2018 News Releases
Archived news releases from the Public Information Office
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NR-12.18.18-FireTechGrant
December 18, 2018Fire Technology Program Awarded Grant
Edison International has awarded the College of the Canyons fire technology program a $25,000 grant in support of the college’s development of present and future fire personnel.
The grant was offered to College of the Canyons, Santa Ana College, Victor Valley College, Crafton Hills College and Mt. San Antonio College with these five California Community Colleges selected to pilot the program because of their successful fire technology programs and their service to a wide demographic of students. The grant is new this year to Edison International’s philanthropic efforts.
"Edison’s generous contribution to our fire technology program creates increased opportunities for those who want to pursue a career in fire service," said Keith Kawamoto, COC fire technology department chair.
"These funds also enable us to purchase the valuable equipment that lend to interactive learning experiences. Structural firefighter coats, helmets, axes and more are not cheap, but they afford our students a better glimpse into fire service.”
In addition to supporting the college’s fire technology department, the grant has benefited 10 students who were awarded $1,000 scholarships for tuition, books and school related fees. Qualifying students had to have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher and be enrolled in the college’s fire technology program. Recipients also responded to four essay questions about their fire service career goals.
From College of the Canyons, the following students were chosen to receive scholarships for the fall 2018 semester: Kiera Coblentz, Joseph Cortez, Danielle Desch, Trina Duncan, Lyndsee Little, Christian Meza, Hunter Mills, Jesus Perez, Jonathan Scarano, and Jack Tuszynski. Ten more students will be chosen for the spring 2019 semester.
California’s devastating wildfires necessitate ample fire department staffing. For this reason, College of the Canyons offers fire technology within the School of Mathematics, Sciences & Health Professions. This program offers certificate/degree opportunities for both pre-service individuals and in-service professionals who seek career advancement. COC fire technology courses align with the uniform curriculum laid down by California Community Colleges.
NR-12.13.18-BoardOfficers
December 13, 2018Trustees Swear in Members for 2019
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons, swore in recently elected board members, named its new officers, and set its 2019 meeting schedule at the board’s business and organizational meeting held on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
The members sworn in were incumbents Michael Berger, who represents Trustee Area 1, and Joan MacGregor, who represents Trustee Area 5.
Berger was selected by his fellow trustees to serve as president of the board for 2019. He was elected to the board in November 2009.
“I feel very fortunate to serve another four-year term as a member of the board and I’m honored to serve this year as Board President,” said Berger. “I look forward to continue to serve the students and community in Santa Clarita.”
The board voted to appoint Michele Jenkins, who has been a board member since 1984, to the position of vice president.
Joan MacGregor, who was appointed to the board in 1993, was selected to serve as clerk.
Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook will serve as Secretary-Parliamentarian.
The board meeting dates for 2019 are as follows:
- January 16 – Business Meeting
- February 13 – Business Meeting
- March 8-9 – CEO/BOARD Pathways Retreat
- March 13 – Business Meeting
- March 27 – Joint Meeting with Associated Student Government (ASG)
- April 10 – Business Meeting
- April 24 – Potential Joint Meeting
- May 8 – Business Meeting
- June 12 – Business Meeting
- June 26 – Business Meeting and Tentative Budget Workshop
- July 10 – Business Meeting
- August 14 – Business Meeting
- September 11 – Business Meeting and Adopted Budget Workshop
- September 25 – Potential Joint Meeting (Hart District)
- October 9 – Business Meeting
- October 23 – Joint Meeting with ASG (held at Canyon Country Campus)
- November 6 – Business Meeting
- December 4 – Organizational and Business Meeting
The board meets at the Valencia Campus in Hasley Hall (Room 137), unless otherwise noted. Open sessions are usually scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., however board meeting start times will be adjusted as needed. Any changes will be noted when the meeting agenda is distributed.
NR-12.11.18-ChampionsofHigherEd
December 11, 2018College Recognized as Champion of Higher Education
College of the Canyons was recognized as a 2018 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence at the 3rd Annual Champions of Higher Education celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Los Angeles.
The college was one of 12 California community colleges that were honored by The Campaign for College Opportunity for significantly increasing the number of students earning an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) degree.
“We are honored to have been recognized as a 2018 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “The success of our ADT programs can be attributed to the hard work from faculty, as well as our Curriculum Committee and Academic Affairs department. As we enter a new year, we commit to continuing to find and create ways to eliminate achievement gaps and increase transfer rates for our students.”
College of the Canyons currently offers 27 ADTs, which enable students to transition to California State University campuses. Known as “a degree with a guarantee,” ADTs provide students with guaranteed admission to a CSU if they earn an associate in arts transfer (AA-T) or associate in science transfer (AS-T) degree and meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements.
Between 2013, when the first ADTs were awarded, and 2017, the number of degrees awarded at the college has grown 703 percent.
The Campaign for College Opportunity helped to create a clearer path for students to earn an associate degree and guaranteed admission to the California State University (CSU) system when it sponsored historic transfer reform legislation in 2010.
The Campaign for College Opportunity is a non-profit bipartisan organization that works toward increasing the number of California students attending two- and four-year colleges and who complete their college education.
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NR-11.20.18-CivicEngagement
November 27, 2018College One of America's Best for Student Voting
College of the Canyons was recognized by Washington Monthly magazine as one of America’s Best Colleges for Student Voting for its commitment to inspiring students to vote and actively participate in community decisions.
The magazine highlighted more than 140 institutions around the country in a first-of-its-kind effort to document colleges’ and universities’ efforts in promoting civic engagement.
“Just as citizens have a responsibility to vote, we have a responsibility to promote civic engagement among the next generation. We are proud to be recognized by this report and we are proud of our students who are participating in the democratic process,” said Patty Robinson, Faculty Director, Civic and Community Engagement Initiatives at the college.
According to Washington Monthly, “Since voting habits tend to crystallize in young adulthood — vote in one election, and you’re far more likely to do so again — colleges and universities have an unparalleled opportunity to create voters not just for the next election, but for life. The colleges that invest in student voting aren’t just helping their Washington Monthly rankings—they’re helping the country.”
On many college and university campuses, less than half of eligible student voters exercise their democratic right to cast a ballot in presidential elections.
During election seasons, COC hosts numerous discussion panels and distributes nonpartisan materials that provide additional information on propositions and candidates. The school also participates in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), which provides colleges and universities with data on student registration and voting rates. These numbers provide benchmarks to measure the success of future voting engagement efforts.
COC also participates in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, a national, nonpartisan awards program recognizing colleges and universities for improving civic learning, political engagement, and student voting rates. As a part of this initiative, students, faculty, and staff have worked together to develop and implement an action plan to increase voting and civic engagement.
NR-11.20.18-HolidayShows
November 20, 2018Families Invited to Final Performances of Season
The College of the Canyons School of Visual and Performing Arts will wrap up the fall semester with a lineup of fun and festive musical performances designed to showcase the college’s talented students and help ring in the holiday season.
The Electronica Musique and Multimedia Concert will feature 12 up-and-coming composers, DJs and producers, performing under the direction of composer and COC music department faculty member Bernardo Feldman. Music, dance and light displays will awe and amaze. Admission is free! Catch this performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28 at the Black Box Theatre.
Kick off the holiday season with a Holiday Concert & Sing-Along at 7:30 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 7. The College of the Canyons Jazz Ensemble, Lab Band and guest vocalist Katherine Lench-Meyering will be performing a collection of holiday classics at this annual family-friendly concert event. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for seniors and children.
The Chancellor’s Cabaret invites you to an evening of Jazz Tidings, featuring the award-winning groups Just Jazz and House Blend. Enjoy festive vocal jazz harmonies along with traditional holiday treats at 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center. Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and children, with all tickets sold at the door on the night of the event.
The holiday festivities continue with a second Chancellor’s Cabaret performance entitled A Holiday Tapestry. Families are welcome to enjoy this holiday concert, starring the Chamber Singers and Voices of the Canyons. Get ready to sing along and eat delicious holiday treats at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 8. Once again, admission is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and children, with tickets available at the door.
NR-11.19.18-HolidayHomeTour
November 19, 2018Interior Design Students Participate in Holiday Home Tour
The Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Holiday Home Tour annually embodies the warmth and magic of the holiday season, as the doors to exquisitely decorated Santa Clarita Valley homes are opened to the community in the name of charity and goodwill.
For the second time in the event’s more than 30-year history, community partnerships have carried that warmth over to College of the Canyons by granting interior design students the opportunity to create a holiday design. This season, COC students Grace Trinh, Kylie Van Meter, Marlene Beltran, Julissa Hendriquez, and Joy Estrella-Boyland were selected to assist in decorating one of the four homes included in this year’s tour.
The group, led by COC interior design instructor Patrick Tremblay, was assigned the Michael and Teri Fox residence in Stevenson Ranch, and asked to incorporate the theme “Holiday Magic” into its final designs.
“College of the Canyons is proud to be a part of events like the Holiday Home Tour, because it gives back to the community, challenges our students to apply what they are learning in the classroom and further establishes COC as a desirable place to study a variety of subjects including interior design,” said Tremblay.
Involvement in this project teaches students numerous skills that will be invaluable to them in future design careers. Coordinating materials and décor, managing a budget, and time-management are just a few of the lessons learned. The team has been working behind the scenes since August by making decoration such as wreaths, garlands and bows, to maximize funds and time. Their goal was to have as much done as possible before they began decorating inside the home on Nov. 1.
The 2018 Holiday Home Tour kicks off on Friday, Nov. 30 at The Oaks Country Club, where the annual Preview Gala will be held. Guests will enjoy a lavish evening, including a buffet dinner and the special first look tour of the homes.
The Holiday Home Tour officially opens to the public the following day, with tours running from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Admission is $30 if purchased before Nov. 28 and will be $35 at the door. Tickets can be purchased through the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation.
The Holiday Home Tour, which has traditionally focused on fundraising for women’s services, has raised upwards of a million dollars since the first event in 1981. This year, proceeds will benefit the Center for Women and Newborns in the hospital’s new Patient Tower.
NR-11.16.18-WinterSpring
November 16, 2018Registration Under Way for Winter Session
Registration is under way for the College of the Canyons winter session, which boasts more than 350 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. 2, the winter session will be especially robust with the addition of newly popular online Career Skills courses featuring the following eight courses that provide employees with key skills in:
- Time Management
- Business Writing
- Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
- Best Practices in Customer Service
- Negotiating and Collaboration
- Personality Styles & Difficult Relationships
- Successfully Managing & Developing People
- Communication Strategies for the Workplace
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 the college’s Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.Registration for spring 2019 will begin Tuesday, Jan. 2. The spring semester will run from Monday, Feb. 4 to Thursday, May 30.
Registration for winter and spring will be ongoing at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses until classes are full.
NR-11.14.18-TurkeyTrot
November 14, 2018Runners Invited to 10th Annual 'Turkey Trot'
The College of the Canyons Athletics Department invites community members of all ages to run, walk, or jog in the 10th annual Thanksgiving Day 'Turkey Trot' event benefiting the college's cross country and track & field programs.
At the event, participants will run a three-mile cross country course through the Valencia campus, beginning at the college's baseball field and continuing through the campus, winding through the hills overlooking the Santa Clarita Valley, and finally finishing inside Cougar Stadium.
The event begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22.
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. Checks can be made payable to "COC ASG."
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.
NR-11.06.18-VeteransGrantFunding
November 6, 2018Veterans Program Awarded Grant Funding
College of the Canyons has been awarded $200,000 in grant funding, which will assist COC in its commitment to helping veterans, active duty members and dependents achieve their academic goals.
“The funding will be used to establish new and enhanced services for veterans and dependents of veterans,” said Renard Thomas, Director of Veterans Resource Center (VRC). “With the projected growth of the Canyon Country community, one of our priorities is to improve services and access at the Veterans Resource Office on the Canyon Country campus.”
At College of the Canyons, veterans have access to services such as advisement, academic counseling, free tutoring, and more through the VRC at the Valencia campus and the Veterans Resource Office (VRO) at the Canyon Country campus. Additionally, staff and faculty participate in trainings to ensure they know the best ways to support student veterans.
More than 600 veterans and dependents enroll at COC annually, and since 2012-13, graduation and completion have increased by 142 percent.
The grant funding will help ensure the program can accommodate exponentially more students. Office hours at the Canyon Country campus will be extended to increase accessibility. The veterans certification process will be improved through the reorganization of staff and a more sophisticated communication system that will engage students at every step of enrollment, from first contact to registration. An online orientation will allow veterans outside of the area to access their education benefits while they are exiting the military or from their residence outside of the immediate area.
The grant funding was awarded to eligible colleges through a competitive process. In total, $8.5 million was awarded to fifty-nine colleges by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.
California Community Colleges annually enroll an average of 80,000 veterans and active duty service members, making it necessary for these schools to offer programs, faculty and staff that can guide them towards success and contribute to their well-being.
NR-11.05.18-ScholarlyPresentation
November 5, 2018Scholarly Presentation to Unearth Life in Pompeii
College of the Canyons professors Michael McCaffrey and Kevin Anthony will deliver the scholarly presentation “Pompeii: Life and Art” on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.
With the use of photos and maps, McCaffrey and Anthony will shed some light on what life was like in the Roman city before the infamous eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried it under ash in 79 A.D.
“Even after all these years, Pompeii continues to capture our imaginations,” said Sarah Etheridge, chair of the college’s scholarly presentation committee. “We are very excited to share this fascinating scholarly presentation with the Santa Clarita Valley community.”
McCaffrey, an art and art history professor at the college, will trace the origins of the visual narrative back to Pompeii through a detailed analysis of Roman style wall paintings, such as frescoes and friezes. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, McCaffrey completed his undergraduate studies at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland and earned a Masters in Fine Art degree from the University of Illinois after emigrating to the U.S. in 1991.
Anthony, chair of the college’s hotel and restaurant management program, will take viewers on a virtual tour of Pompeii to better understand the way of life of its residents. As a student at the University of Loyola Chicago, Rome Center of Liberal Arts, he spent a year visiting Italy’s major museums and visited Pompeii three times. As a faculty member, he has led four study abroad trips to Rome, Italy and has been able to take students on field trips to Pompeii.
“Pompeii: Life and Art” will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14. The event is free and open to the public.
NR-11.01.18-ADT
November 2, 2018Three 'Degree With Guarantee’ Programs Added
In an effort to help students transfer to California State University campuses, College of the Canyons had added three new Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) programs in Environmental Science, Hospitality Management, and Public Health Science, which brings the college’s ADT offerings to 27 programs.
Known as “a degree with a guarantee,” ADTs provide students with guaranteed admission to a CSU — and select private colleges — if they earn an associate in arts transfer (AA-T) or associate in science transfer (AS-T) degree and meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements.
“Transferring to a four-year school can be an overwhelming and confusing experience, and students in the past sometimes had to repeat courses that were not accepted by their university” said Dr. Jerry Buckley, assistant superintendent/vice president of academic affairs. “ADTs make the process simpler for students by creating a seamless transfer pathway with guaranteed acceptance to the California State Universities.”
Students can choose from a wide range of ADT programs:
- Business Administration
- English
- Philosophy
- Spanish
- Kinesiology
- Administration of Justice
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Geography
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Communication Studies
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Teacher Education
- History
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Journalism
- Music
- Studio Arts
- Theatre Arts
- Hospitality Management
- Social Justice Studies
- Environmental Science
- Public Health Science
The college’s commitment to ADT programs dates back to 2013, when the first ADTS were awarded. Since then, the number of degrees awarded at the college has grown 703 percent.For its commitment to ADT, the college was named a 2018 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer by The Campaign for College Opportunity. The college is one of 12 California community colleges that have significantly increased the number of students earning an Associate Degree for Transfer degree.
In addition, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities signed an agreement in July to ensure that California community college students pursuing an ADT can receive guaranteed acceptance and a more affordable, seamless pathway to 36 private, non-profit four-year colleges and universities.
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NR-10.25.18-MeasureForMeasure
October 31, 2018Theatre Presents 'Measure for Measure'
College of the Canyons Theatre continues its season with a production of William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” opening Friday, Nov. 9.
“Measure for Measure,” once seen as a raucous comedy, is now viewed through a contemporary lens where hypocritical moralists are juxtaposed with bawdy humor. A duke abdicating his authority, archaic laws strictly imposed, and a woman’s stand against lechery are among Shakespeare’s elegant arguments and timeless characters that hold uncanny relevancy.
“Though this play is more than 400 years old, it sounds as though it was written last month,” director David Stears said. “There are whole passages that could have been ripped from recent headlines, with parallels to current items such as the #MeToo movement. It is a testament for the deep understanding Shakespeare had for people, characters, and the nature of power.”
“Measure for Measure” marks the college directorial debut for new full-time theatre faculty member Stears. Stears is the executive director of the Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival, and was a longtime adjunct instructor in the college's theatre department. He also serves as the theatre department’s producer.
Performances will be held at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center Blackbox Theater at the college’s Valencia campus. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9, 10, 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 and 18.
Please be advised this play contains some adult subject matter.
General admission tickets are $12. Tickets for students and seniors are $6.
NR-10.29.18-AthleticHOF
October 29, 2018Athletics to Hold Hall of Fame Induction
The College of the Canyons Athletics Department has announced its 2019 Hall of Fame class of inductees, with the college’s next Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony taking place Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.
