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.
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.”
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 – starting June 9, 16 and 23, and July 14 – offer classes in a variety of formats to help students achieve their educational goals.
Two Students Awarded Coveted Scholarship
May 13, 2025 – Two College of the Canyons students – Daniel Begel and Amir Erfan Shahla – have been awarded scholarships from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Begel and Shahla are among 90 community college students nationwide to be selected for the prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship based on their academic achievements, unmet financial needs, persistence, and leadership qualities. The award is significant, providing each student up to $55,000 per year for up to three years.
Second Straight State Championship
May 13, 2025 – For the second year in a row and 12th time in team history, the men's golf team remains on top after their two-round performance at the 3C2A State Championships on May 11 and 12. With a 36-hole tournament that yielded just two rounds under par, the team overcame an elite field and championship-caliber course at Bayonet in Seaside. COC shot a team score of 762 (376-386) to win the state title, just three shots ahead of back-to-back state runner-up Reedley College.
Foundation Names Chief Development Officer
April 30, 2025 – College of the Canyons has named Monica Lee “ML” Copeland as chief development officer for the COC Foundation. Copeland will work closely with Interim Superintendent/President David C. Andrus, J.D., the Board of Trustees and the foundation's board of directors to coordinate fundraising, identify potential donors, and develop relationships with community leaders.
Golf, Football Honored as Scholar Teams
April 29, 2025 – The 2023 state championship women's golf team and the 2023 football team have both been named 2023-24 California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) Scholar Team Award winners. The honor is the highest academic team achievement given annually by the 3C2A. It emphasizes the academic achievement of all members of one specific team. Only one team is selected for each 3C2A sport, with a total of 23 men's and women's teams honored for the 2023-24 academic year.
Athletic Stars Enshrined
March 20, 2025 – College of the Canyons rolled out the blue carpet for honorees inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame during a gala event at the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 19. Follow the links below for video highlights:
- Greg Herrick, women’s basketball coach
- Ruby Herrera, all-American softball player
- Corey Honeycutt, track & field state champion
- Carlton Spencer, WSC player of the year
- Men's Soccer Team, 2010 state runner-up
Bachelor's Degree Program Honored
March 18, 2025 – The College of the Canyons Bachelor of Science in Building Performance program – launched in January – is already making waves in the design world. A team representing the new program has been honored with the California Building Energy Modeling Foundational Step Forward award. "It is so exciting to be recognized for the work the college has done to promote Building Energy Modeling through our new Bachelor of Science in Building Performance degree," said Jason Oliver, chair of the Architecture and Interior Design Program.
 |
Our Shining StarsCollege of the Canyons celebrated classified and confidential employees during Classified Appreciation Week May 12 to 16. Events included breakfast at the Canyon Country campus on Tuesday, ice cream socials at both campuses on Wednesday, and the awards luncheon at the Valencia campus on Thursday. Congratulations to our award recipients: Lisette Godinez |
ZTC Progress
California Community Colleges Board of Governors President Hildegarde Aguinaldo offered remarks during a statewide ZTC Summit at College of the Canyons on Friday, May 9. The summit – a convening conference for a statewide ZTC (Zero Textbook Costs) grant – documented progress grantees have made during the grant program's second year. It was the second such summit hosted by the college, which serves as technical assistance provider for the chancellor's office. Interim Superintendent-President David Andrus also spoke to attendees.
Artivism
Billed as a celebration of the intersection of art and social change, Teach-ins with Artivism featured a variety of hands-on activities, performances, and artistry on Wednesday, May 7. Held in and outside the Intercultural Center, the event featured metalwork, jewelry, graphic design, paintings, and poetry – all designed to challenge and inspire action for positive change. The event concluded with keynote speaker Shonda Buchanan (above, lower left), author of The Lost Songs of Nina Simone and the award-winning memoir Black Indian.
Starstruck
The Canyon Country campus celebrated its 30th Star Party & Science Showcase on Friday, April 25. The event featured high-powered telescopes for viewing the night sky, hands-on demonstrations and activities organized by students and faculty members, and an informative lecture on "The Unfolding Story of Exoplanets" by College of the Canyons Astronomy Professor Michaela Blain. The popular community event is held twice a year, in the spring and fall.
STEM Intro
The college hosted a STEM Open House for young black scholars on Saturday, April 26. Organized by Dr. Gretchen Stanton, the event engaged 45 children and their families with hands-on science activities in an effort to spark curiosity and highlight the contributions of black innovators. Professor Kelly Cude demonstrated how to use microscopes, and Professor Jeremey Patrich and his team invited participants to explore the geology and dinosaur labs.
Colleague Honored
Members of the college community gathered on Thursday, May 1, to remember a treasured colleague and dedicate the John Turturro Lab in his memory. An assistant professor in architecture and interior design, Turturro passed away in 2024, having spent more than 20 years teaching.
Garden Walk
Members of the college community participated in the Spring Garden Walk on Friday, May 2. The educational tour at the Canyon Country campus included bird watching, plant and tree identification, and some spring planting. The event is held twice a year, in the spring and fall.
Commencement Shifts to Cougar Stadium
EVENT DATE: FRIDAY, JUNE 6
April 29, 2025 – College of the Canyons' 56th commencement ceremony will be held at Cougar Stadium on Friday, June 6. The annual celebration, which has been held in the Valencia campus Honor Grove in recent years, will also move to a later time to better accommodate most people's work schedules. The revamped event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
