vista Orioles Partner for Youth Clinic

  Oct. 13, 2017
  NR-10.13.17-YouthClinic

  The College of the Canyons baseball program and Playa Vista Orioles youth baseball organization will host a free instructional clinic for players ages 11-14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Cougar Field.

  Open to only 50 participants, this high energy event will feature a variety of current professional and collegiate level players from the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding region who played for the Playa Vista Orioles as youths.

  Scheduled to serve as clinic instructors at the event are:

  • Pat Valaika, Colorado Rockies / UCLA / Hart High School
  • Trevor Brown, San Francisco Giants / UCLA / Hart High School
  • Alex Mejia, St. Louis Cardinals / University of Arizona / El Camino Real High School
  • Nick Valaika, Pittsburgh Pirates / UCLA / Hart High School
  • Cory Jones, Baltimore Orioles / College of the Canyons / Simi Valley High School
  • Jared Oliva, Pittsburg Pirates / University of Arizona / Valencia High School
  • Shane Zeile, Detroit Tigers / UCLA / Valencia High
  • Brian Mundell, Colorado Rockies/ Cal Poly San Luis Obispo / Valencia High School
  • Luke Persico, Oakland Athletics / UCLA / Great Oak High School
  • Brennan Bernandino, Cincinnati Reds/ CSU Dominguez Hills / Valencia High School
  • Luke Soroko, University of Arizona / Valencia High School
  • Alex McKenna, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo / Alemany High School

  
  With only a limited number of clinic spots available, participants are required to register in advance.

  The Playa Vista Orioles youth baseball organization has provided youth baseball instruction for more than 16 years. During that time more than 8,000 players that have participated in the program have gone on to play baseball as collegiate student-athletes. Additionally, more than 200 former players have been drafted by Major League Baseball organizations.

  Cougar Field is located on the northern side of the COC Valencia campus, accessible via Stadium Way adjacent to Cougar Stadium.
  
  

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  Uniquely Abled Academy Creates Opportunities

  Oct. 13, 2017 
  NR-10.13.17-UniquelyAbled

  With the purpose of creating career and job opportunities to individuals on the autism spectrum, College of the Canyons will launch the Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) in spring 2018.

  The program will provide advanced training and support for highly functional autistic individuals to work as Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machinists.

  "The nature of the job is detail-oriented, which needs a great amount of focus," said Mike Bastine, director of the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) at College of the Canyons. "Furthermore, machining tasks can be repetitive, which lends this career to be ideally suited for the high-function uniquely abled population."

  The UAA CNC machining course at COC will be a 12-week program that provides 420 hours of training and instruction to participating individuals, which includes soft skills, open laboratory, job readiness, and 21st century skills training. After completing the not-for-credit course, graduates will be qualified for entry-level positions as CNC operators, machinist apprentices, and machine trainees.

  "This CNC machining program is only the beginning," said Bastine. "This is a pilot program, which can evolve and be replicated at other locations and into other manufacturing career fields, such as robotics, CNC programming, manufacturing assembly, and industry maintenance."

  UAA is set to launch in collaboration with multiple local businesses who will provide employment to UAA graduates.

  Created by Ivan Rosenberg, UAA was first implemented at Glendale Community College, where 17 participants have undergone training.

  A special meeting for interested trainees will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, Room 107.

  Employers who are interested in joining UAA are encouraged to attend an orientation event from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 at UCEN, Room 223. The forum will provide potential employers insight regarding the programs benefits.
  
  

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  Institute for Ethics, Law, Public Policy Hosts Three Events

  Oct. 13, 2017
  NR-10.13.17-InstituteforEthics

  The College of the Canyons Institute for Ethics, Law and Public Policy will host three upcoming events to engage and inspire students and community members on a variety of topics, such as human trafficking, leadership, and climate change.

  On Monday, Oct. 30, Brenda Wells, executive director for the I5 Freedom Network, will speak on the tell-tale signs of human trafficking and how individuals such as hotel employees and Lyft drivers can help identify victims.

  “Human trafficking continues to be an issue in our community,” said Kevin Anthony, director of the COC Institute for Ethics, Law and Public Policy and chair of the colleges hotel and restaurant management program. “We hope this talk provides attendees with the knowledge they need to remain vigilant and be prepared to help human trafficking victims.”

  Wells will speak from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, Room 258.

  Following Wells’ presentation, Colonel (Ret.) Steven M. Miska will speak on developing leadership skills in business, government and political enterprises in our changing world.

  Founder of Servant Leader Citizen Consulting, Miska had three combat tours in Iraq and served on the White House National Security Staff, providing daily briefings on Iraq to Vice-President Joe Biden. Before retiring from the military after 25 years of service, Miska was the Army Chair at the Marine Corps University where he advocated on behalf of former Afghan and Iraqi interpreters.

  Miska’s presentation, “Leadership in the 21st Century,” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in UCEN, Room 258.

  On Wednesday, Nov. 1, M*A*S*H television star Mike Farrell and playwright George Shea will host a screening of the play “Dr. Keelings Curve,” which focuses on the work of atmospheric scientist David Keeling.

  Keeling, who is portrayed by Farrell in the play, gave the world an early warning of the effects humans could have on climate change through his groundbreaking work measuring carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere.

  The play, written by Shea, was performed and filmed at CalTech’s Ramo Auditorium.

  “Dr. Keelings Curve” will be screened from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Hasley Hall, Room 101.

  Farrell and Shea will conduct a Q&A session after the film screening. Admission is free and open to the public for these events.
  
  

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  Canyon Country Campus to Host Open House

  Oct. 4, 2017
  NR-10.03.17-CCCOpenHouse

  In honor of its 10-year anniversary, the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus will host an open house celebration on Saturday, Oct. 14.

  The free event will feature campus tours, food trucks, chalk art, children's activities, student exhibits, a portable planetarium, a MakerSpace exhibit and many other engaging activities.

  “We are very excited to celebrate our 10-year anniversary with our community,” said Dr. Ryan Theule, vice president of the Canyon Country campus and grants development at the college. “The campus has benefited from invaluable community support these past 10 years and has become a vital part of College of the Canyons. As we reflect upon where we have been and where the campus is headed, we are proud that the campus has provided substantial academic and workforce training for our valley.”

  Guests will enjoy the amazing vocal stylings of local country music star Savannah Burrows, the 2016 winner of Santa Clarita’s 35th Local Nationwide Country Showdown Contest.

  A variety of self-paced and guided activities will be part of the open house festivities, including a guided garden walk highlighting the trees, plants and wildlife that are native to the Canyon Country campus. “Our garden walks are a great opportunity to introduce visitors to the diverse flora at the Canyon Country campus,” said Anthony Michaelides, dean of campus services and operations at the Canyon Country campus. “This popular event attracts people of all ages.”

  The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The garden walk will be led from 10 a.m. to noon.

  Admission is free and open to the public. Parking will be free in student parking lots for the duration of the event.

  “We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our community, staff, and students, and we know that the next 10 years will be tremendously exciting,” said Theule.
  
  

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  College to Host Civic Engagement Events

  Oct. 3, 2017
  NR-10.03.17-CivicEngagement

  With the purpose of encouraging a dialogue on democracy and to prepare community college students to be active and informed citizens, the College of the Canyons Civic Engagement Steering Committee will host two October events at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.

  On Oct. 5 and 6, the California Community Colleges Civic Engagement Summit Reaffirming the Mission of Democracy’s Colleges and Fostering Civic Engagement Across the Disciplines will address strategies to increase voter participation, civic knowledge, and community volunteerism.

  The summit’s guest speaker will be internationally renowned author and scholar Thomas Ehrlich.

  “We are very excited to hear Thomas Ehrlich speak about the role civic engagement plays in the classroom, as well as how educators can inspire students to take an active role in their communities to create change,” said Patty Robinson, faculty director of civic engagement and community engagement initiatives at the college and one of the event’s organizers.

  Presented by College of the Canyons, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, The Democracy Commitment, Students Learn to Vote, and De Anza College, the two-day conference will also feature panel discussions, networking opportunities, and breakout sessions.

  A consulting professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, Ehrlich is the author of “Civic Responsibility and Higher Education” and co-author of "Educating Citizens: Preparing Americas Undergraduates for Lives of Moral and Civic Responsibility.” A former president of Indiana University, Ehrlich was also a senior scholar at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for 10 years.

  On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Chris Carson, national president of The League of Women Voters of the U.S., will present “A Dialogue on Democracy: Rebuilding the American Spirit.”

  A former history professor, Carson will discuss the current state of American democracy and emphasize the importance of civic engagement.
  
  The event is sponsored by the COC Civic Engagement Steering Committee, Associated Student Government, Gamma Beta Phi, Sociology Club, Civic Engagement Club and the new League of Women Voters Santa Clarita Valley Chapter.

  “A Dialogue on Democracy: Rebuilding the American Spirit” will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, Room 258.
  
  

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  Fall Classes Added to Help Students Meet Goals

  Oct. 2, 2017
  NR-10.02.17-LateStart

  Think you missed the opportunity to take a class at College of the Canyons this fall? Think again!

  Though fall semester classes are already under way, College of the Canyons officials added 80 class sections of academic and career exploration courses scheduled to begin throughout October to give current and prospective students more options to help them reach their educational goals.

  These new classes will be offered to students at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campus, as well as online, with plenty of seats still available. Subjects include: English, anthropology, communication studies, early childhood education, geography, history, photography, water technology, welding, sociology, business, health science, as well as computer applications and web technologies.

  “It is not too late to enroll in a fall course at College of the Canyons,” said Dr. Jerry Buckley, assistant superintendent/vice president of academic affairs at the college. “We encourage our students and community members to explore additional class offerings this semester, which span a wide range of topics and skills.”

  Late-start classes are also a great opportunity for currently enrolled students to add an extra class to their schedules to get ahead.

  In addition, students who choose to enroll in a late-start class at the college will have the added benefit of being classified as a returning student for the upcoming winter session registration period. Returning students receive earlier registration dates, giving them an opportunity to select from more open classes.

  The college is expected to offer nearly 300 classes during the winter session, which will run from Jan. 2 to Feb. 3.

• September

  Theatre Department Presents 'Piece of My Heart'

  Sept. 27, 2017 
  NR-09.27.17-PieceOfMyHeart

  The College of the Canyons theatre department will present its production of Shirley Lauros A Piece of My Heart beginning Friday, Oct. 6, at the Black Box Theater. 

  Directed by Erin McBride Africa, the play is based on the true stories of six women who were sent to Vietnam, an experience that would irrevocably change their lives forever. 

  According to the U.S. Department of Defense, approximately 7,500 women served on active military duty during the Vietnam War.

  "This is a show asking us to bear witness to what these brave women lived through," said McBride Africa. "We've had a number of people from the community come in and share their experiences with the cast. It has a tremendous learning experience for us all."

  Since its premiere at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1991, it has enjoyed more than 1,000 productions in the U.S. and abroad. It has recently been named "The most enduring play on Vietnam in the nation by The Vietnam Vets Association.

  Performances are scheduled 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6, 7, and 14; matinees are scheduled 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 and 15. 

  The cast and crew is comprised solely of College of the Canyons theatre students. 

  General admission tickets are $12. Tickets for students and seniors are $6.

  The theatre department is offering free tickets to high school history teachers and their students.

  On Friday, Oct. 13, a special performance will be held for local veterans, which will include a talkback and reception. Tickets to the 8 p.m. performance and reception are free, however seating is limited. Advance reservations are required.

  The theatre department is also offering free tickets to high school theatre and social study teachers and their students to select “A Piece of My Heart” performances.
  
  

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  College Named Education Partner of Year

  Sept. 27, 2017
  NR-09.27.17-AYEAward

  College of the Canyons has been named Education Partner of the Year by Archdiocesan Youth Employment Services (AYE) for providing job training for participants of This Way Ahead Los Angeles, an internship program that provides young people with work experience and customer service career pathways.

  The award will be presented to the college at AYE’s 23d annual awards dinner on Thursday, Oct. 5.

  “We are honored to have been named as Education Partner of the Year,” said Kevin Anthony, chair of the hotel and restaurant management program. “Our priority is to provide students with the necessary skills to become job proficient in employment areas that will foster career development.

  Launched last fall, This Way Ahead Los Angeles was launched by COC and AYE to provide students with the necessary customer service skills that would enable students to deliver exceptional, high-quality customer service in a variety of customer-contact positions.

  “The key to our program is fostering the students growth so they not only learn the skills needed to deliver excellent customer service, but also understand how to create a total customer experience that is memorable, high quality and will attract customers to their employer,” said Anthony.

  With the mentorship and guidance of AYE staff and Gap Inc. store managers, 58 interns were hired in 15 Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores across the Los Angeles Metro Area. Of the 58 interns hired, 37 of them completed customer service training through COC. Many of these interns have been extended offers for ongoing employment within these stores.

  The relationship between AYE and COC was developed three years ago when AYE partnered with the colleges ETI Customer service training program. To date, the program has had over 300 graduates.
  
  

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  College Launches First-Year Promise Fundraising Campaign

  Sept. 21, 2017 
  NR-09.21.17-FYPCampaign

  College of the Canyons launched its First-Year Promise (FYP) program this fall, and to ensure the future of the FYP program, which offers full-time freshman students waived tuition and fees during their first year of study, the COC Foundation has committed to fundraising $500,000 over the next two years.

  “Our commitment to student success is exemplified by the launch of the First-Year Promise program,” said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “We are very inspired by the early success of the programs rollout and look forward to expanding the programs reach and longevity with the help of the community.
  The COC Foundations goal is off to a good start, thanks to two lead gifts of $50,000, which together will create a $100,000 match opportunity.”

  “We are extremely grateful for these lead gifts, which have set our fundraising goal on track,” said Murray Wood, chief development officer of the college’s foundation. “We know that with Santa Clarita’s generosity we will meet this challenge and raise the other $100,000 in matching funds.

  In addition to receiving free tuition, FYP students enroll in a one-year sequence of courses with priority registration, preceded by summer orientation to learn about majors and receive academic guidance. FYP courses are offered with the benefits of OER textbooks and other learning community elements.

  Ongoing counseling and student support are also offered to participating students to help them reach their academic goals. Each student also receives a $100 voucher per semester that can be applied toward other supplies and instructional materials.

  “The success of the First-Year Promise program would not be possible were it not for the support of the community,” said Steve Corn, board chairman of the college’s foundation. “The future of this innovative program looks brighter than ever.”

  The FYP program at College of the Canyons was launched through a grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office (CCCCO). Out of 51 community college districts that applied, COC was one of only 14 colleges awarded a CCCCO grant through the California College Promise Innovation Grant Program.
  
  

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  College Participates in Child, Adult Care Food Program

  Sept. 20, 2017 
  NR-09.20.17-ECENutrition

  The College of the Canyons Early Childhood Education Centers participate in the Department of Agricultures Child and Adult Care Food Program.

  To ensure access to the program by children within our community, the college is required to notify the media in its service area about participation in this program.

  The college operates Early Childhood Education Centers at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.
  
  

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  College to Host Human Trafficking Conference

  Sept. 18, 2017 
  NR-09.18.17-HumanTrafficking

  To raise awareness on human trafficking, an issue that has become increasingly prevalent in California, College of the Canyons will host the one-day conference, “Its Still Happening Right Here! Human Trafficking,” from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22.

  The conference will be held in the East P.E. Gymnasium, located at the college’s Valencia campus.

  According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, 705 cases of human trafficking have been reported in California this year.

  “It is hard to believe that human trafficking is an issue that plagues our communities today,” said Patty Robinson, faculty director of civic engagement and community engagement initiatives at the college and one of the event’s organizers. “We hope this conference helps raise awareness about this important issue, which exists in the Santa Clarita Valley.”

  Tika Thornton, an advocate against sex trafficking and a survivor herself, will be the keynote speaker. As a mentor and speaker, Thornton provides one-on-one peer counseling to at-risk youth and works to provide sex trafficking survivors with job skills and resources.

  Other event speakers will include:

  • Kate Wedell (director and founder of Cherished)
  • Barbara Vasquez (human trafficking survivor)
  • Lydia Ramirez (human trafficking survivor)

  
  “We hope this event will give attendees the tools and resources they need to help victims free themselves from human trafficking,” said Larry Schallert, assistant director of the Student Health and Wellness / Mental Health program at the college and one of the event’s organizers.
  
  

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  College to Host Fall Job & Career Fair

  Sept. 15, 2017
  NR-09.15.17-JobFair

  The College of the Canyons Job & Career Center will host its fall semester Job & Career Fair providing job seekers with employment opportunities in various industries and career fields.

  The fair is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 6, in the West P.E. gymnasium, located on the college’s Valencia campus.

  The event will feature a wide range of employers seeking to fill entry, middle and upper level job opportunities, as well as free workshops for attendees.

  For companies that are unable to attend this years event, an on-site virtual job fair hosted by KHTS AM 1220, will allow job seekers to apply for additional job opportunities.

  “The Job & Career Fair has become an invaluable resource for job seekers and employers in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Gina Bogna, dean of career services and special programs at the college. “We ask that job seekers do research beforehand and come to the fair prepared with copies of their resumes and questions to ask potential employers.”

  The fair, which is expected to draw more than 100 employers, will also provide LinkedIn workshops to teach attendees the importance of maintaining a professional online presence.

  Parking will be free in all student lots until 2 p.m. on the day of the event.

  The COC Job & Career Center will also host a pair of Resume Rally events where students and community members can create a new resume, or have their current resume critiqued, prior to attending the colleges Job & Career Fair events.
  
  Resume Rally events are scheduled:

  • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, Canyon Country Campus (Room 202A, Career Center)
  • 10 a.m. to6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, Valencia Campus (Canyons Hall 102, Career Center)

  
  All Job & Career Fair and Resume Rally events are free to students and community members, with no appointments needed and attendees able to drop in anytime.

  For the Resume Rally events, attendees without student parking passes should be prepared to purchase a one-day pass for $3, or print out a Resume Rally flyer from the colleges Career Services website and place it on their cars dashboard on the day of the event.
  
  

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  College Presents 'Elevate! ASL Artist'

  Sept. 14, 2017 
  NR-09.14.17-Elevate

  The College of the Canyons American Sign Language (ASL) department will host “Elevate! ASL Artist 2017” on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC).

