Michele Jenkins, the longest-serving member of the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees, has died.

Jenkins served as a COC board member for nearly forty years since 1984. Jenkins began her educational career at COC as a student in 1969 at the Hart High School campus. 

During her service on the Board of Trustees, Jenkins served in a multitude of capacities including Clerk, Vice President and six terms as President.

“I owe an incredible debt of gratitude to Michele Jenkins. She was a member of the Board of Trustees that hired me in 1988 and I am convinced that her presence on the Board is the reason why I am here at College of the Canyons,” Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said. “She had the courage to hire a female in a time in Santa Clarita when that wasn’t popular, and also to hire someone who was young and had not had the experience of being a college president.  She believed in the potential of people in situations, she believed that relationships matter, she invested her time and energy to make sure she contributed to the lives of the people with whom she cared about and the places with which she associated, and she put her actions behind her words, and she always did so with a sense of fun and integrity.”

Her husband, Dr. Gregory Jenkins, was among the first graduating class at COC. In 2000, they were jointly awarded COC’s Outstanding Alumni Award. 

Jenkins took an active role at the state level representing the Santa Clarita Community College District and providing leadership for trustees. She also helped establish the Santa Clarita Valley chapter of the League of Women Voters, as well as the local branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

KHTS owners Carl Goldman and Jeri Seratti Goldman are deeply saddened. “Michele was a class act. She always had COC’s best interests as her number one priority. She joined us on many KHTS Sacramento Advocacy trips on behalf of the college. Santa Clarita has lost one of its formidable leaders. We will miss her.”

In 2021, Jenkins was re-elected to the COC Board.

“College of the Canyons continues to create new possibilities for our community through its focus on innovation and partnerships,” she said at the time. “It is a privilege and honor to have been re-elected by the voters to serve on the Board of Trustees.  My service is a source of personal pride and honor given what our college has accomplished.” 

Michele is survived by her husband Greg, daughter Lorian, son-in-law Andre, daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandchildren Mary Jane, Lucas, and Lyra. She was preceded in death by her son Gregory Jr. in 2019.

Jenkins’ family is scheduled to hold a memorial service later in the spring. Her family also anticipates plans to create a fund in partnership with the COC Foundation and encourages donations be made for the benefit of the students, in lieu of flowers.

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