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Ruys Named Superintendent/President
March 30, 2026 – The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees has announced that Dr. Jasmine Ruys has been selected as the next superintendent/president of College of the Canyons, pending approval of her employment contract on April 15. “I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next superintendent/president of College of the Canyons,” Ruys said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and the community to build on the college’s strong foundation, expand opportunities for student success, and advance our shared commitment to innovation, equity, and excellence.”
Culinary arts faculty and students applaud Gary Cusumano (center) for his family's $1 million gift honoring the life and legacy of educator Diana Cusumano.
Cusumano Family's $1 Million Donation to Benefit Culinary Program
A landmark $1 million donation from the Cusumano family established both the Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Endowed Program Fund and the Cusumano Family and Friends Endowed Scholarship Fund to support the college’s Institute for Culinary Education (ICuE). Later this spring, new signage will be unveiled, showing the facility’s new name: The Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Building, also known as Cusumano ICuE. The endowment celebrates the life’s work of Diana Cusumano, a former College of the Canyons Foundation board director who led the ICuE facility fundraising campaign.
Advanced Technology Center Taking Shape
The planned Advanced Technology Center will be equipped with the technology to teach laser welding, robotics, mechatronics, metrology, welding, and CNC machining. Architectural plans are on track for state approval this spring, setting the stage to begin construction later this year.
Professor Helps Bring 'Dinosaurs' to Life
When Dr. Michael Habib isn’t teaching anatomy and physiology at College of the canyons, he is using his skills and expertise to help audiences around the world see dinosaurs in a new light. Most recently, he served as a scientific advisor on the Netflix miniseries “The Dinosaurs.”
New Healthcare Program Debuts this Fall
Scheduled to launch this fall, the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program will prepare students to become skilled healthcare professionals who work under occupational therapists to provide hands-on support and intervention. The program requires four semesters to complete.
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.
Santa Clarita Job Fair to be Held April 24
April 2, 2026 – College of the Canyons will host the Santa Clarita Job Fair on Friday, April 24, providing job seekers with employment opportunities in various industries and career fields. The fair is scheduled 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the West P.E. gymnasium at the Valencia campus. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature approximately 100 employers seeking to fill entry-, middle-, and upper-level positions.
Spring Star Party Set for April 24
April 1, 2026 – College of the Canyons will host its Spring 2026 Star Party on Friday, April 24, featuring a keynote presentation by Teresa Ciardi, a physical science and astronomy instructor. Ciardi will present “The Life of a Star: From Birth to End,” an engaging exploration of how stars form, evolve, and ultimately meet their end. “Some stars fade quietly, while others conclude their lives in dramatic explosions,” Ciardi said. “We’ll look at stars like our Sun, objects that never quite become stars, and massive stars that are 10 to 20 times larger than the Sun.”
Children's Play Day Slated April 18
March 31, 2026 – Early Childhood Education (ECE) will host its annual Children’s Play Day on Saturday, April 18, in celebration of the nationally recognized Week of the Young Child. The event brings the community together for a day of high-quality, developmentally engaging play experiences for children from infancy through school age. The event is scheduled 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Honor Grove at the College of the Canyons Valencia campus. Admission is free and open to the public.
College Highlighted in OER Book
March 27, 2026 – The impact of College of the Canyons on the expansion of Open Educational Resources (OER) is highlighted in a newly published book, “Sowing the Seeds of a Global Movement: Stories from California Trailblazers of Open Education.” Authored by Barbara Illowsky, the book offers a firsthand account of the movement’s growth. “This book is more than a history; it serves as a roadmap for the future of education as a public good,” said James Glapa-Grossklag, dean of educational technology, learning resources and distance learning at College of the Canyons.
Audit of Measure E Bond Spending Affirmed
March 18, 2026 – 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 2024-25 fiscal year. Eide Bailly LLP conducted financial and performance audits and issued the district an unmodified opinion – the best rating possible – noting no adjustments, findings, or noncompliance.
Registration Open for Focused Classes
March 4, 2026 – Registration is open for more than 340 short-term focused classes available during the spring semester. With start dates scheduled through April, the classes are offered at the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses, as well as online. “Short-term classes, which are available in person and online, provide the flexibility students need to stay on track and continue making progress,” said Dr. David Vakil, interim assistant superintendent and vice president of instruction.
College Named 'Bee Campus'
Feb. 18, 2026 – Something new is abuzz at College of the Canyons. The college has earned designation as a Bee Campus USA affiliate, becoming the only community college in Southern California to receive the distinction in recognition of its longstanding commitment to pollinator conservation, native habitat restoration, and biodiversity education. As a Bee Campus USA affiliate, the college will further its efforts to conserve native pollinators by providing healthy habitats rich in diverse native plants, protected nesting sites, and landscapes managed with minimal pesticides.
Free Tax Preparation Offered
Jan. 28, 2026 – College of the Canyons will offer free income tax preparation services through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for eligible individuals during the 2026 tax filing season. VITA provides no-cost tax preparation to individuals who earned less than $68,675 in 2025, as well as those with disabilities or limited English proficiency. The service will be available every Saturday from Feb. 7 through April 11.
Masterson to Receive Silver Spur Award
Jan. 26, 2026 – The College of the Canyons Foundation will honor Ed Masterson with the 2026 Silver Spur Community Service Award in recognition of his longtime community leadership and advocacy for nonprofit organizations. Best known as the voice behind the microphone at major community events, Masterson has volunteered his time as a master of ceremonies, auctioneer, board committee member, and advisor for countless fundraisers and events. The 34th annual celebration will take place at the Sheraton Universal on May 30.
College Receives Exemplary Program Award
Jan. 13, 2026 – The California Community Colleges Board of Governors honored the college's Rising Scholars Program with this year's Exemplary Program Award. Rising Scholars, developed to reduce systematic barriers to education and careers for justice-impacted individuals, provides short-term courses to incarcerated individuals that focus on vocational training, skills development, and reentry preparation. The program experienced an increase in enrollment that allowed hundreds of students to earn certificates to assist with court compliance and early release.
Simulation Center Opens
A ribbon-cutting celebration at the Canyon Country campus on Wednesday, April 1, marked the official opening of the Health Professions Simulation Center in the Takeda Science Center. The interactive training lab, funded through a $1 million state allocation obtained by Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, adds a touch of realism to student learning in the health professions.
Radiant Run
The Intercultural Center and Athletics Department held the college's first Color Run at the Valencia campus on Tuesday, March 31. Color runs are inspired by Holi, the Hindu festival of colors that celebrates the arrival of spring, victory of good over evil, and spirit of unity and forgiveness.
Future Oriented
Community members and industry leaders received a glimpse of the future of workforce training during an open house at the Interim Advanced Technology Center on Thursday, March 26. Tours and demonstrations illustrated how the college is providing cutting-edge training and preparing students for careers in aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing.
CougarFest Returns
Hundreds of new and returning students connected with a variety of campus resources, student clubs, and alliances during CougarFest on Wednesday, March 4. They were treated to free food, prizes, entertainment, and lawn games. The Campus Life & Student Engagement event was also held at the Canyon Country campus on Tuesday, March 3.
Eco-Film Festival
The SCV Eco Alliance held its Third Annual Eco-Film Festival at the Valencia campus on Saturday, March 7. Screenings included The Biggest Little Farm, Chasing Chimeras, Hydrogen Hype, Ocean, Roots of Renewal, The Story of Stuff, and The White House Effect. "The festival encouraged great dialogue with attendees," Biology Professor Jeannie Chari said.
