The Promise of Opportunity. Since 1969.
2019/20 ANNUAL REPORT COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
1
Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook Chancellor
“You don’t overcome challenges by making them smaller but by making yourself bigger.”
C
ollege of the Canyons opened its doors for the first time in the fall of 1969, welcoming 750 or so students to a college that didn’t yet have a campus.
It was a small, humble beginning, but it marked the realization of an audacious dream that began two years earlier. Santa Clarita Valley residents voted to form a community college district in 1967. The area was still rural but changing quickly as carrot fields gave way to tract homes. Voters recognized that access to education beyond high school was critical to the area’s future development. A college in their community created opportunities for students to engage in career training, or to transfer to four-year universities. A half-century later, so much has changed at College of the Canyons. We serve more than 33,000 students annually on two campuses and rank among the valley’s largest employers. We are recognized as an innovative leader in shaping the region’s continued economic growth, and we are a valued, trusted partner to the dozens of agencies and organizations with which we collaborate each year. One thing, however, remains the same. College of the Canyons offers the promise of opportunity to all who pursue their goals here. Over the past five decades, we have opened doors of possibility for more than 250,000 individual students. Each came to us with dreams for the future, and, coupled with our help and their own intrinsic determination, they went on to see those dreams become reality. From the Olympics to professional sports, to stages, to courtrooms, to state capitals, to board rooms, to every imaginable professional setting, you will find College of the Canyons alumni leading the way forward. Students who start here at COC can literally go anywhere. We began the 2019-20 academic year with plans to celebrate our history and the proud accomplishments of our alumni, along with the contributions of our faculty, staff members, administrators, board members, donors, and community leaders who helped to build College of the Canyons and Continued, page 20
- John C. Maxwell
50TH ANNIVERSARY A Celebration for the Decades! College of the Canyons celebrated its 50th Anniversary year of service to the Santa Clarita Valley with a variety of events and activities held throughout the fall and spring semesters. Festivities began at the college’s 50th Anniversary Opening Day luncheon, which officially launched the start of the anniversary year with the theme: ‘50 Amazing Years – A Proud Past and Promising Future.’ On Sept. 30, 2019, the college welcomed alumni, students, and the community to Cougar Stadium for a 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration, prior to the Cougars win over Cerritos College. The event date also corresponded with the anniversaries of the college’s official opening date (Sept. 29, 1969) and the first football game at Cougar Stadium (Sept. 21, 1974). The pre-game festivities featured demonstrations and giveaways from The School of Personal and Professional Learning, Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC), Early Childhood Education Center (ECE), COC Alumni Network, TEACH Academy, and the COC Construction Management, Nursing and Paralegal departments. The celebration culminated with a special on-field halftime recognition, with more than 200 students and alumni gathering at the 50-yard line for a commemorative photo. The COC Foundation hosted its annual Chancellor’s Circle Dinner on Jan. 31 at The Learning Center (TLC) on the Valencia campus after the original event was pre-empted by
2
the Tick Fire. The annual event recognized the philanthropic support of the college’s many community supporters, while highlighting the college’s rich history and many successes spanning the last 50 years. The college continued its long tradition of welcoming retired faculty and staff from the college’s history back to campus for a special Retiree Luncheon. The 2020 version of the event included the opening of a time capsule, originally buried on the Valencia campus back in 1997, when two new buildings opened on campus – Mentry Hall and the Library. The luncheon also marked the announcement of the college’s new Founders Wall & Builders Walk, a monument to be built adjacent to the COC Institute for Culinary Education (iCuE) in honor of those who established the college and contributed to its success through their careers.
50 Amazing Years A Proud Past and Promising Future!
3
BY THE NUMBERS
$3.6 MILLION CARES Act Grants distributed to students
$5 MILLION
Amount students saved on textbooks because faculty implemented Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) course materials
$250,083
Scholarships awarded to students by the College of the Canyons Foundation
$13,147,789
Grant revenue generated to launch innovative programs
$3.1 MILLION
External funding to support business and industry training
65,000
Number of individual students who have taken a class at the Canyon Country Campus since it opened in 2007
4
33,481
2,427
Students served in 2019-20
12%
Female: 44% Male: 56%
1,844
Students By Ethnicity
Graduates in 2020
Year-over-year increase in degrees awarded
Associate of Arts/Science (A.A. or A.S.)