The 2019 class of inductees includes:
- 1983 State Championship Baseball Team
- 2001 State Championship Women’s Golf Team
- Dolores ‘Dody’ Garcia — Meritorious Service
- Len Mohney — Player/Coach (Baseball) and Administrator (Athletic Director/Dean)
“Once again, the Hall of Fame committee has done a tremendous job of selecting student-athletes, coaches and teams that have left a significant mark on the Athletic Department and our community,” said Chuck Lyon, Dean of Physical Education, Kinesiology, Athletics & Athletic Director. “These teams and individuals will now be honored for exemplifying the ideals of what it means to be a College of the Canyons Cougar.”Tickets to the COC Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony are $100 per guest, with all proceeds benefiting the college’s athletic programs.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host cocktail hour, followed by dinner served promptly at 6:30 p.m.
The evening’s main program will begin at 7 p.m. and feature a special presentation for each of this year’s inductees, highlighting their career achievements at College of the Canyons and beyond.
As in past years, friends, family members and former teammates of the inductees— as well as all fellow COC Alumni and Hall of Fame members — are encouraged to help the COC Athletic Department honor its 2019 Hall of Fame class.
However, space at this event will be limited, with attendees kindly asked to RSVP prior to Jan. 12, 2019.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the 2019 COC Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony, please visit the COC Foundation webpage or call (661) 362-3434.
NR-10.25.18-Styx
October 25, 2018Styx Coming to Performing Arts Center
“Come Sail Away” with Styx, which will appear for a special engagement at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Jan. 13.
Formed in Chicago in 1972, Styx is the first band in rock history to produce four consecutive certified multimillion-selling albums in a row: “The Grand Illusion” in 1977, “Pieces of Eight” (1978), “Cornerstone” (1979) and “Paradise Theatre” (1981).
Boasting 15 studio albums, five of which went multi-platinum, Styx is perhaps best known for an impressive 16 Top-40 hits, including “Come Sail Away,” “The Grand Illusion,” “Blue Collar Man,” “Renegade,” “Mr. Roboto,” “Fooling Yourself” and “Too Much Time on my Hands.”
The band’s albums explore and combine elements of hard rock, acoustic guitar, synthesizers, acoustic piano, power ballads and musical theater, the last having been inspired by David Bowie when the band opened for him during its early days in 1972.
“Bowie put us in the mindset that you can be more than just a player,” Styx bassist and vocalist Chuck Panozzo recalled. “You can create an atmosphere that feels so real, one with true highs and lows that will draw people in like ancient theater.”
Styx has averaged more than 100 live shows per year for nearly two decades. In 2017 the band released its 16th album, which showcases its signature style and lyric imagination as it narrates the trials and triumphs of a manned mission to Mars in 2033.
“We just want to keep on doing this,” co-founding guitarist and vocalist Tommy Shaw said. “We want to let life take its course and let this music continue to be the soundtrack to it. And this band will continue to evolve as long as we live and play this music.”
Tickets go on sale at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, with prices ranging from $85 to $105. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (661) 362-5304 or visit www.canyonspac.com.
NR-10.25.18-ArtGallery
October 25, 2018Art Gallery Opens Two New Exhibitions
The implications of migration and immigration are explored and expressed through the College of the Canyons Art Gallery’s two new exhibitions, Pável Acevedo’s “Inland Empire” and “Chicanx/Latinx: Serigraph Prints from Self Help Graphic & Art.”
These exhibitions are being showcased now through Thursday, Nov. 29 at the Art Gallery, located in Mentry Hall, Room 108, on the college’s Valencia campus.
Pável Acevedo's “Inland Empire” explores the political and personal effects of migration, immigration, borders, and the duality many contend with after leaving their homeland for a new nation. He melds elements of Mexican mural painting, printmaking and classical drawing with symbols and pre-Hispanic imagery from the codex.
Born in Oaxaca, Mexico and now living in Riverside, Acevedo typifies a new generation of contemporary Mexican artists telling powerful visual stories about Latino identity, personal experiences, American culture and the ever-changing socio-political environment of Southern California.
“Pável Acevedo is our first artist in residence,” said Pamela Lewis, art gallery director. “His exhibition ‘Inland Empire’ is the Art Gallery’s first-ever one-person exhibition featuring the art of a contemporary Latinx visual artist. It’s an incredible installation. I hope everyone comes by to experience it. Pável spent a week on campus creating Inland Empire and generously invited COC students to assist him in painting the mural elements. He led a relief printmaking workshop for students as well — and finally gave a public lecture in Spanish and a second in English about his work.”
The other exhibition, “Chicanx/Latinx: Serigraph Prints from Self Help Graphic & Art,” surveys contemporary Chicanx and Latinx artists engaged with the tradition of social and political printed art. Simultaneously, these pieces are vibrant works and primary historical documents. These handmade, unique prints expose histories, communities, struggles, and triumphs that are often hidden or forgotten.
The artists in the exhibition include: Dewey Tafoya, Votan Henriquez, Sandra Fernandez, Judy Baca, Shizu Saldamando, El Mac, Pável Acevedo, Zeke Peña, Luis Genaro Garcia, Kimberly Robertson, Dalia Paola Mendez, EnikOne, Cynthia Velasquez, Germs, Sonia Romero, and Victoria Delgadillo.
“It has been a thrill partnering with the venerable institution, Self Help Graphics & Art,” said Lewis. “This group has served as the heart of contemporary Latinx printmaking for nearly 50 years. 'Chicanx/Latinx' presents a small survey of works produced in the last 10 years from Self Help’s vast archive of incredible fine art prints. I’m delighted to introduce our students and our community to these wonderful Latinx artists and the important art and social histories that these works represent.”
Both exhibitions are open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment.
NR-10.25.18-ASLFilmFest
October 25, 2018College to Host International Film Festival
The College of the Canyons American Sign Language (ASL) Department will host the 2nd TSWY International Film Festival on Saturday, Nov. 3 in association with KMB Entertainment.
The festival promotes and encourages teamwork between deaf and hearing filmmakers. Created from the main concept of The Strength Within You (TSWY) film series, the festival provides a venue for filmmakers to show their work and highlights how collaboration between deaf and hearing crew and cast can bring respect and education to new filmmakers from all over the world toward the deaf community.
Selected films include: “Oh Sugar!,” “Eye of the Beholder,” “Telltale Signs,” “White Noise,” “Tempo,” “Awkward Silence,” “Greta My Love,” “Relationshit,” and “Hedy & Heidi: The Lost Sister.”
The festival will open with “A Conversation with the Filmmakers” session at 2 p.m., followed by two 90-minute showcase screenings of shorts and feature films selected by the festival’s directors. Ending the evening will be a selection of award-winning films, including:
- “This is Ed!!”
- “Sign – A Silent Film”
- “Wild Prairie Rose”
- “Deafening Darkness”
KMB Entertainment will premier its new short “Talk to the Hands – A Prologue,” which highlights the differences between deaf and hearing cultures. It sets up the characters and story that will be developed in a feature-length version scheduled for release in 2019.The event will be video-hosted by actor/director/ASL performer; Tyrone Oraguzie, who recently toured with singers Prince Charlez and Ayanis. The ASL Department and Club will provide sign language interpretation and access to and from ASL signers at the event.
“A Conversation with the Filmmakers” will be attended by:
- Katia Belas – Brazilian filmmaker and creator of “The Strength Within You” film series
- Deborah LaVine – Award-winning director and producer of “Wild Prairie Rose”
- Troy Kotsur – Actor in “Wild Prairie Rose”
- Lisa Stoll – Award-winning cinematographer of “The Strength Within You: DUI”
- Victoria Soo Lum – Lead actress in “Deafening Darkness”
- Phillip Brown II – Director of “Eye of the Beholder”
- Justin Callaway – Cinematographer of “Eye of the Beholder”
- Manuel Montanez – Director of “Awkward Silence”
The festival will be held in the Hasley Hall Theater (Room 101) from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., with an after-party to follow.
NR-10.23.18-McKeonForum
October 23, 2018Gen. Jack Keane to Speak at McKeon Forum
College of the Canyons, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. and U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (Ret.) will present the Fourth Annual McKeon Leadership Forum, with a special keynote presentation from Gen. John M. Keane (Ret.), Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.
The forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.
“It is an honor to have General Keane as this year’s McKeon Leadership Forum speaker. The Forum has established itself as a community platform to promote civic dialogue and inform community members about current issues that merit our attention,” said Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “I am grateful to Congressman McKeon for his continuous advocacy on behalf of the Santa Clarita Valley and the college. His commitment to education and public service is deeply admirable and inspiring.”
Keane’s presentation is titled “America’s Global Security Challenges.”
"Gen. Keane is very well informed on all of the serious situations facing our country around the world,” said McKeon. “This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from his knowledge, experience, and expertise. He has devoted his life to serving our nation and our people. You've seen him on television, now you can see and meet him in person. I look forward to seeing you at this great event."
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 McKeon Forum continues to bring military experts to the Santa Clarita Valley and is a unique opportunity for businesses and the community to engage and learn,” said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation. “We encourage business leaders to attend and hear directly from thought leaders about key issues facing the aerospace and defense industries.”
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 Lots 1 and 2.
About Gen. Keane
After 37 years of public service, Gen. Keane retired in 2003 from his appointment as acting chief of staff and vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army. The four-star general was in the Pentagon on 9/11 and provided oversight and support for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Since 2004, Keane spent a decade conducting frequent trips to Iraq and Afghanistan for senior defense officials with multiple visits during the surge period in both countries directly assisting General David Petraeus.
He appears before Congress regularly, offering testimony on matters of foreign policy and national security, with his most recent testimony in May on ISIS: Post Caliphate. He serves as the senior strategic analyst for Fox News and speaks throughout the country on leadership and national security.
A combat Vietnam veteran, Keane is a career infantry paratrooper and commanded the 101st Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps, which is the Army’s largest war fighting organization.
Currently president of GSI Consulting, Keane regularly appears before Congress to offer testimony on foreign policy and national security matters. He serves as the senior strategic analyst for Fox News and speaks throughout the country on leadership and national security.
He earned his bachelor of science degree from Fordham University and received a master of arts degree from Western Kentucky University. He is a graduate of the Army War College and the Command and General Staff College. He was married to the late Theresa (Terry) Keane for 51 years and has two sons, Daniel and Matthew who is deceased.
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October 18, 2018College Ranked No. 29 on Top-100 List
College of the Canyons has been ranked No. 29 by the Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine’s Top 100 colleges and universities list for graduating Hispanic students.
The rankings were based from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data for community colleges granting the most associate degrees in 2016.
According to the data, the college had a Hispanic population of 9,144 students totaling 46 percent of the total student enrollment, which was 19,966 in fall 2016.
“It is a privilege to have a student population that is diverse and inclusive,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook, “and their success inspires us to continue enhancing the programs and services that support their efforts to accomplish their goals.”
The magazine’s annual ranking is based on total student enrollment, the percentage of Hispanic students in attendance, two-year schools awarding the most associate degrees to Hispanic students, and the percentage of associate degrees to Hispanic students by two-year schools.
The college’s efforts to help students succeed have paid off. Between 2015 and 2017, there was a 79% increase in the number of Hispanic students who were awarded a degree.
Recognized by the United States Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) since 2010, College of the Canyons competed for and received a Title V “Developing Hispanic Institutions” Grant in 2014 to increase the number of Hispanic students that attend COC from the Hart District right after graduation, increase the number of transfer students, and increase the number of students who receive a degree or certificate.
In addition, the college’s It Takes a Barrio program has served more than 100 Hispanic students at Golden Valley and Canyon high schools since 2013. Launched with the help of a National Education Association grant, the program provides first-generation Hispanic students with the resources and guidance they need to succeed academically.
A new initiative launched last year also promises to expand access to education for more students. The First-Year Promise program links students with coaches, mentors, counselors and college personnel dedicated to their academic success, as well as tutoring in a variety of subjects. The combination of services is designed to propel students forward to achieve their academic goals by providing them with a tuition-free year of study.
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October 17, 2018College Named Champion of Higher Education
College of the Canyons has been named a 2018 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer by The Campaign for College Opportunity. The college is one of 12 California community colleges that have significantly increased the number of students earning an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) degree.
“It is an honor to be recognized as a Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “Our continuous efforts to eliminate achievement gaps and increase transfer rates have yielded tremendous results for our students. The creation of these ADTs could not have been possible without the hard work of the dedicated faculty from more than 20 separate academic departments, as well as our Curriculum Committee, and the staff and administrators in the Academic Affairs department.”
College of the Canyons currently offers 27 ADTs, which enable students to transition to California State University campuses. Known as “a degree with a guarantee,” ADTs provide students with guaranteed admission to a CSU if they earn an associate in arts transfer (AA-T) or associate in science transfer (AS-T) degree and meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements.
Between 2013, when the first ADTs were awarded, and 2017, the number of degrees awarded at the college has grown 703 percent.
“College of the Canyons is a leading example of strong implementation of the associate degree for transfer pathway for students and a model for other colleges in California to emulate,” said Michele Siqueiros, president of The Campaign for College Opportunity, in the college’s official recognition letter.
The Campaign for College Opportunity helped to create a clearer path for students to earn an associate degree and guaranteed admission to the California State University (CSU) system when it sponsored historic transfer reform legislation in 2010.
“To date, over 100,000 students have earned an Associate Degree for Transfer and of those who enrolled in the CSU, they earned their Bachelor’s degree nearly twice as fast as other transfer students,” states Siqueiros in the letter.
College of the Canyons, along with other fellow community college and CSU campus honorees, will be recognized at the 3rd Annual Champions of Higher Education celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Los Angeles.
The Campaign for College Opportunity is a non-profit bipartisan organization that works toward increasing the number of California students attending two- and four-year colleges and who complete their college education.
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October 15, 2018Community Invited to Celebrate ECE Anniversary
In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Canyon Country campus Center for Early Childhood Education, the public is invited to an outdoor movie night and open house.
This free event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, in the Canyon Country campus’ Carl A. Rasmussen Amphitheater.
“We always enjoy the opportunity to showcase the Canyon Country campus to our community,” said Dr. Ryan Theule, vice president, Canyon Country campus & grants development. “This event is particularly special as we celebrate 10 years of operation of the Center for Early Childhood Education at CCC.”
Starting at 5 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy a presentation on the Center for Early Childhood Education, located in Room 200.
“Over the past 10 years our center team has served over 215 children and families and provided essential quality workforce skills for approximately 150 Early Childhood Education students,” said Monica Marshall, program director of the Center for Early Childhood Education. “We provide the connection between theory, child growth and development, and best practices.”
“This will be a very special evening in honor of our Canyon Country center’s 10-year anniversary,” added Marshall. “We hope you will join us in celebration of our program and this important milestone.”
Following the open house, families can enjoy a variety of children’s activities beginning at 6 p.m., along with a live performance from the college dance group Ballet Folklórico Tesoro Mestizo. The group seeks to honor Mexican Folk dance, promote diversity and contribute to the understanding of Mexican culture.
A screening of the feature film “Coco” will begin at 7 p.m.
The movie, free snacks and free raffle are presented by the Canyon Country campus, Center for Early Childhood Education and Associated Student Government.
Food and beverages will also be available for purchase at the event from the "Keep on Grubbin" food truck.
The Canyon Country campus is located at 17200 Sierra Hwy.
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October 4, 2018Music Professor Nominated for Latin Grammy
Yalil Guerra was having breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 20 when he received the news that he had been nominated for his seventh Latin Grammy award.
“Trust me, the flavor of that morning coffee was amazing,” said Guerra, who teaches piano lab and tonal harmony at College of the Canyons.
The Cuban-born composer is nominated in the Best Classical Contemporary Composition category for his piece “String Quartet No. 3 ‘In Memoriam of Ludwig van Beethoven.”
Guerra felt inspired by Beethoven’s Great Fuge, Op. 133 to write a third string quartet in a similar structure. Commissioned by the Pacific Serenades and Ursula Krummel, the 15-minute piece premiered at the Hear Now Music Festival in 2016 by the Lyris String Quartet.
“My previous string quartet has three movements respectively and writing a new one with just one movement was a challenge, since the music doesn’t stop for fifteen minutes, connecting all the themes and ideas while keeping a general aesthetic and shape,” said Guerra. “The harmonic language is polytonal, using extensively the counterpoint throughout the piece, and closing the composition in a free fugue with a contemporary sonority.”
Guerra took home a Latin Grammy award in 2012 in the same category for his piano work in “Seduccion.”
“Receiving a new Latin Grammy nomination is always a great privilege and honor, not only for me, but for my family and friends,” said Guerra.
Guerra, who has taught at the college for two years, strives to teach his students to do everything in life with love and passion.
“It pays back,’” said Guerra. “I always try to inspire my students to move forward and improve their musicianship and craft. That’s the key for success in this career.”
Recently, Guerra’s first symphony “La Palma Real” premiered at the National Symphony of Cuba in Havana.
The 2019 Latin Grammy Awards will take place on Thursday, Nov. 15 and the MGM Las Vegas hotel.
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September 27, 2018Short-Term Classes in October, November
Good news for students looking to graduate faster, or prospective students who think they missed the fall semester: College of the Canyons has added 115 sections to its fall 2018 class schedule. These five- to eight-week classes provide students with the opportunity to get ahead in their coursework during the months of October and November.
“Short-term classes are a fantastic opportunity for students to take on an additional course before the semester ends,” said Dr. Jerry Buckley, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs at the college. “Spanning a wide range of topics and skills, our short-term classes provide our students with the flexible options they need to graduate.”
