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NEWS & VIEWS FROM COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS SUMMER 2016
The June 7 election was
a momentous occasion for
College of the Canyons.
Seeing our community
step up to support the college by approving Measure E is both gratifying
and invigorating, and the
advancement and momentum it represents is more
powerful still for the future generations who
count on us to help them
achieve their dreams.
Abraham Lincoln said,
“The best way to predict
your future is to create it.”
The passage of Measure E
means so many things to
so many people, most of
whom have yet to step
into one of our classrooms.
It means we'll be able to
help them create their futures by educating and
training them in the latest
cutting-edge programs,
many of which have yet to
be launched. It means
we'll be able to build more
classrooms and labs, to
construct permanent
buildings at the Canyon
See CHANCELLOR on Page 2
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SPEECH TEAM RANKED NO. 1
AT NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
or the first time in the program’s 12-year history, the College of the Canyons Speech Team
has been ranked No. 1 at the annual Phi Rho
Pi National Tournament, after brining home a combined 14 medals to put a cap on its most successful
season to date.
COC finished the event No. 1 in the competition’s
intermediate Wheeler Division by scoring more
than 20 points higher than its closest competitor.
Along the way, the college claimed three gold, three
silver and eight bronze medals.
“We keep on telling each other, ‘We did it’… be-
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Passage of Measure E
an Investment in Future
ith Santa Clarita Valley voters approving
Measure E by a 58.46 percent majority,
College of the Canyons will have the
resources needed to not only meet the demands of
growing student enrollment, but also address
the community’s future needs for education and
training.
The college, which was originally designed in
1967 for a capacity of 5,000 students at build-out,
now serves more than 20,000 students at the
Valencia and Canyon Country campuses. Projections estimate that student enrollment will surpass
cause we’re still in shock,” Speech Team director
and communications professor Michael Leach said.
“Watching each team member support each other
and root for each other at the awards ceremony will
forever be with me.”
Phi Rho Pi is the National Junior College Forensic Association and Honor Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the forensic
arts – in this case, speech and debate – at the junior
and community college level. The organization
dates to 1927 and offers the only full-service speech
tournament at the national level.
See SPEECH on Page 10
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EMT Program
Takes Ride into Future
he College of the Canyons Emergency
Medical Technician Program has become the first in California – and one of
only 16 in the nation – to incorporate an advanced, state-of-the-art ambulance simulator
into its curriculum.
The simulator, built by Simulator Solutions,
replicates a variety of situations that take place
in an ambulance by mimicking road movements and other distractions that typically
occur inside a moving ambulance.
See EMT on Page 10
See MEASURE E on Page 11
WE BE L IE V E IN T E ACHING, L E ADING AND STAY ING AT T HE F ORE F RONT OF CHANGE
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2
THE BOTTOM LINE ✽ SUMMER 2016
Chancellor
FROM PAGE 1
Country campus, and to renovate existing
spaces to provide technical training for highpaying jobs here in the Santa Clarita Valley.
And it means our community reach and impact will be expanded in ways that benefit
more than just our students.
Demands of Rising Enrollment
Today, College of the Canyons serves
about 20,000 students per semester. With expected steady growth over the next decade,
that number will reach 30,000 – an increase
of 50 percent.
At the same time, we see the need for education increasing. Technology is reshaping
existing industries and spawning whole new
industry segments, which creates a growing
need for education and training.
By 2020 – just four years from now – an
estimated two-thirds of all jobs in the U.S.
will require some education beyond high
school. That doesn’t necessarily mean a
bachelor’s degree, but it does mean some
college coursework.
Where will that education likely be delivered? At a community college. Our two-year
campuses are flexible enough to quickly create new coursework and deliver it in response to urgent industry needs.
Meeting Needs of the Future
Fortified by the resources Measure E will
provide, our objectives are to continue accommodating the increasing numbers of
high school and re-entry students who come
to College of the Canyons to complete their
first two years of college, to educate and
train employees of local companies who
need upgraded training and continuing education, and to serve all who have partnered
with us to deliver innovation and meet the
challenges of the future.
Measure E will allow College of the
Canyons to:
• Renovate Outdated Classrooms –
Approximately 350,000 square feet of
aging classrooms, labs and service centers
at the Valencia campus will be updated
with modern learning spaces to serve more
than 40 academic and career technical
educational departments.
• Transform the Canyon Country
Campus – The next four permanent buildings will be constructed at the Canyon
Country campus, including classrooms,
labs and instructional support areas for the
arts, student services, library and tutoring.
