College of the Canyons 2020/21 Annual Report by COCPIO

A Year of Inspiring Partnerships and Possibilities

ANNUAL REPORT

SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Dr. Edel Alonso • Mr. Michael D. Berger • Mr. Sebastian C.M. Cazares • Ms. Michele R. Jenkins • Ms. Joan W. MacGregor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook, Chancellor

20/21

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.

Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook CHANCELLOR

“Out of adversity comes opportunity.” - Benjamin Franklin

ith jjust a handful of students on our campuses for only the most essential classes, 2020-21 was a most unusual year for College of the Canyons – vacant parking lots, empty classrooms, hallways quiet without their usual hustle and bustle. But that lack of visible activity on our two campuses belied what took place behind the scenes. Indeed, 2020-21 was a year marked by significant activity and scalable progress on multiple fronts. The impacts of our achievements in 2020-21 not only made an immediate difference for our students and community at a time when they were needed most, but they also set the stage for significant development of programs in the future. Ensuring Continued Access The pandemic left many students with urgent and unexpected needs as they found themselves laid off, working fewer hours, or needing to function differently. Providing practical help and keeping students connected to the college were our top priorities throughout 2020-21 and beyond to ensure they remained on track toward completing their educational goals. Thanks to federal COVID relief funds, we awarded $7.3 million in emergency grants to students to help with the cost of attending college and living expenses. Our BaNC (Basic Needs Center) distributed 6,050 grocery cards to students and partnered with the Rotary Club of Santa Clarita Valley to host a SCV-wide Thanksgiving-themed food drive for residents to donate food items for our students. Faculty and students at COC’s Institute for Culinary Education (iCuE) prepared and shared hundreds of free boxed lunches. At the same time, we continued expanding our efforts to make college affordable in other ways. Chief among them was doubling the number of students admitted to the Canyons Promise Program, which provides two years of education tuition-free, along with other beneContinued, page 20

2020-21 BY THE NUMBERS

$7.3 MILLION

COVID-19 emergency grants awarded to students

6,050

Grocery cards given to students by the college’s BaNC (Basic Needs Center)

55,000

Square footage of space in the new Canyon Country Campus Science Center

$12.4 MILLION

Grant revenue generated to launch innovative new programs

$3.3 MILLION

External funding raised to support business and industry training

$5 MILLION

Student savings on textbooks from faculty use of Zero Textbook Cost course materials 2

2,360

Graduates in 2021

1,364

32,392

Students served in 2020-21

FEMALE: 45% MALE: 55%

Associate of Arts/Science (A.A. or A.S.)

1,850 Associate of Arts/Science Transfer (A.A.-T. or A.S.-T.)

2,825 Certificates of Achievement & Specialization

17% Median wage increase of students who completed career education courses

UNDUPLICATED HEADCOUNT 70% Part-time (0-11 units) 30% Full-time (12+ units)

STUDENTS BY ETHNICITY African-American 5.2% American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.3% Asian 6.5% Latinx/Hispanic 49.4% Multi-ethnic 2.6% Filipinx/Pacific Islander 4.5% White Non-Hispanic 27.8% Unknown 3.4%

STUDENTS BY AGE 19 or younger 20 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 49 50+

32.2% 24.0% 12.9% 8.2% 6.3% 9.8% 6.5%

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.

BELLWETHER AWARD HONORS INNOVATIVE TRANSFER GROWTH Considered one of the nation’s most distinguished honors for community colleges, the 2021 Bellwether Award recognized the college’s innovative approach to assessment and course sequence redesign in English and mathematics. The resulting changes reduced transfer-level completion in English and math by two semesters, and significantly decreased racial-equity gaps. Ultimately, the changes allowed students to graduate faster, and transfer to four-year universities or begin their careers. COC’s efforts paved the way for groundbreaking legislation that eliminated mandatory developmental courses in those subjects for students at all California community colleges.

STATE AWARD RECOGNIZES VIRTUAL LEARNING SUCCESS The College of the Canyons School of Personal and Professional Learning (PPL) received a 2020-21 Exemplary Program Honorable Mention Award from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academic Senate chose “Equitable Practices in a Virtual Educational Environment” as the theme for the awards program. Since the start of the pandemic, PPL served a pivotal role in providing equitable educational opportunities in a virtual environment. PPL’s tuition-free classes provided opportunities to underserved populations and created equitable pathways toward students’ career and academic goals.