  Featuring up-and-coming and established ASL artists, the performance will feature sign song, poetry, comedy, dance, and storytelling.

  “We are very excited to introduce our students and the Santa Clarita Valley community to this group of extremely talented ASL performers,” said Brittany Applen, chair of the college’s ASL department and one of the event's organizers. “This show will have something for everyone in the family to enjoy.”

  Among the artists slated to perform include CJ Jones, Megg Rose, Shaheem Sanchez, Bob Hiltermann, Amelia Hensley, Lisa Hermatz, Tyrone Oraguzie, Ruthie Jordan, Justin Reynolds, and Jonathan Reynolds.

  The performance is co-sponsored by the colleges ASL department and Elevate!, which is a non-profit organization led by Jones that aims to create high-quality ASL entertainment for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing audiences.

  A deaf actor, Jones has toured around the world and recently gave his first feature film performance in Edgar Wright’s “Baby Driver.”

  Elevate! ASL Artist will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at the PAC.

  Interpreters will be provided during the performance for hearing attendees.

  Advance purchase tickets are $20 or $25 at the door. A special VIP ticket experience is available for $50, which includes a pre-show catered meal with ASL talent and VIP reserved seating. Space is limited.
  
  

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  First Responders Invited to Football Home Opener

  Sept. 13, 2017 
  NR-09.13.17-Football

  The College of the Canyons Athletics department is inviting all first responders to attend Saturdays COC football home opener at Cougar Stadium free of charge.

  Canyons (2-0) will host Fullerton College (2-0) with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.

  All first responders Fire Department, EMT, Sheriffs Dept., Police, Highway Patrol etc. will be admitted to the game free of charge (with valid I.D).

  General admission tickets are $5. Kids 10 and under are free.

  “We would like to show our gratitude to the hardworking men and women who put their lives on the line to keep this community and its residents safe,” said COC head football coach Ted Iacenda. “The Cougar football program appreciates each and every one of you.”

  The Cougars will host a special invite each week during the 2017 season. A full list of home games and corresponding invites is included below:

  • 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 vs. Long Beach City College students/staff from SCV K-12 school districts admitted free (with proper I.D.)
  • 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 vs. Moorpark College local youth sports teams and cheerleading organizations admitted free (with uniform)
  • 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 vs. Cerritos College fans in Halloween costumes admitted free
  • 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 vs. Bakersfield College veterans and active duty military personnel admitted free (with proper I.D.)

  
  In addition, all 2017 COC football home games will be live streamed via a partnership with SoCalCollegeSports.com.
  
  

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  Students Launch Payload on NASA Science Balloon

  Sept. 11, 2017
  NR-09.11.17-HASP

  NASA’s High Altitude Student Platform (HASP) carrying a College of the Canyons payload successfully launched on Monday, Sept. 4 from New Mexico. The payload, designed to trap Interplanetary Cosmic Dust Particles (IDPs), was developed by Astronomy & Physics Club students.

  It's the second year in a row the college was selected for the HASP program, and College of the Canyons is one of only five community colleges ever chosen during the programs 11-year history.

  The team of 12 students improved upon last years prototype designed to collect IDPs in the upper stratosphere, but the payload experienced some in-flight challenges when its enclosure was activated during the flight.

  However, the team, led by COC student Daniel Tikhomirov, worked together to troubleshoot the problem and found a way to keep the payloads enclosure open as a passive collector.

  “We will not know for months whether the box captured any dust particles,” said Tikhomirov. “Maybe we'll capture some particles, but it is unlikely that they will be collected on the payloads copper plates. Luckily, the optical dust sensor did not fail to give us interesting data on the detection of dust particles.”

  The team’s second HASP experience has given the team of COC students invaluable hands-on experience and insight into the fields of science and physics.

  “These students are getting graduate student-level project experience at the community college level,” said Teresa Ciardi, a physical science professor at the college who, along with Greg Poteat, an adjunct manufacturing instructor, served as co-advisor on the project. “They are getting real skills that will help them as they move forward in their education and careers.”

  In the fall, Tikhimirov will be designing and controlling prototype vehicles for Mars navigation as a Student Independent Research Intern (SIRI) at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

  As the author of last year's accepted proposal to HASP, Tikhomirov submitted another proposal in December 2016 to send an improved version of the teams payload on the HASP platform, which is carried aloft by a scientific balloon. The balloon, measuring 79 feet in diameter, traveled to an altitude of 108,000 feet.

  The proposal was accepted in January 2017, which is when the team began to work.

  When the final payload launched, a camera was attached to the science balloon, which allowed the team to view the launch and the scene from above during the flight on the NASA HASP webpage.

  After the science balloons launch, the NASA HASP recovery team followed the teams specific checklist to retrieve, detach, pack, and send the team the box that was designed to trap IDPs.

  The team will analyze the box at a clean room at COC.

  Funding for the payload, clean room cleaning and equipment for payload testing was provided by the COC Foundation.

  The HASP program is run by Louisiana State University and the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility.
  
  

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  College Partners with Lincoln Electric to Provide Training

  Sept. 7, 2017
  NR-09.07.17-LincolnElectric

  College of the Canyons has partnered with Lincoln Electric to provide certified robotic training to Lincoln Electric clients, establishing the college as the first official Lincoln Electric Education Partner School (LEEPS) in the nation.

  A multi-tiered program that supports welding instructors at every level of education, LEEPS provide industry certification to welders who meet specific program requirements.

  The college offered its first three-day training session to four students Aug. 15 to 18.

  “We are proud to be the first school to offer Lincoln Electric off-site robotic training classes,” said Tim Baber, department chair of welding technology at the college. “This would not be possible were it not for our state-of-the-art welding equipment and expert industry knowledge.”

  Thanks to Baber’s instruction during the three-day industry-level robotic programming and welding program, the entire first cohort of students received a Certificate of Completion from Lincoln Electric and the colleges Employee Training Institute (ETI).

  Previously, Lincoln Electric clients on the West Coast had to travel to the company’s headquarters in Cleveland to receive training, which would result in travel expenses for employees and employers.

  “Partnering with College of the Canyons allows us to do regional training much closer to where our customers work and live,” said Jason Scales, Lincoln Electric manager of education services, in a press release.

  During the three-day training session at COC, students learned structured programming language techniques, proper editing procedures, and error recovery through hands-on exercises in a combination lecture-laboratory format.

  “We are very excited to be the first Lincoln Electric Education Partner School in the nation,” said John Milburn, executive director of ETI. “This further cements the college’s position as an industry leader in the area of robotic welding.

  The college’s next Lincoln Electric training session is expected to be held Dec. 12 to 14. 

  Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric has 63 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 23 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. The company is considered the world leader in manufacture, development and design of robotic arc welding systems, arc welding, as well as oxyfuel and plasma cutting equipment.

• August

  Berthia, Briggs to Speak at Performing Arts Center

  Aug. 31, 2017
  NR-08.31.17-BerthiaBriggs

  On March 11, 2005, a depressed and overwhelmed Kevin Berthia was ready to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge when he heard someone say Hey, wait a minute.

  The words came from California Highway Patrol (CHP) Sergeant Kevin Briggs, who spent 96 minutes talking to Berthia until he convinced him to come back over the railing.

  A photograph of Briggs listening intently to Berthia who is standing precariously on a four-inch cord 220 feet in the air made the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle and would later be named as one of the 75 most iconic photos of the 21st Century.

  In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, Kevin Berthia and Kevin Briggs will recount the profound experience that took place at the Golden Gate Bridge on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons.

  “We are honored to hear Kevin Berthia and Kevin Briggs speak about that fateful day on the Golden Gate Bridge and how to help others who are grappling with depression and other mental health issues,” said Larry Schallert, assistant director of the Student Health and Wellness/Mental Health program at the college. “We hope this event will help raise awareness about suicide prevention not just on campus, but throughout our community.”

  In May 2013, eight years after his attempt at the Golden Gate Bridge, Berthia was invited by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to present The Life Savers Award to Briggs. It was the first time he spoke publicly about his suicide attempt.

  Now a father of three, Berthia is a suicide prevention advocate whose story has been featured on the Nightly News with Brian Williams, ABC Fusion, The Steve Harvey Show, Men's Health Magazine and People Magazine.

  Briggs, who retired from the CHP in 2013, devotes his time to promoting suicide intervention, crisis management, and leadership skills. He often speaks at events across the country, including conferences and law enforcement departments, such as the FBI.

  His experiences have been featured in The New Yorker Magazine, Mens Health Magazine, People Magazine, and NPR.

  Berthia and Briggs will speak at the PAC from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13. Doors open at 5 p.m.

  Mental health service professionals will also be on hand to answer questions and provide information.

  Admission is free and open to the public.

  This event is made possible with grant funding provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the support of the Santa Clarita Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force/SAMHSA Committee on Suicide Prevention, Postvention and Wellness.
  
  

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  College Leaders Join Effort to Expand Promise Partnerships

  Aug. 30, 2017 
  NR-08.30.17-CollegePromise

  Representatives from College of the Canyons were among more than 400 education leaders, including the heads of all public education systems in California, that gathered today in Sacramento as part of a statewide effort to develop strategies to improve and expand College Promise partnerships, which offer financial, academic, and community support to eligible students throughout the state.

  College Promise initiatives are part of a growing national movement to support college access and completion, especially for low- to middle-income students, creating a college-going culture in the communities where they exist and strengthening local economies.

  In a continued effort to reduce college costs, College of the Canyons launched its First-Year Promise (FYP) program this fall. It is designed to create a pathway that will provide increased opportunities for new full-time college students to achieve their educational goals, through a $750,000 grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office (CCCCO).

  “College of the Canyons is widely recognized for its commitment to institutional effectiveness, data-driven initiatives, sustained efforts to make college more affordable for more students,” said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne Van Hook. “We are very excited by the early success of the First Year Promise program and look forward to partnering with the community to expand the reach and impact of the program.”

  Out of 51 community college districts that applied, COC was one of only 14 colleges awarded a CCCCO grant through the California College Promise Innovation Grant Program.

  Participating students enroll in a one-year sequence of courses with priority registration, preceded by summer orientation to learn about majors and receive academic guidance. First-Year Promise courses will be offered with the benefits of OER textbooks and other learning community elements. To ensure participating students remain on track, ongoing counseling and student support will also be offered. Additionally, each student will receive a $100 voucher per semester that can be applied toward other supplies and instructional materials.

  California is a national leader in the advancement of College Promise programs, with more than 50 active or announced Promise programs under way more than any other state in the country. A key to the success of Promise programs is the coupling of public and private resources.

  Under the leadership of board chairman Steve Corn, the College of the Canyons Foundation is currently exploring fundraising opportunities to extend the benefits of the First Year Promise program beyond the term of the grant. Corn was among those attending the event in Sacramento today. “I’m looking forward to bringing back new ideas and information that will help us take First Year Promise to the next level,” he said.

  College affordability is a priority among all of California’s higher education institutions; the College Promise initiative affords a promising pathway to increase student success while keeping college affordable. The speakers at today's event included:

  • Tom Torlakson, superintendent, California Department of Education
  • Eloy Oakley, chancellor, California Community Colleges
  • Janet Napolitano, president, University of California
  • Loren Blanchard, executive vice chancellor for students and academics, California State University
  • Kristen Soares, president, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities

  
  “Across the nation, education, business, and government leaders from local communities and states are working together to develop college programs to enable students to start and complete a community college education without taking on mountains of debt,” said Dr. Martha J. Kanter, executive director of the College Promise Campaign. “But nowhere is the pace picking up faster than in California, as local and state leaders are building and expanding free community college programs at a rapid rate. Today’s meeting is a great opportunity for California’s education leaders to discuss the most effective ways to create and enhance the state’s College Promise initiatives and to make them successful and financially sustainable.”
  
  

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  Body Mind Wellness Hosts Community Resource Fair

  Aug. 30, 2017 
  NR-08.30.17-BMW

  The College of the Canyons Body Mind Wellness Coalition will be hosting its annual Community Resource Fair to raise awareness about the many local services and resources that promote physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.

  The festivities will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, in the COC Honor Grove, located on the college’s Valencia Campus. The fair will serve as a kick-off event for a series of wellness-related seminars and events being hosted by the BMW Coalition throughout the year.

  “We are very excited to offer students and community members the knowledge, tools, and support services they need to be healthy and happy,” said Sheri Barke, sports and wellness dietitian at the COC Student Health Center and one of the event organizers.

  Fair attendees will have an opportunity to enjoy free food, music, and the annual “Everybody is Beautiful” fashion show at 12:30 p.m., which aims to challenge superficial unrealistic beauty ideals and promote position body image.

  The fair will also help inform students and community members about other body mind wellness seminars and events being presented on campus this semester. A full list of upcoming event dates/times is listed below:

  • Mental Health and Substance Abuse 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, University Center, Room 258
  • Listening: The Bridge Between Suicide and Life Presentation with Kevin Berthia and Kevin Briggs, 5:30 to7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center
  • Domestic Violence Summit Patricia Wenskunas (keynote speaker), 8:30 a.m. to2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, University Center
  • No Texting & Driving 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, Student Center, Atrium
  • Human Trafficking Conference: It Still Happens Right Here, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, East PE Gym
  • Art with Impact, noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, East PE Gym
  • Healthy College Cooking Workshop Series, noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 & 24, and Nov. 7, Student Center, Room 128
  • Minute Mediation Series, noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17 & 31, and Nov. 14, Student Center, Room 129
  • Building Your Immune System with Sunshine, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, Boykin Hall, Room 105
  • Domestic Violence Center Purple Walk of Strength, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 21 (race begins at 9 a.m.), Cougar Stadium Track
  • Breast Cancer Awareness, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, Student Center Atrium
  • Safe Zone Training, 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, Mentry Hall, Room 343
  • Autism Awareness Seminar, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, Mentry Hall, Room 343
  • Great American Smoke Out, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, Student Center Atrium
  • Paws for a While with Therapy Dogs, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, Flag Pole
  • Mental Health First Aid Training, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, University Center, Room 258

  
  The Body Mind Wellness Community Resource Fair and all scheduled seminars are free and open to the public, unless otherwise specified.

  Many of these events are made possible under grant number SM061818 from the Substance abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and presenters and do not necessarily express those of SAMHSA or HHS.
  
  

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  Art Gallery Presents 'Real Shadows for Mere Bodies'

  Aug. 25, 2017
  NR-08.25.17-Noncredit

  The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will showcase the work of Los Angeles-based artists Stephanie Deumer and Arden Surdam in the joint exhibition Real Shadows for Mere Bodies opening Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017.

  The Gallery’s first exhibition for the fall semester, “Real Shadows for Mere Bodies,” will feature dynamic works of art that combine contemporary and traditional visual forms, photography, video, and sculpture.

  “This is a wonderful exhibition to kick off our new academic year and I am happy that it is the first one I get to help facilitate as the new gallery director here at COC,” said Pamela Lewis, who began her position as COC Art Gallery Director in August. “This is brand new work from these emerging, yet incredibly accomplished artists. It is a great opportunity for our students to gain insight into some of the material and critical approaches contemporary artists are taking to their art work right now.”

  Surdam’s new photographic series captures the unique still lifes she creates, many of which exist for only a few minutes, by combining sculpture, contemporary photography, and floral arrangements as her subjects.

  The sculptures are made by cutting, chopping or manipulating sourced flower materials and then assembling these distorted fragments into new compositions. Referencing art history’s metaphoric relationship to flowers and fabric, her work explores the discourse between pleasure, objecthood, and disrupted space.

  The exhibition will run through Thursday, Oct. 12. A reception for the artists will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12. A special conversation with the artists will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14.

  The College of the Canyons Art Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Those unable to visit the gallery during normal hours are welcome to contact the gallery to schedule a viewing appointment.

  All gallery exhibitions and related events are free and open to the public.

  About the Artists

  Born in Toronto, Stephanie Deumer is an artist currently working in Los Angeles. She completed a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Guelph in 2011 and a master of fine arts at California Institute of the Arts in 2015.

  Deumer has exhibited her work at PAVED Arts, The REEF, Cal Arts, Milton Centre for the Arts, the Zavitz Gallery, and Cerritos College, where she is currently an artist in residence. Her work has also been exhibited in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, and throughout the U.S.

  Originally from New York, Arden Surdam earned her bachelor of arts degree in visual arts from Oberlin College and her master of fine arts degree from California Institute of the Arts in 2015.

  Her recent exhibitions include SLOAN Projects, Vernon Gardens LA, The Institute for Art and Olfaction, and Paris Photo 2017. She recently exhibited work at Paris Photos 2016 fair and was featured in the catalog Parcours.
  
  

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  Canyon Country Campus Celebrates Decade of Excellence

  Aug. 24, 2017
  NR-08.24.17-Noncredit

  The College of the Canyons Canyon Country Campus has many reasons to celebrate this fall 2017 semester. Not only is the campus offering one of its largest class schedules ever with more than 260 class sections, but the fall 2017 semester also marks the its 10-year anniversary.

  “It is hard to believe that it has been a decade since the Canyon Country campus first opened its doors,” said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. "As a true embodiment of College of the Canyons pioneering spirit, the Canyon Country campus has blazed trails of success by expanding access to higher education in the eastern Santa Clarita Valley.”

  In the past 10 years, the 70-acre campus has offered more than 5,000 classes and has served more than 50,000 students. In fact, nearly 73 percent of the college’s 2017 graduating class completed at least one course at the Canyon Country Campus.

  To commemorate the 10-year anniversary, a variety of events and student-centered activities are planned to help celebrate and continue the progress at COCs comprehensive second campus. Various special events will be held throughout the year. Students, staff, and community members are invited to attend the following events:

  • Campus Welcome Week, Tuesday, Aug. 29 through Thursday, Aug. 31
  • Community Open House Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, Oct. 14
  • Joint Associated Student Government (ASG) and Board of Trustees Meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 25
  • Star Party, Friday, Oct. 27

  
  “We are very excited about the events we have planned to celebrate this momentous milestone in the history of the Canyon Country campus,” said Ryan Theule, vice president of the campus. “The Canyon Country campus has experienced tremendous growth in the past 10 years and with the construction of the new Science Center on the horizon, we look forward to continue meeting the needs of our students.