The added classes are available at the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses, and also include online courses to accommodate the needs of students balancing work and school.
In addition, several courses make use of open educational resources (OER), free or low-cost alternative learning materials that provide an affordable option to traditional textbooks.
Cal Grant financial aid recipients may also benefit from a larger award by taking an extra class. Students who receive a Cal Grant and increase their course load to 12 units may be eligible to receive an additional $649 for the semester, while those take 15 or more units can receive an extra $2,000.
The enhanced course schedule includes eight new career skills classes offered through the college’s School of Continuing Education. Offering free enrollment, the courses are designed to help local employees improve their skills in the areas most needed to grow their careers, including: time management; business writing; critical thinking, problem solving and decision making; customer service; negotiations, personality styles, management, and communication.
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September 25, 2018No-Cost Classes Designed to Jump-Start Career
In an effort to help local employees grow their careers, College of the Canyons is offering eight new short-term career skills classes during the fall 2018 semester.
The free classes, available through the college’s School of Continuing Education, will be offered in afternoon and evening sessions, as well as online, to accommodate the busy schedules of working adults. The eight classes include:
- Time Management
- Business Writing in the Technology Age
- Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Best Practices in Customer Service
- The Art of Negotiating & Collaboration
- Personality Styles & Difficult Relationships
- Successfully Managing & Developing People
- Communication Strategies for the Workplace
“In talking with local companies, we hear over and over again that these are the key skills employees need to not only help their companies grow, but also be successful in reaching their own individual career goals,” said Justin Wallace, director of educational partnerships.Courses begin Oct. 8. Each class is eight hours long and can be completed in one week. As soon as one class ends, another begins the following week.
Students who successfully complete multiple classes can earn certificates of achievement.
- The Workplace Essentials Certificate is awarded after finishing three classes: Time Management, Business Writing in the Technology Age, and Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making.
- The Customer Relations Certificate can be achieved by completing three classes: Best Practices in Customer Service, The Art of Negotiating & Collaboration, and Personality Styles & Difficult Relationships
- The Management Tools Certificate is earned by taking two classes: Successfully Managing & Developing People and Communication Strategies for the Workplace.
“Because these classes are free, and offered online and at convenient times, they offer a unique opportunity for local residents to gain a competitive advantage in their careers,” Wallace said. Students can choose to take courses at the college’s Canyon Country campus on Sierra Highway or the new Santa Clarita Plaza classroom on Bouquet Canyon Road.
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September 12, 2018Cougar Football Announces Community Invites
The College of the Canyons football program returns home to Cougar Stadium at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 vs. Santa Barbara City College, in the first of five regular season games slated for the 2018 campaign.
Once again, head coach Ted Iacenda and the Cougars have announced a series of special FREE community group invites for each home game.
General admission tickets to all Cougar football games are $10. Kids 10 and under and seniors over 60 are free.
In addition, all Cougar football home games will be live streamed to fans through a broadcast partnership with SoCalCollegeSports.com. Archived footage of the game can also be viewed at any time following the broadcast.
All home games kick off at 6 p.m.
Canyons (2-0) started the season with a 19-6 road victory over Saddleback College in week one, and most recently rolled to a 47-14 win over Grossmont College last Saturday in San Diego.
The Cougars will enter this week’s contest vs. SBCC as the No. 6 ranked team in the state according to the most recent California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) Poll. Canyons is also ranked No. 8 in the JC Athletic Bureau Head Coaches Poll.
The 2018 COC football home schedule and invite list is included below:
- Saturday, Sept. 15 vs. Santa Barbara City College
All first responders admitted free of charge (w/ valid ID) - Saturday, Sept. 29 vs. Golden West College
All SCV school students & staff admitted free of charge (w/ valid ID) - Saturday, Oct. 20 vs. East Los Angeles College
All SCV youth football & cheer teams admitted free of charge (w/ uniform) - Saturday, Oct. 27 vs. Ventura College
All fans admitted free with Halloween costumes - Saturday, Nov. 10 vs. Bakersfield College
All veterans and active duty military personnel admitted free (w/ valid ID)
Stay up to date on all this season's action by visiting www.COCathletics.com and following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
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September 27, 2018Canyon Country Campus to Throw Star Party
Caltech Astronomy graduate student, Anna Ho, will be guiding this semester’s interstellar journey at the College of the Canyons Star Party, happening on Friday, Oct. 12 at the Canyon Country campus.
The topic in focus for the evening is “Dirty Fireballs and Orphan Afterglows: A Broader Landscape of Stellar Death.”
Anna Ho’s research on a rare and extreme case of stellar death has been published in two of her own works and included in 14 others. She has also designed and taught several courses and workshops on math, science, astronomy and cosmology.
In addition to her presentation, interactive demonstrations, activity tables and a portable planetarium will be run by students, faculty and staff from the college. Multiple telescopes will also be set up by local astronomy groups, allowing attendees to get a closer look at the night sky.
“Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the College in a way that’s both educational and fun,” said Anthony Michaelides, Dean, Campus Services and Operations at the Canyon Country campus. “Our Star Parties allow our students, faculty and staff to showcase the sciences in a variety of ways, and the timing couldn’t be better, with our new science building under construction.”
The Canyon Country campus is located at 17200 Sierra Highway.
The fall 2018 Star Party will take place Friday, October 12 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Canyon Country campus’ Carl A. Rasmussen Amphitheater.
This event is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase on site.
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September 26, 2018Chancellor to Serve on Higher Education Task Force
College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook has been invited by The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) to join its Higher Education Task Force, which will consist of more than a dozen former policymakers and high-profile individuals in the higher education community to make recommendations towards the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA).
Co-chaired by former Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) and former Rep. George Miller(D-CA), the across-the-aisle project will focus on key emerging national issues that are currently impacting higher education, such as state financing policy, accountability, affordability and student loans.
“It is an honor to have been selected to be part of The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Higher Education Task Force,” said Dr. Van Hook. “I look forward to working with other leaders in education to make data-driven recommendations to Congress for the much-needed reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.”
Dr. Van Hook has been the Chancellor of the Santa Clarita Community College District since 1988, which makes her the longest serving community college CEO in California.
Created in 1965, the HEA intended to strengthen the educational resources of higher education institutions to provide financial assistance for students seeking higher education. Since then, the law—which created the Pell grant tuition assistance program and other programs to help disadvantaged students—has been rewritten eight times. Its most recent reauthorization expired in 2015.
The BPC is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization and think tank that strives to combine the best bipartisan ideas in an effort to promote security, opportunities, and health for all Americans by addressing the nation’s current challenges.
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September 24, 2018Theatre Department Presents ‘Our House’
The College of the Canyons theatre department opens its season with its production of “Our House,” running Oct. 5-14 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) Black Box Theatre.
“Our House” examines the ever-thinning line between news and entertainment. A network executive shifts a popular news anchor to the host of a reality TV show. Meanwhile, drama unfolds between housemates in middle America: someone ate Alice’s yogurt, and the rent is overdue. When these two worlds collide, “Our House” takes on a media-obsessed culture intent on turning even the most sobering crisis into sexy entertainment.
The production is directed by COC theatre faculty member Susan Hinshaw and written by Theresa Rebeck, creator of the NBC drama, “Smash.”
“Our House is about the blurring of the lines between news, entertainment and reality," said Hinshaw. “The playwright was quite prescient in writing it eight years ago. It’s straight out of today’s headlines."
Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 5, 6, 12, and 13; matinees are scheduled at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7 and 14.
Please be advised that this production contains graphic language and adult subject matter.
General admission tickets are $12. Tickets for students and seniors are $6.
Community or school groups interested in attending a performance, or coordinating a backstage tour can email david.stears@canyons.edu.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the PAC box office at (661) 362-5304 or visit the PAC website.
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September 24, 2018Acrobats Coming to Performing Arts Center
Since 1958, the company Chinese Warriors of Peking has been astounding audiences with their martial arts and acrobatics. Now is your chance to take in this breathtaking show at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) at College of the Canyons.
The show’s plot draws on a royal martial arts tournament that was annually held from 1368 to 1644 in Peking, the capital of the Ming Dynasty. The curtain is pulled back on this ancient tradition, giving viewers a glimpse of the rich culture and customs.
The group has won awards for many routines, including bicycle and slack-wire, ring diving and spinning plates, feet juggling and more. In addition, they toured with the American UniverSoul Circus and their slack wire act toured with Cirque du Soleil.
With routines in juggling, acrobatics, weapon-handling and live stage combat, their strength, precision and skill baffles audiences again and again. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the Chinese Warriors of Peking’s dazzling performance.
Tickets for the Chinese Warriors of Peking are priced from $25 to $45.
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September 21, 2018College Receives Top Rating for Adult Learners
College of the Canyons was ranked among the top 50 best U.S. colleges for adult learners in Washington Monthly magazine’s ranking of “Best Two-Year Colleges for Adult Learners.” Out of the 11 California community colleges that made the list, COC ranks as No. 1 in Southern California and No. 43 nationally.
Citing a lack of college rankings for adult students—defined as students who are over the age of 25—Washington Monthly analyzed data from 1,088 two-year colleges to create its list of the top 100 two-year colleges in the nation.
“It is an honor to be included among the top two-year colleges that provide a wide array of services for adult students,” said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “College of the Canyons is proud of its history of energetically acting on our commitment to support adult students by offering flexible programs and the resources that will help them to overcome obstacles and achieve their academic goals.”
At the time of the ranking, students age 25 and over made up 32 percent of COC’s student population in 2016-17.
Washington Monthly analyzed data from the College Board’s Annual Survey of Colleges, Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System survey, as well as the department’s College Scorecard database to rank colleges using the following eight metrics:
- Ease of transfer/enrollment
- Flexibility of programs
- Services available for adult students
- The percentage of adult students at the college
- Graduation rates of part-time students
- Mean earnings of adult students ten years after entering college
- Loan repayment rates of adult students five years after entering repayment
- Tuition and fees for in-district students
On a scale of 19 possible points, COC scored 17 points — 4 out of 4 for ease of transfer, 7 out of 9 for flexibility of programs, and 6 out of 6 for adult student services.A valuable resource for adult learners is the college’s Adult Reentry program, which helps new, returning, and continuing adult students who are 25 years of age and older. Reentering students can benefit from information sessions, support groups, continuous advisement, as well as campus and community referrals.
Founded in 1969, Washington Monthly is a bi-monthly nonprofit magazine devoted to U.S. government and politics based in Washington, D.C. The magazine’s complete rankings appear in its September/October 2018 issue, which is available online.
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September 20, 2018Campus Road Named to Honor Chancellor
College of the Canyons has named the main road at the Canyon Country Campus in Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook’s honor in recognition of her 30 years of leadership, which makes her the longest serving community college CEO in California.
The road sign was unveiled on Thursday, Sept. 20, during a Canyon Country Campus Advisory Committee meeting.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized in this manner,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “I’m especially grateful to the community members, faculty, staff, and administrators who have worked for so many years to shape the campus into the resource it is today. Their unwavering support of our second campus as it continues to grow and meet the needs of our students enables us to do what we do. I am inspired by their spirit and their care for the Canyon Country campus, and I thank them for expecting the best from us.”
The Board of Trustees passed a resolution to name the campus’s main road Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook Drive at a board meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 22.
“The Board of Trustees commends Dr. Van Hook on her untiring efforts to expand access to higher education in the Santa Clarita Valley, and for providing the leadership necessary to make the Canyon Country campus a reality,” said Steve Zimmer, president of the Board of Trustees.
Hired at College of the Canyons on July 1, 1988, Dr. Van Hook has been a driving force behind the college’s expansion and the development of the Canyon Country campus.
Early in her tenure at COC, Dr. Van Hook identified the need for a new campus on the east side of the Santa Clarita Valley and led the college in expanding courses and services in Canyon Country, first by offering classes at Canyon High School, and then by establishing the Canyon Country ACCESS Center in the joint Los Angeles County-City of Santa Clarita Jo Anne Darcy Library.
She recommended to the Board of Trustees that the district purchase a series of parcels on Sierra Highway that would become the Canyon Country campus, and in fall 2007 – just over a year after construction began – the campus opened and welcomed more than 3,400 students. The campus was not expected to serve that many students until it had been open for five years.
“Dr. Van Hook’s exemplary vision made the Canyon Country campus a reality,” said Dr. Ryan Theule, vice president of the Canyon Country campus and grants development. “The Canyon Country campus is proud of this new name for the prime road in front of the emerging Science Center and honored that it will forever be associated with Dr. Van Hook’s leadership and legacy for our campus and students.”
Dr. Van Hook’s lifelong commitment to making a difference for others began in 1972, when she started her career in education as a junior high school teacher and part-time instructor at Long Beach City College, her alma mater. She also taught as a part-time career guidance instructor at Cerritos College and launched the college’s Women’s Center.
After accepting a full-time position at Santa Ana College, Dr. Van Hook created and launched New Horizons, which is now a statewide program. It served, what were then considered, non-traditional student populations – adult re-entry students, senior citizens, ESL students, as well Indochinese refugees fleeing Southeast Asia in the wake of the Vietnam War.
Before being hired at College of the Canyons, Dr. Van Hook was dean at Lake Tahoe Community College. She assisted in the planning and deployment of the construction of Lake Tahoe’s new campus, which enabled the college to move from converted commercial spaces to a new campus designed for higher education and the enrollment of six times the students.
College of the Canyons served fewer than 5,000 students when Dr. Van Hook arrived, and today enrolls more than 32,000 each year. Accordingly, COC has increased facilities square footage more than four-fold under Dr. Van Hook’s leadership, from 199,000 square feet on one campus to 881,855 on campuses in Valencia and Canyon Country. The new classrooms, labs, and other spaces allowed the college to not only serve more students, but also offer a variety of new academic programs such as automotive technology, culinary arts, and medical lab technician.
During her tenure, the college has passed three bond measures in 15 years totaling $480 million that enabled the growth of facilities and programs to accommodate its growing student population.
The addition of the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, named in her honor, in 2009 has enabled more than 3,000 students to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from partnering universities while attending classes in the Santa Clarita Valley.
The Science Center, which is currently under construction at the Canyon Country campus, will serve as a focal point for students and first-time visitors.
Funded by Measure E, the approximately 55,000-square-foot facility will primarily be devoted to physical and biological sciences, housing eight labs and 10 science service rooms. Additionally, the building will also house three computer labs, 24 faculty offices, seven group study rooms, open study spaces, lab service spaces, as well as seven lecture rooms, including a lecture room with 75-seating capacity. It is expected to be completed by 2020.
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September 12, 2018Chancellor's Circle Presents Business Briefing
Local businesses are invited to the College of the Canyons Foundation Chancellor’s Circle Breakfast Briefing “Customer Service Strategies from a Global Leader” on Friday, September 28 at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.
Lorna Warren (Vice President of Guest Services) and Jen Wright (Director of Trade Reservations) of Princess Cruises will present on customer service best practices. Immediately following, a Q&A session will be available for members of the Chancellor’s Circle.
"Princess Cruises leads the way with their stellar customer service, and it will be a privilege to learn from their example during this informative event," said Jill Mellady, co-founder of Mellady Direct Marketing and Chair of the COC Foundation Chancellor’s Circle Committee. “As the second largest private employer in Santa Clarita, Princess Cruises is a role model for all local businesses looking to grow, without sacrificing the personal touches of an exceptional customer service experience."
The business briefing is scheduled 8 to 10 a.m. in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center lobby. A light breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., allowing for networking opportunities. Tickets are priced at $20. Those interested are asked to RSVP by Friday, Sept. 21.
For additional information or to RSVP, please contact the COC Foundation at (661) 362-3434 or email cocfoundation@canyons.edu.
About Chancellor’s Circle
The Chancellor’s Circle is a prestigious leadership support group for the College of the Canyons Foundation. This group of College of the Canyons supporters is comprised of prominent community leaders, local business executives, companies, alumni and other individuals who are dedicated to the success of COC and its students. Donations to the Chancellor’s Circle are used to support areas of greatest need and innovative programs that help College of the Canyons students succeed.
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August 31, 2018Zero Textbook Cost Pathway for Water Technology
College of the Canyons has launched a Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) degree for the Water Systems Technology program, utilizing Open Educational Resource (OER) materials. This degree will prepare students to become state certified water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater operators.
Funded by a ZTC grant from the state chancellor’s office, the water technology certificate program will benefit approximately 400 students this year.
“We are very excited to offer this completely Zero Textbook Cost pathway in Water Technology that provides students with the latest developments of knowledge in the field and has been personalized to match the educational rigor of the courses,” said Brian Weston, project manager of Zero Textbook Cost grant at the college.
The pathway, which was created by COC faculty, field experts, contractors, and the South Central Coast Regional Consortium, will provide water technology programs across the state with a free alternative to commercial resources. “Our water technology faculty were motivated to create the OER materials due to the lack of currency, expensive cost, and available choice found in commercial texts,” said Regina Blasberg, chair of the engineering technologies department at the college.
In 2009, two COC faculty members authored a textbook, and after successful feedback from students, developed a second textbook for the college’s Advanced Water Mathematics course in 2011.
Consisting of eight-member colleges, the South Central Coast Regional Consortium works to create a highly skilled workforce by supporting workforce development efforts across the state.
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August 29, 2018Don and Cheri Fleming to be Honored with Silver Spur
In recognition of their unwavering support to College of the Canyons and the Santa Clarita Valley, the college’s Foundation has named Don and Cheri Fleming as the recipients of the prestigious “Silver Spur” Community Service Award.