1,339
Associate of Arts/Science Transfer (A.A.-T. or A.S.-T.)
2,713
Certificates of Achievement & Specialization
African-American 5.5% American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.4% Asian 6.9% Latinx/Hispanic 47.1% Multi-ethnic 1.5% Filipinx/Pacific Islander 4.3% White Non-Hispanic 29.7% Unknown 4.2%
31%
Median wage increase of students who completed career education courses
Attendance 70% Part-time (0-11 units) 30% Full-time (12+ units)
Students By Age 19 or younger 20 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 49 50+
29.9% 25.0% 12.0% 7.8% 6.5% 10.8% 7.7%
1
THE PANDEMIC Coronavirus, COVID-19 specifically, seemed a distant concern half a world away as the calendar flipped to 2020. By March, a month into the spring 2020 semester, everything had changed. All in-person instruction was suspended effective March 16. Classes whose physical classroom presence was not deemed essential to the state’s infrastructure resumed online just one week later. Student services and other college departments began transitioning to remote operations as well. So began an extraordinarily unusual period that would stretch through the end of the calendar year – with no end in sight. Most classes remained online for the summer and beyond, with the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses eerily quiet. As students, faculty and staff settled in to this “new normal” form of remote learning, teaching and working, steps were taken to ease their transition, support front-line healthcare workers, and do whatever possible to minimize the burden and help those affected by the pandemic.
6
Nursing Program Donates Supplies to Hospital The Nursing Program donated essential supplies to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in March in light of the global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers. The supplies included 240 N95 masks, 250 regular masks, 200 masks with face shields, and an assortment of gowns, goggles, gloves and related items.
Laptop Computers Distributed to Students
The college launched a laptop lending program in early April to help students transition to remote instruction. The first distribution supplied computers to 200 students, and more distribution events followed. The laptops were distributed in a contactless, drive-through process on the top level of the Valencia campus parking structure. The purchase of 500 new laptops was made possible with a $50,000 contribution from the College of the Canyons Foundation.
Face Shields Created for Healthcare Workers
With personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers still scarce, the college’s MakerSpace fired up its six 3-D printing machines in mid-April and went to work. Ten days later, 150 face shields had been assembled and delivered to frontline healthcare workers at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.
CARES Act Emergency Grants Disbursed
The college disbursed approximately $3.6 million in CARES Act emergency grants to students. The federal funds were provided to help students affected by the pandemic continue their educational pursuits.
Nursing Students: From Classroom to Frontline
For the 60 graduates of the Registered Nurse Class of 2020, entry into their chosen profession was like a baptism by fire. After graduating virtually on June 3, many of them joined other nurses and healthcare workers in the frontline battle against COVID-19. The Nursing Program was allowed to continue during the pandemic following urgent advocacy efforts by Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook and other community college and nursing leaders throughout the state. Ultimately, restrictions on required clinical hours were modified in light of the urgent need for nurses. Some of those hours were met by nursing students volunteering at the COVID-19 drive-through testing site at the Valencia campus.
A Commencement Like No Other Before
The Class of 2020 was truly unlike any other in the college’s 50-year history as they graduated during a socially distant virtual commencement ceremony on June 5. The pandemic did not deter the Class of 2020, which was 2,427 graduates strong. A number of smaller, more focused socially distant or virtual celebrations were held for programs such as Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Culinary Arts, and International Students.
Chancellor Appointed to Education Sector Work Team
Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook was appointed to the Education Sector Work Team of Los Angeles County’s Economic Resiliency Task Force in June to create a framework for the reopening of colleges and universities in the county. The team made a variety of recommendations for reopening that prioritized safety and health precautions, while considering workforce retraining and the region’s economic restoration.
7
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS By collaborating with partners across the community, College of the Canyons creates new possibilities for students and serves as a resource for the Santa Clarita Valley.