  The second permanent building to be built on the Canyon Country campus, the Science Center will be located in the middle of the campus, serving as a focal point for students and first-time visitors. The approximately 52,000-square-foot building will primarily be devoted to physical and biological sciences, housing eight labs, a large 70-seat lecture room, lab prep space, seven lecture rooms, three computer lab classrooms, 22 faculty offices, as well as 17 group study rooms and several meeting spaces.

  Construction for the approximate 22-month long project is slated to begin this year. The greatly anticipated Science Center will be funded in part by Measure E, which local voters approved in 2016. 

  Future construction projects slated for the Canyon Country campus include a Student Services/Learning Resources Building, which will house Student Services offices and programs. The four-story building will be opposite the Science Building at the center of campus and will also include space for the Library and The Learning Center (TLC).

  “The Canyon Country campus is filled with innovative students, staff, and faculty who will continue to make this amazing site thrive,” said Theule. “With their passion and dedication, we are excited about the many opportunities ahead.”

  About the Canyon Country Campus

  When the Canyon Country campus opened its doors on Aug. 27, 2007, it welcomed more than 3,500 students, exceeding its five-year enrollment target on opening day. Since then, the campus has expanded access to higher education in the Santa Clarita Valley with 18 associate degree offerings and 13 certificate programs. 

  The campus regularly offers more than 100 classes each semester in high-demand evening, weekend, hybrid or accelerated formats to meet the needs of working students. Each semester, campus enrollment regularly reaches between 4,000 to 5,000 students, with an average of 170 faculty teaching in approximately 300 classes that span an average of 40 academic disciplines.

  Aside from offering high-quality instructional programs and supportive student services, the campus also offers meaningful community partnerships. The campus hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as the Star Party, a biannual event that allows community members to learn about astronomy-related topics from experts under the night sky. Other campus activities include movie nights, community mixers, ASG student life events, Battle of the Bands, and Garden Walks.
  
  

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  RISE Project to Assist Foster, Homeless Youth

  Aug. 23, 2017
  NR-08.23.17-Noncredit

  College of the Canyons has launched the Resources for Individual Success in Education (RISE) Project, a program that will help improve access to higher education for current and former foster or homeless youth.

  Launched this fall semester, the programs mission is to increase retention, graduation and transfer rates, as well as promote student learning and development.

  “Our goal is to not only help foster youth and homeless students, but to also empower them throughout college, when they need the most support,” said Dora Lozano, the college’s RISE Project counselor.

  The RISE Project will provide participating students with counseling, priority registration, progress monitoring and assistance with the purchase of textbooks, meals and transportation.

  In addition, RISE Project students will have access to on-campus shower facilities, personal care supplies, workshops, snacks and resource referrals.

  Students who wish to participate in the RISE Project must meet with Lozano in order to identify their specific needs.

  To qualify for the RISE Project, the student must be between the ages of 16 and 24 and be enrolled in at least three units of college coursework at COC. In addition, documentation is required to receive RISE services as either a current/former foster or homeless youth.

  A survey conducted by the Wisconsin Hope Lab and the Association of Community College Trustees, a nonprofit group representing college district board members, revealed that 30 percent of former foster youth surveyed were homeless while attending community college.

  The RISE Project was created in response to the passing of Assembly Bill 801, the Success for Homeless Youth in Higher Education Act. Signed by Governor Brown in 2016, the bill requires that each California State University and community college district provide resources to foster youth and homeless students.

  “We hope this program will make it easier for students to come forward and ask for help,” said Lozano. “We are especially grateful for the support of various local organizations who wish to lend a helping hand to RISE Project students.”

  The Assistance League of Santa Clarita donated 20 shower bags to the RISE Project. The shower bags contain flip flops, wash cloths, body wash, shampoo, brush, lock, toothpaste, and a toothbrush.

  Fostering Youth Independence (FYI), a non-profit in Santa Clarita, has accepted several RISE Project foster youths as participants in their mentee program. FYI provides foster youth with a caring adult called an ally who works directly with them to make sure they obtain the resources and encouragement they need as they complete their education.

  On Thursday, Aug, 17, FYI held a Back to School Bash that allowed RISE Project students to meet their allies and other foster youth, as well as fill new backpacks with a wide variety of school supplies.
  
  

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  Culinary Arts Cafe Lunch Service Resumes

  Aug. 23, 2017
  NR-08.23.17-Noncredit

  Starting Tuesday, Aug. 29, you can leave your brown-bag lunch at home on Tuesdays because the College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education (iCuE) Cafe will resume its weekly lunch service.

  Running through Tuesday, Oct. 10, the fall lunch service menu will be a five-course meal prepared by advanced culinary arts students and Chef Daniel Otto, who was recently voted Best Chef in Santa Clarita by Elite Magazine.

  The Culinary Arts Cafe will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, with all parties accepted by reservation only.

  Cost of the meal is $25 per person.

  “We are very excited to offer our lunch service to students, faculty, staff and community members who wish to support our program,” said Cindy Schwanke, department chair for the culinary arts and wine studies program at the college. “Our lunch service provides invaluable hands-on experience to our students so that they can thrive in the competitive world that is the restaurant industry.”

  The luncheons are part of the highly-regarded, instructional training program that COC provides to students who wish to pursue careers in the food and hospitality industry.

  After Oct. 10, the Culinary Arts Cafe will return to its buffet-style lunch on Thursdays.
  
  

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  'Degrees with Guarantee' Offered at Canyon Country Campus

  Aug. 15, 2017
  NR-08.15.17-Noncredit

  In the fall, College of the Canyons will offer several Associate Degrees for Transfer (AD-T) at the Canyon Country campus, including Business Administration, Psychology, and Sociology. These degrees will give transfer students guaranteed admission to a California State University (CSU) school upon completion.

  These two-year pathways are offered in online and hybrid (partly online) formats to accommodate the needs of working students.

  “We are very excited to offer Business Administration, Sociology, and Psychology pathways at the Canyon Country campus,” said Dr. Ryan Theule, vice president of the campus. “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the campus this year, we are eager to serve students with relevant degree pathways including accelerated, evening, and weekend classes, that will help students reach their educational goals with fewer roadblocks on their path toward graduation.”

  The AS-T degree in Business Administration will teach students how to analyze financial, economic, legal and management issues related to a business entity as required for upper division work in their business-related major.

  The AA-T degree in Psychology will provide students with an introduction to the field of behavior including the major perspectives, scientific foundations, and applied areas.

  The AA-T degree in Sociology will provide an introduction to the major theoretical perspectives, research methodologies, and related sub-areas associated with the field, incorporating the primary courses required for the baccalaureate degree at many four-year colleges and universities.

  AS-T degrees were created in response to Senate Bill 1440, a transfer bill that required California community colleges to offer associate degrees for transfer in popular majors. The bill also called upon the CSU system to grant priority admission to California community college students who completed an AA-T or AS-T degree pathway.

  While AS-T degrees do not guarantee admission to a particular CSU major or college, they can provide students with a GPA bump when applying to a similar major that is impacted or an impacted non-local CSU school.
  
  

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  College Hosts Free Family Caregiver Workshops

  Aug. 9, 2017
  NR-08.09.17-Noncredit

  College of the Canyons, in partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center and with support from the Archstone Foundation, will host a free Family Caregivers Essentials workshop on Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center.

  The first in an ongoing series of workshops designed to offer assistance to current and potential family caregivers, the workshop will educate and empower attendees about decision-making and resources available to create a crisis plan for health care decisions.

  “Taking on the role of a caregiver can be overwhelming for many individuals,” said Paul Wickline, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “We hope this series of workshops provide community members with the tools and information they need to care for their loved ones in a way that best befits their unique circumstances.”

  Funded by a grant from the Archstone Foundation, the workshop will be led by Anne Front, a licensed marriage and family therapist and palliative care therapist care coordinator at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

  Other workshops in the Family Caregivers Essential series include:

  • Coping with Caregiving (Part One): Essentials of Self-Care for Caregivers, Saturday, Sept. 30
  • Coping with Caregiving (Part Two): Empowering the Advocate, Saturday, Oct. 21
  • The ABCs of Long-Term Care Options, Saturday, Nov. 18

  
  The workshop on Saturday, Aug. 26 is scheduled 9 to 11:30 a.m.
  
  

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  Expanded Selection of Free Noncredit Courses Offered

  Aug. 3, 2017
  NR-08.03.17-Noncredit

  Included among the nearly 2,000 class sections being offered by College of the Canyons this fall are 57 noncredit class sections, marking a 36 percent increase from the fall 2016 semester.

  Free and open to all community members, COC Continuing Education/Noncredit courses cover a wide range of subjects, such as English as a Second Language (ESL), GED preparation, basic skills, computer applications and web technology, as well as citizenship preparation classes.

  All noncredit courses have been designed to help students and community members improve their language and study skills, and/or transition into a collegiate academic setting.

  “Our noncredit course offerings are a tremendous asset to the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Lisa Pavik, assistant director of admissions and records-noncredit. "These free classes are held at local businesses, libraries, elementary schools, and community centers across the SCV, in addition to both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.”

  The noncredit program also offers free academic and career advisement in multiple languages for current noncredit students and noncredit students interested in transitioning to the credit program. Advisement sessions are scheduled by appointment only, and offered in English, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Farsi, Korean and Arabic.

  For 19-year-old Artyom Galstyan, noncredit ESL classes were a tremendous resource to him when he immigrated to Santa Clarita from Armenia in 2015.

  “What I enjoy the most about non-credit ESL classes is the group of people that come together every day for one purpose, to learn English,” said Galstyan, who has earned two certificates from the colleges noncredit ESL program.

  In the fall, Galstyan will be transitioning to credit courses and plans on taking business classes and more ESL classes to advance his English skills.

  “ESL classes have created a great foundation for my English skills,” said Galstyan. “Today I use English pretty professionally.”

  The COC Continuing Education/Noncredit office is located at the Valencia Campus in Canyons Hall, Room 167.
  
  

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  College Creates Internships with City of Santa Clarita

  Aug. 2, 2017
  NR-08.02.17-CityInternships

  After the successful rollout of an automotive technology internship program offered through the City of Santa Clarita in February, College of the Canyons has launched a second internship program with the City for students interested in building inspection careers.

  The internship program, which launched this summer, is giving three COC building inspection students the opportunity to ride along for inspections, assist at the City counter with plan-checks, and learn about customer service to experience the practical side of building codes.

  “It’s been working well,” said Chuck Strong, supervising building inspector for the City of Santa Clarita. “They get to ride with seasoned building inspectors and get a glimpse of what it’s really like. This program will get them going on the right path by helping them see what they have to know by working one-on-one with inspectors in the field.

  “Through these internships facilitated by the COC internship program, Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE), the City demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement and the value of offering opportunities for students in career related programs.”

  “These internships are well thought out and include the most important element, mentoring,” said Gina Bogna, assistant dean of internships, job development and career center. “Mentoring is the crux of an internship that sets itself apart from internships where the student does menial tasks such as fetching coffee or paper shredding.”

  For COC student Jennifer Turcios, the internship is exactly what she was looking for to return to the workforce. “I’m a mom who is returning back to my field and needed to get updated on building laws that changed in January,” said Turcios, who will be earning an associate of science degree in construction management at COC in June.

  Every week, Turcios and the other two COC student interns are assigned to a city building inspector and have the chance to work at different construction sites.

  The internship has given Turcios a more comprehensive approach to building, allowing her to learn about plumbing, electricity, framing and foundation, and geology.

  “Everything I have learned in class, I am visually seeing it,” said Turcios. “My professors at COC did a good job bringing real-life scenarios into the classroom. They are really well-versed and knowledgeable.”

  COC veteran student Chris Dellefield also appreciates how the internship is providing him with invaluable hands-on experience from seasoned professionals.

  “This is what I wanted to do since I left the military,” said Dellefield, who is also working toward earning a building inspection certificate at COC. “You understand more when you are out here, to see all the stuff done in person.”

  Turcios, who is also working toward earning a certificate in building inspection at COC, loves the internship program so much she hopes to be able to repeat the experience in the fall.

  “I recommend it to anyone interested in building inspection,” said Turcios. “The inspectors are really nice and use everything as a teachable moment. Every moment they are teaching me.”

• July

  Culinary Instructor Wins Idaho Potato Commission Award

  July 27, 2017 
  NR-07.27.17-IPCAward

  Herve Guillard, an adjunct culinary arts instructor at College of the Canyons, was awarded a 2017 Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) Innovation Award for Excellence in Foodservice Education for his effective use of social media in the classroom.

  Guillard received the award at the 13th annual Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAF) Leadership Conference held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on June 22.

  Open to foodservice instructors in high schools and post-secondary schools nationwide, this years IPC Innovation Awards focused on the use of social media to teach and inspire students.

  “I felt very honored and proud to be chosen as the nation winner for this award,” said Guillard. “As an instructor, it is always revitalizing to get some recognition for what we do. My goal is to periodically question myself and my teaching methods to stay abreast of what is available to us and to find new ways to engage my students, so this is a validation of my efforts to include new teaching tools as part of my methodology.”

  Guillard chose to integrate social media in his Safety and Sanitation class to keep his students engaged and connected via Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook.

  His students asked social media users if they had ever experienced illness as a result of consuming prepared foods or ingredients that were improperly stored, handled or cooked. This information allowed students to make educated guesses about which food safety principles were violated.

  “They not only enjoyed it more in the format but it was also rewarding to have people from the outside comment and participate in their education by providing comments and data,” said Guillard. “Too often our students feel alone in their educational journey so it was interesting to see how many people in their social media spheres were eager to help out. I think it really boosted their personal motivation of bettering themselves via education at COC.”

  The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency responsible for protecting the famous Grown in Idaho seal, a federally registered trademark that assures consumers they are buying genuine Idaho potatoes.
  
  

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  Career Education Programs Named Strong Workforce Stars

  July 26, 2017 
  NR-07.26.17-CareerEducation

  Four College of the Canyons programs have been ranked by California Community Colleges (CCC) as Strong Workforce Stars, a new annual commendation for career education programs whose students show significant gains in social mobility and earning power.

  The colleges Emergency Medical Technician, Administration of Justice, and Fire Technology programs earned a spot on the list under the Public and Protective Services sector. COCs Water Technology program earned the college its second listing under the Agriculture, Water, and Environmental Technologies sector.

  Out of the 114 colleges in the CCC system, only 65 colleges made the list, which included more than 100 career education programs.

  “It is an incredible honor to have four of our career education programs ranked as Strong Workforce Stars by California Community Colleges,” Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said. “Career education is a cornerstone of our curriculum and we are committed to continue helping our students attain the skills they need to work in high-demand fields and support local companies to grow their businesses by providing the state-of-the-art training that a strong workforce needs.”

  The college offers 26 career education programs, including computer applications and web technologies, computer networking, culinary arts, hotel and restaurant management, and welding technology.

  The Strong Workforce Stars rankings are based on data from students enrolled in 2013-14 in career education programs.
  Career education programs were designated as Strong Workforce Stars if they met one or more of the following criteria:

  • 70 percent or more of students attain a regional living wage
  • 50 percent or more increase in student earnings
  • 90 percent or more of students reporttheir current job is close to their field of study

  
  The Strong Workforce Program was created with the goal to create 1 million additional middle-skilled workers to boost regional economies and advance social mobility.
  
  

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  College Launches Crisis Text Line for Students

  July 25, 2017 
  NR-07.25.17-CrisisText

  For College of the Canyons students grappling with mental health issues, immediate support is now just a text away.

  Thanks to a new collaboration between the Crisis Text Line, the California Community College Chancellors Office, and the Foundation for California Community Colleges, COC students can receive support from trained Crisis Text Line counselors by texting COURAGE to 741741.

  The confidential support is free and accessible 24/7.

  “About half of adults will experience a mental health challenge over the course of their lifetime according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Larry Schallert, assistant director of the Student Health and Wellness / Mental Health program at the college. “We hope this text-based resource further supports the mental health and wellness initiatives of the Student Health & Wellness Center at College of the Canyons.”

  Twice a year, the college hosts a Healthy Lifestyle Resource Fair to better assist students and community members with various issues, including mental health. The college also strongly supports the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK, for students experiencing mental distress.

  Crisis Text Line is a U.S. not-for-profit organization providing free crisis intervention via SMS message that can be used for all crises such as LGBTQ issues, cyberbullying, suicide, and anxiety. The organization has over 3,000 trained crisis counselors.
  
  

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  College MakerSpace Awarded $311,432 Grant

  July 24, 2017
  NR-07.24.17-MakerspaceGrant

  College of the Canyons has been awarded a $311,432 grant by the California Community College Chancellors Office to enhance its MakerSpace centers at the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses with additional equipment, courses, training and internships.

  “Our two MakerSpace locations have given our students and faculty a place where they can imagine, create and explore,” Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting and innovative initiative led by the California Community College Chancellors Office.”

  The college was among 24 community colleges that received funding to participate in the CCC Maker initiative and collaborate across the state, sharing best practices and developing a model for creating college MakerSpace communities.

  “We are honored to have been selected for this grant from the California Community College Chancellors Office to take our colleges two MakerSpace locations to the next level,” said Ron McFarland, dean of the college’s School of Applied Technology.

  “The vision of the statewide initiative is to drive innovation in education and prepare students for success in STEM/STEAM careers that demand 21st century skills.”

  California community colleges are building makerspaces so students, faculty and staff can interact with others who have shared interests, learn to use tools, make class projects and develop their knowledge through exploration and hands-on experiences, said Carol Pepper-Kittredge, manager of the CCC Maker Statewide Project.

  MakerSpace community members collaborate and teach other, enabling students, faculty and business owners to interact in ways not possible in the classroom, enriching students education.

  Both of the college’s MakerSpace facilities have been designed as collaborative learning areas that give users free access to tools, materials, technological resources, skills training and a variety of entrepreneurial opportunities.

  The MakerSpace mission is to enable community members to design, prototype and create manufactured works that wouldn’t be possible to create with the resources available to individuals working alone.

  MakerSpace Valencia opened in May 2016, followed by the opening of the Canyon Country campus location five months later.
  
  

  Fall Semester Offers Career, Academic Options

  July 21, 2017
  NR.07.21.17-Fall17

  Registration is under way for the fall 2017 semester, with College of the Canyons providing students and community members with access to more than 1,900 class sections in a wide range of academic subjects and career education disciplines. 