The 2019 Silver Spur Celebration will take place Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
As strong friends and supporters of the college since 1999, Don and Cheri have contributed to nearly every one of the Foundation’s significant initiatives. Whether it has been Chancellor’s Circle, Silver Spur, Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center Campaign, Golf Tournament or Cougar Club, they have been actively involved in the college’s commitment to higher education.
“Don and Cheri Fleming’s visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have truly made a difference in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “Cheri’s hands-on leadership and philanthropy are inspiring and Don’s involvement with the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation has positioned Santa Clarita as a business-friendly city. The college has been incredibly fortunate to count on them as friends and supporters over the years.”
Since purchasing Valencia Acura in 1997, Don and Cheri Fleming have become synonymous with the local auto industry. At the time, the dealership ranked last in sales and customer satisfaction at the national level. Since then, the dealership ranks among the top Acura dealerships in the country in terms of sales penetration in their primary market area, customer loyalty and overall customer satisfaction.
True to Valencia Acura’s motto, which replaces the “dealer” in dealership with “friend,” the Flemings have proven to be true friends of the Santa Clarita Valley.
A member of Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley since 1999, Cheri served as a Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) board member from 2010 to 2014. In 2013-2014, Cheri was presiding officer of 36,000 SIA members in 20 countries. In that capacity, Cheri was instrumental in shaping the organization’s future and overall impact.
In the Santa Clarita Valley, Cheri’s philanthropic efforts have been extensive. Currently a board member and Vice Chair for the Child and Family Center and Director for the American Cancer Society Unit Council, Cheri has also served as a board member and past Chairman of the Henry Mayo Newhall Health Foundation and currently serves as a Director of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.
Consistently named among “Santa Clarita’s 51 Most Influential” by The Signal, Cheri, an Ohio native, has also been named the 2017 Volunteer of the Year by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal and the 2012 Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles County 5th Supervisorial District and Commission for Women.
Born and raised in Texas, Don Fleming moved to Southern California after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Don has been president of the Santa Clarita Valley Auto Dealers Association for 18 years, during which time he has been instrumental in making local auto dealers the largest sales tax contributors to the City.
Don has served as a Director of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Foundation, and as co-chair and founding board member of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, which has helped bring and retain thousands of jobs in the community. He currently serves as Chair-emeritus.
In 2015, Don was named Volunteer of the Year by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Foundation and has consistently been listed among “Santa Clarita’s Top 51 Most Influential Individuals” by The Signal. In 2013, he was honored with the Semper Fidelis Award by the Los Angeles County Chapter 1st Marine Division Family, U.S. Marine Corps.
The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with guests able to enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a display of unique vintage automobiles. The evening will also include dinner, a live auction and a personal video tribute created for the Flemings.
Previous Silver Spur recipients include: U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (Ret.); Jack and Doreen Shine; Jill Mellady; The Newhall Family; 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, Tom Dierckman, Scott and Ruth Newhall, Elisha “Aggie” Agajanian, and Cliffie Stone.
This year’s event will be chaired by Diana Cusumano, previous Silver Spur recipient and Foundation board member.
NR-08.24.18-WalkInHerShoes
August 24, 2018Exhibition Sheds Light on Human Trafficking
To raise awareness about human trafficking and the connection between childhood sexual abuse and the sex industry, College of the Canyons will display “A Walk In Her Shoes,” an interactive art exhibit that shares the stories of women who have survived human trafficking, sexual exploitation, addictions, and life on the streets.
On display at Gallery 206 (COC Library, 2nd floor) starting August 27, the exhibit was created by Kate Wedell, founder and Executive Director of Cherished, a non-profit organization that aims to equip and empower women survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
“I have met many women like me, who have such a history of untold past abuse and shame, and their stories are stories of strength, courage, and redemption and also need to be told,” said Wedell. “I created ‘A Walk in Her Shoes’ as a tribute to these brave liberators who are helping others too and showing them the way to freedom.”
The exhibit includes 14 shoes that belong to survivors and headphones that allow visitors to listen to their three-minute stories.
“Each shoe in this exhibit is a story of a survivor,” said Wedell. “Stories of women who were sexually abused as children, that led them on a long road. These are victims of human trafficking and have suffered exploitation and trauma through various forms in the commercial sex industry.”
To coincide with the college’s conference “It Happens Right Here: Human Trafficking and How to Make A Difference,” the exhibition “A Walk In Her Shoes” will run through Friday, Sept. 21.
The exhibit was coordinated by COC Art Gallery Director Pamela Lewis, Cherished, MyGenMyFight Club, and the SCV Human Trafficking Committee.
As a new extension of the COC Art Gallery, Gallery 206 will showcase student, community and professional art exhibits.
Gallery 206 will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
NR-08.27.18-Noncredit
August 27, 2018Off-Campus Education Center Opens
College of the Canyons has opened an off-campus continuing education educational center to better meet the needs of working adults in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Located at 26111 Bouquet Canyon Rd (Unit G6), the continuing education center will initially offer a variety of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and Microsoft Office classes.
“Continuing education courses are tuition-free and provide a good gateway to college or a new career,” said John Makevich, dean of continuing and community education at the college. “With its location in the heart of the Santa Clarita Valley, the center makes getting an education an accessible option for those with busy schedules.”
The center’s location next to the Los Angeles County SCV Community Center will also create opportunities for future collaboration and partnership to provide educational and support resources to students, said Makevich.
College of the Canyons partners with the William S. Hart Union High School District in a regional consortium known as GatewaySCV to expand access to adult education opportunities to local residents.
“This new classroom location for continuing education offerings provides yet another location for access to these free classes,” said Makevich.
The college will continue to offer continuing education courses at its Valencia and Canyon Country campuses, as well as at several satellite locations throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.
A second educational center is expected to open on Soledad Canyon Road in late 2018 or early 2019.
NR-08.22.18-ADT
August 22, 2018Pathways Increase Degree, Transfer Completion
Students beginning fall semester classes at College of the Canyons this week will benefit from multiple pathways designed to help them transfer quickly and seamlessly to both public and private four-year universities.
College of the Canyons currently offers 24 Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs), which enable students to transition to California State University campuses. Known as “a degree with a guarantee,” ADTs provide students with guaranteed admission to a CSU if they earn an associate in arts transfer (AA-T) or associate in science transfer (AS-T) degree and meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements. Although the guarantee does not include admission to a specific campus or major, the program gives students the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree with as little as 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of coursework beyond the associate degree.
Not surprisingly, the number of students pursuing ADTs at College of the Canyons has increased significantly in recent years. Between 2013, when the first ADTs were awarded, and 2017, the number of degrees awarded at College of the Canyons has grown 703 percent.
For the 2018-19 academic year, the college will offer four additional ADT pathways in Environmental Science (AS-T), Public Health (AS-T), Hospitality Management (AS-T), and Social Justice Studies (AA-T).
Building on the growing success and popularity of ADTs statewide, a new partnership announced recently by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office will expand the program to private universities. Students who successfully complete an associate degree at any California community college, including College of the Canyons, will now benefit from guaranteed admission into more than 30 private four-year schools.
In addition, the college has existing Transfer Admission Agreements (TAG) with most schools within the University of California system to create a smooth transfer experience for students.
“College of the Canyons has been ahead of the curve in creating guided pathways as an option for our students,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “We look forward to working alongside the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to expand our partnerships with four-year colleges and universities to eliminate achievement gaps and increase transfer rates across the state for the students we serve.”
Guided pathways provide students with a clear-cut academic track, which eliminates any guesswork regarding which classes to take. The implementation of degree pathways at COC has led to successful results.
Over a five-year period, the number of students who completed a degree or certificate program increased by 43 percent. The number of students that completed a degree increased by 115 percent and the number of students who transferred to a four-year school increased by 25 percent.
College of the Canyons was a pioneer in partnering with private non-profit universities to expand access for students. The Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center is an invaluable resource for students who wish to earn a four-year degree without leaving the Santa Clarita Valley. The University Center currently offers 38 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs through partner institutions such as CSU Bakersfield, CSU Northridge, University of La Verne, Brandman University and National University. The latest degree programs to be added include a bachelor’s of science in accounting, and a doctoral degree in organizational leadership, both from the University of La Verne.
More than 3,177 students have graduated from the University Center since it opened its doors on a small scale and with four classrooms in 2002. Convenient access to higher education on the College of the Canyons Valencia campus is the key factor that made it possible for these students to complete their degrees. Without that option, many would have otherwise been unable to achieve their educational goals.
NR-08.16.18-PreApprenticeship
August 16, 2018Pre-Apprenticeship with AMS Fulfillment Launched
College of the Canyons is partnering with AMS Fulfillment to offer 30 pre-apprenticeships in the logistics field—one of the fastest growing industries in Los Angeles County—to individuals who need job readiness skills to gain employment.
The 8-week intensive training program, which is launching in August, will provide students with training in soft skills, Excel, warehouse safety and operations through job shadowing, on-the-job training, and COC coursework.
“We are very proud to offer this accelerated job training alternative to students,” said Jeffrey Forrest, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at the college. “Unlike an apprenticeship, a pre-apprenticeship provides students with the tools they need to enter the workforce a lot faster where they will continue to sharpen their skills while on the job.”
“This program is designed for entry-level employees and those struggling to get themselves established in the job market,” said Ken Wiseman, CEO and managing partner of AMS Fulfillment. “We are trying to help these pre-apprentice candidates get their hands firmly around the first rung of the employment ladder and empower them to start their climb.”
Administered by the Strong Workforce Apprenticeship Group (SWAG), participants who complete the program will receive a national credential from the U.S. Department of Labor and become eligible for the AMS apprenticeship program that is registered with the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) and the US Department of Labor (US DOL).
“We look forward to creating pre-apprenticeship programs with other local companies and businesses that wish to attract and train skilled employees,” said Forrest.
Located in Santa Clarita, AMS Fulfillment is a full-service order fulfillment company that provides third-party warehouse management, fulfillment services, and order management resources.
For more information about the pre-apprenticeship program, please email lesa.evans@amsfulfillment.com.
NR-08.09.18-FYP
August 9, 2018First-Year Promise Deadline Extended
It’s not too late to apply for a year of free tuition through the College of the Canyons First-Year Promise Plus program! College of the Canyons has extended the application deadline until the 500-student limit is reached.
The new program, which was expanded through funding from a new state program called California College Promise, will accept students on a first-come, first-served basis for the fall 2018 semester.
To be eligible for First-Year Promise Plus, students must enroll in at least 12 units of classes in both fall 2018 and spring 2019. The program will cover the cost of up to 15 units per semester, potentially saving students $1,380 in tuition.
Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. The program gives students access to coaches, mentors, counselors and college personnel dedicated to their academic success, as well as tutoring in a variety of subjects. The combination of services is designed to propel students forward to achieve their academic goals.
Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last year and funded for the first time in the 2018/19 state budget, California College Promise lays the groundwork for the state’s community colleges to increase access and student success by increasing the number of degrees and certificates awarded and helping students secure gainful employment.
College of the Canyons received $898,434 from California College Promise, which is the 10th highest amount among California’s 114 community colleges. The funding is ongoing and subject to change each academic year.
Launched last fall, the college’s First-Year Promise program provides increased opportunities for new full-time college students to achieve their educational goals by waiving tuition and fees during their first year of study.
NR-08.07.18-Fall2018
August 7, 2018Fall Semester Offers Expanded Career, Academic Options
Registration is currently underway for the fall 2018 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.
To help meet the needs of new and current students, the college has also created 35 new and modified programs as well as 286 new and modified courses.
“The needs of our students have always been our main focus when creating or modifying curricula,” said Dr. Jerry Buckley, Assistant/Superintendent and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the college. “Our goal is to help students meet their educational goals, whether it be to transfer to a four-year school or gain new skills.”
Class sections will include courses that most students need to either graduate, transfer to a four-year school and/or meet prerequisites.
Four new associate degree pathways have also been created for students who wish to transfer to a four-year college in a seamless way.
The new degree pathways available this academic school year will include the following:
- Environmental Science AS-T Degree
- Public Health AS-T Degree
- Hospitality Management AS-T Degree (available spring 2019)
- Social Justice Studies AA-T Degree
The schedule also features a wide selection of career technical education courses where students gain the skills needed to work in high-demand fields, such as plumbing technology, electrical technology, and carpentry technology.In addition, several continuing education courses will be offered to students who would like to gain a new set of skills or sharpen existing skills through courses such as Spanish for Healthcare Workers.
Three new continuing education certificate programs will also be offered for students interested in Workplace Essentials, Management Tool Box, and Customer Relations.
Students will once again have the option of enrolling in courses offered at both the college’s Valencia and Canyon Country campus, as well as online.
Fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 20, and run through Saturday, Dec. 8.
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. In addition, for students looking to get a jump start on planning for the spring 2019 semester, a list of available classes is also available on the college website.
Enrollment fees at all 114 California Community Colleges will remain at $46-per-unit, as mandated by the state of California.
Students and community members interested in attending classes this semester are encouraged to visit the class schedule in order to view the current schedule of classes and take the steps necessary to enroll.
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August 2, 2018Education Expert Mark Perna to Deliver Presentation
Local educators, employers and parents are invited to attend a special presentation from author, education expert and motivational speaker Mark Perna during one of two sessions designed to inspire individuals currently working with Generation Y and Z students.
Considered a national expert in education enrollment, retention and performance, Perna’s presentation will seek to unleash passion, purpose and performance in students by helping attendees understand how to best give those same students a competitive advantage by expanding the educational options and opportunities available to them.
Through his ongoing work with educational and business organizations, Perna has recognized the distinct issues that younger generations are continually faced with, and in response, has developed several best practices for addressing them.
“These proven strategies, pioneered through years of experience with educational organizations of all sizes, will change the game for educators and the students they seek to serve,” said Perna.
Perna’s speaking points will reflect those expressed in his upcoming book “Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generation.”
“I have attended several of Mark’s presentations over the years,” said Harriet Happel, Director of Career and Technical Education at COC. “I guarantee that attendees will leave this event feeling encouraged and empowered to take the journey with our Generations Y and Z students to inspire them to greater performance in all areas of life.”
Perna’s presentation will take place Friday, Aug. 10 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) at College of the Canyons. A morning session will run from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by an afternoon presentation from 1 to 3 p.m.
A book signing will be held immediately following both sessions.
The event is free and open to the public, with parking available in college lots 2, 4, 5, 13, 14 and 15.
This event is being hosted through a partnership with College of the Canyons and the William S. Hart Union High School District, with funding provided by a California Career Pathways Trust Grant.
About the Speaker
Mark C. Perna is the founder of TFS in Cleveland, Ohio, a full-service strategic consulting firm whose mission is to share and support every client’s desire to make a difference. Perna, a graduate of John Carroll University, has many years of experience addressing industry leaders on the topic of expanding their reach in an increasingly global marketplace. A dynamic public speaker, he frequently delivers keynote speeches across the country and recently spoke at Harvard University by special invitation. At TFS, Perna’s team shares his vision of helping organizations experience significant gains in recruitment, engagement, retention, and performance. His first book, “Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations” was written to help educators, employers, and parents understand Generations Y and Z and inspire them to greater performance in all areas of life. Perna is the father of two successful millennials. He resides in Cleveland, Ohio.
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NR-07.30.18-PearlHsiung
July 30, 2018Art Gallery Presents 'Two Faces, One Die'
The College of the Canyons Art Gallery presents the painting and video works of Los Angeles artist Pearl C. Hsiung in the exhibition “Two Faces, One Die,” which opens Monday, Aug. 13. A public reception for the artist is scheduled 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18.
The solo exhibition of painting, installation, and video works highlight recurring themes in Hsiung’s art practice. Vibrant, enthralling and meditative, Hsiung’s works explore the relationship between humans and nature and the human nature this relationship reveals.
The phrase “Two Faces, One Die” comes from a Zen Koan that points to this duality.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to introduce our students and campus community to this wonderful artist,” said Pamela Bailey Lewis, art gallery director. “Her work is so materially and conceptually exciting, I know it will have a big impact on everyone who gets to experience it.”
“I am exploring how our experiences of nature, whether through intimate interaction, en masse viewing at national parks, or via news stories and social media, give meaning to our existence and how we perceive our role in the cosmos,” Hsiung said of her work. “How do we see ourselves in nature? How do we see nature in ourselves?”
Materially lush, and formally sophisticated, Hsiung’s animistic scenes of erupting calderas, spouting geysers, psychedelic waterfalls, and otherworldly orifices mine the fissures in our received ideas about landscape painting and abstraction; the carnal and the transcendent; the popular and sublime.
A discussion with the artist is scheduled 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12. The exhibition runs through Saturday, Sept. 29.
The Art Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 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.
NR-071318-FirstYearPromisePlus
July 13, 2018500 More First-Year Promise Students to be Accepted
College of the Canyons will accept an additional 500 students to its First-Year Promise program for the fall 2018 semester. The program’s expansion was made possible by funding from a new state program called California College Promise.
The newly created First-Year Promise Plus program will accept students on a first-come, first-served basis starting Monday, July 16. The application period will close Monday, July 30, or when the 500-student limit is reached.
“This is an incredible opportunity that increases access to higher education and changes lives,” said Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “I urge all potential first-time students to give this serious consideration – and to apply as soon as possible.”
To be eligible for First-Year Promise Plus, students must enroll in at least 12 units of classes in both fall 2018 and spring 2019. The program will cover the cost for up to 15 units per semester, potentially saving students $1,380 in tuition.
Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. The program gives students access to coaches, mentors, counselors and college personnel dedicated to their academic success, as well as tutoring in a variety of subjects. The combination of services is designed to propel students forward to achieve their academic goals.
Students who have questions or need help with the application process are encouraged to attend the First-Year Promise Plus Information Day on Wednesday, July 18. The event is scheduled 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Canyons Hall Welcome Center.
Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last year and funded for the first time in the 2018/19 state budget, California College Promise lays the groundwork for the state’s community colleges to increase access and student success by increasing the number of degrees and certificates awarded, and helping students secure gainful employment.
California College Promise allocated $898,434 to College of the Canyons. The amount is the 10th highest among California’s 114 community colleges. The funding is ongoing, although the total amount will likely change each academic year.
NR-07.10.18-JustinWallace
July 10, 2018Training Institute Creates Position to Meet Demand
In response to the ever-growing need for skilled workers to meet industry-specific demands, the College of the Canyons Employee Training Institute (ETI) has hired Justin Wallace as director of educational partnerships, a new position at the college.
“I am very excited to work as a bridge between local companies and the college,” said Wallace. “By working together, we can help meet the needs of the Santa Clarita Valley businesses while also training the next generation of skilled workers.”
As a liaison to the Santa Clarita Valley business community, Wallace will inform the college’s academic affairs department of industry changes that impact curriculum development.
“The demands for higher education are changing and College of the Canyons is adapting to the needs of business and industry by offering flexible programming and availability of courses to working students,” said Dr. Jerry Buckley, assistant superintendent/vice president of academic affairs at the college.
Wallace will work closely with ETI partners such as Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp., Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and Valley Industry Association to establish rapport and build relationships within the community.
“Our partnership with COC greatly strengthens our ability to bring workforce training solutions to businesses in SCV,” said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. “Now, with a single point of contact to access COC’s breadth of training options, we can be more effective in helping companies achieve their workforce development goals.”
The creation of this new role will make a lasting impact on the Santa Clarita Valley at-large, says Jeffrey Forrest, vice president of economic development at the college.
“For nearly 50 years, College of the Canyons has been an integral part of the economic growth of the Santa Clarita region,” said Forrest. “This new position is an investment on the part of the college to continue that legacy.”
Wallace holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from Graceland University.
ETI provides low-cost subsidized training programs for businesses that are specifically created with their needs in mind to increase efficiencies, productivity and reduce costs.
For more information about the college’s ETI, please call (661) 362-3245.
NR-07.05.18-Foundation
July 5, 2018Foundation Installs New Board Officers
The College of the Canyons Foundation, which helps generate philanthropic support for the college, recently installed new officers on its Board of Directors for 2018-19.
Effective July 1, Brian Koegle, partner at Poole & Shaffery, serves as chairman; Tamara Gurney, president and CEO of Mission Valley Bank, as first vice chair; and Nick Lentini, president of Lentini Financial Advisory, as second vice chair for a two-year term.
“I am absolutely thrilled to take the helm of the College of the Canyons Foundation Board for the next two years,” said Koegle, who served as first vice chair of the board for two years. “I started my secondary education path on the Valencia campus, and 25 years later, I have the chance to ‘pay it forward’ working with the Foundation to raise the funds needed to help today’s students succeed.”
The foundation also appointed Kevin Holmes, partner/audit and assurance practice leader at Martini, Iosue & Akpovi Certified Public Accountants, as parliamentarian; Sharlene Coleal, assistant superintendent/vice president, business services at the college, as treasurer; and Cathy Ritz, foundation chief operating officer and director of the University Center at the college, as secretary.
The board’s installation dinner was held at Piccolo Trattoria in Canyon Country.
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. 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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NR-06.15.18-GoldenWest
June 15, 2018Air Force Band to Perform June 27
The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons is proud to welcome back the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West Concert Band on Wednesday, June 27.
Stationed in the San Francisco Bay area at Travis Air Force Base, the Band of the Golden West is the Air Force's only active-duty musical unit west of the Rocky Mountains.
Composed of nearly 50 airmen-musicians, the acclaimed band has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony.
Under the command of Capt. Rafael F. Toro-Quiñones, the band performs a wide variety of music, including standard concert band/wind ensemble literature, orchestral transcriptions, military marches, jazz and pop arrangements, Broadway standards, and patriotic music.
With the objective of strengthening relationships with a variety of publics to enhance the group’s reputation and foster a deeper appreciation of the band’s rich history and legacy, the Air Force Band of the Golden West performs more than 250 dates a year throughout the West Coast.
The Air Force Band of the Golden West performance is a free event, no tickets will be provided. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The performance will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, on the main stage.
NR-06.13.18-ConstructionTech
June 13, 2018Six Construction Technology Courses Added
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 college’s 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 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 can earn an associate in science degree or certificate of achievement, which provides them with the basic skills required to enter a building construction career.
NR-06.14.18-PACSeason
June 14, 2018New Season: America, 98 Degrees, Christopher Titus
The 2018-19 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.
Local residents will have the opportunity to experience a variety of internationally acclaimed acts and artists, without ever having to leave the Santa Clarita Valley.
Highlighting the 2018-19 PAC schedule are performances by:
- Country music singer songwriter CAM — Aug. 19, 2018
- Comedian Christopher Titus in “Amerigeddon” — Sept. 16, 2018
- Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium — Oct. 20, 2018
- Chart-topping pop and contemporary R&B group 98 Degrees — Nov. 16, 2018
- Disney’s “Moana” Sing-Along — Feb. 9, 2019
- Classic rock band America — March 30, 2019
Other acts and artists visiting the PAC this season include: Chinese Warriors of Peking; Villalobos Brothers & Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles; Peter Gros, Wildlife Expert and Co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom; Catapult; Jazz singer Veronica Swift, and Ann Hampton Callaway & Liz Callaway in “Sibling Revelry.”“We are very excited about the PAC’s new season, which has something for people of all ages to enjoy right here in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Lindsay Gambini, PAC director. “If you have never attended a performance at the PAC before, we welcome you to see one of our exciting shows this season.”
As in years past, the PAC will also host a number of College of the Canyons theatre, music and dance department productions, as well as other community group performances.
PAC series ticket package sales will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 26.
Individual ticket sales will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person at the PAC box office.
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NR-05.31.18-NCATC
May 31, 2018College Hosts NCATC Workshop June 4
College of the Canyons will host the 2018 National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) Summer Workshop, which will be held at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center on June 4 and 5.
The two-day workshop — held in partnership with Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International — will feature three break-out sessions in advanced manufacturing, welding technology, and MakerSpaces.
“We are very excited to be hosting this year’s NCATC summer workshop at College of the Canyons,” said Dr. Ron McFarland, dean of the college’s School of Applied Technology. “We hope attendees will gain insight about the pivotal role educational institutions can play in the future of advanced technology.”
Industry tours of Remo Drums, Stratasys, and ADI Manufacturing will be part of the workshop program.
The event’s keynote speaker will be Josh Papenbrook, director of global supply chain for Boston Scientific Neuromodulation.
NCATC is a professional organization that aims to foster a discussion about advanced technologies and how education can support the future of advanced manufacturing, including logistics, additive/subtractive manufacturing, welding, electronics, and Makerspaces.
The workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 4 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 5.
NR-05.30.18-Graduation
May 30, 20182018 Graduating Class Largest Ever
With a more than nine percent increase in the number of students receiving degrees compared to last year, College of the Canyons will honor its 2018 graduating class – the largest in school history — during the college’s 49th annual commencement ceremony. The event will begin promptly at 8 a.m. Friday, June 1, in the college’s Honor Grove, located on the Valencia campus.
“It is with great pride that we honor the hard work and tenacity of the members of the College of the Canyons class of 2018,” said Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “It is our hope that no matter where our graduates go that they will always remember College of the Canyons as the place where their dreams first took shape with the encouragement of our dedicated faculty, staff and administrators.”
- The class of 2018 has 2,232 students who petitioned for graduation, representing a 9.1 percent increase from the class of 2017 (2,046).
- This class represents 111 majors, with liberal arts and sciences (810) ranking as the leading field of study among graduates, followed by psychology (273), accounting (217), business (180), sociology (166) and communication studies (113).
- There are 165 students graduating with two or more degrees.
- The class of 2018 is approximately 58.7 percent female (1,310) and 41.3 percent male (922).
- Academically, there are 590 students graduating with honors — which requires a 3.5 GPA or higher — and 50 students with perfect 4.0 GPAs, which grants them the status of valedictorians at the college.
- The average GPA of the class of 2018 is 3.14.
- The average graduate age is 24.5.
- The oldest student in the class is 64-year-old Estela Marquez. In total, there are six graduates over the age of 60.
- The youngest graduates in the class are 61 students who are 17 years old.
- There are 86 veteran graduates in the college’s class of 2018.
- There are 63 graduates from the school’s Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program, which is the largest graduating cohort in MESA history.
- 71 percent of this year’s graduates have completed at least one course at the college’s Canyon Country campus, which first opened in 2007.
- The graduating class includes more than 90 COC student-athletes, with a combined GPA of 3.1, who will be earning an associate degree and/or transferring to a four-year school in the fall.
Graduates from the class of 2018 will be heading to four-year schools including: UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, USC, CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, San Diego State University, Humboldt State University, CSU Channel Islands, CSU East Bay, CSU Fullerton, CSU San Jose, CSU San Francisco, CSU Sonoma, California Lutheran University, Washington University in St. Louis, Cornell University, Arkansas State University, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Fisher College, Florida Atlantic University, Henderson State, Holy Names University, Indiana State University, Kaiser University, Lubbock Christian University, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Mississippi Valley State University, Missouri State University, Ottawa University, Portland State University, South Dakota State University, Texas Tech University, University of Arkansas, University of Maine, University of Michigan, University of San Diego, University of South Alabama, Vanderbilt University, Presentation College, Missouri Valley College, and the University of South Alabama.The scene of many graduations and other college ceremonies and events, the Honor Grove is located in the center of campus and will be outfitted with a stage for the presentation of diplomas and certificates, as well as seating for the graduates and the proud families and friends who will be in attendance.
Community members attending the ceremony should plan to arrive to campus no later than 7:45 a.m., as parking lots are expected to be congested and guest seating will be limited.
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May 29, 2018It's Not Too Late: Last Summer Rush Dates
Two more Summer Rush dates will give students a convenient opportunity to apply and enroll for summer classes before the first summer session starts on June 4.
With open registration starting on Tuesday, the one-stop shop student application, orientation and registration events scheduled for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 29 and 30 at the Valencia campus will enable prospective students to complete all of their enrollment steps and be ready to start a summer class.
The college is offering four 2018 summer sessions, which includes an entire online-only session running from June 18 to July 20. With more than 1,900 class sections in a wide range of academic subjects and career education disciplines, students can enroll in the courses they need to either graduate, transfer to a four-year school and/or meet prerequisites.
- The college’s first five-week summer session will run June 4 to July 6.
- A second eight-week summer session will begin June 11 and run until July 3.
- The third summer session, which runs from June 18 to July 20, will be held entirely online.
- A final five-week summer session will be offered from July 9 to August 10.
Summer 2018 enrollment fees at all California Community Colleges remain at $46-per-unit, offering students from four-year universities a low-cost option to complete general education requirements.
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May 24, 2018Athlete, Route 91 Survivor Learns to Move On
With a minute left on the clock, College of the Canyons soccer team captain Hailey Phipps scored a goal from 16 yards outside the box, lifting the Cougars to a 1-0 win against Moorpark College.
Overcome by emotion, the 19-year-old began to cry.
Just two days earlier, on Oct. 1, 2017 Phipps was at the Route 91 Harvest music festival that turned deadly when a shooter opened fire from a Las Vegas hotel room, killing 58 people and injuring 851. It is the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in the U.S.
“That night I saw a lot of things I hope no one else ever has to see,” said Phipps, who spent many harrowing hours unsure of her family’s whereabouts after fleeing to safety with a friend. She wouldn’t be reunited with her family until the next day.
“At first, I didn’t want to play that game,” said the Saugus High School graduate. “I still felt so emotionally raw about what happened that I didn’t know if I would be able to stay calm and focused long enough to make it through the game.”
After talking to her parents and pastor, Phipps decided to step onto the soccer field with the hope that doing what she loved would help her move on.
With ironclad focus, Phipps got through the game and clenched a victory that felt very personal.
“At that moment, I knew I was going to dedicate every game I ever played from that point onward to the victims of the Route 91 shooting,” said Phipps of her winning goal. “I know it’s not much to give or do for them, but for me, dedicating something I love and am so passionate about to them is the biggest thing I can give.”
Phipps, who will graduate from COC on June 1 with an associate’s degree in kinesiology, largely credits soccer for helping her sort through her emotions as she moves toward acceptance over what happened.
“Being part of the soccer team was probably one of the best experiences of my life because it improved me as a player and I met some of my best friends on this team,” said Phipps. “The COC athletics program does a lot of work to make sure that their athletes have what they need to have a great two years academically and athletically.”
While at COC, Phipps earned All-Western State Conference (WSC) honors as a defender in 2017 and was named to both the 2017 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California All-Region and All-State Teams. She was also named a United Soccer Coaches Junior College Women's Division III All-American and the WSC, East Division Player of the Year. During her freshman campaign at COC, Phipps was named the WSC, East Division Player of the Year.
"My two years at College of the Canyons have been two of the best years of my life," Phipps said. "COC head coach Justin Lundin and assistant coach Charles Martinez, and the entire staff have been amazing in preparing me for what to expect at the next level.”
In the fall, Phipps will transfer to Lubbock Christian University, where she plans to work her way up to the soccer starting line.
She will major in exercise science with a focus on athletic training and hopes to become a certified athletic trainer.
“I would like to work at the community college level because I got to see and experience how hands-on our trainers here at COC are and I’d really like to work in an environment like that,” said Phipps.
As a Route 91 Harvest survivor, she continues to take each day as it comes, but believes the experience has changed her for the better.
“It is a night that will always be a part of who I am,” said Phipps. “When something as tragic as that happens to you, it makes you realize that you are not invincible. You realize that you need to appreciate every moment you have in this life as well as appreciating the people you have around you that you love.”
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May 22, 2018Student Veteran Advances Toward Graduation
Two months after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Marines, Leonel Gonzalez enrolled at College of the Canyons with the goal of becoming a psychologist.
The first semester is stressful for any freshman student, but for Gonzalez, who was still transitioning to his new life as a civilian, adapting to the demands and deadlines of college life was overwhelming.
Gonzalez reached his breaking point two months into the fall semester while sitting at a computer in his statistics class.
“I thought, ‘I’m done with this,’” said Gonzalez, who lives in Newhall. “I dropped my classes right then and there and left in the middle of class.”
But dropping out made him feel even worse.
“It hit me really hard because I felt like I was a failure,” said Gonzalez. “I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life outside of the military if I couldn’t handle school.”
Determined to succeed, Gonzalez returned to COC during the winter 2017 session.
“I just said to myself, ‘I’m just going to go and if I fail, I at least attempted it,’” said Gonzalez. “So, if I get an F, I’m going to get an F.”
With the help of his mother and father, professors, and the college’s Veterans Resource Center, Gonzalez has done a 180-degree turn.
Currently boasting a 3.9 GPA, Gonzalez will be the first in his immediate family to graduate from college when he receives his COC diploma on June 1.
Gonzalez, who is transferring to California State University, Northridge in the fall to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, never considered pursuing higher education after his rocky path to graduation at Hart High School.
“I didn’t even dream of it,” said Gonzalez. “My grades weren’t even close to what I have now. My time in college is the peak of my education so far. I’ve only had one B so far.”
However, his time at COC was also punctuated by personal setbacks, such as the hospitalization of both his parents and the loss of a veteran friend to suicide.
Gonzalez credits his success to his mentors and professors at COC, who were willing to work with him during those difficult times.
One of those professors was Michelle LaBrie.
“When I first met Leo, he was a bit lost and struggling, but I could tell that he is someone with really big dreams,” said LaBrie, who teaches psychology at the college. “I invited him for an office hour and we talked about his challenges, goals and his desire to pursue psychology as a major.”
Over time, LaBrie watched his confidence grow as he embraced the academic culture.
“He has worked very hard to achieve all that he has and has every reason to be proud of his accomplishments,” said LaBrie.
At the Veterans Resource Center, Gonzalez relied on the guidance and support of director Renard Thomas, who encouraged him to apply for scholarships. As a result, Gonzalez was awarded the COC Veteran Excellence Award and the Santa Clarita Valley Warrior Scholarship.
“I was impressed with how he followed all the direction and information he received from our office and developed strong study skills for his courses,” said Thomas. “He frequently visited the Veteran Resource Center, where he would sometimes do homework, socialize, ask questions to the staff and offer encouragement to other veterans.”
Gonzalez, who recently started working as a behavioral therapist for autistic individuals, says he will miss COC’s beautiful campus, but most of all, he will miss the people.
“I am grateful for the network I have created here and hopefully I create a good network when I go to CSUN,” said Gonzalez.
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May 14, 2018Eighteen Programs Named 'Strong Workforce Stars'
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has named 18 College of the Canyons career education programs as Strong Workforce Stars for successfully improving student employment and wage outcomes.
Strong Workforce Stars is an annual recognition for career education programs within the California Community Colleges system whose graduates show significant gains in factors important for advancing social mobility – a substantial increase in earnings, attainment of a living wage and a job closely matched with the field of study.