TICK FIRE RAVAGES
Canyon Country Community When the Tick Fire broke out on the afternoon of Oct. 24 near Tick Canyon Road in Canyon Country, nobody could have envisioned the extent of its impact on the community. It forced more than 40,000 local residents to evacuate, and damaged or destroyed numerous structures, including the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center at the Canyon Country campus. A power outage closed the Canyon Country campus earlier in the day, so it was already evacuated when the fast-moving blaze surrounded the campus with flames. The college’s Incident Command Team worked alongside the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to respond to the crisis, and keep students, staff and the community informed. The ECE Center suffered significant damage from fire, smoke and water and was forced to close. Following a thorough cleaning, the remainder of the campus quickly reopened for classes. At the Valencia campus, the American Red Cross housed, fed, and comforted more than 700 displaced residents at an emergency evacuation center set up in the college’s East and West P.E. gymnasiums, with the help and coordination of the college’s Incident Command Team, campus safety officers and facilities staff.
CHANCELLOR’S CIRCLE DINNER Honors First Responders The College of the Canyons Foundation converted its annual Chancellor’s Circle event into an on-campus dinner for evacuees, firefighters and other emergency personnel dispatched to combat the Tick Fire. Culinary arts students and instructors worked to prepare and serve the dinner, with college faculty, staff and administrators on hand to greet guests and express their gratitude to the first responders in attendance. 8
College Designated as OFFICIAL VOTE CENTER
Marc Cherry TEACHES THEATRE MASTER CLASS Marc Cherry, creator of the hit TV series “Desperate Housewives,” visited the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center for a special master class in American Realism as part of the Theatre Department’s scene performance course.
College of the Canyons operated an official Los Angeles County Vote Center during the Presidential Primary in March as one of 15 official Los Angeles County Vote Centers the community.
COLLEGE SELECTED to Participate in Apprenticeship Initiative
Students ‘FUEL UP’ with Free Lunches The College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education (iCuE) and Basic Needs Center (BaNC) joined forces to host a pair of free lunches for students. In September, students were treated to a free rice bowl bar, followed by a free farm-to-table salad bar luncheon in February. Both events were held in support of the United Nations “Goal 2: Zero Hunger” campaign, which aims to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030.
College of the Canyons was selected to collaborate in the U.S. Department of Labor Growing Advanced Manufacturing Apprentices Across America (GAMAAA) program with El Camino College and West L.A. College to deliver 1,500 apprentices and pre-apprentices over the next two years.
COC & CITY HOST ‘SCV Career Spark’ The college partnered with the City of Santa Clarita to host the second annual SCV Career Spark, which brought more than 40 local
teens and 10 business mentors together for a day dedicated to the exploration of non-traditional careers.
COC STUDENTS ATTEND Transfer Day More than 50 colleges and universities participated in Transfer Day, providing students with information, advice and resources to map out the next destination in their educational journeys.
COC CAREER CENTER
Hosts Fall Job Fair
The COC Career Center hosted its 100 employers across various annual fall Job Fair, attracting nearly industries and career fields.
COC LAUNCHES ‘Kinder Goes to College’ Kindergarten students from Old Orchard Elementary School participated in the launch of Kinder Goes to College with the Class of 2034 on hand to tour the Valencia campus and conduct a series of science experiments led by COC students. The program was created by the department of Outreach and School Relations to foster a college-going culture and serve kindergartners from throughout the valley.
Students Provide FREE TAX PREP SERVICES College of the Canyons business accounting students, who are certified with the Internal Revenue Service, participated in the federal government’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic, which provides free tax preparation services to qualified households. 9
INNOVATION & DISTINCTION College of the Canyons is consistently recognized for its innovative efforts to support student success through enhancing current offerings and launching promising new initiatives.
COC NUMBER ⅼ For Adult Learners in County COC was ranked among the best U.S. colleges in Washington Monthly magazine’s ranking of “Best Two-Year Colleges for Adult Learners.” Out of the 10 California Community Colleges that made the list, COC ranked No. 1 in Los Angeles County, No. 2 in Southern California, and No. 53 nationally.
2019 CHAMPION
of Higher Education
MESA Student SELECTED FOR PAID INTERNSHIP Caroline Trujillo, who works multiple jobs to put herself through school, was selected for a paid summer internship as a mechanical engineer. Trujillo learned about the internship through MESA, the Math Engineering Science Achievement program. She credits the skills she gained through participating in NASA’s High-Altitude Student Platform and RockSatX missions in helping her secure the position.