COLLEGE AMONG BEST IN U.S. FOR HISPANIC ENROLLMENT College of the Canyons was ranked No. 18 nationally by The Hispanic Outlook on Higher Education for enrolling the largest number of Hispanic students. The magazine’s rankings for the Top 25 Community Colleges for Hispanics were based on enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics, which showed that the college’s Hispanic population of 15,703 students represented 45 percent of total enrollment in spring 2019. That figure moved closer to 47 percent as the 2019-20 academic year came to a close. 4

COC PARTNERS WITH AJCC

REACHING FOR THE STARS

The college’s Center 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.

The Aerospace and Sciences Team participated in two major projects. For the fifth time in a row, the student-led team was selected to participate in NASA’s High Altitude Student Platform (HASP) program. The student-designed project to determine the number of antimatter collisions in the upper stratosphere was prepared for a scheduled launch in late 2021. And, the team was chosen once again to launch a student-designed payload as part of NASA’s RockSat-X program. Notably, no other college teams participating in these programs tackled two NASA missions simultaneously.

COVID TRANSITION WORK EARNS IT AWARDS The Information Technology Division was recognized with two awards from the California Community College Chief Information Systems Officers Association for its outstanding support in transitioning the college’s operations and instructional programs to a remote environment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The division’s Computer Support Services Team received the 2021 Technology Excellence Award, which recognizes demonstrated excellence through technological advancements by a community college. And, Dr. James Temple, vice president of technology, received a 2021 Excellence in Technology Leadership Award from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for demonstrating exemplary leadership within the technology profession. 5

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.

VALENCIA CAMPUS HOSTS COVID-19 TESTING SITE The parking structure in Lot 7 at the Valencia campus served as a COVID-19 drive-through testing site, providing more than 150,000 tests to the community during the year. Operated in partnership with Los Angeles County, the site was among the first one to open in the Santa Clarita Valley during the pandemic. COC nursing students were among those who staffed the clinic, which provided them with clinical hours needed to graduate.

MAKERSPACE PRODUCES AND DONATES FACE SHIELDS The college’s MakerSpace donated 100 face shields to UCLA Health Santa Clarita and 150 face shields to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. The face shields—which were created with MakerSpace’s 3-D printing machines—helped medical professionals to continue safely handling COVID-19 cases with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

ROTARY CLUB MAKES BANC DEPOSIT College of the Canyons received a $9,500 donation from the Rotary Club of Santa Clarita Valley, which was divided equally to establish a scholarship fund for culinary arts students and the college’s Basic Needs Center (BaNC). The one-time grant made it possible to award four scholarships to culinary students and cover the general operational costs of the BaNC, which meets the needs of housingand food-insecure students.

EDISON GRANT BOOSTS FIRE TECH PROGRAM For the third year in a row, Edison International awarded a $25,000 grant to the college’s Fire Technology Program in support of its development and training of current and future fire fighters. The grant funds uniforms for students and storage for firefighting gear and equipment. As well, 10 Fire Technology students received $1,000 scholarships to cover tuition, books and school-related fees.

DONATION EXPANDS HYBRID VEHICLE SERVICE TRAINING With the help of Valencia Acura, College of the Canyons received a $20,000 donation from the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association (GLANCDA) in support of the Automotive Technology program. The funds will allow the program to purchase the equipment, curriculum materials, and supplies required to expand training for students on hybrid vehicle service maintenance and repair.

ONLINE TRAINING FOR HART DISTRICT With the vast majority of classes held virtually in the 2020-21 academic year, the college leveraged its online teaching expertise to benefit the community. Faculty leaders from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and staff from Online Education collaborated with instructional coaches from the William S. Hart Union High School District to create a selfpaced online course for local teachers to learn important principles of online instruction. More than 500 Hart District teachers accessed the course to hone their online teaching skills to help local high school students. 7

SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS Meeting the needs of students and keeping them connected to the campus remained top priorities for College of the Canyons during a year of virtual learning.

STUDENT EMERGENCY GRANTS PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED ASSISTANCE The college distributed $7.3 million in emergency grants to students with federal, state and local funds earmarked for student assistance. The grants came at a critical time, as students and their families struggled with unemployment or working fewer hours in the wake of the economic disruption caused by the pandemic. In addition, the college awarded another $100,000 of federal COVID-19 block grants to students with past-due rent, mortgage and/or utility bills.

