2022 News Releases
Archived news releases from the Public Information Office
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
December
Board of Trustees Names New Officers
December 22, 2022 – The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons, swore in recently elected board members, elected its new officers, received recognitions for service, and set its 2023 meeting schedule at the board’s business and organizational meeting held on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Student Wins National Award for Essay
December 20, 2022 – College of the Canyons paralegal studies student Ryan McLaughlin won the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) national honor society scholarship after taking first place in the annual essay competition.
Edison Awards 11 Fire Technology Scholarships
December 19, 2022 – Eleven College of the Canyons fire technology students have received $1,000 scholarships from Edison International to cover tuition, books and school-related fees.
Five New PPL Programs Offered in Spring
December 16, 2022 – This spring, the School of Personal and Professional Learning (PPL) at College of the Canyons will offer five new certification programs for individuals interested in pursuing careers in yoga teaching, real estate, commercial art, digital publishing, and paralegal fields.
Registration Open for Spring Semester
December 14, 2022 – Students interested in upgrading their skills or transferring to a four-year university still have time to register for the College of the Canyons Spring 2023 semester, which begins Monday, Feb. 6.
College Receives DEIA Champion Award
December 1, 2022 – College of the Canyons received the 2022 Institutional Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Champion Award from the Association of Human Resource Officers/Equal Employment Officers.
November
College Recognized for Student Voting
November 17, 2022 – College of the Canyons was among 394 colleges and universities across the nation recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for the Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting in 2022.
Foundation Names 2023 Silver Spur Recipients
November 16, 2022 – The College of the Canyons Foundation has named Randy Moberg and Mitzi Like-Moberg the recipients of the Silver Spur Community Service Award in recognition of their longtime support of the college and their philanthropic contributions to the Santa Clarita Valley.
Basketball Coach Reaches 300 Career Wins
November 10, 2022 – Men’s basketball coach Howard Fisher won his 300th career game, as the Cougars took the 14th Annual Clash at Canyons Tip-Off event with an 84-76 victory over Oxnard College on Nov. 5.
College Ranked Among Best for Hispanics
November 2, 2022 – College of the Canyons has been ranked 17th and 35th nationally by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine for enrolling the largest number of Hispanic students and granting the most degrees, respectively.
Coleal Receives 2022 ACBO Award
November 1, 2022 – Sharlene Coleal, Assistant Superintendent-Vice President of Business Services for College of the Canyons, received the 2022 Association of Chief Business Officials (ACBO) Achievement of Excellence Award on Tuesday, October 25 at the ACBO Fall 2022 Conference.
October
Measure E Bond Sale Yields $70 Million
October 26, 2022 – The third bond issuance of Measure E, the Santa Clarita Community College District general obligation bonds, were sold Oct. 20, yielding $70 million to assist College of the Canyons in building out the Canyon Country campus and upgrading the Valencia campus.
ASU Partnership Offers Transfer Pathways
October 25, 2022 – College of the Canyons is partnering with Arizona State University to provide students a seamless transfer experience with the MyPath2ASU program.
College to Host Jack Oakie Scholarship Event
October 20, 2022 – The College of the Canyons School of Visual & Performing Arts will host the Jack Oakie & Victoria Horne Oakie Scholarship Event at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 25, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC).
Fall Star Party to Take Flight on Oct. 28
October 19, 2022 – On Friday, October 28, Albion H. Bowers, retired chief scientist at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, will discuss how fast interplanetary flight is within the realm of possibility at the College of the Canyons Fall 2022 Star Party.
Registration Under Way for Winter 2023 Session
October 18, 2022 – Registration is under way for the College of the Canyons winter 2023 session, which boasts more than 400 class sections.
Canyons Softball to Host Youth Skills Clinic
October 7, 2022 – The College of the Canyons softball program is inviting youth players from across the region to participate in the 2022 COC Softball Youth Skills Clinic, with three dates running in October.