“This incredible achievement serves as a testament to the excellence of our career education programs,” said Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “Improving employment rates and strengthening the wage potential of our students has always been our main focus at College of the Canyons. The success of our students is ultimately our success too.”
The college’s nursing program was among the 116 career education programs across 71 California community colleges to receive the Gold Star honor. The program demonstrated a 235 percent increase in earnings, 84 percent of students attaining the regional living wage and 100 percent employment.
The college’s human resources management, small business management, marketing, construction management technology, and water systems technology programs were ranked as Silver Star programs.
Programs earning a Bronze Star ranking are: automotive technology, accounting, child development (early care and education), child development (administration and management), medical laboratory technology, office technology (office computer applications), film production, computer networking, administration of justice, fire technology, hospitality, and paralegal.
“We are thrilled that we have been recognized as Strong Workforce Stars,” said Ron McFarland, dean of the School of Applied Technology. “Our faculty and department chairs have worked diligently to build and support viable Career Education programs that serve the needs of our industry partners, which provides skills-ready employment opportunities for our students.”
The 2018 Strong Workforce Stars were given to career education programs throughout the state in 12 industry sectors, based on earnings gains, living wage attainment, and employment in field of study. Those named Strong Workforce Stars met one or more of the following thresholds:
- An increase in earnings by 50 percent or more, based on a match to the state wage file, for students who earned a certificate or degree and were last enrolled in 2015-16.
- Attainment of the regional living wage by 70 percent or more, based on a match to the state wage file, for students who earned a certificate or degree and were last enrolled in 2015-16.
- 90 percent or more are employed in a job similar to their field of study, according to the Career Technical Education Outcomes Survey, for students who earned a certificate or degree and were last enrolled in 2014-15.
This year, the Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, and Gold Stars levels were introduced, with each winning program receiving recognition in one of those categories. Bronze Star programs met one or more thresholds; Silver Stars met two; and Gold Stars met all three.“Strong Workforce Stars career education programs are proven to help Californians increase their earning power,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, executive vice chancellor for Workforce & Digital Futures. “With the introduction of levels this year, we are able to highlight those programs that are seeing significant results, as well as those that are on the rise toward even greater success.”
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May 7, 2018Four Summer Sessions to be Offered
College of the Canyons will offer a robust schedule of summer classes with four sessions—including an entire online-only session—designed to help students and community members better achieve their educational goals.
The 2018 summer session will include seats for more than 20,000 students spread across over 750 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 — have also been included in the 2018 summer schedule.
“This year’s summer session offers a wide variety of classes that fit the diverse needs of our students,” said Jerry Buckley, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs at the college. “We are very excited to offer a summer session that is entirely online to help accommodate the needs of students who may be working or traveling during the summer.”
Also, high school juniors and seniors can take advantage of the robust offerings to earn college and high school credit while taking classes at COC with waived enrollment fees.
- The college’s first five-week summer session will run June 4 to July 6.
- A second eight-week summer session will begin June 11 and run until July 3.
- The third summer session, which runs from June 18 to July 20, will be held entirely online.
- A final five-week summer session will be offered from July 9 to August 10.
High school students (11th and 12th grade) can begin registering May 23, 2018. A final late registration period for all students will begin May 29, 2018.Summer 2018 enrollment fees at all California Community Colleges will remain at $46-per-unit, as mandated by the state of California.
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May 4, 2018College Leaders Attend 'Doing What Matters' Institute
More than 50 presidents, CEOs, college chancellors and board of trustee members representing over 30 colleges attended the “Doing What Matters” CEO Institute held at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center on Thursday, May 3, 2018.
Hosted by College of the Canyons, the one-day symposium, which also attracted representatives from various Economic Development partnerships throughout the state, focused on what it means to lead campuses and make a positive impact in surrounding communities through the DWM initiative.
Doing What Matters (DWM) for Jobs and the Economy is a California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office initiative and state-wide program that invests more than $200 million dollars annually into career education among the state’s 114 community colleges.
“The conference created the perfect opportunity for college chancellors and CEOs to learn about major influences and shifts to the state economy and labor market, as well as how community colleges can work with business leaders to help meet the needs of employers now and into the future,” said COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “We look forward to seeing how we can work together to move forward strategically and advance workforce and economic development through innovative partnerships strategy development and collaboration.”
After opening remarks made by Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook, Jim Mayer, president and CEO of California Forward, spoke about the need for partnerships and the integration of government agencies to adapt to an ever-changing world.
“Even in booming times, we have to learn how to do more with less,” said Mayer. “We need the ability to anticipate changes that are happening so we can respond. This will be easier if we have a robust set of partnerships.”
Other speakers at the conference included Bill Allen (president/CEO of Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. and co-chair of the California Stewardship Network), Kish Rajan (principal of KRPA), Bill Scroggins (president of Mt. San Antonio College), Paul Granillo (president/CEO of Inland Empire Economic Partnerships), Ben Duran (executive director of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium).
Each presentation was followed by a facilitated dialogue session to encourage the exchange of ideas among attendees.
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May 4, 2018Alumna Wins First OER Award in Netherlands
Natalie Miller, a College of the Canyons graduate, was awarded a 2018 Student Award on Tuesday, April 24 by the Open Education Consortium for her essential role in the success of the college’s Open Educational Resources (OER) program.
OERs 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.
A current student at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, Miller was honored at an awards ceremony held at the Museum Prinsenhof in Delft, Netherlands.
“As a student my age, it was unimaginable coming from a community college,” said Miller about receiving the award. “I’m representing a population of students that is sometimes underrepresented.”
As a college assistant at COC, Miller created a promotional campaign to promote OER among faculty and students. She created multiple open textbooks that are used by thousands of students, established a workflow for OER creation, and trained other students for OER projects.
“I had no idea what I was getting into,” said Miller. “I started researching OER and I just went for it and created a program.”
Her hard work paid off. At COC, OER is used instead of commercial textbooks in over 200 courses, saving students more than $3,000,000 in textbook costs last year.
“Thousands of students who can use free textbooks, with material selected by their own professors, can be grateful to Natalie for her efforts to promote OER adoption,” said James Glapa-Grossklag, dean of learning resources at the college and past president of the Open Education Consortium.
In fall 2017, an OER degree associate degree pathway in sociology was created at the college.
During the 2018 summer session, more than 70 OER courses will be offered online and at the college’s Valencia campus.
As an OER ambassador, Miller trained faculty and students on OER search and open licensing, and also spoke at conferences and workshops.
“Her work extends past COC because she has helped to shape the OER degree initiative cross the state, which benefits all California community college students,” said Glapa-Grossklag.
Miller graduated from COC in 2017 with associate degrees in computer science, mathematics, and physics, and a certificate in web design. She is currently studying computer science at Cal Poly SLO.
Miller’s trip to the Netherlands to accept the award in person was made possible with support from the Canvas Learning Management System, which is an open-source learning management system used by educational institutions, including College of the Canyons.
The Open Education Consortium is a global network of individuals, organizations and educational institutions that are supportive of the open and collaborative approach to educational materials.
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May 3, 2018Summer Rush Puts Students on Fast Track
Students and community members looking to enroll in a summer course at College of the Canyons are encouraged to attend one of the college’s one-stop shop student application and orientation events. Summer Rush will be held 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 18; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 29 and 30 at the Valencia campus.
College staff from a variety of key student services departments will be available to provide personalized, on-site services designed to help become registration-ready.
Available services will include:
- Applying for admission to the college (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
During the May 29 and 30 events, students will be able to register for classes on the spot.Summer Rush is open to all interested students and community members and will be held in Canyons Hall at the Valencia campus.
For direct access to the event, attendees should park in the Parking Lot 2 off Rockwell Canyon Road. Parking will be free in all of the college’s student lots during the event.
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April 27, 2018‘Shop of Horrors’ Debuts New Technical Lights
When the College of the Canyons theatre department debuts its production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) stage on Friday, April 27, it will be seen in a different light thanks to a technical light package purchased by the college’s new technical theater program.
The $120,000 light package will allow for a highly automated production of the horror comedy musical, said Harriet Happel, director of career and technical education at the college.
“We are very excited that our new technical theater program has been able to purchase state-of-the-art equipment recommended by our advisory board industry partners that will benefit our career technical education students here at College of the Canyons,” said Happel.
The college’s new technical theater program launched in April 2017 and offers students the opportunity to earn a certificate or associate of arts degree in technical theater.
Created by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, “Little Shop of Horrors” is a musical about a florist shop worker who raises a flesh-eating plant, which he names Audrey II.
Performances of the COC theatre department’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” will take place at 8 p.m. April 27 and 28 and May 4 and 5. Matinee performances will run at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29 and May 6. General admission tickets are $12. Students and seniors are $6.
The light package, which was funded in part by a Carl D. Perkins Technical Education grant, will be operated by technical theater student, Julia Ciociolo, during the show’s run.
“She has been instrumental in programming the lights for this performance,” said Happel.
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April 23, 2018College to Host MakerSpace Festival April 28
What do you get when you cross a county fair with a science fair? You get the MakerSpace Festival, the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth! On Saturday, April 28, College of the Canyons will host the 2018 College of the Canyons MakerSpace Festival Southern California, which will be a daylong celebration of creativity, resourcefulness and invention.
The family-friendly festival will feature drone exhibits, 3-D printing, robotic demonstrations, inflatable sculptures, hands-on science and art activities, a book-making workshop, and an interactive star display.
“We are very excited to bring a MakerSpace Festival to the Santa Clarita Valley and the surrounding Southern California community,” said Ron McFarland, dean of the college’s School of Applied Technology. “We hope this event sparks the imagination and creativity of attendees of all ages.”
The event will also feature keynote speakers Joshua Abarbane and Matthew Wallace.
As a laser artist, Abarbane creates large wood art work reminiscent of coral reefs. He regularly uses forms and patterns evocative of biological, botanical, geological, and mechanical structures.
Wallace, an assembly, test and launch operations manager for NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has worked on both the Mars Pathfinder and Cassini operations. He and his team at JPL were responsible for assembling the hardware delivered by the subsystems and science community into the two MER rover/spacecraft, testing the rover/spacecraft, then overseeing the Kennedy Space Center operations through launch of the vehicles in the early summer of 2003.
The MakerSpace Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the West PE Gym. Parking will be free in all lots.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Created by Maker Media, the first MakerSpace Festival was held in the Bay Area in 2006.
Since 2016, College of the Canyons has operated two MakerSpace locations at its Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.
Both of the COC MakerSpace facilities have been designed as collaborative learning areas which give users free access to tools, materials, technological resources, skills training and a variety of entrepreneurial opportunities.
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April 18, 2018CanyonsFest Music Festival Slated May 6
On Sunday, May 6, the hills surrounding the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus will come alive with the sounds of the first-ever CanyonsFest Music Festival.
The festival’s music lineup includes performances by Sue Rey and The Runarounds, Robert Heft Blues Band, Mary White and Magnolia Drawl, and Savannah Burrows.
“We are very excited to host the CanyonsFest music festival,” said Ryan Theule, vice president of the Canyon Country campus. “The campus’ beautiful open space and amphitheater provides a perfect venue for live music, and this is a great opportunity to welcome the community to engage with the Canyon Country campus during our 10th anniversary year.”
Sue Rey and the Runarounds is an all-star cast of musicians that plays rock and roll classic tunes from 50s, 60s and 70s. A local band favorite, they have become known for their exciting and crowd-pleasing stage performances.
The Robert Heft Blues Band is fronted by Robert Heft who has been performing, touring and recording for more than 40 years. The band performs blues, country, and rock and roll classics, in addition to Heft’s original music.
Mary White and Magnolia Drawl combines rock and jazz with a side of saxophone in their performances. Frontwoman Mary White is an experienced songwriter whose soulful southern voice can be heard in various films, such as HBO’s “Take Me Back to Oklahoma.” White was selected by the U.S. Armed Forces to entertain troops in South Korea and Cuba.
Savannah Burrows was inspired to pick up a guitar after watching Taylor Swift perform in 2010. Since then, Burrows has been performing her original music throughout Santa Clarita. Burrows is the 2017 winner of the 35th Local Nationwide Country Showdown Contest in Santa Clarita, which drew 8,000 country music fans.
This free family-friendly event will also feature food trucks, activities, and vendor booths, along with information about campus programs, services, and class registration opportunities.
Festival goers are encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs.
The CanyonsFest Music Festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 6.
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April 17, 2018College Selected to Participate in ‘Promises That Count’
College of the Canyons is one of seven California community colleges selected to participate in the Promises That Count initiative, which aims to support the continuous improvement and development of College Promise programs to help more Los Angeles County students graduate.
The three-year initiative – a partnership with the Campaign for College Opportunity, UNITE-LA, and the California College Promise Project at WestEd – will promote countywide sharing of best strategies and practices across programs.
“It is an honor to have been selected to be a part of this exciting initiative,” College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said. “As our innovative First-Year Promise program enters its second year, we look forward to identifying new strategies to help students achieve their goals.”
The college will participate in the Promises That Count Community of Practice effort, which will focus on strategies to improve and strengthen College Promise programs in Los Angeles County.
As a participating institution, College of the Canyons will receive a $30,000 support grant from WestEd, as well as guidance from College Promise leaders through phone calls and in-person meetings.
“There is strength in numbers, and this cross-county initiative will undoubtedly strengthen College Promise programs and ensure their continuous success,” said Denee Pescarmona, dean of instructional support and student success at the college. “We are incredibly thankful to have been selected and look forward to working with other College Promise programs.”
Launched in fall 2017, the college’s First-Year Promise program provides increased opportunities for new full-time college students to achieve their educational goals by waiving tuition and fees for their first year of study. During its inaugural year, 63 percent of the 260 students enrolled in the program maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The College of the Canyons Foundation has committed to raising $500,000 over the next two years to support First-Year Promise. It has already raised more than $360,000. Information about the fundraising campaign is available at www.firstyearpromise.com.
The application period for First-Year Promise is now open for the 2018-19 cohort, which the college anticipates will benefit 350 students. Deadline to apply is May 11.
Founded in 1966, WestEd is a San Francisco-based nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that works to improve learning, achieve equity and promote excellence for people of all ages.
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April 10, 2018Canyon Country Campus Star Party April 27
As a staff scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Dr. Vanessa Bailey’s job is to capture high-contrast images of exoplanets, which are planets that orbit stars outside of the solar system. On Friday, April 27, Dr. Bailey will speak about her exciting discoveries and line of work at the spring 2018 Star Party at the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus.
“We are very excited to hear Dr. Bailey speak about this interesting topic,” said Ryan Theule, vice president of the Canyon Country campus. “Our biannual Star Party has become a much-anticipated tradition in our community. We look forward to welcoming new and returning attendees for an educational and memorable night under the stars.”
Dr. Bailey’s presentation “De-twinkling the Stars to Study Exoplanetary Systems” will offer attendees an insightful look into exoplanet research and what it can teach us about our own planet.
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.
“Attendees will also have the opportunity to enter our portable planetarium for an exciting visual experience,” said Anthony Michaelides, dean at the Canyon Country campus. “Our Star Party has something for family members of all ages to enjoy and discover.”
The spring 2018 Star Party will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 27, at the Canyon Country campus.
Food and beverages will also be available for purchase on site.
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April 9, 2018University Center Open House on April 19
The Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center will host an open house event on Thursday, April 19 for students who, like Shawna Pollock, wish to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree without having to leave the Santa Clarita Valley or quit their full-time jobs.
A Santa Clarita Valley resident, Pollock enrolled in the University of La Verne’s accounting program in spring 2016 after attending an information session at Logix, where she works.
“I needed a program that was flexible with my full-time job and commute,” said Pollock, who earned an associate’s degree in accounting at COC. “The ability to go to school in the evenings a couple nights a week made attending school full-time, while working full-time, doable.”
Once enrolled as a full-time student, Pollock was able to begin her studies two terms earlier than the program’s actual start.
“I was able to finish my final two years of school in about a year and eight months without compromising my employment,” said Pollock, who is currently working toward an MBA degree. “I was able to graduate with departmental honors and do well enough at work to get a promotion during the same time.”
The University Center currently offers 40 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs through partner institutions such as CSU Bakersfield, CSU Northridge, University of La Verne, Brandman University and National University.
Since the University Center opened its doors in 2002, more than 2,600 students have graduated from its programs.
The University Center is best accessed via University Center Drive, the southernmost campus entrance on Rockwell Canyon Road.
To learn more about earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree at the UCEN, attend the open house event from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19.
Representatives from CSU Bakersfield, CSU Northridge, Brandman University, University of La Verne and National University will be available to answer questions.
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April 6, 2018Registration Open for Summer Institute
Registration is now open for the popular career exploration themed College of the Canyons Summer Institute, with weekly sessions running July 9-13 and July 16-20.
The College of the Canyons Summer Institute is open to students entering grades 6-8 in the fall of 2018.
The goal of the Summer Institute is to provide hands-on career exploration and learning opportunities to students in a variety of areas and subjects including: robotics, video game design, sports medicine, health and human services, science pathway, photography, architecture, computer coding, auto technology and manufacturing/welding.
All Summer Institute instructors are college professors or industry professionals that have tailored their curriculum for grades 6-8 in mind.
Each track allows participating students to discover a multitude of career possibilities through a unique blend of innovative lesson plans and fun hands-on activities that are scheduled each week.