College of the Canyons was honored to be one of 12 community colleges recognized as a Champion of Higher Education for the second year in a row. This award is given for exemplary work in implementing the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) and recognizes our dedicated leadership in working to ensure a strong transfer pathway.
HOLLYWOOD GALLERY Displays Students’ Work Three Architecture and Interior Design students – Dakotah Gordon, Daniel Paniagua and Judah Bateman – exhibited their work at the Woodbury University Hollywood Outpost (WUHO) Gallery in Hollywood.
COC PARTNERS With AJCC Dr. Devin Daugherty, director of the Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies, developed a partnership with the Veterans Services Branch of America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) in Lancaster. The partnership will enable COC to establish an all-veteran pre-apprenticeship program in CNC Machining, the first in state history. The program is free to students, with all funding provided by AJCC. 10
NASA ROCKSATX LAUNCHES COC students Kyle Strickland and Coulson Aguirre, along with advisor Teresa Ciardi and adjunct faculty member Gregory Poteat, were at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia for pre-flight testing and launch of the college’s NASA RocksatX payload on
Aug. 12. The students designed and manufactured a payload experiment that deployed when the sounding rocket reached apogee (the point where it was furthest from the earth) and then utilized autorotation to slow the capsule’s descent.
Music Professor NOMINATED FOR LATIN GRAMMY COC music professor Yalil Guerra received a Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Classical Album category for his album “Cuba: The Legacy.” Guerra has taught at COC for three years and shares his passion for music with his students.
CHANCELLOR HONORED by Santa Clarita Chamber Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook received the SCV Chamber’s 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award at the chamber’s 97th Annual Awards & Installation Gala. Regarded as one of the top honors a business leader can receive in the Santa Clarita Valley, the award is bestowed on leaders who have demonstrated a significant, long-term, positive impact on the business community and the greater Santa Clarita Valley. COC first launched its Economic
Development Division in 1991, and over the past 25 years, it has generated $43.6 million in capital for local businesses, served 12,038 companies, and trained 61,626 employees. Given that record of accomplishment, Dr. Van Hook said the chamber’s award “is a tribute to the people of our college who dare to dream, dare to lead, and dare to do that which enables us to meet this community’s needs.”
ALL IN CHALLENGE AWARDS CEREMONY
Glapa-Grossklag HONORED FOR OER LEADERSHIP
For his exceptional contributions to advancing open education around the world, James Glapa-Grossklag, COC’s dean of learning resources, received the President’s Award for Excellence at the Open Education Global Conference. GlapaGrossklag was recognized at the Open Education Consortium’s annual conference in Milan, Italy. In addition, Glapa-Grossklag received the Best Open Course in the World Award for “Zero Textbook Cost Pathways: OER & Equity,” a course that explores the fundamental connections between Equity, Open Educational Resources (OER), Guided Pathways, and Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC). Highlighting the role that students play in advancing OER, COC alumna and shortterm employee Trudi Radtke was among the conference’s opening keynote speakers.
College of the Canyons was recognized four times at the “All in Challenge” in Washington, D.C. The “All in Challenge” recognizes the work of more than 1,000 two- and four-year colleges and universities nationwide, as well as 6.2 million students, in improving college democratic engagement. COC was awarded: Overall Most Improved Voting Rate at a Community College, Most Improved Voting Rate Large Community College, and Increase from Bronze Seal to Gold Seal (campuses with 40 to 49 percent voter participation in the 2018 midterm election.) COC’s rate was up 12.6 percent from 2014. COC was also recognized for its Engage the Vote Action Plan.
Board of Registered Nursing STUDENTS SET THE STANDARD The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized test that every state nursing regulatory board uses to determine if a candidate is ready to become licensed as an entrylevel nurse. The pass rate for
first-time, U.S.-educated students was 88.23 percent for the July 1 to Sept. 30, 2019 testing window. COC exceeded the national pass rate with 92.86 percent of students passing.
INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENTS
Excel and Win
Interior Design students won the People’s Choice Award at the International Interior Design Association Southern California Chapter Haunt Couture competition. The event fuses fashion, design and architecture, and challenges designers to create and construct
inspiring haute couture fashion from interior design materials. Nine large interior design firms participated, along with three schools, with COC being the only two-year college competing. COC has won awards four out of the last five years. 11
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Fiscal Resources Enhance Student Opportunities By growing its resources through multiple funding sources – including $13 million in state, federal and private grants – the college can accommodate increasing student enrollment, as well as expand and enhance programs and services that boost student success. A record of sound fiscal management undergirds the college’s operations. Since 2002, it has received the highest possible rating on 97 percent of the finance and performance audits that examine financial processes for the district, the college’s foundation and general obligation bond spending.
2019-20 Revenues (Unrestricted General Fund)
Apportionment, Property Taxes & Enrollment Fees $92,189,679 Other State Sources $17,543,457 Local Sources $4,054,522 Facility Use Rentals $1,207,655 Federal Sources $141,140 All Other Sources $2,322,441 TOTAL REVENUES
78.48% 14.94% 3.45% 1.03% 0.12% 1.98%
$117,458,894
2019-20 Expenses (Unrestricted General Fund)
12
Salaries Benefits All Other Expenses
$73,616,621 $27,157,561 $16,531,483
TOTAL EXPENSES
$117,305,665
62.76% 23.15% 14.09%
New Grants Awarded in 2019/20 Incarcerated Students Reentry California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
$113,363
over 30 months Allows solar and diesel engine courses to be offered at Pitchess Detention Center so inmates can complete certificates and be employable after release, which lowers the chance of recidivism. Funds pay for program manager/counselor for the inmates, as well as equipment needed for the programs.
Mental Health Services Program California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
$400,000
over 32 months Expands and enhances mental health services and awareness to students and campus community.
K-14 Regional Technical Assistance Provider California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
$285,000
over 18 months
Grant Revenue $20,000,000
$15,000,000
College of the Canyons is hosting the K-14 Regional Technical Assistance Provider to coordinate career education programs and activities for grades K-14 in the South Central Coast Region.
Improving Online Career Technical Education Pathways Grant California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
$403,868
over 12 months $10,000,000
$5,000,000
Provides funding to create open educational resource (OER) materials in four programs: Architectural Computer-Aided Drafting, Preschool Teacher, Land Surveying, and Water and Wastewater Treatment Plan and Systems Operators.
$0
13
EXPANDING FACILITIES Measure E, the $230 million bond measure approved by local voters in 2016, continues to enhance the college’s two campuses. Upgrades and modernization at the Valencia campus ensure students have access to state-of-the-art learning spaces, while new buildings in Canyon Country will enable that campus to reach its full potential.
CANYON COUNTRY CAMPUS Central Plant Completed in spring 2020, the Central Plant will supply energy-efficient heating and cooling to the Science Center and other permanent buildings planned for the campus.
Science Center
West P.E. Gym
VALENCIA CAMPUS West Physical Education Building With architectural planning completed in 2017, the college’s main gym, indoor pool, and locker rooms underwent extensive modernization since first opening more than 40 years ago. The upgrades were completed and the building was ready for classes by the start of the spring 2020 semester.
ADA Transition Plan and Barrier Removal After receiving state approval in February 2018, work began across campus to ensure that doors and passageways comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Phase I of the project is complete, and drawings for Phase II are expected to be submitted for state approval in early 2021. Digital Door Lock Installation The first- and second-generation locks on doors were replaced with third-generation digital locks for consistency and enhanced safety. In an emergency, all classroom and lab doors can be locked from the inside without a key. The project was completed in fall 2019.
14
This 55,000-square-foot, four-level structure will bring classrooms and laboratories to the heart of the campus, and meet the growing student demand for biology, chemistry and physical sciences courses. The building is expected to be open for classes in fall 2021, assuming COVID-19 restrictions on in-person teaching are lifted.
Student Services/ Learning Resources Center Spanning 55,000 square feet, the building will mirror the adjacent Science Center, and frame a terraced common area that includes amphitheater-style seating. It will house key student support services, including The Learning Center and a library. Construction began in spring 2020.
