2025 Archive
Archived news releases from the Public Information Office
College to Host Empowerment Conference
April 17, 2025 – College of the Canyons will host its first annual Empowerment Conference, featuring innovative workshops, resources, panels, and keynote addresses designed to enhance the academic, career, personal, and financial development of all members of the campus community. The free event, which includes breakfast and lunch, is scheduled 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at the Valencia campus.
Star Party at Canyon Country Campus
April 15, 2025 – Have you ever looked at the sky and wondered if humans are alone? Have you ever watched a sci-fi show or film and wondered if there are habitable exoplanets out there? If so, the spring Star Party on Friday, April 25, is not to be missed. Michaela Blain, a COC astronomy professor, will present “The Unfolding Story of Exoplanets,” which will focus on the quickly growing subfield of astronomy that has captured the imaginations of many.
Foundation to Host Basketball Tournament
April 2, 2025 – The College of the Canyons Foundation will host its third annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 27, in the West P.E. gymnasium at the Valencia campus. Check-in and breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a scheduled 9 a.m. tournament start time. Proceeds from the tournament will support the foundation in its mission to assist students and the college community.
Job Fair Returns to Valencia Campus
April 1, 2025 – The College of the Canyons Employment Center will host its spring Santa Clarita Job Fair, providing job seekers with employment opportunities in various industries and career fields. The event is organized in partnership with the City of Santa Clarita, JVS SoCal/AJCC, SCV Economic Development Corp., and Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. The fair is scheduled 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 25 in the West P.E. gymnasium at the Valencia campus.
College to Host Children's Play Day
March 21, 2025 – The College of the Canyons Department of Early Childhood Education (ECE) will host a Play Day on Saturday, April 5, as part of the nationally celebrated Week of the Young Child. Held in partnership with the International Play Association, the annual event aims to bring the community together for a day of high-quality, developmentally stimulating play experiences for all children, infant to school age.
Short-Term Class Registration Open
March 19, 2025 – It's not too late to enroll in the spring semester at College of the Canyons. In fact, more than 500 short-term classes are available in a wide range of core subjects that satisfy four-year university transfer requirements. Short-term offerings will be available throughout March and April at the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses, as well as online.
Discover Day to be Held March 22
March 10, 2025 – College of the Canyons will hold Discover Day, an event that will give new and potential students an opportunity to explore programs and opportunities, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22. Representatives from academic programs, student services, and student organizations will be available to answer questions.
IT Employee Named Rising Star
March 5, 2025 – Not all heroes wear capes – some are just really good with computers. When a cyberattack hit a local elementary school district in 2024, Hsiawen Hull, executive director of infrastructure and information security at College of the Canyons, pitched in to help them recover. Hull was perfectly suited for the job as he is considered a foremost cybersecurity authority in the California Community College system. For his work advancing COC's cybersecurity posture, as well as helping lead cybersecurity training programs at California community colleges, Hull received the 2025 Rising Star Award from the California Community College Chief Information Systems Officers Association.
Animation Festival Returns March 15
February 24, 2025 – College of the Canyons will host the third annual International Animation Festival on Saturday, March 15, to showcase the work of student animators at the high school and college level. With no submission fee, the festival is a great opportunity for undergraduate animators from around the world to exhibit their work.
Information Nights Slated
February 20, 2025 – College of the Canyons will host Information Nights on Thursday, March 6 at the Canyon Country campus and Thursday, April 3 on Zoom to better assist high school seniors interested in starting their college experience at COC. Held in both English and Spanish, the 60-minute-long information sessions will cover eligibility, program requirements, acceptance criteria, and important resources.
Athletic Hall of Fame Slated
January 30, 2025 – College of the Canyons will hold its 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Wednesday, March 19, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center. The honorees include Greg Herrick, head coach, women’s basketball (1992-2022); Ruby Herrera, athlete, softball, 2010 and 2012 All-American; Corey Honeycutt, athlete, track & field, 2010 3C2A State Champion (800m); Carlton Spencer, athlete, men’s basketball, 2004 and 2005 WSC Player of the Year; and the 2010 state runner-up men's soccer team.
Free Tax Preparation Services Offered
January 28, 2025 – The College of the Canyons Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services to individuals who made less than $67,000 in 2024, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking skills. The service is available to qualified individuals on Saturdays through April 12.
Successful First Year for Veterans Grant
January 21, 2025 – College of the Canyons has successfully completed the first year of its five-year Veterans Upward Bound grant program. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive support services to student veterans in the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys, and parts of the San Fernando Valley.
Spring Registration Under Way
January 15, 2025 – New and continuing students can register for the spring 2025 semester, which begins Monday, Feb. 10. More than 1,650 class sections in a wide range of academic subjects and career education disciplines are available. To meet the needs and preferences of students, classes will be held in person, online, or in a combination of those delivery formats with a variety of class offerings at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.
Employee Retires After 44 Years
January 7, 2025 – Mojdeh Mahn, associate dean of learning resources and director of The Learning Center (TLC) at College of the Canyons, remembers the first time she stepped foot on campus as a 17-year-old. “I was scared to death because I couldn't speak English,” recalled Mahn, who immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1976. But COC became home from day one, says the former student-turned-employee, who is retiring as the longest-serving COC employee with 44 years of service at the college.