If we receive matching funds from future
statewide bonds, we will initially receive
an 85 percent match for our science building at the Canyon Country campus, which
means our Measure E bond funds will go
even further! The continued development
of this campus, our investment on the
east side of the Santa Clarita Valley, is
reshaping the Sierra Highway corridor,
and will bring new amenities to the
community. Plans call for a 250-seat
performance space that will provide a
new venue for performing arts groups
and audiences alike.
• Improve Parking and Accessibility –
Approximately 1,000 new parking spaces
will be provided in a structure to be built
at Valencia Boulevard and Rockwell
Canyon Road, making the Valencia
campus more accessible for students and
visitors. Those attending large community
events in Cougar Stadium or the Santa
Clarita Performing Arts Center at College
of the Canyons will find it easier to park
and enjoy their events.
• Generate Matching State Funds – The
college will compete for state building
funds and could receive up to $40 million
over the next eight years that will generate
economic activity in our community
through building and construction.
Rising Costs of Higher Education
Another value College of the Canyons
adds to the community is the alternative we
provide to the rising cost of higher education. Students and their parents are amassing more and more education debt as costs
rise at four-year universities. A recent study
showed that last year college graduates were
burdened with an average $35,000 in loan
debt. Enrollment fees at College of the
Canyons remain at $46 per unit.
With more students headed our way,
and the economy requiring a more skilled
workforce, College of the Canyons is working to ensure that we are creating a future
where we can effectively meet these needs.
As we move forward with vision, foresight, energy and the resources to continue
meeting the community’s needs for higher
education, I know great things will happen
for our students. It will be an exciting
adventure – and I look forward to seeing
what the future holds as we build and create
opportunities for this community. I am
confident that we are going to continue to
do amazing things.
Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook serves as
chancellor of College of the Canyons.
The Bottom Line is published by the College of the Canyons Public Information Office to inform the community
of news and events of interest in the Santa Clarita Community College District.
Vice President, Public Information
Advocacy and External Relations
Eric Harnish
Managing Director, District
Communications
John Green
Editorial Team
Jesse Munoz
Jose Franco
Dacia Martinez
John Bogna
Layout & Design
Evelyn Cox
Phone: (661) 259-7800
Internet: http://www.canyons.edu
Mailing Address
Santa Clarita Community College District
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
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SUMMER 2016 ✽ THE BOTTOM LINE
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Fast Track Program Helps Launch New Careers
he latest graduates from the College of the Canyons Fast Track
Program prove that with the right training, you can go from
being unemployed to launching a new career in just seven
weeks.
Offered by COC’s Economic Development Division, the program
is a collection of intensive courses geared toward entry-level skills
training and certifications that prepare students for varied fields,
including CNC (computer numerically controlled) manufacturing.
In CNC manufacturing, operators program and control machines
that shape metal into parts for a wide range of industrial and aerospace
applications.
Fast Track is designed to train people with no previous experience
for work in a new field, although a few students already working in
CNC are upgrading their skills.
“We’ve had everyone from bartenders to Starbucks baristas to people
who haven’t worked in five years,” said Joe Klocko, recently retired
dean of economic development. He described the program as “shortterm, intensive training that would give someone the skills to find a
better job.”
The 280-hour, seven-week CNC program is divided into classroom
and hands-on time to teach students the skills they’ll need on the job.
T
Topics include safety protocols, blueprint reading, shop math, and
machining parts.
Students are taught in the college’s machining lab by experts trained
to educate adults in CNC machining, and utilize textbooks alongside
a scientific calculator, online toolset, and machinist’s measuring
implements. Upon completion, students earn a CNC Machining
Certificate of Completion and National Career Readiness Certificate.
Graduates are highly sought, earning up to $20 per hour after gaining
on-the-job experience. The Fast Track graduation features a job fair,
the most recent of which attracted 12 companies that interviewed the
nine most recent graduates looking for work.
The companies included Aerospace Dynamics, Honda Performance
Development, and The Spaceship Company, owned by Virgin
Galactic’s Richard Branson.
Each graduate spent 15 minutes interviewing with each employer,
with follow-up interviews scheduled based on the initial meetings.
New Fast Track classes start throughout the year. Admission is based
on application, and enrollment fees are waived for unemployed
students.
Information: www.canyonsecondev.org/business-units/fti
COLLEGE IT DEPARTMENT
Recognized for Innovation
he College of the Canyons Information Technology department has been
recognized for innovation by both the
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the California Community
College Chief Information Systems Officers
Association.
whatever we can to remind them of important dates and appointments. We are fortunate at College of the Canyons to have such
a talented group of people who visualize
ideas and make them happen.”
2016 Technology Excellence Award
2016 Technology Focus Award
The department was honored with the
Chancellor’s Office Technology Focus
Award for its “registration appointment text
message reminder” program, which debuted
this past winter and alerts students via text
message about upcoming registration appointments.