BANC & CULINARY ARTS COLLABORATE TO HELP STUDENTS IN NEED The College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education (iCuE) and Basic Needs Center (BaNC) joined forces to provide free meals and grocery store gift cards to students in need each week of the spring 2021 semester. A total of 6,050 grocery cards and hundreds of boxed lunches were provided at drive-through and walk-up events. As well, the BaNC partnered with the Rotary Club of Santa Clarita Valley on a Thanksgiving food drive that yielded 200 bags of food. The BaNC provides students in need with assistance obtaining a variety of services such as food, clothing, shower kits and personal hygiene products, housing referral assistance, and CalFresh and Medi-Cal sign-up assistance on an ongoing basis throughout the year. 8

CAMPUS MULTICULTURAL CENTER CELEBRATES VIRTUAL OPENING The college hosted a virtual opening of its Multicultural Center, officially creating a space on campus to provide students with a sense of belonging, community, empathy-building and empowerment also reflects the college’s longstanding commitment to The dedicated purpose of the Multicultural Center meeting the needs of its changing student body by removis to provide safe and brave spaces for historically ing barriers that inhibit student access, engagement and minoritized and marginalized groups on campus with success. the goal of increased diversity, equity and inclusion The daylong virtual opening event included several throughout the college’s fabric. discussions regarding the Multicultural Center’s mission, The Multicultural Center, which is expected to open in a physical location at the Valencia campus in 2022,

vision, guiding principles, and historical efforts led by COC student leaders, faculty and staff members.

COUGAR ATHLETICS RETURNS TO CAMPUS More than 170 student-athletes and coaches representing 14 athletic programs returned to campus in April 2021 to begin outdoor team strength and conditioning activities in preparation of a fall 2021 sports season, guided by a stringent return-to-campus plan designed to ensure the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches and support staff. Canyons athletic programs had previously been out of action since March 2020 following the CCCAA’s initial postponement, and eventual cancellation, of the spring 2020 season due to the rapidly unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.

NON-CREDIT STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT DRIVE-THRU CELEBRATION The college’s School of Personal and Professional Learning (PPL) held an in-person drive-through celebration to honor its graduating non-credit students from the class of 2021, while still adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols. Staged in Lot 2 of the Valencia campus, the event included the opportunity for proud graduates and their families to drive through a celebratory line of college faculty, staff and students on hand to honor their accomplishments. The School of Personal and Professional Learning provides community members with a variety of tuition-free learning opportunities designed to help them grow and thrive through the development of new skills and competencies and the exploration of personal interests. 9

GRAD WALK Honors Class of 2021

The college honored its 2021 graduating class during a special Grad Walk celebration, which was held from June 2 to 5 in the Honor Grove. Each in-person walk-through experience celebrated the achievements of the year’s graduating class while adhering to state and county health regulations.

CLASS OF 2021 AT A GLANCE Even after more than a year of learning online, students continued to demonstrate academic excellence. • • • •

2,360 students petitioned for graduation 104 majors represented 930 students earned two or more degrees 902 students graduated with honors - 3.5 GPA or higher • 123 valedictorians - 4.0 GPAs • 70 Academy of the Canyons students earned associate degrees

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FISCAL RESOURCES EXPAND SERVICES TO STUDENTS By growing its resources through multiple funding sources, including state, federal and private grants, the college consistently expands and enhances student enrollment, programs and services while building on

its record of sound fiscal management. Since 2002, the college has received the highest possible rating on 97 percent of its finance and performance audits that review the district, the foundation and general obligation bonds.

2020-21 Revenues (Unrestricted General Fund)

Apportionment, Property Taxes & Enrollment Fees $75,415,260 Other State Sources $34,694,775 Local Sources $2,794,107 Facility Use Rentals $839,944 Federal Sources $89,982 All Other Sources $1,974,732 TOTAL REVENUES

2019-20 Expenses (Unrestricted General Fund)

Salaries $73,862,244 Benefits $27,294,309 All Other Expenses $14,227,922 TOTAL EXPENSES $115,384,475

64.01% 23.66% 12.33%

$115,808,800

65.12% 29.96% 2.41% 0.72% 0.08% 1.71%

New Grants Awarded in 2020/21 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Open Textbooks Pilot Program, U.S. Department of Education

$137,561 Creates a more affordable college experience for students by developing digital resources that allow students to freely access opensource textbooks.

