The announcement that federal immigration agents can make arrests at educational institutions has prompted questions about how to respond should that occur on one of our campuses. College of the Canyons is committed to following all laws and ensuring the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. All employees must abide by board policies, as well as state and federal laws. Please follow the link for the recommended response.
Fall Registration Under Way
July 30, 2025 – The College of the Canyons fall 2025 semester offers more than 1,880 sections of high-demand core classes in a wide range of subjects and disciplines, as well as noncredit offerings. Running Aug. 25 to Dec. 13, the semester offers classes that most students need to either graduate or meet prerequisites for transfer. Courses will be available in a variety of formats and course lengths.
Welcome Day Coming Aug. 15
July 29, 2025 – College of the Canyons will host Welcome Day on Friday, Aug. 15, for incoming, continuing, and prospective students before the start of the fall semester. The event will feature workshops on topics such as financial aid and how to be a successful COC student. Students will be able to speak to faculty representatives and explore degree and certificate programs. The event is scheduled 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center and Canyons Hall at the Valencia campus.
Technology Center Moves Forward
July 18, 2025 – By approving preliminary project plans, along with an architectural services contract, the Santa Clarita Community College District took the next steps to move forward with developing its Advanced Technology Center. “We have achieved a critical milestone in the process of creating an Advanced Technology Center at the college’s Valencia campus,” Interim Superintendent/President David C. Andrus, J.D., said. The Board of Trustees approved a contract July 16 to hire Kruger Bensen Ziemer Architects to develop the 75,000-square-foot facility.
Swim & Dive Coach Named
July 31, 2025 – College of the Canyons has hired former Loyola Marymount University women’s swim associate head coach Erik Matheson as head coach of the swim & dive program. “It’s apparent that the COC Athletic Department and the campus community value the student-athlete experience, something I value as well,” said Matheson, who will also serve as an adjunct professor in the kinesiology & physical education department. He has more than 30 years of coaching experience.
2025/26 Spotlight Series Announced
July 14, 2025 – The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center Spotlight Series will feature a diverse lineup of performers spanning genres of swing, pop rock, and magic. Highlights of the new series include The Band Light on Saturday, Sept. 20; Chris Funk The Wonderist on Friday, Oct. 10; and Phat Cat Swinger on Saturday, Nov. 8. Tickets can be purchased online, at the box office, or by calling (661) 362-5304.
Audit of Bond Spending Affirmed
July 3, 2025 – The Santa Clarita Community College District's Independent Citizens Bond Oversight Committee voted to accept the results of an independent audit confirming the district properly accounted for all bond expenditures in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Eide Bailly LLP conducted financial and performance audits and issued an unmodified opinion – the best rating possible – noting no adjustments, audit findings, questioned costs, or instances of noncompliance.
New Healthcare Program this Fall
June 9, 2025 – College of the Canyons will launch its Diagnostic Medical Sonography program with an 18-student cohort this fall. The hands-on program will train students to use ultrasound technology to capture diagnostic images that support patient care and medical decision-making. “With specialized instruction, clinical experience, and preparation for national certification exams, students will gain the skills needed to thrive in this fast-growing field,” said Dr. Thea Sweo Alvarado, interim assistant superintendent/vice president of instruction.
Summer Learning, Future Earning
April 25, 2025 – Registration is now open for more than 500 summer classes in a wide range of subjects and disciplines. Four sessions offer classes in a variety of formats to help students achieve their educational goals.
CONGRATS, CLASS OF 2025! – College of the Canyons honored the Class of 2025 during the 56th Commencement Ceremony at Cougar Stadium on Friday, June 6. More than 2,100 graduates – among them 33 international students, 62 veterans, and 100 student athletes – received their diplomas in 106 different majors. Chris Schauble, co-anchor of the KTLA Morning News, served as keynote speaker.
Firefight Like a Girl
May 29, 2025 – Student-athlete Samantha Miranda Rodriguez is ready to redefine what it means to be a firefighter. At 21, Rodriguez is already blazing a trail in a field where women are rare. When she graduates with an associate of science degree in fire technology, she will join the ranks of 90,000 female firefighters in the country. At 5-foot-2, she says being a woman in fire science has meant working harder to achieve her lifelong dream. “Some people told me I wasn’t strong enough or big enough. I just stayed away from that negativity and worked twice as hard to prove them wrong.”
A Second Chance
May 19, 2025 – After overcoming addiction and experiencing tremendous loss, Zoe Hollenbeck reached her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse thanks to College of the Canyons. When she told her first-grade teacher she wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse, she didn’t know exactly what that meant. But something about it stuck. "I had a feeling I was supposed to be that,” she said. That feeling stayed with her, even when her life veered off course. At 15, she became addicted to heroin and dropped out of high school. “I didn’t want to be anything. I didn’t think I could be anything.”
Pinning Ceremony
Sixty College of the Canyons nursing students received their graduation pins during a ceremony at the Performing Arts Center on Monday, June 2. Among them, 45 completed the traditional two-year Registered Nursing program, and 15 completed the LVN-to-RN accelerated track.
MLT Graduation
The Medical Laboratory Technology Program held a pinning ceremony for graduates on Thursday, June 5. The associate degree program prepares students for employment in clinical laboratories, industry, and biotechnology. The event was held in the University Center.
Generosity Celebrated
Scholarship recipients and the donors who made the awards possible came together during the Scholarship Awards Celebration on Thursday, May 29. The annual event at the University Center recognized donors and gave students an opportunity to thank them for the more than $265,000 in scholarships awarded this year. Overseen by the College of the Canyons Foundation, the Canyons Scholarship Program disbursed awards to 240 students.
Excellence Applauded
The Athletic Department honored graduating and transferring student-athletes on Thursday, May 22. Six student-athletes were singled out for academic excellence: Owen Crockett, golf; Ryan Curtis, football; Emily Fairbanks, cross country/track & field; Alex Freund, baseball; Vivian Martinez, soccer; and Brooke Petretti, softball. The 2025 graduating class includes more than 110 student-athletes with a combined GPA above 3.38. READ MORE