On the day of their registration appointment, students who have provided the college with their cell phone numbers and
service providers receive text-message alerts
15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment times.
The program has been credited with vastly
reducing the number of students who miss
registration appointments and increasing the
number of students who successfully register
for classes.
Jim Temple, associate vice president of
technology, and Mark Garcia, director of MIS.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the
Chancellor’s Office for the work we have
done to use technology to help ensure students get registered for the classes they
need,” said Jim Temple, associate vice president of technology. “Like many of us, students are busy with classes, work and family
responsibilities. Because of that we try to do
The department also was awarded the
2016 California Community College Chief
Information Systems Officers Association
Technology Excellence Award in recognition
of new online services that enhance student
success.
The college was recognized for its “online
education plan” for students, online counseling services, and online tutoring services offered by The Learning Center (TLC).
The projects were made possible by a $2.6
million Department of Education grant to
fund technological improvements that enhance students’ educational experience.
“These initiatives are extremely important
in ensuring our students are able to meet their
educational goals,” Temple said. “Collectively, they have provided students with the
tools they need, at the time they need them,
in order to be successful.”
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THE BOTTOM LINE ✽ SUMMER 2016
C
McKeon Seeds Scholarship Fund
with $10,000 Donation
ollege of the Canyons hosted U.S.
Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (Ret.)
for a special on-campus reception to
officially endow the new McKeon Scholars
Award annual student scholarship fund.
McKeon spoke about the many benefits
of civic engagement programs and the importance of a younger generation’s involvement
in helping to better their community, before
presenting the College of the Canyons Foundation with a $10,000 check to seed the scholarship fund.
The McKeon Scholars Award is available
to COC students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
who are majoring in political science and/or
interested in pursuing a career in public service and civic engagement. The annual
$500 scholarship will help defray the costs of
college education.
“This is a tremendous honor to
support student
success at
College of the
Canyons and
inspire the
next generation of
T
community leaders,” McKeon said. “If we can
encourage people to serve and be involved, the
impact on our colleges, our community, and our
country will be immeasurable.”
Several students spoke during the event to
discuss their various civic engagement activities, as well as share potential initiatives with
McKeon and college administrators.
“We are proud to partner with Chairman
McKeon in equipping a new generation of
leaders,” College of the Canyons Chancellor
Dr. Dianne Van Hook said. “Because of his
generosity, today’s students will be inspired
to complete their educations, pursue their
dreams of public service, and become
tomorrow’s leaders.”
The donation is the result of a pledge
McKeon made during the first installment of
the McKeon Leadership Forum, a speaker series that promotes civic engagement throughout the community. During the inaugural
event in November, McKeon was joined by
Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, commander
of U.S. Southern Command, who stressed the
importance of civic responsibility.
“We all need to reconnect to what makes
America so extraordinary, to rediscover why
we should be proud of who we are, what we
stand for, to be part of something bigger,
to strive for something better, but to strive
together,” Kelly said. “We can find this very
easy in our county and our society, and that
is through service.”
Retired Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (center) presents a donation to College of the Canyons Foundation
Board Member Randy Moberg (left) and Murray Wood, the foundation’s chief development officer.
LAPD Honored for College Internship Program
he Los Angeles Police Department’s
Motor Transport Division received
statewide honors for establishing an internship program that gives College of the
Canyons automotive technology students
hands-on experience working on one of the nation’s largest law enforcement vehicle fleets.
The Motor Transport Division was named
2016 Employer Program of the Year by the
California Internship and Work Experience
Association, the state’s professional association for educators and employers supporting
internship and work experience programs in
higher education.
Through the internship, students in the college’s Automotive Technology Program
work on the Motor Transport Division’s fleet
of more than 5,100 vehicles. Under the direction of Commanding Officer Vartan
Yegiyan, students are now in their third semester of internships with the LAPD.
Since the spring 2015 semester, 12 students have completed the 80-hour internship,
which pairs them with a master mechanic for
instruction and hands-on training in preventative maintenance service, diagnostics and
repair. Interns also work on vehicle modifications and collision repair.
Yegiyan approached the college to form
the partnership last year. It was an immediate
success, prompting Gina Bogna, acting assistant dean of internships, job development
and career center, to nominate the Motor
Transport Division for the award.
“I nominated LAPD because they took
such a vested interest in creating an internship training program, Bogna said. “LAPD
not only took great care and consideration to
develop a program, but also they want to take
at least two students a semester ongoing, so
that creates an amazing opportunity for our
students.”