Grant Supports Early Childhood Education
October 5, 2022 – College of the Canyons has received a $1.37 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Child Care Assistance Means Parents In School program to benefit the college’s Early Childhood Education Center.
Community Invited to Homecoming Celebration
October 4, 2022 – The College of the Canyon Athletic Department and Associated Student Government (ASG) are inviting community members to attend the 2022 Homecoming Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 13 at Cougar Stadium.
September
College to Host Manufacturing Day on Oct. 6
September 26, 2022 – College of the Canyons will host Manufacturing Day from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 6 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC).
CPRM Department Receives National Award
September 19, 2022 – For the second time, the College of the Canyons Contracts, Procurement, and Risk Management (CPRM) department received a 2022 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI).
College NOW! Courses Added to Fall Schedule
September 13, 2022 – College of the Canyons has added 12 College NOW! classes for high school juniors and seniors to the fall 2022 class schedule to help them get a ‘jumpstart’ on earning transferable college units or career exploration.
College to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of EMT Program
September 12, 2022 – On Thursday, Sept. 29, College of the Canyons will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program, which is the second oldest program of its kind in Los Angeles County.
More Than 400 Short-Term Classes Offered
September 9, 2022 – More than 400 short-term classes are still open to students looking to enroll in the College of the Canyons fall 2022 semester.
Canyons Football Continues Community Invites
September 9, 2022 – College of the Canyons football is continuing its tradition of inviting community groups to experience Cougars football during the 2022 season, with all healthcare workers and first responders invited to attend Saturday’s home opener vs. Southwestern College free of charge.
College Recognized for Student Voting
September 6, 2022 – College of the Canyons is the only California community college named among "America’s Best Colleges for Student Voting" by Washington Monthly magazine for its commitment to inspiring students to vote and actively participate in community decisions.
August
Men's Soccer to Host International Match
August 26, 2022 – College of the Canyons men’s soccer will host the first international match in program history, when the Cougars welcome the Tahitian U20 National Team for its 2022 home opener on Saturday at the Valencia campus.
Wissmath Named Women's Basketball Coach
August 17, 2022 – College of the Canyons has named longtime coach and physical education instructor John Wissmath head coach of its women’s basketball program.
College Partners in National Science Grant
August 1, 2022 – College of the Canyons is one of five community colleges across the nation partnering in a $7.5 million National Science Foundation grant that was awarded to Madison Area Technical College.
July
College to Host Welcome Day on Aug. 12
July 25, 2022 – On Friday, Aug. 12, College of the Canyons will host Welcome Day to better assist its incoming class of freshman students, as well as prospective and continuing students.
College Awarded Innovation Grant
July 22, 2022 – College of the Canyons has been awarded a $300,000 Perkins Reserve Innovation grant from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to fund a network technology innovation and improvement project.
Accelerated TK Credential Pathway Launched
July 6, 2022 – In response to an anticipated increase in demand for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teachers, College of the Canyons will launch an accelerated Early Childhood Education TK credential pathway for currently credentialed teachers.
June
College Awarded Rising Scholars Grant
June 30, 2022 – College of the Canyons has been awarded a $372,000 Rising Scholars Network grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to increase services provided to justice-involved students.
Foundation Golf Tourney Slated for Aug. 29
June 27, 2022 – The College of the Canyons Foundation’s 31st Annual Golf Tournament is right around the corner, with local golfers invited to ‘Swing for Student Success’ by enjoying a day out of the office and on the golf course.
College's Accreditation Reaffirmed
June 24, 2022 – A two-year institutional review process culminated with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges reaffirming accreditation for College of the Canyons with commendation and no compliance requirements.
Performing Arts Center Unveils New Season
June 16, 2022 – The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center season will feature an exciting and eclectic lineup of talented musicians and performers for its 2022-23 season.