“The COC Summer Institute is much more than your typical summer camp, and we have added several new camps this year,” 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 Summer Institute sessions begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. Enrollment fees are $275 per child per week.
The weekly schedule of classes:
- July 9 to 13 (M/T/W/Th/F) — Video Game Design; Robotics; Photography; Architecture; Health and Human services; Auto Technology; Girls Who Code
- July 16 to 20 (M/T/W/Th/F) — Video Game Design; Robotics; Photography; Sun, Wind and Fire; Sports Medicine; Science Pathway
In addition, this year’s Summer Institute will host a CyberPatriot camp from July 16 to 20 in collaboration with the Air Force Association’s (AFA) CyberCamp program.As an AFA CyberCamp host, the Summer Institute will receive software and a hands-on curriculum kit designed to teach students cyber safety, cyber ethics, and critical network security skills and tools. Each AFA CyberCamp will culminate in an exciting team-based competition that puts the campers in the role of IT administrators tasked with finding and addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in simulated network environments. The local AFA CyberCamp competitions will closely mimic AFA’s annual CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, which will enter its eleventh season in October.
“We are very excited to have been selected to participate in this year’s season of the Air Force Association’s CyberCamp program,” said Carr. “This camp will teach students about the importance of cybersecurity in today’s society.”
The CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program was created by the Air Force Association in 2009 to attract students to cybersecurity and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future.
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April 4, 2018Art Gallery Presents 22nd Student Art Exhibition
The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will present the 22nd Annual Student Art Exhibition, an eclectic and stunning collection of work created by the college’s talented student artists.
The 22nd Annual Student Art Exhibition will run from Tuesday, April 17, through Thursday, May 24. A reception for the artists will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17.
The works on display will include drawing, photography, painting, sculpture, graphic design, animation, and 2D and 3D design.
“This will be my first experience with the student exhibition here at COC,” said Pamela Lewis, COC Art Gallery director. “I’m looking forward to celebrating our students’ creativity and artistic achievements! I’m sure it will be another wonderful student show in what has become a long tradition of wonderful student exhibitions here at the college.”
Some student art exhibition works become part of COC’s permanent student art collection and are displayed at the college’s Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.
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 exhibition.
This year’s juror is Los Angeles artist and former COC Art Gallery Director, Larry Hurst. Hurst is a graduate of Chouinard Art Institute (CalArts). A prolific artist, Hurst creates elegant geometric abstract paintings, poetic collages, and his intensively hand-crafted, often humorous sculptures. His work can be found in many public and private collections.
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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April 2, 2018First-Year Promise Accepting Applications
The College of the Canyons First-Year Promise program is now accepting applications for the 2018-19 year. Launched last fall, the program provides increased opportunities for new full-time college students to achieve their educational goals by waiving tuition and fees during their first year of study.
To be eligible, a student must be a California resident (or AB 540-eligible student) and a graduate of the William S. Hart Union High School District or neighboring school district during the 2017-18 academic year.
Eligible students will enroll in a one-year sequence of courses with priority registration, preceded by a week-long summer boot camp to learn skills needed to be a successful college student. Students will also complete career assessment and receive academic guidance.
First-Year Promise courses will be offered with the benefits of free Open Educational Resources to use as textbooks, peer mentors, and other learning community elements. To ensure 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 textbooks, supplies and instructional materials; a parking pass or city bus pass, and free computer lab printing services.
During its inaugural year, 63 percent of the 260 students enrolled in the program maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher.
The college anticipates that 350 students will be accepted into the program’s 2018-19 cohort. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible, as all requirements must be complete by May 11, 2018.
First-Year Promise was initially funded through a $750,000 grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Out of 51 community college districts that applied, College of the Canyons was one of only 14 to be awarded a grant through the California College Promise Innovation Grant Program.
To ensure the continued success of First-Year Promise, the College of the Canyons Foundation has committed to raising $500,000 over the next two years. The foundation has raised $363,306 so far, thanks to generous donations from businesses such as Scorpion, Logix Federal Credit Union, Sand Canyon Country Club, and FivePoint.
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March 30, 2018Former Student Named Statewide Scholar Athlete
Former College of the Canyons baseball player Justin Dehn has been named to the 2016-17 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Scholar Athlete Honor Roll.
Dehn 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.
“Justin had a tremendous impact on our program during his time as a Cougar,” said COC baseball head coach Chris Cota. “His accomplishments on the field and, more importantly, in the classroom, will serve as an example to our players for years to come.”
In the classroom, Dehn maintained a 3.79 transferable GPA while majoring in accounting. He earned an associate degree in the subject while fulfilling all requirements of the COC Honors Program to graduate with magna cum laude honors.
On the mound, Dehn threw an even 87 innings for the Cougars recording a 6-2 record and team-best 2.79 ERA with 72 strikeouts. The right-hander allowed just 27 earned runs on the season and tossed two complete games, including a 4-1 win vs. Santa Ana College in the opening round of the CCCAA Southern California Regional playoffs. At season’s end Dehn was named the Western State Conference, East Division Pitcher of the Year.
He was later named a 2017 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/ Rawlings Pacific Association Division (PAD) All-American Third Team selection, a California Community College Baseball Coaches Association (CCCBCA) Southern California All-State Team honoree, and a member of the ABCA/PAD Southern California All-Region First Team.
As a freshman in 2016, Dehn posted a record of 4-1 record with 45 strikeouts to earn All-WSC Second Team honors.
Dehn is currently attending New Mexico State University and pitching for the Aggies baseball program.
This accomplishment was celebrated at the Celebration of Student-Athletes Award Luncheon during the CCCAA Convention on Wednesday, March 29, in Concord.
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March 30, 2018State Championship Golf Team Named Scholar Team
The 2017 state championship College of the Canyons men’s golf team has been named a 2016-17 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Scholar Team Award winner.
The Scholar Team Award is the highest academic team achievement given annually by the CCCAA. It emphasizes the academic achievement of all members of one specific team.
Only one team is selected for each CCCAA sport, with a total of 23 men’s and women’s teams honored for the 2016-17 school year.
To be eligible, all team members must have excelled academically with a total GPA of 3.0 or higher. The team should also have demonstrated better than average accomplishments in intercollegiate athletic competition.
“To be honored with a Scholar Team Award is a great accomplishment by any team but an amazing feat for a state championship team,” said COC men’s golf head coach Gary Peterson. “Even more impressive is the fact that several of our golfers were international student-athletes who also had to navigate through language barriers and cultural differences. To be able to succeed both on the course and in the classroom is really outstanding work.”
With players hailing from Australia, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the 2017 COC men’s golf team posted a combined GPA of 3.66.
On the course, Canyons captured the program's eighth straight Western State Conference title before winning the 2017 CCCAA State Championship. The state title was the program's eighth overall and third in the last five seasons.
In addition, COC golfers Michael Lindgren and Jaeyeol Kim were both named to the CCCAA All-State team. Canyons sophomore Ben Campbell was named the WSC co-Player of the Year at the conference championships, while freshman Daniel Taplin joined Kim and Lindgren as members of the All-WSC team. Peterson was named WSC Coach of the Year.
At season’s end the program saw eight players transfer to four-year NCAA universities to continue competing and pursuing their academic goals.
“Our players worked hard in the classroom and on the course,” said Peterson. “I’m very proud of all of them.”
The team’s accomplishment was celebrated at the Celebration of Student-Athletes Award Luncheon during the CCCAA Convention on Wednesday, March 29, in Concord.
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March 28, 2018Nursing Program Receives Accreditation
The College of the Canyons Nursing Program received notification of initial accreditation for six years from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN-CNEA) on March 9, making it the first program accredited by NLN-CNEA in California.
NLN-CNEA awards accreditation to nursing programs offering the associate, bachelor’s and doctoral degrees, which makes the distinction all the more impressive.
“The affirmation of accreditation by NLN-CNEA demonstrates the college’s commitment to excellence in nursing education,” said Micah Young, interim dean of the School of Mathematics, Sciences and Health Professions. “Our nursing program has a strong history of producing highly competent and well-prepared entry-level registered nurses that are trusted and highly regarded by local employers. This affirmation of accreditation reassures our community that this tradition will continue.”
The decision to seek NLN-CNEA accreditation began with the nursing program’s faculty, who gained support of the college’s administration through their demonstrated commitment and effort to obtaining recognition of accreditation by NLN-CNEA. The nursing program had previously been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) since 1996.
“The college’s nursing program has always been ahead of the curve,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “It comes as no surprise that the program is the first in the state to garner NLN-CNEA accreditation. We are very excited for our current and future nursing students, who will benefit from the program’s high-quality training.”
When the nursing program first gained national accreditation in 1996, ACEN was the only national accreditation agency for nursing.
“We sought NLN-CNEA accreditation because of the emphasis on continual quality improvement processes and accountability in the areas of program mission and philosophy, faculty, curriculum, student support, resources, and program outcomes,” said Mary Corbett MSN RN, director of the college’s nursing program. “The successful completion of this accreditation process serves as recognition of the theoretical and clinical instructional excellence and student-centered culture that our full-time and part-time faculty, administrators, and staff work to uphold daily.”
The program’s change to a new accreditation agency will not change the nursing program’s curriculum.
“Our commitment is to support our students to become registered nurses who can collaboratively meet the complex needs of their patients with the professionalism that has set COC Nursing apart for many years,” said Corbett. “I cannot be more pleased to see the hard work of many recognized for quality and excellence on the national level.”
The college’s nursing program is now accredited through February 2024.
NR-04.26.18-SCVi
March 26, 2018Chancellor Honored at Benefit Dinner
Two College of the Canyons leaders were honored by Santa Clarita Valley International School (SCVi) /iLEAD Schools at their recent “Vision in Education” benefit dinner.
College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook was presented with the 2018 Vision in Education Award, while Wendy Ruiz, faculty member at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center at COC, and her family were awarded the Founders Family Vision Award at the recent event.
“I am so honored to have been selected as the recipient of this year’s Vision in Education Award,” said Dr. Van Hook. “It is an immense privilege to work to meet the needs of the Santa Clarita Valley as College of the Canyons Chancellor.”
The award is given to community leaders who have made significant contributions to public education and have demonstrated dedication and vision toward increasing educational opportunities.
Effective July 1st, Dr. Van Hook will have served as the CEO of the Santa Clarita Community College District for 30 years, making her the current longest serving community college CEO in California. Her career at COC has been distinguished by her strategic, innovative leadership that has expanded access to higher education in Santa Clarita, and created unique opportunities for students to reach their full potential.
Dr. Van Hook’s results-oriented leadership has also translated into strengthened community ties, collaborative business partnerships, and the development of more opportunities for students of all ages. Never satisfied with the status quo, she is always looking toward the college’s future for ways to stay ahead of the curve.
The college passed three bond measures in 15 years totaling $480 million that enabled the growth of facilities and programs to accommodate its growing student population. The college served fewer than 5,000 students when Dr. Van Hook arrived, and today enrolls more than 32,000 each year. Accordingly, COC has increased facilities square footage more than four-fold under Dr. Van Hook’s leadership, from 199,000 square feet on one campus to 881,855 on campuses in Valencia and Canyon Country. The new classrooms, labs, and other spaces allowed the college to not only serve more students, but also offer a variety of new academic programs such as automotive technology, culinary arts, and medical lab technician.
Ensuring that any student who desires education has an opportunity to enroll, Dr. Van Hook has focused her efforts on reducing one of the most common barriers students face – the cost of college. She championed the adoption of open educational resources, learning materials designed to be freely shared as an alternative to traditional commercial textbooks. Their adoption at College of the Canyons saves students more than $3.5 million in textbook costs each year.
And, in a continued effort to reduce college costs, College of the Canyons launched the First Year Promise (FYP) program earlier this year to provide increased opportunities for new full-time college students to achieve their educational goals.
The addition of the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, named in her honor, in 2009 has enabled more than 3,000 students to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from partnering universities while attending classes in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“College of the Canyons and Dr. Dianne Van Hook are just leaders in innovation,” said Amber Raskin, founder and executive director of iLEAD Schools. “They follow the latest trends and really think far ahead about what’s needed in education, schooling and training. SCVi has the same mission.”
The Family Vision Award honors an SCVi family who has demonstrated a deep commitment to the philosophy of SCVi and iLEAD schools and who has influenced its growth of culture, community and educational vision.
“My family is truly honored to have been given this award,” said Ruiz. “SCVi has been a major part of our lives and I feel so privileged to have been involved with the school from the beginning.”
The Ruiz Family has been involved with SCVi ever since Wendy was the preschool teacher for iLEAD co-founder Amber Raskin’s daughter at the ECE Center at COC. The two bonded when Raskin decided that she wanted to duplicate the ECE philosophy for school-age programs. Once SCVi was launched, the Ruiz family enrolled their son Riley at the school’s Castaic location. Their son, Ramsey, currently in 7th grade, has attended SCVi since kindergarten. Wendy and her husband Robert have always been deeply involved in SCVi activities. In 2011, Wendy joined the SCVi Board of Directors and now serves on the LEAD Schools Development Board.
“I am so proud of Wendy and her family for their long-rooted commitment to education in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Dr. Van Hook. “This award is a testament to Wendy’s passion and dedication as an educator, which is palpable through her work at the Early Childhood Education Center at the college.”
Founded in 2008, SCVi is a charter school based in Santa Clarita and specializes in project-based learning for grades K-12. The school values the whole child and encourages lifelong learning, critical thinking, problem solving and global citizenry. SCVi later launched other school sites, known as iLEAD schools.
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March 23, 2018College Hosts 15th Annual Children's Play Day
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 Valencia campus’ 15th annual ‘Play Day’ event as part of the nationally celebrated Week of the Young Child.
The goal of the College of the Canyons 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, to enjoy. The event also provides families with young children an opportunity to explore the many valuable resources that are available to them both at the college and in the community.
“Every year, we look forward to this event that allows us to welcome local families to College of the Canyons,” said Wendy Ruiz, event coordinator and faculty member at ECE. “This year’s event will feature a variety of activities that children and their families will enjoy, such as face painting and obstacle courses.”
Approximately 50 local non-profit groups and organizations dedicated to child and family services are expected to participate in this year’s Play Day. Food vendors will also be available at the event.
Attendees are also welcome to bring a picnic lunch and blanket and settle in under the shade for the day’s lineup of free activities.
The College of the Canyons Children’s Play Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, in the COC Honor Grove, located on the college’s Valencia campus.
The event is free and open to the public.
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March 13, 2018Theatre Department Presents 'Almost, Maine'
The College of the Canyons theatre department will present “Almost, Maine” in the Black Box Theater at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) for a limited engagement running from March 23-31.
Written by John Cariani, “Almost, Maine” is a play made up of nine short plays that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical almost-town called Almost, Maine.
Described as “sweet, poignant, and witty,” by the New York Daily News, “Almost, Maine” is set on a cold winter night when residents find themselves falling in and out love in the most unexpected and hilarious ways.
The COC production of “Almost, Maine” is directed by longtime COC theatre faculty member Susan Hinshaw. Hinshaw’s previous COC directing credits include productions of "Raisin in the Sun", “Reasons to be Happy,” “Keely and Du,” “A Doll’s House,” “Love Letters” and most recently “Buzzer.”
Christopher Boltz, head of the technical theatre program and theatre department chair, is the play’s production designer, scenic, lighting and sound designer. The cast and crew of the production are comprised solely of COC theatre students.
Performances of the COC theatre department’s production of “Almost, Maine” will take place at 8 p.m. March 23, 24, 30 and 31. Matinee performances will run at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 25 and Saturday March 31. General admission tickets are $10. Students and seniors are $5.
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March 8, 2018Jazz Ensemble Presents 'Jazz It Up'
The College of the Canyons music department and the award-winning COC Studio Jazz Ensemble and Lab Bands will present “Jazz It Up For Spring Concert!” on Friday, March 16, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC).
Famed saxophonist Ann Patterson, best known as the leader of the highly acclaimed all-female jazz big band “Maiden Voyage,” will be the featured guest artist.
The performance will feature songs celebrating spring and a varied collection of jazz styles, tempos, and arrangements.
The Studio Jazz Ensemble and Lab Bands are comprised of students from all over Southern California. All of the ensembles will perform under the direction of KC Manji.
“Many have studied and practiced the art of music making for many years and attend College of the Canyons as a way to further their music studies and experience,” said Manji of the ensemble’s members. “The big band performs several times a year in the PAC and often travels to festivals and local performance venues.”
General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for COC students and senior citizens.
About Ann Patterson
Famed saxophonist Ann Patterson, leader of the highly acclaimed all- female jazz big band “Maiden Voyage,” has made appearances at the Concord, Monterey, and Playboy Jazz Festivals and the Kennedy Center. She has backed, toured or recorded with such artists as Joe Williams, Etta James, Diane Schuur, Mark Winkler, Sheena Easton, Amanda McBroom, Gloria Loring, Lou Rawls, Barry White, Melissa Manchester, The Temptations, El DeBarge, Nell Carter, Tony Danza, John Mayall, Ray Charles, Dave Stewart, and k.d. lang.
She was also awarded the Claudia Mitchell-Kernan Award for Contributions to Scholarship and Education in the Field of Jazz by the Friends of Jazz at UCLA and was presented the 2017 Jazz Master Award at the 2017 Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. Her oboe playing can be heard in the theme music for NBC's "Parks and Recreation."
For more information about the COC music department’s “Jazz It Up!” concert or to purchase tickets, please contact the PAC Box Office at (661) 362-5304 or visit the PAC website.