  Class sections will include courses that most students need to either graduate, transfer to a four-year school and/or meet prerequisites. 

  The schedule also features a wide selection of career education courses where students learn by doing and gain the skills needed to work in high-demand fields. The college offers 26 career education programs, including computer applications and web technologies, computer networking, culinary arts, hotel and restaurant management, and welding technology. 

  “This fall we are offering one of our largest selection of courses, coordinated to assist students with completing their educational goals,” said Dr. Jerry Buckley, assistant superintendent and vice president of instruction. “Our system of assessment and placement in English and math also ensures that students can quickly and successfully complete general education requirements to earn a degree or transfer to a four-year university.”

  Students will once again have the option of enrolling in courses offered at both the colleges Valencia and Canyon Country campus, as well as online.

  Fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 21, and run through Saturday, Dec. 9. 

  As in years past, College of the Canyons will also offer a number of late start and short-term courses designed to meet the needs of working adults. Those courses are scheduled to begin throughout September and October. 

  Enrollment fees at all 114 California Community Colleges will remain at $46-per-unit, as mandated by the state of California.
  
  

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  Foundation Names New Director of Development

  July 12, 2017
  NR-07.12.17-JamesKneblik

  Sponsorship relations and marketing professional James Kneblik Jr. has been named the College of the Canyons Foundation's director of development. Kneblik began his new position on July 5.

  Kneblik takes over the position held by Michele Edmonson, who retired in December. 

  “It is an honor to continue a career of service within the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Kneblik. “College of the Canyons is a dynamic institution and serves as the gold standard for accessible education and innovative community partnerships. While representing the foundation, I look forward to working for increased student services and greater fundraising success in the years to come.”

  Kneblik will be responsible for fundraising and membership expansion for key foundation support groups, such as the Chancellors Circle and Patrons of the Arts. He will also lead outreach efforts in support of the Foundations Annual Fund and pursue corporate donations for the colleges First-Year Promise campaign, which will launch in the fall. 

  “We are very excited to welcome James into the College of the Canyons family,” said Murray Wood, chief development officer for the foundation. “His sponsor relations experience and knowledge of the Santa Clarita Valley community will help move the College of the Canyons Foundation forward in our fundraising efforts.”

  For the past five years, Kneblik has managed the Business Sponsorship Program for the City of Santa Clarita’s Economic Development Division. In that capacity he was directly responsible for securing $2 million in sponsor revenue and in-kind donations. 

  Prior to working at the city, he served as sales and marketing director for various Chick-fil-A franchise restaurants in Florida, Ohio and California.

  Kneblik earned his bachelors degree in marketing from the University of South Florida in 2008. 

  The College of the Canyons Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) auxiliary organization supporting the district by generating funds to support programs for student success and innovation. With more than 10,000 donors, 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.
  
  

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  Performing Arts Center Tickets on Sale July 12 

  July 11, 2017
  NR-COC-07.11.17-PACSEASON

  Individual tickets for the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center’s 2017-18 season will go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 12. The new season features a diverse lineup of talented musicians and artists, as well as family-friendly programs.

  Highlighting the season are performances by:

  • Three Dog Night, Sept. 16, 2017
  • Disneys Frozen Sing-Along, Oct. 7, 2017
  • Country music legend Dwight Yoakam, Nov. 12, 2017
  • The Acrobats of Cirque-tacular in "Snowkus Pocus,” Dec. 3, 2017
  • Grammy-winning comedy duo Cheech and Chong, Feb. 10, 2018
  • Cabaret performance by Mark Nadler, April 7, 2018
  • Olate Dogs, America’s Got Talent winner, May 19, 2018

  
  Other acts include: The Underwater Bubble Show; Animaniacs Live!; The Chieftains; and Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company’s Mexico, Al Son de la Banda.

  The center will also host a number of College of the Canyons theatre, music and dance department productions, as well as community group performances.

  Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or at the box office.

• June

  Veterans Center Helps Vets Transition to Civilian Life

  June 30, 2017
  NR-COC-06.30.17-Veterans

  Transitioning back into civilian life is no easy feat for veterans, but for Tiffany Joa the process was made easier by her hassle-free experience at College of the Canyons.

  Honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 2016 after 10 years of service, Joa enrolled at the college in 2016 and double-majored in history and liberal arts.

  “From the very beginning I was given all the information and support I needed in order to not only set up my academic plan, but also to execute it as well,” said Joa, who graduated with honors in June. “The professors and staff at this college have a genuine interest in your success and go out of their way to ensure you obtain it.”

  Each year, the college’s Veterans Resource Center guides hundreds of veteran students like Joa, as well as veteran dependents, through the process of accessing their VA education and vocational benefits at the college's Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.

  “When military personnel are discharged they often don't receive a lot of information about how to go about utilizing their benefits,” said Renard Thomas, director of the Veterans Resource Center. “At COC, we give them the information they need to feel empowered and make decisions. If they understand the process better, they are more likely to be successful.”

  Thomas credits the college’s significant student veteran population to a combination of reputation, geography, and the high-level of service students receive on campus.

  The trees, plants and wide open spaces, such as the Valencia campus Honor Grove, that add to the campus beauty can also be deciding factors for students.

  With the G.I. Bill, veterans are able to use their benefits to go to school anywhere they choose, said Thomas, but COC has an aesthetically attractive campus and is known as an extremely veteran-friendly campus, which is very appealing to our students.

  More than $3 million in G.I. Bill housing allowance was awarded to student veterans during the 2016-17 academic year, according to data collected by the colleges Veterans Resource Center.

  In all, the center served 614 veterans and veteran dependents during that same span.

  “What is truly remarkable about these numbers,” said Thomas, "is that it speaks volumes about how College of the Canyons is a veteran-friendly campus environment.”

  “Our student veterans are undoubtedly contributing to our local economy by choosing to live and study in the Santa Clarita Valley,” added Thomas.

  To better serve the needs of COC student veterans, the Veterans Resource Center has a dedicated staff on call to help students apply for VA benefits, register for classes, apply for financial aid, receive academic counseling, and obtain benefit payments. The Veterans Resource Center annually serves more than 600 veteran and veteran dependent students.

  It takes a minimum of four student service departments Admissions & Records, Counseling, Financial Aid and Student Business Office working closely together to process the request for a single VA payment, said Thomas.

  This unified and cross-departmental approach seems to be working. COC's 2017 graduating class included 86 veterans and veteran dependents, which represented an all-time high at the college.

  Joa, who works as a veteran student peer advisor at the College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center, will be transferring to North Carolina State University in spring 2018 and plans to become a college history professor.

  “I will miss the positive and encouraging environment that can be found and felt on campus,” said Joa.
  
  

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  College in Compliance with Accreditation Standards

  June 28, 2017
  NR-COC-06.28.17-Accreditation

  After reviewing the College of the Canyons Midterm Report, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges has confirmed that the college has continued to meet accreditation standards, eligibility requirements, and commission policies, since the colleges fall 2014 accreditation. 

  “The commission finds that the college has sustained the work accomplished since the last comprehensive evaluation and has maintained compliance with standards,” Richard Winn, ACCJC interim president, said in an official letter to the college. 

  The Midterm Report detailed how the college has implemented its own plans for self-improvement, which were outlined in an Institutional Self-Evaluation Report in 2014. It also included data from annual reports and a trend analysis of college-set standards for student achievement. 

  “This was a great team effort, which speaks volumes about the work of the people of College of the Canyons and what a focus on quality, commitment and working together can do,” Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said. “Many special thanks and congratulations go to the Accreditation Steering Committee and our Accreditation Liaison Officer Dr. Jerry Buckley for their leadership and attention to detail.”

  The college will receive a comprehensive accreditation review in early 2022.
  
  

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  Cross Country Summer Series Runs Through Aug. 17 

  June 19, 2017
  NR-COC-06.19.17-SummerSeries

  Runners of all ages will have the opportunity to support the College of the Canyons cross country and track & field programs by participating in the 44th Annual Cross Country Summer Series on Thursday evenings from July 6 to Aug. 17.

  Participants will gather each week to run a 3-mile course that begins at Cougar Field and winds through the Valencia campus and surrounding hills, before concluding at Cougar Stadium. All races will begin at 7 p.m.

  The main event is open to runners 10 and older, with more than a dozen age divisions available.

  In addition, a special kids race for participants under the age of eight will be held on the track inside Cougar Stadium at 6:45 p.m. each Thursday.

  Each runner will be charged an entry fee of $10 per race for the first six events and $20 for the final race on Aug. 18, which includes a post-run dinner and awards ceremony.

  Runners also have the option of purchasing a series card for $50, which covers entrance fees for all seven races and dinner at the final event.

  Entry to the kids race is $2, or $25 for all seven races including dinner at the finale. All runners will receive participation ribbons.

  Chip timing will be used to track runners, with instant results provided by Podium One Timing.

  Awards will be given to the top three men and women in each age division after the conclusion of the last event on Aug. 17.
  
  

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  Performing Arts Center Announces 2017-18 Season

  June 15, 2017
  NR-COC-06.15.17-PACSeason

  The 2017-18 Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center season will feature an eclectic lineup of talented musicians and performers, as well as family-friendly programs as part of its College of the Canyons Presents season.

  Residents will have the opportunity to experience a variety of internationally acclaimed acts and artists, without having to leave the Santa Clarita Valley.

  Highlighting the schedule are performances by:

  • Billboard chart-topping rock band Three Dog Night, Sept. 16, 2017
  • Disney’s Frozen Sing-Along, Oct. 7, 2017
  • Country music legend Dwight Yoakam, Nov. 12, 2017
  • The Acrobats of Cirque-tacular in "Snowkus Pocus,” Dec. 3, 2017
  • Grammy Award-winning comedy duo Cheech and Chong, Feb. 10, 2018
  • Cabaret performance by Mark Nadler, April 7, 2018
  • Olate Dogs from America’s Got Talent, May 19, 2018

  
  Other acts and artists visiting this season include: The Underwater Bubble Show; Animaniacs Live!; The Chieftains; and Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company’s Mexico, Al Son de la Banda.

  “We are very excited about the PACs new season lineup, which has something for everyone in the family to enjoy,” said Lindsay Gambini, director of the performing arts center. “We look forward to welcoming returning and new patrons alike to the PAC, which has become the premier performing arts center in the Santa Clarita Valley.”

  As in years past, the center will host a number of College of the Canyons theatre, music and dance department productions, as well as a variety of community group performances.

  Ticket package sales will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, July 10. Individual tickets will go on sale beginning 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 12.
  
  

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  College Adds Six New Construction Technology Courses 

  June 13, 2018
  NR-06.13.18-ConstructionTech

  In an effort to help students prepare for entry-level positions in the building construction trades, College of the Canyons has added six new construction technology courses to its curriculum.

  Starting in the fall 2018 semester, Plumbing Technology (Construction 010), Electrical Technology (Construction 020) and Carpentry Technology (Construction 030) will be taught at the colleges Canyon Country campus.

  Construction 012, 022 and 032, which build on the skills taught in their introductory counterparts, will be taught during the spring 2019 semester.

  “We are very excited about adding these six new construction technology courses to our program,” said Eric Arnold, chair of the college’s construction management and technology department. “Our goal is to give students the skills and hands-on training they need to be successful in the growing construction technology field and these courses will play an essential role in accomplishing that.”

  Construction Technology students at COC can earn an Associate in Science or a Certificate of Achievement, which provides them with the basic skills required to enter a building construction career.
  
  

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  College to Host Digital Media Educators Conference

  June 5, 2017
  NR-COC-06.05.17-DigitalMedia

  Subject: College of the Canyons is hosting this special event for Information and Communication Technologies, Business and Digital Media faculty in the California Community College system. In an age when technology, business and media are woven into the fabric of the modern workplace, digital literacy is a crucial element in even entry-level jobs. This conference, which has attracted faculty from across the state, will focus on the growing role of media in the workplace, and equipping faculty with skills, information and technology needed to prepare students for careers in a wide array of industries.

  Event: The three-day conference will feature workshops, speakers and networking events that highlight the growing digitalization of business through virtualization, the cloud, media production, mobile devices, service management and information collaboration. Breakout sessions in five tracks will focus on career pathways for digital media occupations, entrepreneurship and jobs where digital skills combine with other skills for gainful employment. In particular, the Innovation and Insights track will focus on the issues and best practices for teaching business and digital media in a high school or community college setting. Keynote speaker James Brady, CIO of Kaiser Permanente, will kick off the festivities at 9 a.m. Thursday, followed by Erik Kellener of CxO Consulting, Inc. at 10 a.m. On Friday, Mike Cavanagh, president of Key Code Media, will deliver the 9 a.m. keynote address, followed by Carol Schenkler and Jon Swift of Robert Half Technology at 10 a.m. Members of the media are welcome to attend any part of the conference.

  Time: 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday June 7; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 8; and 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 9.

  Location: Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.

  Contact: Paula Hodge, South Central Coast Regional Director, (661) 362-5108
  
  

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  College's 2017 Graduating Class is Largest Ever

  June 1, 2017
  NR-COC-06.01.17-Graduation
  
  With a 15.9 percent increase in the number of students receiving degrees compared to last year, College of the Canyons honored the largest graduating class in college history during the 48th annual commencement ceremony at the Valencia campus on Friday, June 2.

  “We are proud to honor the accomplishments, hard work and success of the members of the College of the Canyons class of 2017,” Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said. “Commencement is a celebration of their efforts, as well an opportunity to acknowledge the faculty, staff and administrators who are passionately committed to meeting the needs of our students and helping them succeed.”

  A number of new initiatives have helped students succeed and achieve their educational goals.

  To remove the cost of textbooks as a barrier for students, COC has expanded the use of Open Educational Resources (OER), teaching and learning materials that have been released in the public domain or under an intellectual property license as a no-cost alternative to costly commercial textbooks.

  The college’s Accelerate Your Dreams to Reality project nearly triples students chances of completing college-level courses by introducing the accelerated Math 75 and English 96 courses.

  These accelerated courses have already helped save more than 600,000 hours of remedial instruction and more than $1.6 million in tuition costs for remedial courses that are not applicable toward earning associate degrees.

  And, launching in the fall, First Year Promise (FYP) will offer 300 full-time freshman students waived tuition and fees during their first year of study.

  “Our focus on meeting the needs of our community and making a college education more accessible is making a real difference in what our students can achieve,” Dr. Van Hook said.

  The class of 2017 has 2,046 students who petitioned for graduation, representing a 15.9 percent increase from the 1,766 students who graduated in2016.The 2017 class represents 110 majors, with liberal arts and sciences (533) ranking as the leading field of study among graduates, followed by accounting (238), psychology (232), sociology (148), mathematics (131) and communication studies (108).

  There are also 91 students graduating with two or more degrees.

  The class of 2017 is approximately 58 percent female (1,183) and 42 percent male (863).

  Academically, there are 496 students graduating with honors which requires a 3.5 GPA or higher and 34 students with perfect 4.0 GPAs, which grants them the status of valedictorians at the college. The average GPA of the class of 2017 is 3.13.

  The average age of a COC graduate is 25. The oldest student in the class is 77-year-old graduate Brita Murphy. In total, there are seven graduates over the age of 60. In addition, the youngest graduate in the class is 16-year-old Giana Cespedes.

  Notably, there are also 79 veteran graduates in the college’s class of 2017.

  There are 43 graduates from the schools Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program, which is the largest graduating cohort in MESA history.

  Additionally, nearly 73 percent of this year’s graduates have completed at least one course at the Canyon Country campus, which first opened in 2007.

  This year’s graduating class also includes 97student-athletes earning associate degrees and/or transferring to four-year institutions this fall.

  Graduates from the class of 2017 will be heading to four-year schools including: John Hopkins University, University of London Pharmacy School, Chapman University, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Colorado State University, University of Texas at El Paso, Brigham Young University, UC Berkeley, California Lutheran University, San Diego State University, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, USC, University of San Diego, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Northridge, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Humboldt, CSU East Bay, CSU Channel Islands, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU San Francisco, CSU Long Beach, CSU San Jose, CSU Fullerton, CSU San Marcos, and CSU San Diego.

  “This year’s graduating class proves that with a positive attitude, and the right amount of tenacity and passion, anything is possible at COC,” said Van Hook.

• May

  College Literary Magazine Celebrates Decade of Artistry

  May 25, 2017
  NR-COC-05.25.17-CulDeSac

  In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the College of the Canyons literary and arts magazine "cul-de-sac" will release its annual volume at a special reception on Friday, May 26, which will include readings from students.

  The magazines tenth volume includes poetry, stories, photographs and artwork created by more than 30 COC students, including five students who are incarcerated at Pitchess Detention Center (PDC) in Castaic.

  “Taking into account the current political environment, we were interested in investigating the ideas of captivity and freedom, of exercising our voices and resisting oppression,” said Alene Terzian-Zeitounian, the magazine’s co-founder and English professor.

  In collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff, COC has provided college courses to more than 300 incarcerated men at PDC over the past two years.

  This spring, COC adjunct professor Eric Barnhart taught creative writing at PDC, which allowed inmates the opportunity to submit work to the literary magazine.

  “Our goal was to make a subtle statement about how important writers and artists are to the revolution that even if we are incarcerated, either literally or figuratively, we still have valuable and powerful voices,” said Terzian-Zeitounian.

  Created entirely by students enrolled in English 122, the college’s magazine production class, cul-de-sac gives students the opportunity to learn about the literary production process.

  Winner of multiple national awards through the Community College Humanities Association, the magazine aims to be inclusive of all voices and creative styles.

  “All volumes of cul-de-sac have been a labor of love, but volume 10 marks an important milestone and carries with it a decade's worth of pressure," said Terzian-Zeitounian. “We wanted this year's magazine to be even more exceptional, to be design-forward and content driven. With the powerful cover design, the strength of the content and the inclusion of the incarcerated artists section, I believe we have achieved our goals.”

  The release party will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 26 at Pico Hall, Room 101.
  
  

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  Small Business Development Center Client Wins Award

  May 24, 2017
  NR-COC-05.24.17-SBDCAward

  In recognition of how vital small businesses are to local economies, the City of Los Angeles and Small Business Administration (SBA) Resource Partners awarded John Pictaggi, owner of National Glass, an Outstanding Small Business Award at City Hall on May 1.