Registration Open for Fall 2022 Semester
June 15, 2022 – The College of the Canyons fall 2022 semester will offer more than 1,840 sections of high demand “core” classes in a wide range of academic subjects and disciplines, as well as various noncredit offerings.
Payment Plan Option Introduced
June 9, 2022 – College of the Canyons has introduced a payment plan option for students who are unable to pay their full balance when registering for classes.
Graduate Learns to Put Herself First
June 1, 2022 – When Sarah Zamudio walks across the College of the Canyons graduation stage on June 3, she will be wearing a cap featuring a quote from the film “Up”: “Thanks for the adventure, now go have a new one.” Zamudio’s COC adventure is culminating with three associate degrees, but it started in 2019 with a call for help.
May
College Celebrates Class of 2022
May 31, 2022 – For the first time since 2019, College of the Canyons will host a full traditional commencement ceremony in the Honor Grove. The Class of 2022 will be honored on Friday, June 3, and a Grad Walk celebration will be held in the same setting on Thursday, June 2.
At 72, Welding Graduate Is Just Getting Started
May 24, 2022 – As aerospace and defense contracts started dwindling at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Donald Volkmann, owner of VP Manufacturing in Canyon Country, made the difficult decision to close in August 2020 after 33 years in the aerospace business. For the first time in a long time, the 72-year-old had the chance to do what he had watched – and helped – his three daughters accomplish: get a college education.
Student Selected as Jack Kent Cooke Scholar
May 23, 2022 – College of the Canyons student Isabella Solorio is among 100 students from across the nation to have been selected as a 2022 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholar.
Electrical Engineering Student Is Ready for Takeoff
May 18, 2022 – When Jammal Yarbrough accepted a summer internship with TE Connectivity in Pennsylvania, he was quick to ask if he would be able to attend his College of the Canyons graduation on June 3 to receive his associate degree in electrical engineering. The 36-year-old said he wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Summer 2022 Registration Under Way
May 13, 2022 – Running June 6 through Aug. 13, College of the Canyons offers a robust summer schedule of four sessions to continue assisting students with reaching their goals.
College to Hold Discover Day on May 14
May 4, 2022 – On Saturday, May 14, College of the Canyons will hold Discover Day, an event that will give new and potential students the opportunity to explore program offerings and opportunities.
April
Grant to Fund New Welding Program
April 25, 2022 – College of the Canyons has received a $646,354 grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education to fund a Welding Education Smart Technology program.
College Lauded for Equitable Course Placement
April 22, 2022 – College of the Canyons has been named a 2022 Champion for Excelling in Equitable Course Placement in Campuswide English Enrollment, Latinx English Enrollment, and Black English Enrollment by The Campaign for College Opportunity.
Theatre Department Presents 'Into the Woods'
April 21, 2022 – From April 22 to May 1, the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) main stage will be transformed for the College of the Canyons theatre department’s rendition of the beloved Broadway musical “Into the Woods.”
Spring Star Party Slated for April 22
April 15, 2022 – The College of the Canyons Spring 2022 Star Party, which will be held on Friday, April 22, promises to be an educational and inspiring evening under the night sky with John Callas, manager of NN-Explore and former manager of the Mars Exploration Rover Project at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Student Awarded African Heritage Scholarship
April 13, 2022 – College of the Canyons engineering major Jammal Yarbrough is one of 14 students, and the only community college student, from across the nation to be selected for the inaugural class of TE Connectivity’s African Heritage Scholarship Program.
Meuschke Receives 2022 RP Group Award
April 7, 2022 – Dr. Daylene Meuschke, associate vice president of institutional research, planning, and institutional effectiveness, and student experience redesign at College of the Canyons, has received the 2022 RP Group Award for Professional Leadership for her exceptional contributions to student and institutional success through community college research, planning, and institutional effectiveness efforts.