K-14 Pathways Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office

$180,000 Helps students successfully transition from high school to college by partnering with schools, teachers, and counselors to create clear pathways for students.

Mental Health Services Program California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office

Total Grant Revenue

$250,843 Promotes mental health awareness and expands counseling services accessible by students.

Pritzker Foster Care Initiative Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation

$40,000 Provides foster youth with counseling and basic need services through the College of the Canyons Inspire Scholars program.

FACILITIES/BOND MEASURES Measure E, the $230 million bond measure approved by local voters in 2016, continues to fuel facilities expansion and modernization at the college’s two campuses. The Canyon Country campus, in particular, has undergone a dramatic transformation with the opening of the Science Center, while the Valencia campus continued to undergo significant upgrades and modernization, all of which ensure the college can accommodate cutting-edge academic programs and that students have access to state-of-the-art learning spaces.

VALENCIA CAMPUS BOYKIN HALL Work progressed on the college’s original science building to bring it up to date with current standards. Built in 1975, Boykin Hall is undergoing a seismic upgrade and a complete renovation of all interior spaces, including replacement of all plumbing, HVAC, electrical and data systems.

ADA TRANSITION PLAN AND BARRIER REMOVAL Planning continued on Phase II of the ADA Transition Plan and Barrier Removal, a longterm project to ensure that doors, passageways and other access points comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Phase I was completed in 2020.

CANYON COUNTRY CAMPUS SCIENCE CENTER The four-level Science Center was completed and on track to open for classes in fall 2021, bringing modern classrooms and laboratories to the heart of the campus, and meeting the growing demand for courses in the sciences. Also completed were outdoor common areas and an amphitheater shared with the Student Services/Learning Resources Center (see below). To put the significance of this building into perspective, its 55,000 square feet of space eclipses the total space available at the campus previously.

STUDENT SERVICES/ LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER Construction continued in 2021 on the Student Services/Learning Resources Center, whose exterior design will mirror the recently completed Science Center. Spanning 55,000 square feet, the building will house key student-support services such as the TLC (The Learning Center), Library, and Student Health & Wellness Center, as well as classrooms and staff offices. The building is expected to be completed in fall 2022.

LECTURE BUILDING Planning and design work continued for the Lecture Building, the next major permanent facility at the Canyon Country campus. As its name implies, the building will be devoted to lecture and classroom spaces. 15

A FOUNDATION FOR PROGRESS As our community continued to face the pandemic’s challenges, the College of the Canyons Foundation focused its efforts on meeting student needs and providing support to local businesses through the Chancellor’s Circle. The Foundation also moved forward to achieve its fundraising goals in support of the college and its students thanks to generous private and corporate donors.

BUSINESS BRIEFINGS OFFER TIMELY HELP Virtual Chancellor’s Circle Business Briefings provided local businesses with actionable insights and information on urgent topics related to navigating the pandemic, including financial planning, adapting through change, employment law, mentorship, and an economic development roundtable.

STEPPING UP TO SUPPORT STUDENTS When students were faced with housing and food insecurity in the wake of job layoffs and lost hours, the Foundation stepped up its fundraising for the Student Resource and Success Fund, which is designed to provide emergency help for students and enable them to stay enrolled in their classes. The Foundation generated $97,289 in revenue for this important effort. With most classes offered online, there was a need for student computers, and the Foundation helped provide 1,500 laptops that ensured students could access virtual learning and successfully complete their classes. 16

Julie Visner memorial

• ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP •

NEW SCHOLARSHIP CARRIES ON THE WORK OF COUNSELOR JULIE VISNER The Foundation’s newest endowed scholarship honors Julie Visner, a beloved counselor who inspired both students and colleagues during more than 35 years of service to College of the Canyons. Living her motto of “saving the world, one student at a time,” Julie’s goal in life was not only to survive, but to thrive. She did just that, continuing to work with students for many years after being diagnosed with cancer. In tribute to her positive attitude, unwavering courage, and incredible spirit, the Foundation partnered with Julie’s family to establish the Julie Visner Memorial Endowed Scholarship, and continue her mission of saving the world, one student at a time.

A FIRST FOR SCHOLARSHIPS The Foundation awarded more than $286,000 in scholarships to 250 students this year, the first time that every available scholarship was awarded to qualifying students. The annual Scholarship Reception was hosted virtually, giving donors the opportunity to meet the recipients of their scholarships and hear remarks from Chancellor Dr. Dianne Van Hook.