  The award came at the nomination of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by College of the Canyons.

  “Congratulations to John Pictaggi and National Glass for their continued commitment to the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Catherine Grooms, COC SBDC director. "We are proud to work with them over the years, as they positively impact the economy through job creation and retention.”

  As the second-generation owner of National Glass, Pictaggi has worked with COC SBDC for the past three years on ways to continue the family business, diversify the customer base, and leverage areas of expertise. “Their contribution has been invaluable,” said Pictaggi. "As a small business owner, you don't have a lot of money to afford a team of business consultants, but they allow you to have that vital input. It really makes a difference to have that seasoned business perspective.”

  Located in Newhall since 1967, National Glass is a licensed glass and glazing contractor that focuses on residential and commercial projects. The SBDC is the SBAs largest service program and provides high-quality business and economic development assistance to small businesses owners and entrepreneurs. SBDC locations provide one-on-one professional business consulting at no cost. Training is offered at no cost or low cost to entrepreneurs, and both existing and new businesses.
  
  

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  Graduating Music Student Receives $21,000 Scholarship

  May 23, 2017
  NR-COC-05.23.17-JustinHorwitz 

  College of the Canyons music student Justin Horwitz is one step close to his goal of becoming a music director thanks to a $21,000 transfer scholarship to Rider University in New Jersey.

  Unaware that the university offered talent scholarships, the 22-year-old was surprised by the scholarship offer, which was based on his performance during a recent audition.

  “If I had known, I probably would have been more nervous for my audition,” said the Valencia resident, who will be graduating from COC in June.

  Horwitz started playing piano when he was 8 years old, but it wasn't until he played piano in a production of “Into the Woods” at the age of 15 that he discovered his love for theatre. 

  “Music is an aesthetic to my identity as an artist as opposed to theatre, which forms the core of it,” said Horwitz, who realized he could marry his two passions as a musical director. “In theatre, this is traditionally the person whose job is to bridge the gap between two worlds theatre and music which need to symbiotically exist in order for musical theatre to function.”

  Being able to float between the college’s music and theatre departments has been instrumental to his training, which includes the ability to analyze music and function as part of an ensemble.

  “For someone who wants to do what I do, understanding the beats and changes an actor makes to communicate a thought, is just as important as being able to analyze the harmonic structures a composer uses to communicate the very same idea,” said Horwitz. “I feel very lucky to have had great teachers.”

  Among those who guided Justin at COC is Dr. Carmen Dominguez, dean of the college’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, who helped Horwitz develop skills to be a better accompanist and provided him with the opportunity to learn from experienced music directors.

  “Justin is the rare student who, in addition to having strong piano technique and musical talent, also works diligently to expand his musical theatre repertoire,” said Dominguez. “He works every day learning new music from every era of musical theatre. He has tremendous potential to succeed.”

  Six days out of the week, Horwitz can be found sitting at the piano in the Pico Hall practice room, practicing for up to five hours. 

  “For musicians, practice rooms often become sanctuaries – safe spaces – and I'll miss the one I use at COC,” said Horwitz. “I've grown a lot in there.”
  
  

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  Music Department Presents Electronica Concert

  May 15, 2017
  NR-COC-05.15.17-Electronica

  The College of the Canyons Music Department presents its spring Electronica Musique & Multimedia Concert on Wednesday, May 24 at the Black Box Theater. The free concert will feature the innovative sounds created by 18 COC students enrolled in various music courses, such as Music 142 (Electronic Music Production) and Music 146 (Electronic Music for the Stage).

  “Come and marvel at the sounds and sights of interactive works combining synthetic with real voices,” said Dr. Bernardo Feldman, chair of the music department.

  Attendees will be able to immerse themselves within the musical textures bursting with boundless sonic energy and be transported by an array of hypnotic and enigmatic videos.

  The original music will be performed in conjunction with the movements of dance students under the direction of Phylise Smith. 

  “The show will challenge your senses with the sophisticated and cutting-edge music that is both intellectually challenging and exquisitely beautiful,” said Feldman.

  The concert is scheduled 7p.m. at the Performing Arts Center’s Black Box Theater. Admission is free and open to all. Space is limited.

  Last fall, Electronica was performed in partnership with Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico en Los Angeles at its downtown L.A. location.
  
  

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  Applications Due Monday for First-Year Promise Program

  May 10, 2017
  NR-COC-05.10.17-FirstYearPromise

  Time is running out for high school seniors to apply for the First-Year Promise (FYP) program, which will save eligible students $1,500 in tuition and fees during their first year of study at College of the Canyons. Applications are due Monday, May 15.

  To enroll in First-Year Promise, students must be California residents (or AB540-eligible students), graduate from the William S. Hart Union High School District or neighboring school district in spring 2017, and complete the First-Year Promise application materials, which are available at canyons.edu/promise.

  FYP is set to launch in fall 2017 with an estimated 300 qualifying students. Participating students will enroll in a one-year sequence of courses with priority registration, preceded by summer orientation to learn about majors and receive academic guidance.

  In addition to having all enrollment fees waived a savings of $1,5000 each FYP student will receive a $100 voucher per semester that can be applied toward other supplies and instructional materials.

  The college will also provide a free parking pass or city bus pass, in addition to free computer lab printing services. To ensure participating students remain on track, ongoing counseling and student support will also be offered.

  FYP is funded through a $750,000 grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office.
  
  

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  Summer Rush Registration, Orientation Slated May 19 and 20

  May 9, 2017
  NR-COC-05.09.17-SummerRush

  Students and community members who want to enroll in summer classes at College of the Canyons are encouraged to attend "Summer Rush,” a one-stop registration and orientation event scheduled 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 19, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20 in Canyons Hall at the Valencia campus.

  College staff from key student services departments will be available to provide personalized, on-site services designed to help students apply, register and enroll in a "one-stop shop" format. Available services include:

  • Applying for admission (new student, returning student) and/or completing a special admissions form (high school students)
  • Creating a My Canyons student account Completing the online orientation
  • Taking the math and English assessment (if required)
  • Attending a new student advisement workshop
  • Applying for financial aid
  • Obtaining a student ID card
  • Purchasing textbooks

  
  For the best access, visitors may park free in lot 6 off Rockwell Canyon Road. Parking in all student lots will be free during the event.

  For more information about the event, follow the link below or call Outreach & School Relations at (661) 362-5891 or Admissions & Records at (661) 362-3280.
  
  

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  Comedians of the Canyons to Perform Evening of Improv

  May 8, 2017
  NR-COC-05.08.17-Improv

  If laughter is said to be the best medicine, the improv show put on by Comedians of the Canyons, a College of the Canyons student improv troupe, is bound to leave audience members feeling revitalized.

  Comprised entirely of students enrolled in the college’s advanced improvisational performance theatre class, the show will be held Saturday, May 13, in the newly renovated Studio Theatre (STCN 130), located at the Valencia campus.

  “Every show is completely different and unpredictable,” said Kevin Brief, a theatre instructor at the college and the show’s host. "Our first performance was packed with a very enthusiastic crowd, and we expect this second show of the semester to be just as unique. If the thought of Godzilla as a legal secretary or a baby as an astronaut sounds like fun, you’ll be in the right place.”

  The Comedians of the Canyons series has grown in popularity and enjoyed tremendous success in recent years, with students routinely performing to a packed house of comedy and improv enthusiasts.

  “These are students who have gone beyond the basics of improv and are now ready for their hour in front of an audience,” said Brief.

  During each performance, scenes are made up on the spot using audience suggestions. There is no script and no safety net, which makes each performance both exhilarating and hilarious to watch.

  “These improvisational performances are terrific opportunities for our students to test the performance skills they've learned in the classroom,” said Christopher Boltz, chair of the college’s theatre department.

  All Comedians of the Canyons performances are free and open to the public. Seating is limited. The show is scheduled 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13.
  
  

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  College to Host Free Family Caregiver Workshop

  May 3, 2017
  NR-COC-05.03.17-FamilyCaregivers

  College of the Canyons, in partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, Alzheimers Greater Los Angeles and Partners in Care Foundation, will be hosting a free Family Caregivers Essentials workshop on Saturday, May 20 at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center.

  The first in an ongoing series of workshops designed to help offer assistance to current and potential family caregivers, the workshop will educate and empower attendees with information about how to provide physical, emotional, and financial support of an adult who is unable to manage self-care.

  “We see a tremendous need in our valley to better serve those who need caregiving services and those who are placed into the role of a caregiver,” said Paul Wickline, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the college. “There is a common myth is that those who age and who need care will be served in a nursing home or health care institution when the time comes, but that isn’t always the case.”

  According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, the reality is that only 11 percent live in nursing home or assisted living settings. Nationwide, 58 percent of care recipients age 50 or older live in their own home, and 20 percent live with a caregiver.

  Funded by a grant from the Archstone Foundation, the workshop will be led by two experts with decades of experience in caregiving, Susan Galeas, MSW, MPH (President & CEO of Alzheimers Greater Los Angeles) and Katheryn Howell (Program Director, Health Self-Management Services at the Partners in Care Foundation of San Fernando).

  Topics covered will include an introduction to caregiving, the challenges caregivers face, barriers faced by caregivers, and resources available to caregivers. Workshop participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and suggest topics for future workshops.

  The workshop is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon.
  
  

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  College to 'Shine a Light' on Suicide Prevention, Awareness

  May 1, 2017
  NR-COC-05.01.17-ShineALight

  The College of the Canyons Student Health & Wellness Center will host its annual "Shine A Light" Suicide Prevention & Awareness event designed to provide students and community members with access to important mental health resources, while bringing attention to the staggering amount of college students who die by suicide each year.

  The two-day event is scheduled 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 9 and 10, in the Honor Grove at the Valencia campus.

  Staff from the college’s Student Health & Wellness Center and other local mental health agencies will be present to distribute information about suicide prevention/awareness, coping with depression and how to access other key mental health care resources, both on campus and in the community.

  As a visual representation of the social issue of suicide, the Honor Grove will also be filled with 1,100 paper lanterns each representing a college student that has lost their life to suicide in the United States during the past year.

  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, mental health providers will be positioned at the campus flagpole to provide resources and support. Flashlights with the National Suicide Lifeline will also be distributed.

  In addition, guest speaker Dr. Mark Goulston, a suicide expert, mentor, writer and coach, will deliver his keynote “Breaking Through to a Suicidal Mind" from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in Aliso Hall, Room 108. Goulston’s presentation will focus on suicide awareness and prevention.

  These events are made possible with grant funding provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, call (661) 362-3259.
  
  

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  Paralegal Professor Receives Child Advocacy Award

  May 1, 2017
  NR-COC-05.01.17-LoriYoung

  For her efforts in assisting children within the Los Angeles County Dependency Court system, Lori Young, a College of the Canyons paralegal professor, has received the 2017 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Child Advocacy Award.

  Young was presented with the award during a ceremony at the Antelope Valley CASA Benefit held at the Rancho Vista Golf Club on April 7.

  CASA is a national association that provides court-appointed advocates for foster children in the Dependency Court system to serve as mentors and guides.

  Young has spearheaded a Back to School event for the past 10 years that collects school supplies for CASA kids.

  I never knew that starting something so small could grow so big, said Young. With the support from friends, co-workers, court personnel, COC students, and community members, I am honored to receive this award and I share it with all of those who support CASA Kids.

  Young’s involvement with the non-profit organization began after hearing a CASA representative speak at an Antelope Valley Legal Professionals Association meeting.

  “My heart was touched when I learned about children being removed from unhealthy homes due to abuse and neglect, sometimes taking nothing with them,” said Young, who later met with the CASA representative to learn more about the program and how to get involved as an advocate.

  Young realized that CASA children would feel more compelled to stay and succeed in school if they had back-to-school supplies just like their classmates.

  Then a senior paralegal at Thompson | Von Tungeln, APC, Young started collecting school supplies through her networks with law firms and court personnel.

  Since 2011, several COC paralegal students have donated back-to-school supplies, participated in internships with the Juvenile Dependency Court, and become CASA volunteers.

  For her work with CASA kids, Young has also received congressional recognition from U.S. Rep. Steve Knight, as well as commendations from County of Los Angeles Supervisor Kathryn Barger and City of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.

  “I look forward to continuing the annual event collecting school supplies for those children in need,” said Young.

• April

  Canyon Country Campus to Hold Star Party

  April 27, 2017
  NR-COC-04.27.17-StarParty

  For decades, the search for life on other planets has captivated the imaginations of writers, filmmakers, artists, and scientists. On Friday, May 5, the spring 2017 Star Party at the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus will explore this topic while providing community members the opportunity to learn more about our vast universe.

  Dr. Michael J. Malaska, a scientist with the Planetary Ices Group at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), will speak on the possibility of alien life in his talk Astrobiology and the Search for Alien Life.

  “We are very excited to hear Dr. Malaska speak about this fascinating topic,” said Ryan Theule, vice president of the Canyon Country campus. "This fun and educational event has become a tradition in our community and we look forward to having another memorable evening under the stars.”

  Malaska’s research program combines laboratory simulation, spacecraft remote sensing, and field geology to explore the processes that might be making caves, sinkholes and labyrinth terrains on Saturn's giant moon Titan.

  The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a variety of interactive displays and activities presented by college clubs and organizations.

  Attendees will also have the opportunity to gaze at the stars through the multiple telescopes set up by local astronomy groups throughout the evening.

  “The Star Party offers the community an opportunity to see our campus up close, interact with students and faculty from the science disciplines, and learn about space through guest speakers and telescope viewing,” said Anthony Michaelides, acting dean at the Canyon Country campus.

  The spring 2017 Star Party will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 5, at the Canyon Country campus. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase on site.
  
  

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  Athletics Department to Host Girls Soccer Camp

  April 26, 2017
  NR-COC-04.26.17-SoccerCamp

  The College of the Canyons women’s soccer program invites girls in the first through eighth grades to participate in the 2017 Girls Soccer Camp, with two sessions running this summer.

  Staffed by coaches, players and alumni from the COC women’s soccer program, this all-girls camp offers a high-caliber curriculum that will create a uniquely fun learning environment for girls wanting to build and improve their soccer skills.

  By combining skill-emphasized training sessions, player-centered drills, scrimmages and small-sided games, the camps focus is on player skill development, balance, coordination and endurance, with an emphasis on building confidence in young soccer players.

  All participants will receive a COC All-Girls Soccer Camp training T-shirt and soccer ball. Players should bring their shirt and soccer ball to practice each day, while also providing their own cleats, shin guards, soccer socks, sunscreen and water.

  Camp sessions will be led by COC women’s soccer head coach Justin Lundin and a staff of coaches from local high school and club teams. Lundin, who will enter his ninth season at the helm of the program in 2017, has recorded a winning record in each of the previous eight seasons, including a run of six consecutive Western State Conference championships in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

  "We are very excited to be able to offer the COC Girls Soccer Camp once again,” said Lundin. “The Santa Clarita Valley is burgeoning with local talent and it’s our goal to be able to help these youth players develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to take their game to the next level.”

  The 2017 COC Girls Soccer Camp will run during the following dates and times:

  • Session 1 (Advanced/Intermediate players): June 26-29, 5 to 8 p.m. (M/T/W/Th)
  • Session 2 (Intermediate/Beginning players): July 17-20, 5 to 8 p.m. (M/T/W/Th)

  
  All camp sessions will be held at the state-of-the-art COC soccer facility located on the college’s Valencia campus.

  Registration for individual players is priced at $150. Families with multiple players will be charged $130 for a second camper and $110 for a third participant. Campers registering as part of a team will be charged $120 per player (minimum of seven players) and will be required to register together. Space for the 2017 COC Girls Soccer Camp is limited.

  All proceeds directly support the COC women’s soccer program.
  
  

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  College Marketing Student Beats the Statistics

  May 26, 2017
  NR-COC-05.26.17-JeannyOlivares

  When Jeanny Olivares, 22, crosses the stage on Friday, June 2, for College of the Canyons Commencement, she will be receiving two associate degrees in marketing and accounting, which she earned in a year-and-a-half’s time.

  The achievement is remarkable in and of itself when most students take two years or more to earn one degree. But her accomplishment is even more remarkable because of a setback she experienced that forced her to make a detour.

  In the fall of 2013, her father nearly died from an aortic dissection, which is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta.

  “The doctors told my family it was a miracle for him to survive,”said Olivares.

  An engineering student at the University of California, Merced, at the time, Olivares was forced to return home to her parents in Canyon Country and put college on hold.

  “It set me back in college because my dad is who provides for my family and my mom wasn't working at the time,” Olivares said.

  A year and a half later, Olivares was able to get back on track. She enrolled at COC for the spring 2015 semester because of its affordability and proximity to home and made up for lost time.

  With the help of the college’s winter and summer session classes, Olivares was able to complete all the required coursework for her two associate degrees in a year and a half.

  “Thankfully, COC provided me with the financial aid to continue getting my education here,” said Olivares.

  To help pay for the cost of textbooks, which can cost more than $1,200 a year, Olivares took a job in the college bookstore in order to benefit from the employee discount.

  Born to Salvadoran immigrants, Olivares joins a growing number of graduates who are boosting the degree completion rate for Latino students at College of the Canyons.

  As reported by the California Community Colleges Chancellors Offices 2017 Student Success Scorecard, the degree completion rate among Hispanic students at College of the Canyons is 74.5 percent, a significantly better rate than the statewide average.

  According to a 2015 report by the Campaign for College Opportunity, only about 39 percent of Latino undergraduates taking classes at a California community college earn a degree within six years.

  “COC has helped me accomplish my goals by providing me with opportunities that I didn't know existed,” said Olivares, who was a member of the student Advertising Club and a marketing intern in the colleges Public Information Office. “COC has helped me become better prepared for CSUN.”

  Olivares’s decision to pursue a career in marketing was inspired by a marketing class she took during the spring 2016 semester.

  “It was such a different class compared to any other class I’ve ever taken,” said Olivares. “It was so much fun and it let me put both my creative and business sides into one subject.”

  With the help of the Cooperative Work Experienced Education (CWEE) program, Olivares had the chance to gain real-world marketing experience as a paid PIO marketing assistant under the direction of Wendy Trujillo, director of advertising and social media at the college.