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Local businesswoman and community volunteer Jill Mellady was honored with the College of the Canyons Foundation’s Silver Spur Award
for Community Service during a gala celebration at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. Hundreds of her friends, family members, colleagues and
admirers packed the hotel’s top-floor Starview Room to share in the
March 19 occasion and celebrate her commitment to the community. She
is, as Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook put it, “an example of the
difference that one person can make by giving from the heart.”
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THE BOTTOM LINE ✽ SUMMER 2016
A
ASL Student Wins Statewide Scholarship
touching essay about her experiences
as an intern in the Sulphur Springs
School District earned American
Sign Language student Courtney Wiscarson
a statewide scholarship, and the honor of
being the first student from College of the
Canyons to win the award.
“Fingers flutter and hands slide as they
form pictures and words; each sign comes together to create the beautiful art of American
Sign Language,” Wiscarson wrote in her
award-winning essay for the Dr. Bernard L.
Hyink Scholarship given by the California
Internship and Work Experience Association
(CIWEA).
COC's Cooperative Work Experience Education department is a member of CIWEA,
California’s leading professional association
for educators and employers dedicated to
supporting internship and work experience
programs in higher education.
Gina Bogna, acting assistant dean of
COC’s Internships, Job Development, and
Student Courtney Wiscarson (left) and Gina
Bogna, acting assistant dean of internships,
job development & career center.
Career Center, encouraged 10 students from
the college to apply for the award’s two-year
college category, which was open to students
from California’s 113 community colleges.
Only one winner – Wiscarson – was selected
to receive the $1,000 award.
Her 750-word essay about working as an
interpreter highlighted the resilience of the
deaf and hard-of-hearing students with
whom she worked. She also touched on the
uncertainty she felt in taking what she
learned in the classroom and applying it in a
professional setting, in particular, her worry
about signing incorrectly to the children.
Wiscarson credited her mentor with guiding her through the internship experience:
“She did everything in her power for these
kids, and she did everything in her power for
me.” The successful internship confirmed
Wiscarson’s career goal of working as an
interpreter with elementary school children.
Information: www.canyons.edu/cwee
College Honored with
ACSA Golden Apple Award
T
he Santa Clarita Valley Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) has named College of the Canyons its
Golden Apple Award honoree for the 2015-16 academic year.
The Golden Apple Award is presented annually to a single person,
company, organization or institution that works to collectively support the SCV’s local elementary and high school districts.
College of the Canyons was recognized for a wide range of educational support, outreach and volunteer programs that serve students
and the community.
“The Santa Clarita Valley ACSA has selected an outstanding honoree that goes above and beyond to assist our schools and help them
to be the wonderful institutions that they are,” Eran Zeevi, president
of the SCV ACSA, said during the award presentation.
“I would like to thank, on behalf of the Santa Clarita Valley, a
special organization who has impacted all schools and districts in so
many positive ways.”
College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said
the award recognizes a college-wide commitment to partnerships.
“We’re honored by this award, which was made possible by the
creativity and collaborative spirit of so many different people at College of the Canyons,” she said. “Our faculty, staff and administrators
recognize that if we are willing to work together, we can accomplish
more for Santa Clarita students than by working as individuals.”
College initiatives highlighted:
• Continued opportunities for
high school students to concurrently
enroll in tuition-free college courses.
• The wide variety of college preparedness services and workshops for high
school students and their families, including “college and career coaches” at each local high school campus.
• The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center’s K-12 Arts Education
Outreach Program, which collaborates with local K-12 educators to
develop arts education programs in classrooms.
• The presence of TEACH program student volunteers at elementary and high school classrooms throughout the community.
• The continued outreach efforts related to the college’s lineup of
free ESL courses.
• Donation of funds and materials to further the development of
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) curriculum
in elementary schools.
“Today’s elementary, junior high, and high school students are
tomorrow’s College of the Canyons students,” Dr. Van Hook said.
“We’re committed to helping them succeed now, understand that college is possible, and inspire them to pursue their dreams. When they
are ready for college, we will be ready for them.”
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SUMMER 2016 ✽ THE BOTTOM LINE
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7
Student Science Project to Reach New Heights
he College of the Canyons Astronomy & Physics (A&P) Club
has been selected to provide one of 12 college-level experiments that will be placed aboard NASA’s High Altitude Student Platform (HASP), which is set to launch from Fort Sumner, New
Mexico, over Labor Day weekend.
The club’s “Cosmic Dust Collection Unit” experiment will take
place during a unique weather balloon mission that’s estimated to be
aloft 10 to 20 hours and travel to an altitude of approximately
120,000 feet.
Upon the weather balloon’s return to earth, NASA will secure the
collection unit, protecting the integrity of the contents, and return the
unit to College of the Canyons.
Using one of the college’s clean rooms, the student project team
will analyze the collected particles and synthesize its findings into a
scientific paper slated for release in December.
