Resources
Campus Life
Just for you
My Canyons 
Canvas 
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 Arts 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.
Public Forums Planned for CEO Finalists
The search for the next Superintendent-President of College of the Canyons is under way, and college employees and community members will have an opportunity to meet the finalists later in the spring semester. A search committee comprised of college employees and a community representative will hold initial interviews with candidates in March. Finalists will also participate in public forums expected to be scheduled later in March.
Advanced Technology Center Taking Shape
Planned as a two-story, 81,000-square-foot facility at the Valencia campus, the 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. The interim Advanced Technology Center offers the Tooling and Milling Pathway.
New Healthcare Program to Debut 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, with in-person classes offered at the Valencia campus. Upcoming information sessions offer students a chance to learn about the program and OTA careers.
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.
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.
Focused Classes Available this Spring
Jan. 12, 2026 – Registration is now open for the spring semester, which begins Monday, Feb. 9. Students can choose from more than 1,690 class sections across a broad range of academic subjects and career education disciplines. Courses include those required for degree completion, transfer to four-year institutions, and fulfillment of prerequisite requirements. Classes will be offered in a variety of formats, including in-person, online, and hybrid options. Courses will be held at both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.
Board of Trustees Names Officers
Jan. 9, 2026 – The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees named new officers and confirmed its 2026 meeting schedule on Friday, Jan. 9. Sharlene Johnson was selected by fellow trustees to serve as board president for 2026. "I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to continue protecting the best interests of COC students and the Santa Clarita Valley community," Johnson said. The board also appointed Fred Arnold to serve as vice president and Dr. Edel Alonso to serve as clerk.
College Named Pathway Champion
Nov. 6, 2025 – College of the Canyons has been named a 2025 Pathway Champion for excelling in Black Transfer-Level Math Success by The Campaign for College Opportunity. The college is one of three California community colleges that supported the highest percentage of Black students to complete a transfer-level math course within one year of their initial enrollment during the 2023-24 academic year. "We remain dedicated to breaking down barriers and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed,” Acting Superintendent/President Dr. Jasmine Ruys said.
Design Concepts Unveiled
Thirteen students from the Bachelor of Science in Building Performance program presented end-of-semester projects at the Intercultural Center on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Architectural design concepts were unveiled to faculty and invited jurors. The inaugural cohort is on track to graduate this spring.
Nursing's Newest Stars
Fifty-eight nursing students received their graduation pins during a ceremony at the Performing Arts Center on Monday, Dec. 8. The 42 women and 16 men will be able to wear the pins during commencement. More than half are concurrently enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.
Kwanzaa Celebrated
The Intercultural Center hosted a Kwanzaa Gathering on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The event featured performances by the Tey Sa Thiosanne African Drum and Dance Company, as well as plenty of inspiring voices, good food, and the joyful energy of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles of Kwanzaa).
MESA Celebrates 25 Years
MESA (Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement) celebrated its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The Aliso Courtyard event featured interactive skills lab demonstrations, giveaways, and food. Read More
Starstruck
The fall Star Party drew crowds of all ages to the Canyon Country campus on Friday, Oct. 24, for star-gazing, a presentation by a NASA scientist, and science-related activities. Dr. Athina Peidou of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory shared insights from NASA’s mission tracking the movement of water across Earth.
Golf Tournament
Golfers were out in force at Valencia Country Club for the COC Foundation's SiteOne and Hunter Industries Swing for Student Success golf tournament on Monday, Oct. 20. Presented by Orion Risk Management, the tournament supports students with scholarships, emergency aid, and other vital services.
Jobs in Progress
Hundreds of job-seekers packed the West PE gymnasium for the Santa Clarita Job Fair on Friday, Oct. 17. Career Services' biannual event was presented in partnership with the SCV Economic Development Corp., SCV Chamber of Commerce, City of Santa Clarita, and America's Job Center of California.
Into the Stratosphere
The College of the Canyons chapter of the Society of Physics Students successfully launched a high-altitude balloon carrying a scientific device that members designed and built. The payload included a bio-aerosol sampler to collect microorganisms in the stratosphere. The work is part of a scientific thesis by instructor and chapter advisor Kimberly Berthet. Read More