HVAC Modernization Quieter and more efficient ceiling-mounted HVAC units were installed in three quads. This project was completed in fall 2020. Science Center
A FOUNDATION OF SUPPORT By partnering with generous community and corporate donors, the College of the Canyons Foundation generates financial support that enables the college to strive for the highest levels of excellence in teaching, scholarship, career training, and student support. The foundation has generated $30 million of support for the college since it launched in 1987.
The College of the Canyons Foundation awarded 278 scholarships to students totaling $250,083 in 2020.
Celebrating the Promise of Opportunity In celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary, the College of the Canyons Foundation hosted the annual Chancellor’s Circle Dinner on Jan. 31. It was a rockin’ night to remember with guests sporting tie-dyed shirts and flowers in their hair, live music from student and faculty musicians, and a delicious dinner prepared by the COC Institute for Culinary Education.
A Timely Response The Chancellor’s Circle, the foundation’s premier support group, grew to more than 50 members, with both individuals and organizations joining to support the foundation this year. The group worked to address a vital community need during the pandemic. It hosted a dozen Virtual Business Briefings, with experts offering strategic advice to local business owners and leaders on accessing stimulus funds and making strategic adjustments during the widespread shutdowns brought on by stay-at-home orders. Funds from the Chancellor’s Circle funded important Foundation initiatives, including awarding 10 new mini-grants to College of the Canyons faculty.
Supporting the Arts Through the support of generous Patrons of the Arts members, the foundation invests in the School of Visual & Performing Arts at College of the Canyons. Members gathered at special events hosted in the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, COC Art Gallery and COC Institute for Culinary Education. And, during quarantine, the group posted five highly engaging virtual happy hour events that showcased student achievement in the arts.
Investing in Students The College of the Canyons Foundation awarded 278 scholarships to students totaling $250,083 in 2020. Due to social distancing restrictions, the Foundation did not host the annual scholarship reception with donors and students. Instead, students thanked donors through individual Zoom meetings, pre-recorded videos and heartfelt notes.
15
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Economic Development Division worked to help regional business and industry recover from the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Partnership Preps Students for Job Search Paula Hodge, regional director of the California Community Colleges Information Communication Technologies & Digital Media Sector, brought two content providers together to create a more robust online experience for students looking to enter a tough job market. Hodge worked with LinkedIn Learning and Jobspeaker to make combined content available to all eight colleges in the South Central Coast Regional Consortium, which includes College of the Canyons. Students can access LinkedIn Learning’s career and professional development content directly through Jobspeaker’s web and mobile apps. The goal is to help prepare students to stand out to employers by enabling them to build a skills transcript based on completed coursework.
College Chosen for Google IT Help Desk Certification
Economic Development Division Contract Education & Grant Revenue
Through a grant awarded by Jobs for the Future, College of the Canyons was one of 23 community colleges in the nation to offer the Google IT Program to provide accessible, online training for students seeking careers in information technology. More than 70 percent of the students enrolled in the program were veterans, minorities and dislocated workers. The first cohort of students completed the program in March 2020, and several of them went on to receive positions with companies throughout the region. College of the Canyons is now working with Jobs for the Future to offer the course as non-credit, which will enable thousands of individuals to take the course at no cost and train for new careers in the wake of the pandemic.
SBDC Provides Loan Assistance
2019–20 BY THE NUMBERS • $3.1 million in external revenue raised • 3,420 employees trained at 1,554 companies • 1,348 entrepreneurs counseled • 170 business start-ups assisted • $10.3 million in client sales growth • $34 million of client capital raised (2016-2020) 16
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by College of the Canyons provided COVID-19 pandemic outreach, disaster assistance and recovery services to the community, business owners and non-profits. Working virtually seven days a week from early morning to evening, the staff and consultants helped clients navigate the disruption and access government resources. They also continued one-on-one business advising for entrepreneurs and business owners in areas not related to the pandemic. Assistance with the Paycheck Protection Program Loan was among the most sought-after services by clients. The SBDC helped business owners complete applications, and provided information on compliance and potential loan forgiveness. Many SBDC clients benefited from the working capital, which in turn kept employees on payroll and benefitted the local economy.