Student Daniel Tikhomirov developed and submitted the winning
proposal on behalf of the A&P Club team, which is composed of 21
students from the A&P, engineering and biology clubs.
Teresa Ciardi, physical science faculty member and club advisor,
serves as the team’s advocate to encourage the students and help generate project funding.
For Tikhomirov, the HASP opportunity is his second attempt at
collecting cosmic dust for analysis. He was part of a West Ranch
High School team that originally launched the experiment in 2014.
That group’s success was thwarted, however, by a crash landing that
compromised the collected materials.
After enrolling at College of the Canyons and joining the A&P
Club, Tikhomirov was informed of the new opportunity by his former
West Ranch teacher, Christine Hirst, who joined COC as an adjunct
instructor last fall.
Tikhomirov quickly pitched the project to fellow club members,
who responded with encouragement and enthusiasm.
“Hands-on opportunities like this are key to igniting student creativity within the realm of science, as well as inspiring our next generation of scientists,” Ciardi said. “I couldn’t be more proud of Daniel
and all the students on the project team. It’s their idea. They’re driving the project and employing innovative thought processes along
the way. My role is as a sounding board and an advocate. All the
credit belongs to the students.”
Prior to the estimated September launch, the project team will develop and test the prototype before submitting the final experiment
to NASA, which will conduct its own pre-launch trials.
Once the tests have been completed, the unit will be mounted and
deployed aboard the space agency’s weather balloon.
Students from the Astronomy & Physics Club, whose project is one of 12 college-level experiments chosen to participate in NASA’s High Altitude Student Platform flight
this fall. Club advisor Teresa Ciardi is at right.
Students Win Big at
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Leadership Conference
ine students from the college’s Future Business Leaders of America
Phi Beta Lambda excelled at the
FBLA-PBL California State Business Leadership Conference in competition against
students from California’s top four-year universities.
Student teams analyzed issues in a business case and made recommendations to a
panel of judges. The students also competed
in knowledge events to demonstrate their
mastery of essential business concepts and
skills.
The awards went to:
• First Place, Business Ethics Division:
Janeth Avina, Tyler Larson and Cameron
Mandley.
• Second Place, Management Analysis &
Decision-Making: Johnzel Iniba, Tyler Larson and Dana Levine.
• First Place, Name Tag Graphic Design:
Janeth Avina and Jonathan Maxwell.
“Our students showed they are able to
compete and excel in competition against
much larger and better known schools,” said
Bob Maxwell, faculty advisor and business
professor. “All of the students enjoyed competing and networking with students from
across the state, and learning how to create
their personal brand in the workshops. It was
an inspirational experience.”
In addition, COC chapter president
Johnzel Iniba was selected as a state officer
for the 2016-17 California State Officer
Team. “We are proud of Johnzel for being selected to help lead California PBL next year,”
Maxwell added.
Participating were more than 225 students from 14 colleges and universities, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC and Cal
State Fullerton.
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THE BOTTOM LINE ✽ SUMMER 2016
MODEL UN TEAM
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Honored at UCLA Conference
he College of the Canyons Model
United Nations Team attended a
conference hosted by UCLA April 14
to 17, and came home as one of four colleges
to be honored, joining four-year institutions
such as USC, Stanford and UC Berkeley.
Model United Nations is a fast-paced political
strategy competition that places an emphasis on
diplomacy and interactive problem solving.
Through courses and competitions offered by the
college’s Political Science Department, students
conduct research on relevant global issues,
enhance public speaking skills, and work
to comprehend the essential goals of conflict
resolution, all while simulating the work of the
United Nations and its various agencies.
For the second time in the four years, COC
was awarded the “Outstanding Large Delegation” award. In addition, eight team members
won individual awards, including:
• Clark Wintle – Best Delegate
• Sergio Partida and Raina Iqbal – Outstanding Delegation.
• Jonathan Flores, Jack Schulze and Tim
Smith – Honorable Mention
• Younus Al-Bojermi and Dana Levine –
Verbal Commendation.
With several of the team’s veteran participants slated to graduate at semester’s end, the
team is scouting for new talent.
“If any students out there like being challenged – both personally and academically –
please consider being part of the COC Model
United Nations experience,” said Phil Gussin,
team advisor and political science professor.
Interested in joining the team? Send an
email to Gussin at [email protected].
Honor Society Achieves Success
T
he College of the Canyons Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International
Honor Society experienced an impressive spring semester, with
three students named to the 2016 All-California Academic
Team, three students invited to present at the prestigious Honors Transfer Council of California (HTCC) Research Conference, and the Alpha
Nu Xi chapter named one of PTK’s Top-100 chapters in the world.
