College of the Canyons

Mission

College of the Canyons delivers an accessible, holistic education for students to earn associate degrees, certificates, and credentials, to prepare for transfer, and to attain workforce skills. The College champions diversity, equity, inclusion, and global responsibility, while providing clear pathways in an engaging, supportive environment where all students can successfully achieve their educational goals.

Vision

College of the Canyons is dedicated to being a leading two- year college, recognized locally, regionally, statewide and nationally for technical advancement, institutional effectiveness, student support, model academic and professional programs, excellence in teaching and learning, fostering a broad range of community partnerships, maximizing student access, and for the sense of community that we provide to our students and staff.

Philosophy

We believe in the following values:

Teaching and Learning

We honor and reward high performance in teaching and learning.

Respect for All People

We foster a climate characterized by civility, collegiality and acceptance. We expect honesty, integrity, social responsibility and ethical behavior.

Partnership with the Community

We create relationships providing the foundation of success for chosen current and future partnerships with local schools, colleges and universities, businesses, government, and social agencies. These partnerships advance the educational, intellectual, artistic, civic, cultural, and economic aspirations of our surrounding community.

Excellence

We set the highest standards for ourselves and support the professional development of faculty, staff and administrators.

Creativity and Innovation

We are an innovative and creative community college. We encourage members of the college community to be entrepreneurial, forward thinking, creative, persistent, spontaneous, and welcome changes that will enhance the college’s ability to fulfill its mission.

College of the Canyons, since 1969, has demonstrated an unparalleled track record of innovation, excellence, and transformation in our community. Initially serving just over 700 students in the fall of 1969, now more than five decades later College of the Canyons provides access, promotes engagement, and prioritizes success for more than 30,000 students annually with instructional offerings at beautiful campuses in Valencia and Canyon Country as well as online. With approximately 264 combinations of associate degree pathways and certificate programs, as well as upper division and graduate degrees available in 30+ bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in the University Center from partner institutions, COC provides meaningful pathways to completion and a wide array of options to fuel success and change lives. With stunning campuses, notable features and programs such as the Performing Arts Center and the iCUE Culinary program, and nearly 1,500 employees and a $125+ million annual budget, COC continues to be one of the largest employers in the Santa Clarita Valley and a significant part of the economic vitality of our region.

Planning has helped COC to thrive! The College’s progress and transformation, while fueled by dynamic changes in our community, was also a direct result of intentional, visionary planning. Planning makes all the difference, and COC’s storied integrated planning processes have provided a consistent means of identifying opportunities, evaluating progress, and strategically transforming the College. This Strategic Plan demonstrates the ongoing power of planning, reminding us that we plan because planning gets results! COC’s thoughtful planning and responsive actions over the years have added numerous academic programs, support services, and facilities to accommodate demand, respond to technological and industry changes, and support the latest student needs. Through constant evaluation, determination of where we want to go and carefully charting of how to get there, COC’s planning has served us well to assure that our anticipation,