GOLF TOURNAMENT ROLLS ON Although the pandemic derailed the planned 2020 “Swing for Scholarships” golf tournament, the Tournament Committee hosted a virtual event that raised $41,700 in support of the Foundation’s student scholarship fund.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI RECOGNIZED The Foundation honored six outstanding College of the Canyons alumni during a virtual Alumni Banner Reception. Honorees Ashlyn Carr, Jaren Gaither, Estela Hernandez, Michael Kramer, Samantha Gebers, and Fabian Trebizo II were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in their respective careers. Each alum shared stories of faculty and programs that inspired them while at COC, and highlighted the impressive contributions they have gone on to make in their professional lives.

Samantha Gebers

Michael Kramer

Estela Hernandez

NEWS REPORTER, HAWAII NEWS NOW

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, AFRICAN AMERICAN POLICY FORUM

AEROSPACE ENGINEER, NASA

THE JOURNALIST’S COLLEGE

THE ATTORNEY’S COLLEGE

THE ENGINEER’S COLLEGE 17

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Economic Development Division worked to help regional business and industry recover from the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

LOW OBSERVABLE (STEALTH) PROGRAM LAUNCHES In June 2021, College of the Canyons announced a partnership with Northrop Grumman to launch the state’s first-ever Low Observable (stealth) Coatings Application Program to train students in applying a special coating to aircraft, missiles and other defense systems, enabling them to operate undetected. Scheduled to begin in fall 2021, the 130-hour course includes both online instruction and in-person virtual painting simulator. After successfully completing the course, students are eligible to be hired immediately by Northrop Grumman.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION Contract Education & Grant Revenue

2020–21 BY THE NUMBERS • $3.3 million in external revenue raised • 2,711 clients/companies served • 4,875 individuals served • 1,211 entrepreneurs counseled • 103 jobs created/retained • $13.7 million in client sales growth • $21.2 million of client capital raised

CERTIFICATES AWARDED THROUGH THE STRONG WORKFORCE APPRENTICESHIP GROUP • 44 registered apprentices through Department of Labor • 30 registered apprentices through Division of Apprenticeship Standards 18

SBDC HELPS LOCAL BUSINESSES SURVIVE AMIDST PANDEMIC The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by College of the Canyons provided COVID-19 pandemic outreach, and disaster assistance and recovery services to the community, entrepreneurs, business owners and non-profits, enabling businesses to stay open and keep workers employed. The SBDC continued accessibility, virtually and via phone, daily, through one-on-one business advising and assisted clients with disaster funding resources including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), Targeted EIDL Advance, and state and local grants.

NEW STATEWIDE LEAD FOR MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP GRANT The Economic Development Division secured a Kaiser Permanente Mental Health & Wellness Strategic Partnership Grant in 2020 to grow the number of individuals exposed to and connected to the mental health profession, as well as increase the diversity, equity, and inclusion of individuals interested in this field to better reflect the populations served. The grant also aims to improve the geographic distribution of individuals interested and connected to the mental health profession and develop essential marketing tools for access to careers in mental health and health and human services.

CANYON COUNTRY CAMPUS Construction of new facilities continues at the campus on Sierra Highway, with new labs and classrooms to enhance instruction in high-tech fields.

SCIENCE CENTER The Canyon Country campus continued its development as a center for comprehensive higher education with its new Science Center, which entered the final stages of construction in spring 2021 for an anticipated fall semester opening. Upon its completion, the Science Center more than doubles the instructional square footage at the Canyon Country campus, and at 55,000 square feet will represent the most significant expansion to the campus since its opening in 2007. The center features four biology labs, a cadaver room, four chemistry/science labs, along with a 72-seat large lecture hall, 24 faculty and staff office stations, three computer labs, nine group study and conference rooms, and numerous gathering spaces. The building’s exterior area also includes an amphitheater, garden, and plazas as additional spaces for instruction and engagement. These state-of-the-art learning spaces will enable the college to offer more classes, enhance science-based instructional pathways, and assist students in their pursuit of careers in emerging hightech fields. This complex of highly anticipated labs, classrooms, and study spaces is ultimately a place for students to learn and engage in a beautiful environment with the latest instructional resources.