Students Named to All-California Academic Team
In March, PTK students Elise Levy, George Park and Enrique
Ybarra were honored for their academic and extracurricular activities
during the All-California Academic Team Awards Luncheon in
Sacramento.
PTK hosts Academic Team ceremonies in 38 states, with honorees
nominated for the All-USA Community College Academic Team.
Students’ scores in the national competition generally determine
ranking on the All-State Community College Academic Teams.
“It is always a pleasure to see COC students thrive and accomplish
impressive academic goals,” said Dr. Miriam Golbert, chair of the Biological Sciences Department and PTK advisor.
Students Present at Honors Transfer Council Conference
For the first time in college history, COC was represented at the
annual HTCC Research Conference with three student presenters.
The conference is an organization of community colleges that negotiates transfer partnerships with colleges and universities. It invites
honor students from across the state to present their honor projects
each year.
During the annual event at UC Irvine, students share research-
based presentations and creative performances that reflect inquiry
into the humanities, sciences, arts, social sciences and pre-professional programs.
Honor students Savannah Macias, Anthony Tashjian and Lisa
Tenorio were selected to deliver 12-minute presentations and accompanying Q&A sessions.
Macias, a biology major, presented “Elders Behind the Controller:
The New Generation of Gamers,” which focused on how video gaming can improve brain function in elderly people.
Tashjian spoke on the topic of “Ethnocentrism, Aptitude and Tolerance: A Marriage of Unequals,” a topic spawned during a recent
political science debate.
And Tenorio, also a biology major, delivered the presentation “The
Biological Underpinnings of a Singing Teacher’s Curriculum is Vital
to a Student’s Vocal Health and Technique.”
“The event provides a way of recognizing students’ outstanding
work in their honors courses, while exposing them to a professional
conference setting in which they interact with peers, faculty, and administrators from across the state,” Golbert said.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher
education, with more than 2 million members and 1,200 chapters
worldwide.
Its mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement
of two-year college students, while providing opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership,
service and fellowship programming.
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SUMMER 2016 ✽ THE BOTTOM LINE
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Measure M Audit Confirms Compliance
T
he Santa Clarita Community College District’s Measure M
Citizens’ Oversight Committee received an update on facilities
development at College of the Canyons and accepted the results of an independent audit of the bond funds.
The nine-member committee, which ensures the $160 million in
bonds approved by voters in 2006 are appropriately spent, heard a
presentation from Jim Schrage, the college’s assistant superintendent/vice president of facilities planning, operations and construction.
With the completion of the Canyons Hall student services center,
and the College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education, the
2012-17 master plan for Valencia campus construction is largely
complete, Schrage said during the Jan. 19 meeting. A new comprehensive master plan now under development will guide the development of educational programs and facilities through 2021 at the
Valencia and Canyon Country campuses.
has maximized the value of Measure M funds to ensure students have
access to the highest quality learning environments and technology.”
Already under way for the Canyon Country campus are architectural plans for a 24,000-square-foot Science Center that will provide
eight labs and a 75-seat lecture hall.
It will be the second permanent building to be constructed at the
campus, which opened in 2007 with modular buildings. This muchneeded facility will increase the number of lab classes offered, as
well as help students move more quickly into well-paying jobs in
burgeoning health and science fields. Construction is expected to
start in 2017. And, by next fall, 275 lighted parking spaces will be
made available at the campus, Schrage said.
“Measure M has greatly benefitted our local community, with millions of dollars infused into the local economy, and jobs created
through a decade of construction projects,” College of the Canyons
Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said. “And, with funding from
our own local bond measure, we have been able to qualify for state
construction funds that enabled us to enhance the impact of Measure
M and build state-of-the art facilities that prepare people for wellpaying jobs in growing fields.”
By supplementing the bond funds with earned interest and roughly
$89.4 million in state match and other sources of construction funding, an estimated $261.4 million in projects are planned.
The 2014-15 audit confirms approximately $152 million in resources from the first three bond issuances, which also includes
earned interest and net premiums on the bonds. Of that amount, more
than $126 million has been expended on authorized bond projects,
leaving the district with a Measure M bond project fund balance of
$25.8 million as of June 30, 2015.
“We look forward to building on this foundation of success and moving forward with additional permanent buildings at the Canyon Country campus, along with needed upgrades to decades-old facilities at the
Valencia campus,” Van Hook said. “As we finalize our new master
plan to guide future development, we will be working to identify and
acquire the funding necessary to make our plans become reality.”
Science Center Planned at Canyon Country Campus
Compliance with Laws and Accountability Measures
Also on the committee’s agenda was the review and acceptance of
audits on expenditures related to Measure M. For the ninth year in a
row, the audit confirmed the college spent funds as authorized in the
bond approved by voters, and did so in compliance with all laws and
accountability measures set forth in Proposition 39, the California
Constitution and California education code. The audit verified bond
funds were not spent on general administration or operational costs.