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March 2, 2018Training Institute Receives $647,584 Award
The College of the Canyons Employee Training Institute (ETI) has received $647,584 from the Employment Training Panel (ETP) to provide local companies with customized training programs that will include certifications, new skills and opportunities for growth for their workforce. It is the 14th contract of its kind awarded to the College of the Canyons, which amounts to $6,061,819 in ETP funding since 1996.
“This award will allow us to offer training to even more local business in SCV than in previous years and at a fraction of the cost,” said John Milburn, ETI executive director. “This is a huge win for the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding region.”
Under Milburn’s leadership, the award from ETP has grown more than 160 percent in the last six years.
“This ETP award helps offset training costs for employers,” said Milburn. “By using ETP funds, the savings to employers can be as much as 75 percent.”
Created in 1982 by the California legislature, the ETP program helps to ensure that California businesses will have the skilled workers they need to remain competitive.
ETP prioritizes industries most vital to California’s economic growth and recovery, including manufacturing, construction, green/clean technology, biotechnology, information technology services, and transportation logistics.
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March 1, 2018Sand Canyon Country Club Donates to First-Year Promise
The College of the Canyons First-Year Promise (FYP) program, which offers full-time freshman students waived tuition and fees during their first year of study, has received a $50,000 donation from the Sand Canyon Country Club, a 27-hole desert course located in Canyon Country.
This two-year commitment, designated as the Sand Canyon Country Club Scholars contribution, will financially support 50 FYP students.
“We are very grateful for Sand Canyon Country Club’s donation toward the First-Year Promise program,” said Steve Corn, chairman of the COC Foundation. “This sizable donation will make the dreams and goals of 50 FYP students a reality.”
Sand Canyon Country Club CEO Steve Kim presented a check to Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook on Thursday, Feb. 22.
“Obtaining an education can open doors and lead to success,” said Kim. “It is my honor to support College of the Canyons in its goal to make high-quality education accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.”
Aside from 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 Open Educational Resources (OER) textbooks and other learning community elements.
Each student receives a $100 voucher per semester that can be applied toward other supplies and instructional materials. In addition, participating students also benefit from ongoing counseling and student support to help them reach their academic goals. Applications for the 2018 First-Year Promise class will be available April 1.
To ensure the continued success of FYP, which launched in the fall, the COC Foundation has committed to fundraising $500,000 over the next two years.
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NR-02.06.18-LateStart
February 22, 2018Short-Term Classes Accommodate Working Students
College of the Canyons has added more than 100 short-term classes to its spring semester schedule to accommodate the needs of working students.
With start dates throughout the months of March and April, short-term classes will be offered in a variety of formats, including online and on weekends.
Short-term courses that will be held entirely online include architecture, geology, anthropology, business, counseling, economics, history, English, math, and music.
In addition, Business 100 (Introduction to Business) and Business 140 (Principles of Marketing) will be offered on Saturdays.
The spring semester schedule of short-term classes also includes several general education, basic skills and career technical education courses. Subjects include: English, biology, early childhood education, economics, computer science, geography, geology, history, mathematics, music, statistics, sociology, and culinary arts.
Registration for short-term classes will remain open until classes are filled.
Students who choose to enroll in a short-term class will also have the added benefit of being classified as a “returning student” prior to the upcoming summer session registration period.
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February 12, 2018Women's Conference Slated for March 17
The annual College of the Canyons Women’s Conference returns Saturday, March 17 with an exciting lineup of presenters and breakout sessions designed to help inspire attendees to make the most of their lives.
The 2018 College of the Canyons Women’s Conference “Making the Most of Your Life” will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.
“This year’s conference will offer sessions on a broad range of topics of interest to women and focus on how to make the most of our lives despite our busy schedules and many responsibilities, both professional and personal,” said Dr. Diane Fiero, assistant superintendent/vice president, human resources at the college. “Our speakers will inspire the women in attendance to reach their ultimate potential and improve their quality of life.”
Attendees will benefit from breakout sessions throughout the day covering a wide range of topics, including:
- Career Development
- Finding Your Ancestors
- Elder Care
- Being an “Inspirational Mom”
- Making Dreams a Reality
A panel of speakers from Boston Scientific will provide the lunch keynote address.Boutique shopping featuring a wide variety of for-sale items such as women’s clothing, jewelry, makeup, hats, handbags, personalized home décor, travel accessories, and other items will be available throughout the day.
General admission is $35 and $20 for students (identification required). Admission includes access to all events and activities, a buffet breakfast, lunch catered by Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co., as well as a raffle drawing ticket.
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 AM 1220.
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February 12, 2018College Named Accredited Welding Test Center
The American Welding Society has designated College of the Canyons as an Accredited Testing Center (ATC) for Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW), making the college one of seven programs in the nation, and the only one in California, to have this prestigious status.
CRAW certification demonstrates that an individual possesses the technical knowledge required to perform robotic arc wielding in an efficient, economical, and safe manner.
Individuals seeking CRAW certification can choose to become a Certified Technician (CRAW-T) or a Certified Operator (CRAW-O).
“We are definitely ahead of the curve,” said Tim Baber, department chair of welding technology at the college, who became CRAW-T certified in 2017. “As automation and robotics becomes more prevalent, the need for highly skilled and trained robotic welding technicians will increase.”
Individuals seeking CRAW certification must pass a closed-book written exam based on various welding codes, welding processes, specifications, and robotic kinematics, in addition to performing a robotics programming and operation performance exam.
In order to become an ATC, a facility must prove that it has the necessary facilities, equipment and support personnel. A certified CRAW-T is required to administer the CRAW test and conduct the necessary destructive testing of the hands-on test sample.
The college’s first CRAW certification test administration is expected to take place in fall 2018.
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February 6, 2018Audit Finds Bond Measures in Financial Compliance
The Santa Clarita Community College District’s independent citizens’ bond oversight committee has accepted the results of an independent audit confirming that, for the eleventh 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, 2017.
The firm presented its report to the district’s independent citizens’ bond oversight committee at a meeting on Jan. 16, 2018.
“Having an independent audit really brings peace of mind,” said Nicholas Lentini, chair of the bond oversight committee, at the meeting. “It enables us to ensure the community that our tax dollars are being used responsibly and effectively.”
The 2016-17 audits confirm approximately $228.5 million in resources from the first five bond issuances, which also includes earned interest and net premium in the bonds. Of that amount, more than $152.3 million has been expended on authorized bond projects, leaving the district with a Measure M bond project fund balance of $26.3 million and a Measure E fund balance of $49.9 million as of June 30, 2017.
“I appreciate the commitment of the chair, Nick Lentini, and members of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee for their work in reviewing the expenditures on a regular basis to confirm they met the criteria of what the voters had authorized,” said Sharlene Coleal, assistant superintendent, vice president of business services at the college. “I would also like to thank Jim Schrage, vice president of facilities, and fiscal services staff for their work to ensure fiscal oversight and 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 final Measure M issuance of $20 million will go toward the construction of the Science Center at the Canyon Country campus and a 1,659-space parking structure at the Valencia campus. Measure E, the $230 million general obligation bonds approved by voters in June 2016, will provide the remaining funding necessary for the completion of those two projects and future construction projects.
“The success of any project is due in large part to the community that it is part of,” said Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “College of the Canyons is very fortunate to have the support of the Santa Clarita Valley community as the college continues to build to accommodate our growing student population at both campuses.”
The Science Center will be located at the center of the Canyon Country campus, serving as a focal point for students and first-time visitors.
The approximately 55,000-square-foot facility will primarily be devoted to physical and biological sciences, housing eight labs and 10 science service rooms. Additionally, the four-level building will also house three computer labs, 24 faculty offices, seven group study rooms, open study spaces, lab service spaces, as well as seven lecture rooms, including a lecture room with 75-seating capacity. It is expected to be completed by 2020.
The Student Services/Learning Resources Building will be the new home to Student Services and The Learning Center (TLC). The four-story building will be opposite the Science Center at the center of campus and will provide office and library space.
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February 1, 2018Gallery Presents 'Larry Hurst: Paintings & Collages'
The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will present the work of Los Angeles-based artist and former COC Gallery Director Larry Hurst in the exhibition “Paintings and Collages” opening Saturday, Feb. 10.
The one-person exhibition brings together works from three areas of Hurst’s aesthetic investigations: his precise and elegant geometric abstract paintings; his nuanced and poetic collage; and his intensively hand-crafted, often humorous sculptures (which Hurst attributes to his alter-ego, Guy Leadbetter).
“This is such beautiful work, and such a great opportunity for our students to see mature contemporary art,” said Pamela Bailey Lewis, art gallery director. “That it is the work of someone who contributed so much to our COC community over a span of two decades only adds to the resonance of the show.”
Materially diverse and conceptually rigorous, Hurst’s aesthetic is at once painstaking and playful, exacting and improvisational, lush and subdued. His works reveal the influence of art historical precedents, such as John McLaughlin, Frederick Hammersley, and H.C. Westermann, and are distinguished by their intricate craftsmanship, formal sophistication, and sense of humor.
Hurst has been active in the Los Angeles art scene since the 1970’s and is a graduate of the Chouinard Art Institute. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States and in particular Southern California, and is in numerous private and public collections. Suzanne Muchnic, art critic for the Los Angeles Times, wrote of Hurst’s work, “His craftsmanship is fine, but his sense of color and design is better. More important than these is his ability to create richly satisfying abstractions that are a delight to look at.”
Hurst became a vital member of the campus community in 1997, and was named director of the Art Gallery 10 years later. He retired in June 2017.
The exhibition “Larry Hurst: Paintings & Collages” will run through Thursday, March 29. A reception for the artist will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. A special conversation with the artist will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 1.
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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January 31, 2018Parking Options for Spring Announced
College of the Canyons will begin construction on its first parking structure in March, a project that will add 1,000 new spaces to the Valencia campus, and provide more parking options for students.
Starting Wednesday, March 7, Lot 7, the parking structure’s future location, will be unavailable until construction is complete in early 2019.
To aid in the year-long transition, the college has unveiled its “Keep Calm and Park On” initiative to keep students and staff informed about parking options.
“We have developed several strategies to ensure that students still find the campus to be convenient and accessible during construction,” said Michael Wilding, assistant superintendent and vice president of student services.
In addition to scheduling more classes at the Canyon Country campus and spreading course offerings throughout the day at the Valencia campus, the college will offer students new parking spaces, parking alternatives, and free parking.
Athletic fields next to the current soccer field will be converted into a temporary upper field lot to provide 160 parking spaces for staff members. Staff parking spaces will also be added behind the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.
Currently a staff lot, Lot 2 will be converted to a student parking lot during the year-long construction of the parking structure. In addition, Lot 4, which is currently a student lot, will be converted into a student carpool lot.
“With the addition of new staff spaces, we will convert some of the Lot 14 staff spaces to student use,” said Wilding. “We have identified more room for student spaces in Lots 13 and 14, so be aware of new traffic patterns in that area.”
The college will also offer discount codes for Lyft and Uber rides to and from the Valencia campus.
To encourage students to take afternoon classes, parking on both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses will not require a parking permit or pass after 2 p.m. (student lots only).
After Lot 7 is closed in March, free parking will also be available in a satellite lot near the campus. With the use of Uber and Lyft discount codes, students and staff members who park at the satellite lot can ride to the campus for free.
The new parking structure is funded by Measure E, the local obligation bond passed by Santa Clarita voters in June 2016.
The college currently has approximately 5,000 parking spaces on the Valencia Campus.
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January 22, 2018Free Afternoon Parking Offered for Spring
It’s not too late to register for the College of the Canyons spring 2018 semester, which will run from Monday, Feb. 5 to Thursday, June 1.
The spring 2018 semester will offer more than 1,900 class sections for students in a variety of formats at both the college’s Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.
“This spring semester will provide our students with a large selection of classes to fit their needs,” said Dr. Jerry Buckley, assistant superintendent and vice president of academic affairs. “We are especially excited to offer students free parking after 2 p.m. to help them save money as they work toward their educational goals.”
Parking on both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses will not require a parking permit or pass after 2 p.m. (student lots only).
Working students can also 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 college’s 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 will be ongoing at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses until classes are full.
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January 19, 2018College to Host College2Career Day
College of the Canyons will host the 2018 College2Career Day on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.
The event is designed to give students of all ages the opportunity to explore and test drive college and career opportunities in promising industry clusters.
“Attendees will be able to explore career and major choices while talking directly to college instructors and industry professionals,” said Patrick Backes, curriculum, articulation coordinator and special project coordinator at the college. “This annual event can help students figure out which career path is right for them.”
The following college departments will be present at the fair:
- Administration of Justice
- Counseling
- Architecture/Interior Design
- Culinary Arts
- Media Entertainment Arts
- Early Childhood Education
- Fire Technology
- Nursing
- Business
- Paralegal
- Photography
- Land Surveying
- Water Systems Technology
- Construction Management and Technology
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Health Sciences
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Graphics and Multimedia
College2Career Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.Free parking will be available in student lots 13 and 14 for the duration of the event.
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January 16, 2018College Hosts Family Caregiver Workshops
College of the Canyons, in partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, will host a free “Family Caregivers Essentials” workshop on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center.
The first in an ongoing series of workshops scheduled for 2018, the event is designed to offer assistance to current and potential family caregivers by focusing on post-caregiving reintegration for senior caregivers after suffering the loss of their loved ones.
“The workshop will offer different perspectives from those who have made this transition successfully and provide participants with resources they may need to assist in this transition,” said Paul Wickline, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the college. “We hope this series of workshops continues to empower and educate community members who are caring for elderly loved ones.”
The workshop will also feature representatives from Volunteer Services at Henry Mayo, Hands on SCV, the Volunteer Bureau at College of the Canyons, and the SCV Senior Center to provide information and answer questions.
For more information about the January 27 workshop or to pre-register, please visit the event's web page or call (661) 362-3118.
Additional family caregiving workshops will be held throughout the spring semester from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of each month through May 26.
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January 12, 2018Art Gallery Starts Year with 'Budding Artists'
The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will begin the new year with “Budding Artists,” an exhibit featuring artwork created by the children enrolled in the college’s Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE), opening on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
“Budding Artists” will debut with a special open house event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16 and will run through Wednesday, Jan. 31.
“We are very excited to share the artwork created by CECE children with their families and the community,” said Pamela Lewis, COC Art Gallery director.
A silent auction fundraiser will also be held for the duration of the exhibit with proceeds going toward the CECE.
Auction winners will be announced during the exhibit’s closing reception from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27.
“This year we are especially excited to introduce this new fundraiser,” said Monica Marshall, CECE program director. “We will be auctioning seven items created by our budding artists.”
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. Tuesday through Thursday. 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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January 12, 2018Information Nights for Prospective Students
To better assist high school seniors with the transition to collegiate life, College of the Canyons will offer Information Nights on Jan. 16 and 17 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) and at the college’s Canyon Country campus on Thursday, Jan. 18.
The Information Nights will provide prospective students and their families with information regarding admissions, how to earn priority registration, and other key student support programs and services including the College’s First-Year Promise program, which gives incoming students the opportunity to attend COC for free during their first year.
“Information Nights are incredibly helpful for new students and their families to better understand the admissions process and to become familiarized with the many programs and services offered by the college,” said Kari Soffa, director of Outreach and School Relations at the college.
The presentations, provided in English and Spanish, will review the various educational pathways available to students including transfer preparation, associate degrees and certificates, and the First-Year Promise program.
The English and Spanish presentations will be held in the PAC and Student Center Cafeteria (SSC), respectively, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The Canyon Country information night presentations in English and Spanish will be held in Room 402 and Room 403, respectively, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Additionally, two Information Nights will be held for high school students who will be concurrently enrolled at COC:
- 6:30 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31 – PAC (English), SSC (Spanish)
- 6:30 – 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 – Room 402 (English), Room 403 (Spanish)
Admission to all Information Night events is free and open to the public.Parking in all student lots will be free for the duration of the events.
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January 2, 2018Scorpion Donates to First-Year Promise
The College of the Canyons First-Year Promise program, which offers full-time freshman students waived tuition and fees during their first year of study, has received a $24,000 donation from Scorpion, a Valencia-based internet design and marketing firm.
This two-year commitment, designated as the Scorpion Scholars contribution, will financially support 24 FYP students with a $1,000 scholarship.
“We are incredibly grateful for Scorpion’s donation toward the First-Year Promise program,” said Murray Wood, chief development officer for the COC Foundation. “Their generous donation will make all the difference to 24 students as they work hard to reach their academic goals at College of the Canyons.”
Scorpion presented a check at the foundation board of directors meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28. In addition to this donation, Scorpion also recently joined the foundation’s Chancellor’s Circle support group.
“It is our honor to support an institution in our local community that has played such an important role in many of our employees' lives," said Rustin Kretz, Scorpion CEO. "Our donation toward the First-Year Promise program will give more local students the opportunity to attend COC and pursue their educational and career goals."
Aside from receiving free tuition, students enroll in a one-year sequence of courses with priority registration, preceded by summer orientation to learn about majors and receive academic guidance. Courses are offered with the benefits of Open Educational Resources (OER) textbooks and other learning community elements.
Participating students also benefit from ongoing counseling and student support to help them reach their academic goals. In addition, each student receives a $100 voucher per semester that can be applied toward other supplies and instructional materials.
To ensure the continued success of the program, which launched last fall, the COC Foundation has committed to raising $500,000 over the next two years.