  “I feel extremely lucky that Jeanny found our intern posting and applied,” said Trujillo. “She has been an invaluable asset to the department and has added a youthful voice and opinion to our marketing efforts.”

  Olivares assists Trujillo with the college’s social media presence on Snapchat, Facebook, and Twitter, and helps create ad campaigns.

  “I have learned how marketing campaigns work and how much time and thought has to go in them for them to be successful,” said Olivares of her PIO internship. “I learned that time management is key. Time management is a really huge component that goes into everything that is done in PIO. It has also helped me with my schoolwork and how I now manage my life.”

  Olivares will be transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in the fall to study marketing with the goal of becoming a market researcher or digital strategist.
  
  

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  Athletics Department to Host Volleyball Summer Camp

  April 25, 2017
  NR-COC-04.25.17-Volleyball

  The College of the Canyons women’s volleyball program invites boys and girls ages 9-14 to participate in the 2017 COC Volleyball Camp, with two sessions running in July.

  Open to beginning and intermediate level players, each camp session will provide attendees an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game and/or increase their current skill levels. Camp sessions will be led by coaches and players from the colleges women’s volleyball program.

  The basic skills and fundamentals of volleyball will be introduced and covered in full detail, including: serving, passing, setting, attacking/hitting, blocking, and digging. For more experienced players, the camp will reinforce already learned skills while introducing new concepts related to offensive and defensive strategy, quick attacking and jump serving.

  Campers will be divided into groups according to their age and skill level to help maximize their opportunity to grow as young players. Throughout each session, there will be fundamental instruction, skills review and team competition.

  The 2017 COC Volleyball Camp will run during the following dates and times:

  • July 10 to 13, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
  • July 17 to 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday

  
  All camp sessions will take place in the West P.E. gymnasium located on the colleges Valencia campus.

  A $150 per player registration fee applies to each session if paid by June 15. If payment is received between June 16-30 the per player registration fee is $175. Beginning July 1, registration fees increase to $200. For families with multiple camp participants additional campers will be charged a fee of $100 per player, regardless of deadline. Discounts are available for teams with a minimum of six players.

  All camp participants will receive a COC Volleyball Camp T-shirt upon check in. Campers are encouraged to bring their water bottles and athletic attire. Kneepads are highly recommended but not required.

  Space for the 2017 COC Volleyball Camp will be limited. All proceeds directly support the COC women’s volleyball program.
  
  

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  Sale of First Measure E Bonds Yields $50 Million

  April 24, 2017
  NR-04.24.17-MeasureEBonds

  The first bonds from Measure E, the Santa Clarita Community College District $230 million general obligation bonds approved by voters in June 2016, were sold on April 12, yielding $50 million to assist in funding a new parking structure at the college’s Valencia campus and two new buildings at its Canyon Country campus.

  “With student enrollment continuing to grow, the funds come at a critical time in the colleges development,” Chancellor Dr. Dianne Van Hook said. “The demand for access to education, whether from veterans looking to transition to new careers, or from high school students planning to jumpstart their college studies, or local residents focusing on upgrading their skills to remain competitive in fast-changing fields, means that we will need more facilities, and different kinds of facilities, to serve our community. Measure E provides the funding that allows us to respond to what our community needs.”

  As part of the financing process, the district received and confirmed its credit ratings with Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poors, which issued an AAA rating the highest rating assigned to a community college and an AA rating, respectively, with stable outlooks.

  As a result, the district received more than $114 million in orders for the $50 million in bonds being offered, which demonstrated significant investor interest in the districts bonds.

  The current interest bonds went to market April 11 with an interest rate of 3.63 percent.Measure E will help build a three-story, 1,659-space parking structure at the college’s Valencia campus. Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.

  The first permanent building to be built on the Canyon Country campus, the Science Building will be located in the center of campus, serving as a focal point for students and first-time visitors. The approximately 52,000-square-foot building will be devoted primarily to physical and biological sciences, housing eight labs and a lecture room.

  The Student Services/Learning Resources Building will be home to Student Services and The Learning Center (TLC). The four-story building will provide office and library space opposite the Science Building.

  Projections show student enrollment at College of the Canyons growing to reach 30,000 students per semester over the next decade or so. That increase is expected in part from new programs like First-Year Promise, which provides first-time, full-time students with a free year of college, as well as College Now!, which enables high school students to take courses without paying the $46-per-unit enrollment fee.

  In addition to the general obligation bond sale, the district refinanced approximately $10.25 million in certificates of participation (COPs). The new COPs will enable the district to save approximately $1 million in interest costs.

  The districts bond finance team included Piper Jaffray as the investment banking/underwriting firm, KNN Public Finance LLC as municipal advisor for the transaction, and Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth as bond and disclosure counsel.
  
  

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  Register Now for Cougar Basketball Summer Camp

  April 24, 2017
  NR-COC-04.24.17-BballSummerCamp

  The College of the Canyons men’s basketball program invites boys and girls ages 6 to 14 to participate in the 2017 Howard Fisher Cougar Basketball Camp, with two sessions running this summer.Open to players of all skill levels, each four-day camp session will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to learn new techniques and strengthen current skills.

  Camp meetings will be led by men’s basketball head coach Howard Fisher, his staff of assistants and intercollegiate players from the eight-time Western State Conference champion mens basketball program.

  All major areas of basketball will be covered in detail, including: shooting, passing, ball handling, individual offense, defense, rebounding, and team play. Each camp session will be highlighted by fundamental instruction, skills contests, guest speakers and team competition.

  Taking grade and age into account, each camper will be evaluated on the first day of camp to place them into groups that will allow them to maximize their opportunity to improve. Each camper will receive a written evaluation at the end of the camp session.

  “This event is one of my most enjoyable responsibilities as a coach,” said Fisher, who just completed his 17th season at the helm of the men’s basketball program. “The Cougar Basketball Camp provides a fun, fast-paced environment for young people to learn the game as well as meet new friends. Our staff strives to instill confidence in every camper, while making sure the sport of basketball is always fun.”

  The two camp sessions will be held in theWest P.E. gymnasium, located at the Valencia campus, from:

  • June 19 to 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday
  • July 31 to Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday

  
  A $225-per-player registration fee applies to each session. Every camper will receive a Cougar Basketball Camp T-shirt and camp photograph. Campers are encouraged to bring their own lunch, but may also purchase a box lunch at an additional cost.
  
  

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  First of Four Blockbuster Summer Sessions Starts June 5

  April 20, 2017
  NR-04.20.17-Summer17

  College of the Canyons will feature a Blockbuster Summer schedule of courses with four class sessions designed to help students and community members achieve their educational goals.

  The summer session will include seats for more than 22,000 students spread across more than 700 sections of high-demand core classes in a wide range of academic subjects and disciplines.

  As always, courses will be offered at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses, as well as online.

  The majority of class sections offered will be courses that most students need to either graduate or meet prerequisites for transfer to a four-year school. Summer provides an excellent opportunity for incoming students to get a jump start on their coursework before the start of the fall semester in August.

  In addition, a number of elective and exploratory courses, which students often use to help determine their desired educational or career track, will be offered.

  “This year’s summer session is especially diverse with class offerings to fit a variety of student schedules,” said Jerry Buckley, assistant superintendent/vice president of academic affairs. “We are very excited to welcome both new and returning students who utilize College of the Canyons to reach their education goals.”

  Also, high school juniors and seniors can take advantage of the robust offerings to earn college and high school credit while taking classes with waived enrollment fees.

  • The first five-week summer session will run June 5 to July 8.
  • A second summer session will begin June 12 and run until August 5.
  • The third summer session, which runs from June 19 to July 22, will have primarily online courses with a general education focus.
  • A final five-week summer session will be offered July 10 to Aug. 12.

  
  Summer session registration begins Monday, April 24.High school students in the 11th and 12th grades can begin registering May 25. A final late-registration period for all students begins May 29.

  Summer 2017 enrollment fees at all California community colleges remain at $46 per unit, as mandated by the state of California.
  
  

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  College to Host Volunteers in Action Fair

  April 17, 2017
  NR-04.17.17-VolunteersInAction

  College of the Canyons will host its 2nd Annual Volunteers in Action Fair on Wednesday, April 26, showcasing a variety of Santa Clarita Valley non-profit organizations and their outstanding missions to serve the community.

  The event is designed to furnish these groups with a venue in which to share their overall goals with the campus community, as well as to encourage students to pursue community service as a means to heighten their involvement in civic engagement.

  “This event assists not only local non-profits in recruiting volunteers, but it also gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working to better our community,” said Patty Robinson, faculty director of civic engagement and community engagement initiatives at the college. “Students can apply concepts and theories they are learning in the classroom to real-life situations and challenges.”

  Although the event is intended for service-learning students, all students, faculty, staff and community members will have the chance to learn more about community-based learning, non-profit goals, and volunteer opportunities.

  The event is hosted by the Office of Service-Learning and the Associated Student Government, which aims to promote transformative co-curricular experiences for students. The fair is scheduled 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center cafeteria at the Valencia campus. The ASG will provide a free lunch to attendees who interact with the vendor organizations.

  Admission is free and open to the public.
  
  

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  Student Symposium to Focus on Human Rights

  April 17, 2017
  NR-04.17.17-SpringStudentSymposium

  The College of the Canyons Anthropology Club will present the 2017 Spring Student Symposium on Friday, April 21, to put a spotlight on human rights.The academic conference will feature student work in verbal, poster and visual/art form, as well as other club presentations.

  Student work will focus on:

  • Liberty Human trafficking, unfair imprisonment, internment camps, bullying, police profiling, and police brutality.
  • Autonomy Tyranny, gangs, cults, extremist religions, and domestic violence
  • Welfare Homelessness, discrimination, and access to resources in third-world nations
  • Animal/Non-Human Poaching, illegal breeding, biomedical testing, fair treatment of captive animals, and conservation of wildlife areas.

  
  “We are very excited about this year’s Spring Student Symposium,” said Sarah-Etheridge-Criswell, Anthropology Club advisor and assistant anthropology professor. “Community members are encouraged to attend in order to learn how to become involved in working together toward practical solutions."

  The Spring Student Symposium is a collaboration among various college initiatives and student clubs, including the Civic Engagement Club, which will award scholarships to four student participants.

  Candise Vogel, an anthropology student and founder of the college’s Anthropology Club, will be the symposium’s keynote speaker. She will speak on academic confidence and how students can make a difference in the community.

  The event is scheduled 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mentry Hall, Room 343.
  
  

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  21st Annual Student Art Exhibition on Display

  April 12, 2017
  NR-No.04.12.17-StudentArt

  The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will present the 21st Annual Student Art Exhibition highlighting a diverse range of work created by the colleges talented student-artists.

  The 21st Annual COC Student Art Exhibition will run Tuesday, April 18 toThursday, May 25. An artist’s reception is scheduled noon to 4 p.m. on April 18.

  The works on display include sculpture, photography, printmaking, painting, graphic design, illustration, film, and animation.

  “The Student Art Exhibition gives our talented art students the opportunity to share their work with the community,” Art Gallery Director Larry Hurst said. “This year’s exhibition is especially dynamic and inspiring.”

  The annual showcase exhibition also acts as an educational and professional experience for students. Works are submitted for review and a guest juror selected from the greater Los Angeles arts community traditionally curates the Student Art Exhibition.

  Some works then become part of a permanent visual art collection, spanning all disciplines, which is displayed at the colleges Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.

  This year’s juror is Sue Tuemmler. Tuemmler received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and currently works from her studio in downtown Los Angeles.

  A former arts educator, her work has been shown in the Cincinnati Art Museum, Barnsdall Art Center, Pasadena Art Center College of Design, Gallery 825, and the COC Art Gallery.

  The Art Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Those unable to visit the gallery during normal hours are welcome to contact the gallery to schedule a viewing appointment. All gallery exhibitions and related events are free and open to the public.
  
  

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  College to Host 14th Annual Children’s Play Day

  April 6, 2017
  NR-No.04.06.17-PlayDay

  The College of the Canyons Center for Early Childhood Education (ECE) and the Southern California Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (SCVAEYC) will host the 14th annual Children’s Play Day as part of the nationally celebrated Week of the Young Child. The event is free and open to the public.

  The goal of Children’s Play Day is to bring the community together for a day of high-quality, developmentally stimulating play experiences for all children, infant to school age. The event also provides families with young children an opportunity to explore the many valuable resources that are available to them at the college and in the community.

  “We look forward to welcoming families from our community every year,” said Wendy Ruiz, event coordinator and ECE faculty member. “This year’s event will feature obstacle courses, sensory experiences, face painting and many other activities that children and their families will surely enjoy.”

  Approximately 50 local non-profit groups and organizations dedicated to child and family services are expected to participate. Food vendors will also be available. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and blanket and settle in under the shade for the lineup of free activities.

  The Children’s Play Day is scheduled 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, in the Honor Grove of the Valencia campus. Free parking will be available in lots 5, 6 and 7, located off Rockwell Canyon Road adjacent to the campus tennis courts.

• March

  Registration Open for 2017 Summer Institute

  March 31, 2017
  NR-No.03.31.17-SummerInstitute 

  Registration is now open for the popular career exploration-themed College of the Canyons Summer Institute, with weekly sessions running July 10 to 14 and July 17 to21. The Summer Institute is open to students entering junior high school in the fall of 2017.

  The goal of the Summer Institute is to provide hands-on career exploration and learning opportunities in a variety of areas, including: robotics, special effects and movie making, video game design, sports medicine, allied health, photography, architecture and welding, and engineering and manufacturing.

  Instructors are College of the Canyons professors, student teachers or industry professionals who have tailored their curriculum with junior high students in mind. Each track allows students to explore multiple career possibilities through a unique blend of innovative lesson plans and fun, hands-on activities.

  “The COC Summer Institute is much more than your typical summer camp,” said Mark Carr, Summer Institute coordinator. “It’s an opportunity for your child to discover a potential career path, and have some fun at the same time.”

  All sessions begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $275 per child per week.

  • Session 1 (July 10 to 14) – Video game design; robotics; photography; sports medicine; special effects and movie making; welding; introduction to architecture.
  • Session 2 (July 17 to 21) – Video game design; robotics; Photoshop; introduction to architecture; special effects and movie making; sun, wind and fire; allied health.
    
    

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  Former Student Named to Scholar Athlete Honor Roll

  March 30, 2017
  NR-No.03.30.17-ScholarAthlete 

  Former College of the Canyons student-athlete Griffin Scott has been named to the 2015-16 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Scholar Athlete Honor Roll.

  Scott joins a select list of 18 student-athletes across the state to earn recognition as a member of the Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll.

  Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll award winners are selected for excelling both academically and athletically. Honorees must have participated in two seasons of sport, maintain at least a 3.5 GPA and display strong characteristics of citizenship, while representing the positive outcome of dedication, hard work and service.

  “The entire COC swim & dive program could not be more proud of Griffin and we congratulate him on this accomplishment,” said COC swim & dive head coach Sean Kakumu. “Griffin represents the very best of this program and is a role model for all COC student-athletes. Though extremely talented, what makes Griffin truly stand out is how hard he works towards his goals. He has always strived for excellence academically and athletically, and this award proves it’s possible to achieve both.”

  In the classroom, Scott maintained a 3.85 transferable GPA while double majoring in communications studies and geography. He earned an associate degree in both subjects while fulfilling all requirements of the COC Honors Program to graduate with magna cum laude honors.

  In the pool, Scott became the first Western State Conference (WSC) Male Swimmer of the Year in school history after taking home two individual conference titles and combining with his teammates to help the Cougars take first in two relay events at the 2016 WSC Finals.

  His time of 1:54.76 in the 200-yard Individual Medley established a new school record, as did his mark of 50.47 in the 100-yard butterfly.

  As a result of his performance, Scott advanced to the CCCAA State Championships in the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly, as well as the 200-yard individual medley. His fifth place finish in the 200-yard butterfly at the state meet also represented a school best mark.

  At season's end Scott was named a CCCAA All-American in the 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley. Scotts performances also helped the 400-yard freestyle relay, 800-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay teams earn All-American designations.

  As a freshman in 2015, Scott also played on the COC baseball team.He is currently attending UCLA where he is majoring in geography with a minor in geographic systems and competing on the mens rugby club team.
  
  

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  College Recognized for Work Experience, Internships

  March 30, 2017
  NR-No.03.30.17-CIWEA 

  College of the Canyons has been presented with three awards from the California Internship & Work Experience Association (CIWEA), including the prestigious 2017 Outstanding College Work Experience and Internship Program Award.

  Annually presented to two institutions of higher learning, the CIWEA Outstanding College Work Experience and Internship Program Award recognizes schools that model exemplary internship and work experience programs. The goal of the award program is to support and encourage organizations to continue offering the resources and opportunities needed for students to succeed in the workplace.

  “We are honored to receive this award for the wide range of innovative programs that we offer our students to better equip them to reach their goals,” said Gina Bogna, assistant dean of internships, job development and career center. “At College of the Canyons, the success of our students is our top priority.”

  In addition, CIWEA awarded a COC veteran student with the $1,000 Bernard L. Hyink Student Scholarship, in recognition of the students recent internship at Pulchella Winery. The award marks the second consecutive year that a COC student has received this honor. The California Film Commission was also awarded the CIWEA Outstanding Internship or Work Experience Employer Award for playing an integral role in providing COC students with real-life work experience.

  In just one year, the commission placed 10 COC student interns in paid positions within the Hollywood entertainment industry.

  The Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE) department is a member of CIWEA, California’s leading professional association for educators and employers dedicated to supporting internship and work experience programs in higher education.
  
  

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  Chancellor Named National Pacesetter of Year

  March 29, 2017
  NR-No.03.29.17-PacesetteroftheYear 

  College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook has been named the National Pacesetter of the Year by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR). The award recognizes a two-year community or technical college CEO who has demonstrated leadership and support in the area of college communications and public relations.

  “I am honored to receive the National Pacesetter of the Year Award,” said Dr. Van Hook. "Public relations and marketing are essential components of our college’s ability to create quality and results-driven messaging that positively impacts our students and defines their experience at College of the Canyons.”

  Dr. Van Hook was announced as the recipient of the award during the NCMPR National Conference in Charleston, S.C. on Wednesday, March 29.