“These results demonstrate that College of the Canyons has done
an outstanding job managing the proceeds from Measure M bonds,”
said Nick Lentini, chair of the district’s Measure M Citizens Oversight Committee. “The community can be assured that the college
Audit Receives Best Rating Possible
Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co. LLP conducted both financial and performance audits, covering the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2015.
The firm issued an unmodified opinion, the best rating possible. The
auditor’s report noted no adjustments, audit findings, questioned
costs or instances of noncompliance associated with the bond,
further confirming that all funds have been spent appropriately.
Local voters approved the $160 million Measure M general obligation bond in November 2006. The district has $20 million in bonds
to be issued at a future date, after issuing $80 million in bonds in
May 2007, $35 million in bonds in May 2012, and $25 million in
bonds in September 2014.
Benefits to Community, Economy and Job Creation
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10
THE BOTTOM LINE ✽ SUMMER 2016
SPEECH
FROM PAGE 1
The event was held in Costa Mesa, with more than 60 colleges
from across the nation competing in the five-day tournament.
Eleven individual events encompassed three types of debate, as
well as a category called “interpreter’s theatre.” Events ranged
from team debates to parliamentary debates, while individual
events included “public address,” which covered persuasive and
informative speaking; “interpretation,” in which competitors interpreted selections of poetry, prose or drama; and “limited preparation,” where extemporaneous or impromptu speeches or readings
were given with about 30 minutes to prepare.
Multiple Competitive Events
After days of live performances, participants were whittled down
in every category, sometimes going as many as six rounds before
reaching the semifinals. In the case of debate events, teams had to
be prepared to argue either side of a chosen issue. For individual
events, students had to follow the guidelines for the type of speech
they were presenting, be it informative, persuasive or simply to entertain.
Colleges were split into three divisions according to size. The
Hindman Division included colleges registered in up to to 15 performance slots. Wheeler Division colleges were entered in 15 to
30 slots, and Wyman Division colleges were entered in more than
30 slots. College of the Canyons, which competed in 29 categories,
ranked first in the Wheeler Division for individual events and overall points, finishing with a score of 87.5.
The Speech Team has competed at the national tournament multiple times, but had yet to achieve this level of success. Prior to this
season, several students earned individual recognition at the na-
tional level, but the college had yet to realize a team victory.
“I have never been so motivated to better myself, not just in performing, but with every aspect of my life,” second-year team member Teon Sewer said. “The talent on this team is second to none,
which makes me want to improve even more. It’s not just a team,
it’s a family.” Others on the roster echoed that sentiment.
A Life-Changing Experience
“Before joining the Speech Team I had made plenty of bad decisions and was on the way to making plenty more,” said first-year
competitor Diego Ortega, who brought home a gold medal in informative speaking. “This team saved my life. But I see us as more
than a team; we’re a family.”
First-year competitor Jacob Johnson earned a gold medal in
prose interpretation. "When I first joined this team, I knew that I
would definitely improve as a performer,” he said. “What I did not
know is that I would become a better student, networker and corporate asset. Being on the Speech Team has taught me lessons that
I will be able to utilize all throughout my life.”
First-year competitor Valeria Lopez had similar words of inspiration. “Auditioning for the Speech Team was one of the best decisions I have ever made,” she said. “I've learned to be confident
in myself and gained skills that I otherwise wouldn't have fostered.”
The Speech Team also placed second at the California Community College Forensics Association State Tournament earlier this
semester, bringing home 11 individual medals.
“This season has been amazing,” Leach added. “But what makes
it that much more rewarding is watching these competitors support
their teammates.”
EMT
FROM PAGE 1
The simulator has been constructed to to complete one eight-hour ride-along exThe simulator’s interior design and
match actual ambulance dimensions and perience in the field, which may have lim- equipment provide added opportunities
includes fully functional interior control ited patient contacts. The ambulance to practice skills such as CPR, patient aspanels and storage areas. Insessment, managing patient
terior shelves are stocked
airways, evaluating vital
with everything found in an
signs, providing trauma
actual ambulance. The colcare and recording patient
lege worked with Simulator
history – while working in
Solutions to customize both
a confined space and dealinterior and exterior features
ing with simulated road
to best meet student and promovement.
gram needs.