University Center to Host Fall Program Preview
April 6, 2022 – The Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at College of the Canyons will host an in-person fall program preview event on Tuesday, April 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. to provide community members and prospective students with information about the wide variety of degree and certificate programs offered by University Center partner institutions.
Auto Tech Program Receives Rotary Club Donation
April 6, 2022 – College of the Canyons has received a $4,750 donation from The Rotary Club of Santa
Clarita Valley in support of the college’s automotive technology program.
College Hosts Native Bee Research Workshop
April 5, 2022 – One April 1 and 2, the COC Biodiversity Initiative hosted 15 visiting faculty members from 10 community colleges to kickstart the college’s Campus as a Living Lab initiative with a native bee identification workshop funded by the National Science Foundation.
March
Spring & Summer Youth Soccer Programs Announced
March 31, 2022 – College of the Canyons is inviting youth soccer players from across the Santa Clarita Valley to participate in two upcoming training opportunities, with the Spring Youth Development Program beginning April 13 and the 2022 Youth Summer Soccer Camp getting under way June 20.
Nearly $1 Million Received for New Tech Center
March 24, 2022 – College of the Canyons has received nearly $1 million in federal funding that will help launch an Advanced Technology Center, a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing and Computer Numerical Control production lab that will help meet the high demand for skilled employees in fast-growing industry sectors.
College Hosts Accreditation Team Visit
March 23, 2022 – College of the Canyons virtually hosted a visiting team from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, marking the final step in a two-year self-study and application process to reaffirm accreditation.
Board Election Information Sessions Announced
March 4, 2022 – Two seats on the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons, will be up for election in November 2022. To provide information about the election process and the role of the trustees well in advance of the candidate filing period, the college will host three information sessions for those interested in running for the board.
College Receives Apprenticeship Grant
March 3, 2022 – College of the Canyons has received a $250,000 grant from the California Apprenticeship Initiative grant to fund construction pre-apprenticeships to train students with workforce-ready skills and serve the needs of the local construction industry.
College Wins Cal LAW Diversity Award
March 2, 2022 – The College of the Canyons Pathway to Law School program – providing pathways to law school for students at the community college level – was awarded the California Leadership-Access-Workforce Diversity Champion award.
Bruce Fortine to Receive Silver Spur Award
March 1, 2022 – In recognition of his unwavering support to College of the Canyons throughout its five-decade history, the college’s Foundation will present Bruce Fortine with the prestigious “Silver Spur” Community Service Award.
February
Women's Conference Slated for March 26
February 28, 2022 – After switching to a virtual format last year, the annual College of the Canyons Women’s Conference will return to the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 26.
College Receives 2nd Highest Math Score in Nation
February 24, 2022 – College of the Canyons received the second highest team score in the nation for the
American Association of Two-Year Colleges Student Mathematics League Test, a competition
that measures the problem-solving skills of students across the nation.
College Awarded $1.5 Million for Employee Training
February 14, 2022 – The College of the Canyons Employee Training Institute has received a $1.5 million contract from the California Employment Training Panel to provide worker training to client companies in the Santa Clarita Valley that seek to retain an up-skilled workforce.
Canyons Promise Accepting Applications
February 11, 2022 – The College of the Canyons ‘Canyons Promise’ program is now accepting sign-up forms for the 2022-23 academic year.
Art Gallery Announces Spring Exhibitions
February 4, 2022 – The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will present two upcoming spring exhibitions by Deborah Aschheim and Kumasi J. Barnett that focus on civic engagement, social justice, and systemic racism.
January
Registration Is Ongoing for Spring 2022
January 19, 2022 – The College of the Canyons Spring 2022 semester begins Monday, Feb. 7, and those looking for the classes needed to upgrade their skills, or transfer to a four-year university, still have time to register.
Committee Affirms Audits of Bond Spending
January 18, 2022 – The Santa Clarita Community College District’s Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee accepted the results of an independent audit confirming the district properly accounted for all bond expenditures in the 2020-21 fiscal year.