  She has served as CEO of the Santa Clarita Community College District since 1988, making her the longest-serving community college CEO in California. Her longevity in that role and emphasis on effective marketing have been instrumental in creating and maintaining the colleges brand and ensuring consistent messaging across mediums.

  To accommodate its growing student population, the college has increased facilities square footage five-fold under Dr. Van Hook’s leadership, from 199,000 square feet on one campus to 950,000 on campuses in Valencia and Canyon Country.

  “We at College of the Canyons are very fortunate to have Dr. Van Hook as a visionary and inspirational leader,” said Steve Zimmer, president of the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees. "She has been able to oversee the long-term growth of our college and widely communicate our student success story to our local community and throughout the entire state through the effective use of public relations and marketing.

  College of the Canyons was recently ranked among the top-15 community and career colleges by graduates’ salary potential. PayScales 2016-17 College Salary Report examined the earnings of graduates from 381 two-year colleges across the nation.

  In a continuing effort to reduce costs for students, College of the Canyons will soon launch First-Year Promise, a pathway to increased opportunities for new, full-time college students. The program, seeded with a $750,000 grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, will help students achieve their educational goals by waiving tuition and fees for their first year. College of the Canyons was one of just 14 California community colleges to receive the grant; fifty-one college districts applied.

  The addition of the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, named in her honor, in 2009 and the College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education in 2015 have helped students in the Santa Clarita Valley reach their academic and career goals.

  “Dr. Van Hook has always supported effective communication on her campus and has been a leader at the state and national levels to further the mission of California's community colleges,” said Juan Gutierrez, director ofNCMPR's District 6. “I cannot think of a more deserving person to receive this prestigious award.”

  Headquartered in New Mexico, NCMPR is a national organization governed by volunteer community college professionals that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. NCMPR has more than 1,550 members from more than 650 colleges across the country, including Canada and other countries.

  The National Pacesetter Award is presented annually to one of the seven winners of regional district awards. Dr. Van Hook was named Pacesetter of the Year for Region 6 in September.
  
  

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  First-Year Promise Applications Being Accepted

  March 28, 2017
  NR-No.03.28.17-FirstYearPromise 

  College of the Canyons is now accepting applications for its First-Year Promise program, which will provide increased opportunities for new full-time college students to achieve their educational goals by waiving tuition and fees during the first year of study.The program will launch with approximately 300 students this fall.

  To be eligible, a student must be a California resident (or AB 540-eligible) and a graduate of the William S. Hart Union High School District or neighboring school district this spring.

  Students accepted into the program will enroll in a one-year sequence of courses with priority registration, preceded by summer orientation to learn about majors and receive academic guidance.

  Courses will be offered with the benefits of low- or no-cost "open educational resources" textbooks and other learning community elements. To ensure students stay on track, ongoing counseling and student support will be offered. Each student will receive a $100 voucher per semester for supplies and instructional materials, a parking permit or city bus pass, and free computer lab printing services.

  Students chosen to participate can save an estimated $1,500 in enrollment fees and other expenses.

  Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible for priority consideration. The application deadline is Monday, May 15.

  First-Year Promise is funded through a $750,000 grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office. College of the Canyons was one of14 colleges from a field of 51 awarded a California College Promise Innovation Grant.
  
  

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  Spring Classes Added to Help Students Meet Goals

  March 27, 2017
  NR-03.27.16-LateStart  

  With the spring semester in full swing, registration is under way for short-term classes to help students meet their academic goals. More than 200 classes are available in a variety of formats, including classroom, online and hybrid classroom/online.

  “College of the Canyons is mindful of the busy and demanding schedules of our students,” said Jerry Buckley, assistant superintendent/vice president of academic affairs at the college. “We are committed to helping our students reach their academic and career goals, no matter where they are in life.”

  Bundled classes in real estate and business are available to help students build discrete skill sets through paired coursework.

  To help working managers advance their skills, Managing Diversity in the Workplace (BUS 126) and Negotiations and Conflict Resolution will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings, with an online hybrid component.

  A weekend Realtor 101 package of classes includes an interior design course on Home Staging on Fridays, Real Estate Principles and Real Estate Practices hybrid courses on Saturdays, and an online Photography class.

  On Saturday mornings, business-minded students can benefit from the Get Started on Your Business degree offerings that includeIntroduction to Business (BUS 100) and Principles of Marketing (BUS 140), which are requirements for many COC business degrees and certificates.

  These hybrid classes are also paired with a Business English class (CAWT 115), which is a high-demand class for both business and computer applications majors.

  Students can choose to enroll in one or all of the packaged classes.

  The spring semester short-term classes also include several general education, basic skills and career technical education (CTE) courses. Subjects include: English, early childhood education, economics, computer science, geography, geology, history, mathematics, photography, statistics, sociology, water systems, culinary arts, and graphic design.

  Classes will be held through April and May. Registration will remain open until classes are filled.

  Students who choose to enroll in short-term classes will have the added benefit of being classified as a returning student prior to the upcoming summer session registration period.
  
  

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  Instructors to Fly Aboard Airborne Observatory

  March 21, 2017
  NR-No.03.21.17-SOFIA 

  College of the Canyons adjunct instructors Christine Hirst and Thomas Gavin have been selected by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute to join the 2017-18 NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) program, joining 37 high school physics and earth science teachers from seven California school districts.

  Hirst and Gavin, who teach astronomy and physical science at COC, will fly this fall aboard NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the world’s largest aircraft-based observatory that flies at altitudes between 39,000 to 45,000 feet.

  “This is the only space program of its kind in the world, so this is such an honor,” said Hirst, who also teaches earth science and engineering at West Ranch High School. “I applied to this two years ago and was denied, so this is a dream of mine.”

  Positioned above more than 99 percent of the atmosphere’s water vapor, SOFIA makes it possible to conduct experiments and gather data that would otherwise be impossible to obtain.

  The modified Boeing 747SP aircraft, which is based at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center facility in Palmdale, carries a reflecting telescope with an effective diameter of 2.5 meters.

  “I have been teaching science for over 30 years and can’t believe that this opportunity to contribute to the science that I teach has been offered for me to participate in,” said Gavin, who is also a physics teacher at West Ranch High School. “I am very proud to represent our great COC science program, and I know that this experience will help me to build a better classroom experience for my students.”

  AAA participants receive preflight preparation through online learning modules, workshops and webinars.

  An intensive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experience, the SOFIA flight week provides participating educators with access to subject matter experts at NASA and science curricula to engage students in the classroom with real-world science.

  “My high school students launch a weather balloon each year, so I am very excited to fly where my students' experiments have flown,” said Hirst. "I plan to apply to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a solar system ambassador following this experience, and will definitely bring the lessons into all of my classes.”

  SOFIA, a partnership between NASA and the German Aerospace Center, welcomed its first group of educators in 2011.
  
  

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  Jazz Ensemble to 'Crank Up the Jazz'

  March 17, 2017
  NR-No.03.17.17-CrankUpTheJazz 

  The award-winning COC Studio Jazz Ensemble and Lab Band will present "Crank Up the Jazz!” on Friday, March 24, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons.

  The bands will be accompanied by guest soloist jazz drummer and percussionist Steve Pemberton.

  “Performing with Steve is a real treat for the band,” said KC Manji, music director and the jazz band’s director for the performance. “His vast musical experience and expert drum kit playing is like slicing through butter, it is so smooth and effortless. He allows the band to do things they could not do otherwise.”

  The big band will play well-known jazz tunes such as “Boogie Woogie Stomp,” “Bistro Latino,” and “The Mambo.”

  The Lab Band will introduce new, up and coming members learning the language of jazz as they provide entertainment before the concert and during intermission.

  The performance is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, on the PAC main stage.

  All of the ensembles will perform under the direction of Manji.

  General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for COC students and senior citizens.

  About Steve Pemberton

  Known internationally for being a versatile and sensitive musician, Steve Pemberton has performed in Asia, Europe, North and South America.

  Pemberton was the jazz drum set specialist and utility percussionist with the prestigious Boston Pops Orchestra, which gave him the opportunity to perform under the baton of film composer and conductor John Williams.

  Pemberton has performed with many jazz greats, such as Mel Torme, Grover Washington, Jr., Doc Severinsen, as well as the Count Basie and Quincy Jones Orchestras. He has also performed at the White House for Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr., Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford.

  A graduate of the Berkeley College of Music, Pemberton lives in Los Angeles where he continues to work as a performer, educator, contractor, composer and arranger.
  
  

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  Theatre Department Presents ‘Buzzer’

  March 17, 2017
  NR-No.03.17.17-Buzzer 

  The College of the Canyons Theatre Department will present its production of “Buzzer,” a play written by Tracey Scott Wilson, beginning Friday, March 24 at the Black Box Theater.

  Directed by COC theatre instructor Susan Hinshaw, “Buzzer” focuses on the struggles of an interracial couple, Jackson and Suzy, as they face gentrification and other tensions in the a transitioning neighborhood in Brooklyn.

  “The Great Melting Pot that is America and the profound challenges of living in it are the themes I was confronted with when I first saw this play at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis,” said Hinshaw. “As I delved deeper into the play, I began to see that it was about much more than that. We have a bright, talented cast and a crack production team who have worked hard to bring this extraordinary play to life.”

  This is also the first production designed by Christopher Boltz, the department’s new full-time technical theater instructor who also currently serves as chair of the college’s Theatre Department. The cast and crew are composed solely of College of the Canyons theatre students.

  Performances are scheduled 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 24, 25, and 31 and April 1; matinees are scheduled 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26 and April 2.

  General admission tickets are $10. Tickets for students and seniors are $5.

  About the Theatre Department

  Part of the college’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Theatre Department offers a highly regarded transfer program with three degree options available to students in the field.

  The Theatre Department season for spring also includes “Bring it On: The Musical.”
  
  

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  NASA JPL Associate Director to Speak at College

  March 14, 2017
  NR-No.03.14.17-RichardCook

  Richard Cook, associate director for flight projects and mission success at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), will deliver a presentation at College of the Canyons on Monday, March 20.

  Hosted by the Institute for Ethics, Law and Public Policy, Cook's presentation will focus on projects currently underway at JPL and his experiences as Flight Systems Manager of the Mars Exploration Rover Project. TIME magazine named Cook one of its Most Influential people in 2013 for his contributions to Mars exploration.

  “We are very excited to hear Mr. Cook share his experiences and learn more about the exciting things that are happening at JPL,” said Kevin Anthony, director of the institute and chair of the college's hotel and restaurant management program. “One of the most interesting voyages is the plan to land on Europa, a moon of Jupiter, and see if the water on this planet has life.”

  Established in 2016, the Institute for Ethics, Law and Public Policy is a college committee that aims to promote dialogue and awareness in ethics.

  The presentation is scheduled 6 to 8 p.m. in Aliso Hall, Room 102. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session.

  The event is free and open to the public.

  About the Speaker

  Since joining JPL in 1989, Richard Cook has been involved with various projects and missions. His work as Manager and Deputy Manager for the Mars Science Laboratory Project involved the design, development, launch, and operations of the successful launch of the Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in August 2012.

  Cook was named deputy director for solar system exploration in 2013 and was flight system manager and project manager for the Mars Exploration Rover Project.

  For his work managing the day-to-day operations of the Mars Pathfinder Mission, he was awarded a NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal. Cook earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Colorado and a master of science degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

  He resides in the Santa Clarita Valley with his family.
  
  

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  14 Football Players Named to Scholar-Athlete Team

  March 10, 2017
  NR-No.03.10.17-SCFAscholar 

  Fourteen members of the College of the Canyons football program have been named to the 2016 Southern California Football Association (SCFA) Scholar-Athlete Team.

  To be eligible, players must have participated on the football team for two seasons while successfully completing at least 36 units, 27 of which must be academic courses.

  They must also achieve a GPA of 3.0 or better.

  "We could not be more proud of our SCFA Scholar-Athlete honorees,” said head coach Ted Iacenda. “These young men have dedicated hours of hard work to their studies and understand that the true purpose of College of the Canyons football is for student-athletes to pursue both their academic and athletic goals.”

  Representing College of the Canyons on the 2016 SCFA Scholar-Athlete Team are:

  • Blake Austin, Safety, 3.15 GPA
  • Tyler Bjorklund, Offensive Line, 3.17 GPA
  • Raymond Calles, Defensive Line, 3.33 GPA
  • Gabriel Gaitan, Offensive Line, 3.27 GPA
  • Zach Gragas, Linebacker, 3.68 GPA
  • Jerel Hall, Linebacker, 3.15 GPA
  • Andrew Karatepeyan, Defensive Line, 3.09 GPA
  • Austin McKinney, Punter, 3.07 GPA
  • Matthew Moore, Quarterback, 3.05 GPA
  • Jesus Mota, Offensive Line, 3.19 GPA
  • Tobenna Okunna, Linebacker, 3.0 GPA
  • Colton Oshiro, Safety, 3.70 GPA
  • Jacob Sammut, Long Snapper, 3.07 GPA
  • Hayden Wright, Safety, 3.88 GPA

  
  Additionally, Austin, Bjorklund and McKinney were each named to the All-SCFA Team for their efforts on the playing field. McKinney also earned 2016 Region III All-California Community College Football Team honors.

  At College of the Canyons, academic support and achievement are the core tenets of our football program, said Iacenda. We stress that winning on and off of the field are of equal importance.

  “Obviously this type of success would not be possible without the great partnerships we have formed with Albert Loaiza, our incredible athletic counselor, and Matt Crater, who is so instrumental in his role as student-athlete academic mentor in The Learning Center,” added Iacenda. “I thank both of them for their tremendous support and role in helping our players realize this achievement.”
  
  

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  Scholarly Presentation to Focus on Tataviam

  March 9, 2017
  NR-No.03.09.17-ScholarlyPresentation 

  College of the Canyons anthropology professor Dr. Laurie Solis will deliver the scholarly presentation “Tataviam: People Who Face the Sun,” based on her published book of the same title, on Thursday, March 30 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.

  The prehistoric Tataviam were a Native American group living in the northern San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and southern Antelope Valley, where they actively managed the land through pruning and controlled fires.

  “I’m very excited to share my knowledge of the prehistoric Tataviam, who were people that learned to live in harmony with their environment,” said Solis, who has served as a liaison to various local tribes, including the Tataviam/Fernandeno Band of Mission Indians.

  With the use of photos, maps, and other data from her book, Solis will share her knowledge of the Southern California tribe that she has gained through countless archaeological studies. She will also shed light on the Tataviam’s semi-nomadic way of life and plant-based diet, which included yucca and acorns as staples.

  The Scholarly Presentation will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 30.

  Photographs and artifacts relevant to the Tataviam will be on view in the PAC lobby prior to the start of the presentation.

  Copies of “Tataviam: People Who Face the Sun" will be on sale for $20 (cash only). Part of the proceeds will benefit the college’s Anthropology Club.

  This event is free and open to the public.

  About the Presenter

  Laurie Solis knew she was going to be an archaeologist when, at the tender age of 4, she was overjoyed to find the skeleton of a pet cat buried in her family’s backyard, which she routinely excavated.

  Now an adjunct professor of anthropology at College of the Canyons and Antelope Valley College, Solis has almost 20 years of experience in the field of Cultural Resource Management and specializes in prehistory of the Great Basin and Southwest and Pioneer/Frontier History.

  Solis earned her doctorate degree in religious studies and archaeology from Golden State School of Theology in 2011. After earning a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in 1997, Solis earned a master’s degree in anthropology from CSUN in 2004.

  She has conducted Phase I Archaeological Surveys, Phase II Testing, and Phase III Studies for METRO, High Speed Train Authority, Edwards Air Force Base, Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, California Energy Commission (CEC), Cal Trans, City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation.

  She discovered three new species of fish not previously discovered in California, which are held in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and University of California, Berkeley.

  A frequent guest lecturer and public speaker on California Indians, Solis has worked closely as a liaison with several California Indian Tribes, including the Piute-Shoshone, Gabrielino/Tongva, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Chumash, the Juaneno, and the Tataviam/Fernandeno Band of Mission Indians.

  She has authored almost 200 studies on archaeological, historical and paleontological resources. Her book, “Tataviam: People Who Face the Sun,” is one of the few published works available about the tribe.
  
  

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  Soccer Skills Academy Slated

  March 8, 2017
  NR-No.03.08.17-SkillsAcademy

  The College of the Canyons men’s and women's soccer programs invite youth soccer players to participate in the first Soccer Skills Academy from March 23 to May 18.

  Open to boys and girls in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, the eight-week academy will be run by coaches and players from the men’s and women’s soccer programs.

  Sessions will be held on Thursday nights at the new COC Soccer Facility at the Valencia campus, featuring a state-of-the-art FieldTurf Revolution 360 playing surface, infill system and LED stadium lights.

  Participants will be divided by age group, with each of the eight training sessions operating under the following schedule:

  • 5 to 6:15 p.m. – transitional kindergarten through second grade
  • 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. – third through fifth grade
  • 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. – sixth through eighth grade

  
  Registration fees are $125 per player. All participants will receive an academy T-shirt. Players will be required to provide their own cleats, shin guards, soccer socks, ball and water.

  For more information, contact the women’s soccer office at (661) 362-3196.
  
  

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  College to Sponsor Student STEM Showcase

  March 2, 2017
  NR-COC-03.02.17-STEM

  Subject: The Santa Clarita Valley Student STEM Showcase will provide a demonstration to local employers and industry partners on the hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) experiences of local students.

  Event: Sponsored by the College of the Canyons Deputy Sector Navigator for Information Communication and Technologies & Digital Media, the William S. Hart Union High School District, and Saugus Union School District, the Santa Clarita Valley Student STEM Showcase will feature STEM-related demonstrations from students of all grade levels. The Student STEM Showcase is the Santa Clarita Valley's first ever STEM collaboration of its kind. At the event, students from the Saugus Union School District, William. S. Hart Union High School District, College of the Canyons, and California State University, Northridge will work together to demonstrate their 21st century skills in computer networking, engineering, computer science, manufacturing and other advanced technologies. Maria Blue, teacher and member of the California Science Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (CFCC), will be the keynote speaker. Blue will speak about Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and how they have had a positive impact in preparing students for STEM coursework and careers.

  Time: 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2017; keynote presentation 12:30 to 1 p.m.