“College of the Canyons
“This state-of-the-art amand the EMT Program are
bulance simulator provides
committed to providing our
COC students with an enstudents with the latest inhanced learning experience,”
formation and technology.
said Patti Haley, director of
The ambulance simulator
the College of the Canyons
allows students to apply
EMT Program. “Our EMT
and master their knowlProgram instructors and staff
edge, skills and abilities
EMT Program team members with the ambulance simulator.
are excited to help pave the
in a realistic prehospital
way for the future of emergency medical simulator will provide instructors and stu- care environment,” said Haley.
services education by using this valuable dents alike with an added resource in
resource.”
which to conduct realistic scenarios and
Information: www.canyons.edu/DepartThe EMT Program requires each students hands-on training.
ments/EMT
BottomLine2016(EC)FINAL_Layout 1 7/6/16 2:37 PM Page 11
SUMMER 2016 ✽ THE BOTTOM LINE
MEASURE E
30,000 in little more than a decade. Measure
E will enable the college to expand its facilities
and help students enroll in courses they need
to graduate and reach their educational goals.
“With the resources voters made available
through Measure E, College of the Canyons
will expand access to high quality education
and create more opportunities for the students,
businesses, and community partners we
serve,” Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook
said. “Measure E also positions the college to
be responsive to emerging workforce training
demands as the Santa Clarita Valley’s dynamic economy continues to thrive.”
Recent estimates show that by 2020 nearly
two-thirds of job openings in the U.S. will reFROM PAGE 1
quire some postsecondary education or training, though not necessarily a bachelor’s degree. With 1 million jobs in California
expected to require at least some college education by 2020, College of the Canyons will
play an integral role in ensuring the local
workforce is trained and qualified for the increasingly skilled positions found in the area’s
companies.
“With new facilities, College of the Canyons
can continue to deliver relevant education and
training programs that are responsive to
emerging and ever-evolving local industry
needs, thus equipping students to be successful
in cutting-edge fields,” Van Hook said.
Measure E adhered to the guidelines of
Proposition 39, which requires approval by 55
percent of the voters within the college district. It also includes accountability measures
11
such as a citizens’ oversight committee and
annual audits. The measure’s impact on homeowners would be $15 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value), which would
generate $230 million over the next 12 years.
College of the Canyons operates two campuses, a 154-acre site in Valencia and a 72-acre
facility in Canyon Country. On the day it
opened in 2007, the Canyon Country campus
exceeded its five-year enrollment target, welcoming more than 3,500 students. Due to its
continued enrollment growth, the campus is eligible to receive 85 percent of the construction
costs of three permanent buildings from the
state, only if the college has local funding to
match state resources, and assuming state resources are available. Measure E will assist the
college in leveraging available state resources
for construction projects at both campuses.
The planned Science Center at the Canyon Country campus (above and below).
BottomLine2016(EC)FINAL_Layout 1 7/6/16 2:37 PM Page 12
Santa Clarita Community College District
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Michael D. Berger
Bruce D. Fortine
Michele R. Jenkins
Joan W. MacGregor
Steven D. Zimmer
Brenda Plong, Student Trustee
T
Softball Team Earns Scholar Award
he College of the Canyons softball team
has been named the 2015 California
Community College Athletic Association Scholar Team.
The Scholar Team Award is the highest academic team achievement given
annually by the CCCAA. It emphasizes the academic achievement of all members of one
specific team.
Only one team is selected
for each sport, with a total of 22
men’s and women’s teams honored for the 2014-15 school
year.
To be eligible, all team
members must have excelled
academically with a GPA of 3.0
or higher. The team should also
have demonstrated better than
average accomplishments in intercollegiate athletic competition. The 2015
softball team posted a combined GPA of 3.24.
On the field, the team finished with a
record of 28-12-1 to place second in the Western State Conference Blue Division, while also
earning a spot in the CCCAA Southern Cali-
fornia Regional playoffs. Canyons concluded
the 2015 season as the No. 10 ranked team in
the state.
“I’m extremely proud of the way this team
represented themselves, both in the classroom
and on the field,” head coach John Wissmath
said.
“When we started looking at the grades
from the fall and spring progress reports, I
thought there might be a chance to see our girls
honored with the Scholar Team Award. To
have received that achievement is outstanding.”
The team also produced a number of impressive individual performances throughout
the season. Eight players were named AllWSC, including catcher Lauren Anderson, who was
named WSC Player of the
Year. Shortstop Cheyenne
Steward was an All-SoCal selection.
In addition, three members of the team continued
their playing careers at the
university level. Anderson attends Miami University
(Ohio); pitcher Milana Casillas attends UC San Diego,
and infielder Kaitlyn Shreves
attends Boise State University. All three players carried
a GPA of 3.7 or higher.
“The 2015 softball team featured great
leadership from the top down,” said Albert
Loaiza, athletics counselor. “Coach Wissmath
and his staff have instilled an ‘academics first’
environment, and that paid off last year.”