CANYON COUNTRY CAMPUS Construction of new facilities continues at the campus on Sierra Highway, with new labs and classrooms expected to be available when in-person teaching resumes.
Science Center
Construction of the new Science Center at the Canyon Country campus is nearly complete, with instruction and laboratory classes planned for 2021 after COVID-19 restrictions on in-person teaching are lifted. This 55,000-square-foot facility will become a new hub for science instruction on campus, offering many in-demand programs such as anatomy, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, and environmental science. When the Science Center opens, it will effectively double the currently available classroom spaces at the campus. The fourstory project includes classrooms, computer labs, science laboratories, science tech/prep rooms, offices, group-study rooms, a large lecture hall, and lobby. Also notable are the dramatic exterior amphitheater, garden, and plaza spaces immediately adjacent to the project, which will provide additional opportunities for student and community engagement in concert with Science Center programming.
Student Services & Learning Resources Center
Construction began in 2020 on a second new project: a Student Services & Learning Resources Center. A mirror image of the Science Center, this 55,000-square-foot facility will bookend the central amphitheater and plaza spaces at the center of the campus. Its four stories will provide a central location for student support services, along with meeting and classroom spaces. It will also include tutoring and library services, delivering the assistance students need to successfully complete their goals. The Canyon Country campus continues to grow and expand while enhancing its delivery of comprehensive services and high-quality instruction. Since it opened in 2007, the campus has offered more than 7,500 classes and served more than 65,000 individual students.
17
COUGAR ATHLETICS A Tradition of Excellence Women’s Golf Wins Back-to-Back State Championships Canyons captured its second straight California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship, capping a two-year run that saw the Cougars win every tournament in which they played. COC sophomore Haruka Koda also won the CCCAA individual state championship, becoming the third player in program history to do so.
Football Advances to SCFA SoCal Championship Game The Cougars finished the season 9-3 overall and 4-1 in conference play to win a share of the 2019 Southern California Football Association (SCFA) National Division, Northern League championship. The conference title was the second in as many years for Canyons, the third under head coach Ted Iacenda, and the program’s 13th overall. COC defeated Saddleback College in the opening round of the SCFA Playoffs and advanced to the Southern California Championship game before suffering a loss to eventual 2019 State Champions Riverside City College. COC finished as the No. 3 ranked team in the state according to the final JC Athletic Bureau Head Coaches Poll.
Women’s Soccer, Volleyball Programs Continue Postseason Streaks The COC women’s soccer and volleyball programs both extended their postseason streaks in 2019, while finishing just short of winning conference championships. Women’s soccer head coach Justin Lundin guided his team to a ninth straight playoff berth and ended the season 12-6-4 overall. The women’s volleyball program went 15-8 under head coach Clay Timmons and finished runner-up in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division, while advancing to the playoffs for a seventh straight season.
Cross Country Teams Run at State Meet The Cougars cross country programs completed the 2019 season with a final run at the CCCAA State Championships in Fresno. The event marked the first time since 2016 that both the men’s and women’s cross country programs competed at the state meet. Both teams also advanced to the CCCAA SoCal Regional Championships for a sixth straight season.
CCCAA Forced to Cancel Spring Competition due to COVID-19 The CCCAA Board of Directors voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 spring sports season on March 19, 2020, in response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis. COC had eight of its spring sports programs (baseball, men’s golf, softball, men’s and women’s swim & dive, women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track & field) see their seasons cancelled midway through the semester. As a result, conference and statewide awards were not presented for the 2020 season.
CCCAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN’S GOLF (4th state title in program history) Haruka Koda WOMEN’S GOLF – INDIVIDUAL STATE TITLE (3rd individual state title in program history)
CCCAA SOCAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN’S GOLF (4th regional title in program history) Haruka Koda WOMEN’S GOLF – INDIVIDUAL SOCAL REGIONAL TITLE
(4th individual regional title in program history)
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOOTBALL SCFA NATIONAL DIVISION, NORTHERN LEAGUE (13th conference title in program history) WOMEN’S GOLF WESTERN STATE CONFERENCE (WSC) (10th conference title in program history) Haruka Koda WOMEN’S GOLF – INDIVIDUAL WSC TITLE
18
COC STUDENT-ATHLETES EXCEL ON THE FIELD... 91 TEAM VICTORIES 3 ALL-AMERICANS 9 ALL-STATE SELECTIONS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONOREES ARMANI EDDEN FOOTBALL
SCFA National Division, Northern League Offensive Player of the Year
47 ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS 6 TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR PLAYOFFS MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY FOOTBALL WOMEN’S GOLF WOMEN’S SOCCER WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
...AND IN THE CLASSROOM 2 MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-STATE TEAM
HARUKA KODA WOMEN’S GOLF
WSC Player of the Year
6 TRACK & FIELD STUDENT-ATHLETES NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-STATE TEAM 8 WOMEN’S TENNIS PLAYERS NAMED JUNIOR COLLEGE SCHOLAR ATHLETES 4 COC STUDENT-ATHLETES NAMED ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS 27 COC STUDENT-ATHLETES NAMED TO CANYONS ELITE PROGRAM
COACH OF THE YEAR HONOREES TED IACENDA FOOTBALL
SCFA National Division, Northern League Coach of the Year
GARY PETERSON WOMEN’S GOLF WSC Coach of the Year
21 STUDENT-ATHLETES GRADUATED WITH HONORS
85 COUGAR STUDENT-ATHLETES GRADUATED AND/OR TRANSFERRED DURING 2019-20 Destinations include: University of Southern California Auburn University CSU Northridge Sonoma State University UC Riverside UC Merced CSU Fullerton San Jose State University Washington State University University of Nevada at Las Vegas University of Hawai’i at Manoa Middle Tennessee State University Arkansas State University Abilene Christian University University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Mercer University University of Redlands Dean College Mt. Mercy University Montana State University Wagner College North Carolina Central University Texas Wesleyan University Southeastern Oklahoma State University Northeastern State University CSU Los Angeles The Master’s University University of La Verne St. Mary’s University Nebraska Wesleyan University
19
shape it into the highly regarded and deeply valued resource that it is today. But, as we all know, this year surprised us with its uncertainty and volatility. What we thought would be a few weeks of online learning beginning in the spring turned into a monthslong absence of students and employees from our campuses – with no clear end in sight. Once the shock wore off and reality set in, our college responded to the challenges as it always has throughout its history. Our faculty, classified staff and administrative team found ways to not simply persevere, but to push forward with bold determination to ensure we continued to deliver on the promise of opportunity for the students and community we serve. Overcoming obstacles along the way was not always easy, but it was ultimately rewarding. We fast-tracked the implementation of new technology, found novel ways to connect with each other, our students, and our community, and, at the end of the academic year, focused on the accomplishments of our students by creatively celebrating their achievements while observing social-distancing requirements.
While the 2019-20 academic year did not deliver the anniversary celebrations we planned, it instead brought us something to be remembered and valued. What we saw, above all, was the character of our college revealed each and every day. Determination. Resilience. Compassion. Ingenuity. Those qualities came to the fore as we worked to meet the needs of our students and provide assistance to our community in this most unpredictable of years. They are the same qualities that built College of the Canyons into the life-changing, entrepreneurial, economic driver and dream-maker that it is today. Ours is a college that transfers students to elite universities; trains the nurses, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters who serve our community; provides customized and cutting-edge instruction for employees of local companies; prepares entrepreneurs to accomplish their dreams, and prepares students for emerging, high-paying careers. And, as we look ahead to the decades to come, we know that same determination, resilience, compassion, and ingenuity will continue to define our college, and enable us to deliver on the promise of opportunity for new generations of students.
Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook Chancellor
Mission As an innovative institution of excellence, College of the Canyons offers an accessible, enriching education that provides students with essential academic skills and prepares students for transfer education, workforce-skills development, and the attainment of learning outcomes corresponding to their educational goals. To fulfill its mission, College of the Canyons embraces diversity, fosters technical competencies, supports the development of global responsibility, and engages students and the community in scholarly inquiry, creative partnerships, and the application of knowledge.
SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Dr. Edel Alonso • Mr. Michael D. Berger • Ms. Michele R. Jenkins • Ms. Joan W. MacGregor • Mr. Steven D. Zimmer Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook, Chancellor