  Location: Emblem Academy, 22635 Espuella Drive, Saugus, CA 91350

  Contact: Eric Harnish, Public Information Office, (661) 362-3429

• February

  College Receives $750,000 Grant for First-Year Promise

  February 22, 2017
  NR-COC-02.22.17-CollegePromise

  In a continued effort to reduce college costs, College of the Canyons will launch the First-Year Promise (FYP) program, a pathway that will provide increased opportunities for new full-time college students to achieve their educational goals, through a $750,000 grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office (CCCCO).

  Out of 51 community college districts that applied, COC was one of only 14 colleges awarded a CCCCO grant through the California College Promise Innovation Grant Program.

  “This grant will be instrumental in knocking down the many barriers students face to reach their educational goals,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “First-Year Promise will not only reduce the financial burden for new full-time students, it will also enhance their ability to succeed and build a foundation for lifelong learning.”

  In an annual student survey conducted by COC, the cost of textbooks was identified as a top barrier to achieving educational goals by 75 percent of students surveyed; 35 percent of students reported they cannot afford any textbooks.

  In response, the college has encouraged the use of Open Educational Resources (OER), which are teaching and learning materials that have been released in the public domain or under an intellectual property license as a no-cost alternative to costly commercial textbooks.

  According to the nonprofit College Board, the cost of textbooks and supplies average $1,390 per year for students at a public two-year in-district commuter school.

  By using OER materials instead of commercial textbooks, COC students save an estimated $1.5 million each year.

  In the fall 2017 semester, COC will introduce an Associate Degree-Transfer in sociology, which will provide students a guaranteed transfer to a California State University campus by taking only OER-based courses that do not require the purchase of costly commercial textbooks.

  Additional resources that are available to students to alleviate college costs include an Associated Student Government food bank, access to child care at the Early Childhood Education Centers at the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses, on-campus bus stops, as well as a robust financial aid department and scholarship program.

  COC’s aggressive outreach efforts to local high schools have helped many students jump-start their college careers and save money.

  • The college expanded its College Now! program to allow all William S. Hart Union High School District juniors and seniors to enroll in COC courses without having to leave their high school campus or pay enrollment fees.
  • Participating high school students receive concurrent enrollment status, which allows them to enroll in any degree-applicable coursework offered at the Valencia campus, Canyon Country campus or online.
  • Part of the William S. Hart Union High School District, Academy of the Canyons (AOC) is a middle college high school located at the colleges Valencia campus that also provides students with concurrent enrollment status. In addition, AOC introduces high school students to college culture, which builds a foundation for lifelong learning.

  
  The college’s Accelerate Your Dreams to Reality project nearly tripled students chances of completing college-level courses by introducing the accelerated courses Math 75 and English 96.

  For students who are not majoring in fields related to science, technology, engineering or math, Math 75 paves the way for college-level statistics by replacing a two-course sequence of basic and intermediate algebra, while English 96 replaces a two-course sequence that prepares students for the transfer-level curriculum in just one course.

  Of note, the implementation of these accelerated courses helped save more than 600,000 hours of remedial instruction and more than $1,650,000 in tuition costs for remedial courses that are not applicable toward earning associate degrees.

  “Our reputation for institutional effectiveness, data-driven initiatives, and dedication to reducing higher education costs sets us apart as a college,” said Van Hook. “We are very excited to implement the First Year Promise program to continue supporting course completion and student success.”

  The First-Year Promise program is scheduled to launch this fall with 300 qualifying students.

  Eligible incoming students will enroll in a one-year sequence of courses with priority registration, preceded by summer orientation to learn about majors and receive academic guidance.

  First-Year Promise courses will be offered with the benefits of OER textbooks and other learning community elements. To ensure participating students remain on track, ongoing counseling and student support will also be offered.

  Additionally, each student will receive a $100 voucher per semester that can be applied toward other supplies and instructional materials. Free computer lab printing services will also be provided by the college.
  
  

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  Body Mind Wellness to Host Healthy Lifestyle Resource Fair

  February 9, 2017
  NR-COC-02.09.17-BMWFair

  The College of the Canyons Body Mind Wellness Coalition will be hosting its spring Healthy Lifestyle Resource Fair to better assist students and community members with issues such as stress, exercise, preventative health, as well as healthy eating and relationships.

  Festivities are scheduled 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, in the Valencia campus Honor Grove.

  The fair will serve as the main event for a variety of related activities hosted by the BMW Coalition throughout February, March and April, including a free screening of the body image documentary “Embrace” on Wednesday, March 1.

  "We look forward to providing students and community members with helpful and insightful resources and tools at our spring Healthy Lifestyle Resource Fair,” said Sheri Barke, sports and wellness dietitian at theStudent Health Center. "Our goal is to help people manage their stress and take cohesive steps toward a more balanced and healthy lifestyle.”

  The fair and related events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise specified.
  
  

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  College Presents Lecture by Holocaust Survivor

  February 7, 2017
  NR-COC-02.07.17-LeonMalmed

  College of the Canyons will welcome author and holocaust survivor Leon Malmed for a special presentation of his memoir “We Survived, At Last I Speak” on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

  Malmed has shared his story of survival at churches, synagogues, and universities throughout the United States and Europe.

  First published in French in 2010, “We Survived, At Last I Speak” tells the story of how 5-year-old Leon and his sister were separated from their parents in occupied France in 1942. His parents ultimately died at the now infamous death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and he and his sister never saw them again.

  Malmed eventually immigrated to the United States in 1964, and lived in New York for the next 18 years. He went on to hold executive positions with leading tech companies in the Silicon Valley, including SanDisk.

  Currently retired, Malmed serves on the Board of Directors for the Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation. Malmed will present his special lecture from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, Room 258.

  Admission is free and open to the public.
  
  

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  Women's Conference to Feature ‘Inspiring Voices’

  February 2, 2017
  NR-No.02.02.17-Women’sConference

  The annual College of the Canyons Women's Conference returns Saturday, March 4 with an exciting lineup of presenters and breakout sessions designed to help inspire attendees to focus on achieving goals and becoming civically engaged members of their communities.

  The 2017 College of the Canyons Women's Conference “Inspiring Voices: Making a Difference in an Ever-Changing World” will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.

  “This year’s conference will offer sessions on a board range of topics of interest to women and focus on following your passion and getting involved in non-profit organizations in our community and beyond,” said Dr. Diane Fiero, assistant superintendent/vice president, human resources at the college. "We want the women of our community to hear from our inspiring speakers and walk away with great ways they can make a difference in this world."

  Attendees will benefit from breakout sessions throughout the day covering a wide range of topics, including:

  • Healthy Relationships
  • Volunteerism and Civic Engagement in Your Community
  • Women Entrepreneurs
  • Grief and Loss
  • Dress for Success
  • Healthy Body Image
  • Researching Your Ancestry
  • SPIRIT Suicide Prevention
  • Elder Care and Elder Law
  • The Balance Act: Doing It All at Any Age
  • Issues facing today's college students (a student panel discussion)
  • Effective make-up tips for women of all ages
  • Creating a professional network and building a mentoring program

  
  Kim Goldman, executive director of the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project, will be the keynote speaker. Goldman will speak about the various challenges behind establishing a non-profit organization.

  A vendor alley with more than 20 booths will feature for-sale items such as women’s clothing, jewelry, make-up, hats, handbags, personalized home decor, handmade leather gifts, healthy snacks, and other items.

  Admission is $35 and $20 for students (identification required). Admission includes access to all events and activities, breakfast, as well as a raffle drawing ticket. Lunch will be catered by Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co.

  Conference sponsors include presenting sponsor Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Valencia, College of the Canyons Associated Student Government, Mellady Direct Marketing, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Co., and KHTS.
  
  

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  Audit Finds Measure M Bond Measure in Full Compliance

  February 2, 2017
  NR-COC-02.02.17-BondAudit

  The Santa Clarita Community College District’s independent citizens bond oversight committee has accepted the results of an independent audit confirming that, for the 10th year in a row, the district has properly accounted for all bond expenditures and issued the district an unmodified opinion the best rating possible noting no adjustments, audit findings, questioned costs or instances of bond noncompliance.

  Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co. LLP conducted both the financial and performance audit, covering the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2016.

  The firm presented its report to the districts independent citizens bond oversight committee at a meeting on Jan. 24, 2017.

  “This displays the efficiency and continuous stability of the combined efforts of finance staff, the facilities team, and the chancellor,” said Nicholas Lentini, chair of the bond oversight committee, at the meeting. “Thank you for being so efficient and clearly explaining the audits in detail to our committee.”

  The 2015-16 audit confirms approximately $152.2 million in resources from the first four bond issuances, which also includes earned interest and net premium in the bonds. Of that amount, more than $130.8 million has been expended on authorized bond projects, leaving the District with a Measure M bond project fund balance of $21.4 million as of June 30, 2016.

  “We are pleased to learn that College of the Canyons has once again achieved another clean Measure M audit,” said Sharlene Coleal, assistant superintendent, vice president of business services at the college. “We are thankful to the bond oversight committee volunteers for their efforts in ensuring that the district remains in full compliance.”

  Measure M was approved by Santa Clarita Valley voters on Nov. 7, 2006.

  Since its passage, the $160 million bond measure has helped fund a wide variety of major facilities and campus expansions at the college, such as the construction of the Mentry Hall Expansion, The Learning Center (TLC)/Library Expansion, Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, the Canyon Country Campus, the College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education (iCUE), and the Canyons Hall student services/administration building.

  The bond also helped secure $36.7 million in state matching funds that otherwise would have been lost and gone to other districts.

  “College of the Canyons has diligently used Measure M bonds to continue meeting the short-term and long-term needs of our ever-growing student population,” said Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “With the support and trust of the community, we are committed to continue building for the future.”

  Measure M will begin the funding of the construction of the Science Center at the Canyon Country campus and a 1,000-space parking structure at the Valencia campus.

  "We look forward to using the remaining Measure M bond funds to the maximum value possible to continue reaching our goals and redefining what a community college can do for the communities it serves,” said Van Hook.

• January

  College Launches Inaugural Cancer Awareness Expo

  January 31, 2017
  NR-COC-01.31.17-SCVCares

  According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), three people are diagnosed with cancer every minute in the U.S.

  To raise awareness on this growing health epidemic, College of the Canyons, in partnership with ACS, City of Hope, and title sponsor Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital (HMNH), will host the first-ever Care SCV Cancer Awareness & Resource Expo.

  The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, and will feature on-site health screenings, as well as survivor resources and support from various cancer-related organizations.

  “The goal of the CARE SCV expo is to provide people with the information they need to prevent, treat and survive cancer, and to let them know about the cancer resources available in SCV,” said Dr. Kelly Cude, professor of biological sciences at the college and the events main organizer.

  The one-day event will begin with a special address by keynote speaker Dr. Rena Callahan from UCLA Health.

  In addition, cancer experts representing City of Hope, Providence Holy Cross, and HMNH will give presentations covering the topics of dietary prevention of cancer, cancer screening, genetic testing in cancer, innovations in radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

  “Most people are unaware that 90 percent of cancers occur spontaneously, meaning they are not inherited, but rather triggered by outside factors,” added Cude.

  Significant improvements to cancer treatments over the past decade have patients surviving longer and with fewer side effects.

  Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session.

  Admission will be free and open to the public.

  Free parking will be available for the event and food trucks will be available during the lunch break.
  
  

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  Theatre Department to Hold Auditions

  January 30, 2017
  NR-COC-01.30.17-SpringAuditions

  The College of the Canyons Theatre Department will host two open auditions for students and community members interested in roles in upcoming spring semester productions.

  The productions include “Buzzer” by Tom Stoppard, the Broadway hit musical “Bring It On: The Musical,” and “Time,” a newly devised piece by Erin Africa.

  Auditions, which are open to the public, will take place at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6 and Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center’s Black Box Theater. Callbacks will take place from Wednesday, Feb. 8 to Saturday, Feb. 11 by invitation.

  "We are looking for all types and ethnicities,” said Matt McCray, director of "Bring It On: The Musical.” “Dancers and gymnasts are highly encouraged to audition. Being able to do tricks, flips, tumbles, lifts and other special skills, are a plus, but are not required. If you got it, plan to do it.”

  Auditioning actors should prepare a short contemporary monologue. Singers are asked to prepare 16 bars of an up-tempo song from a contemporary musical or the pop genre. Females auditioning for roles should demonstrate belt, if possible.

  Actors, dancers, and singers cast for roles in these productions will be required to enroll in a spring semester theatre production class at the college.

  “Buzzer" is a play by Tracy Scott Wilson, which takes a close look at the struggles and of an interracial couple, Jackson and Suzy, as they face gentrification an other tensions in the a transitioning neighborhood in Brooklyn.

  Directed by Susan Hinshaw, the play will run March 24, 25, 26 and 31, and April 2 in the Black Box Theater.

  Based on the 2000 film of the same name, "Bring It On: The Musical” tells the story of two cheerleading squads in competition to win the National Cheerleading Championships and the unexpected bonds they create along the way. The musicals music and lyrics were written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Green, Tom Kitt, and Jeff Whitty.

  Performances will take place April 28 to 30 and May 5 to7.

  “Time” will be a collaborative process of creating an original work based on the concept of time. The process will demand the full engagement, both physically and creatively, from the actors. The roles will be created and developed by the company, but the direction of the work will be determined by the ideas brought into the process by the cast.

  Actors will be expected to participate in acting exercises, improvisation, writing, and movement work. Musicians and designers are encouraged to attend auditions.

  Performances will be held in the Studio Theatre in April.
  
  

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  Art Gallery Presents Lisa Adams’ ‘Sight Specific’

  January 30, 2017
  NR-COC-01.30.17-LisaAdams

  The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will showcase the work of Los Angeles painter Lisa Adams in the exhibition “Sight Specific,” opening Saturday, Feb. 11.

  The Gallery’s first exhibition for the spring semester, “Sight Specific" will feature 10 of Adams’ paintings created within the past three years.

  “Lisa Adams has created her own, unique, visual language,” said Larry Hurst, COC Art Gallery director. "Using carefully chosen representational images along with a spare, almost minimal abstraction and a deft use of painterly techniques, she speaks of the big issues of life, especially as it pertains to the artist. This vision is certainly influenced by her studio practice deep within the heart of industrial Los Angeles.”

  Adams has worked on various public art projects in Los Angeles, such as the West Valley Branch Library in Reseda, the Chatsworth/Orange Line Metro Station, and Fire Station No. 64 in Watts.

  "I have long been interested in the interpretation of the natural world by an urban inhabitant; the collision of the human-built world and the natural world,” said Adams. “I imagine what that visually looks like in a metaphoric and poetic way. The embracing of dichotomies and resulting tensions, both beautiful and bereft, are critical to my work.”

  The exhibition will run through Thursday, March 23. An artist’s reception will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. A special conversation with the artist will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 9.

  The College of the Canyons Art Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Those unable to visit the gallery during normal hours are welcome to contact the gallery to schedule a viewing appointment.

  All gallery exhibitions and related events are free and open to the public.

  About the Artist

  Lisa Adams is an award-winning painter and public artist who has exhibited nationally and internationally. She has been an artist-in-residence in Slovenia, Finland, France, Holland, Japan and Costa Rica.

  Her work can be found in the collections of Eli Broad, the San Jose Museum of Art, the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, the Laguna Museum of Art, the Long Beach Museum of Art, and the Edward Albee Foundation.

  A Fulbright Professional Scholar Award winner, Adams also received the UCLA Instructor of the Year award in 1997.

  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Scripps College and her Master of Fine Arts degree from Claremont Graduate University.

  She is represented by CB1 Gallery in Los Angeles.
  
  

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  Performing Arts Center Presents Black Violin

  January 6, 2017
  NR-COC-01.06.17-BlackViolin

  Genre-blending duo Black Violin will bring their fusion of hip-hop, classical and pop music to the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons on Friday, Jan. 20.

  The group consists of Florida-born, classically trained musicians Wilner Baptiste on viola and Kevin Sylvester on violin, accompanied by a backing band and ace turntable whiz DJ SPS.

  One of Black Violin’s main goals is changing perception and defying stereotypes, both musical and social. They enjoy changing peoples perception of what violin and hip-hop music can do, and hope their shows inspire listeners to be better people.

  The two steadily gained attention for their unique musical style, grabbing national recognition after they performed with Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards.

  They went on to win the Showtime at the Apollo talent competition in 2005, and have released three full-length albums to date. Their latest album “Stereotypes” was released in 2015 on Universal Music Classics, their first album released on a major label.

  Black Violin, which got its name from an album by swing-era jazz violinist Stuff Smith, have played for the troops in Iraq, at the Presidents Inaugural Ball in Washington, and have collaborated with artists ranging from Kanye West to Tom Petty.

  When Baptiste and Sylvester met in school, they didn't have a strong interest in stringed instruments. Baptiste wanted to learn saxophone but was put into a strings class during summer band camp, while Sylvester was encouraged to study music in the fifth grade by his mother. Eventually they both grew to love classical music and went on to study it in college.

  Tickets are priced from $40 to $60 per person. The performance is scheduled 8 p.m. on the main stage.
  
  

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  Information Nights Offered for Prospective Students

  January 4, 2017
  NR-COC-01.04.17-InformationNight

  To better assist high school seniors with the transition to collegiate life, College of the Canyons will offer two information nights on Jan. 11 and 12 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.

  The information nights will provide prospective students and their families with information regarding enrollment, registration, how to earn priority registration, as well as other key student support services offered by the college.

  “This event is designed to provide prospective students with an opportunity to meet college faculty, students and staff and learn about the colleges academic programs, the admissions process, and student services,” said Kari Soffa, director of Outreach and School Relations at the college.

  The presentation, provided in English and Spanish, will review the various educational pathways available to students including transfer preparation, associate degrees and certificates, as well as the admissions process and how to earn an early registration date for Fall 2017, and available student support services.

  The English and Spanish presentations will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the PAC and Student Center Cafeteria, respectively.

  A meet and greet session will be held prior to the presentations from 6 to 6:30 p.m. at the PAC, which will allow students to meet college officials and current students to have their questions answered in person.

  Admission is free and open to the public.

  Parking in all student lots will be free for the duration of the event.

  New students can also benefit from the upcoming Cash for College workshop that will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 at the PAC. Financial aid experts will discuss how to apply for financial aid, eligibility requirements, and the various types of awards that are available.