STUDENT SERVICES & LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER The campus continued construction of its Student Services & Learning Resources Center, a mirror image of the Science Center, which will provide an additional 55,000 square feet of space to expand student support and classroom resources. This project will also enhance the central amphitheater and plaza in the center of the Canyon Country campus. As the Canyon Country campus continues to expand its delivery of both high-quality instructional and student support services, the Student Services & Learning Resources Center will serve as a central location for student support services. The four-story structure includes meeting and classroom spaces and will facilitate delivery of tutoring and library services alongside a full complement of student services offices and programs. This important project will ensure that students can receive the support and resources needed to successfully pursue their educational goals. 19

fits, to first-time college students who enroll full-time. More than 1,400 students were accepted for fall 2020. We also expanded the number of classes that use Zero Textbook Cost course materials. Adopting these open-source alternatives to costly traditional textbooks saves our students more than $5 million each year. Supporting Ongoing Economic Recovery Our region’s economy continues to recover from the disruption caused by the pandemic, and we know that more changes are coming. As companies adapt to this emerging reality, it will create new opportunities for workers equipped with the right skills. With decades of experience in economic development, and a strong history of collaboration, College of the Canyons is poised to offer training that will bridge the gap between industry requirements and current workforce skills. Perhaps the most innovative new opportunity is the Low Observable (stealth) Coatings Application Training Program we developed in partnership with Northrop Grumman. The first of its kind in California, the 12-week program will train students on how to apply special coating to aircraft, missiles and other defense systems that will allow them to operate undetected. We are also moving forward with developing an Advanced Technology Center to prepare students for high-skill jobs in high-demand industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing/computerized machining (CNC), welding and robotic welding, fabrication, construction technologies, database enterprises and cybersecurity. The ATC will be located off-campus, where it will be more convenient for business and industry to take advantage of its training opportunities. Our recent Medical Lab Technician graduates collectively achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the American Society for Clinical Pathologists National Board Exam, qualifying them to be hired immediately for jobs in our community’s fast-growing biotechnology sector. Our nursing students demonstrated similar excellence, claiming a 92.45 percent pass rate on the national licensing exam. Short-term training opportunities allow students to obtain new skills and quickly begin working, while also setting the stage for continued learning and subsequent career development. To that end, the School of Personal and Professional Learning launched several new courses, including Entering the Workforce Post Criminal Conviction, Essential Reading and Writing Skills for College and Career, and Hotel Front Office Training.

move forward with plans to renovate learning spaces and build new facilities. We received state approval and funding to begin a much-needed remodel of Boykin Hall. Among the original Valencia Campus buildings, Boykin Hall is more than 40 years old. Upon completion of a year-long seismic safety retrofit and modernization in 2022, every interior space will be brand new for faculty, staff, and students. At the Canyon Country campus, work continued throughout 2020-21 on the 55,000-square-foot Science Center. Named in honor of Don Takeda, a professor of biology who taught for 46 years at the college, the facility features eight lecture classrooms, eight science labs, three computer labs, nine group study/conference rooms, as well as 24 faculty and staff office stations. This one building doubles the instructional space at the Canyon Country campus and includes more lab facilities than three buildings at the Valencia campus. This increased capacity for teaching will be invaluable to students planning careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as aspiring nurses who will help address the critical shortage of nurses at local hospitals after successfully earning their degrees. Construction began on the accompanying Student Services and Learning Resources Center and is expected to be completed in 2022. It will enable us to expand the student support services available on campus while housing everything together in one location convenient for students. Together, the two buildings, and the amphitheater that joins them, will serve as the focal point for the Canyon Country campus. Although the circumstances we faced this year were unique, they did not alter our approach to planning for the future at College of the Canyons. We continue to look ahead and move forward with energy, focus, and vision. By anticipating what will be needed, and being open to innovative ideas from our partners, we can create new possibilities that did not exist before to bring forth unimagined opportunities for the students and community we so proudly serve. This year was challenging, but we remained undaunted and used the challenges we faced to to lay a foundation for amazing achievements to come. I’m proud of everything we accomplished this year, and as a valued partner in our success, I hope you share the same sense of pride in College of the Canyons, your community college.

Building for the Future Properly equipped classrooms and laboratories are essential to facilitating student learning, so we continued to

Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook Chancellor

A Year of Inspiring Partnerships and Possibilities

ANNUAL REPORT

20/21