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COC To Open Brand-New Multicultural Center

College of the Canyons (COC) plans to host a virtual soft opening of its Multicultural Center on Monday, which officials say will provide “safe and brave spaces” for historically marginalized and minoritized groups on campus.

The announcement is part of the college’s commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the university’s framework.

“Creating a space on campus to provide students with a sense of belonging, community, empathy-building and empowerment has been years in the making,” said Flavio Medina-Martin, college director of diversity and inclusion, in a statement Wednesday.

The virtual soft opening is set to include discussions surrounding the vision and mission of the Multicultural Center and showcase the foundation for how COC student leaders and faculty envisioned this initiative.

“This soft virtual opening is extremely significant, because it brings us one step closer to having a physical space where inclusion and diversity can live, flourish and impact student life at College of the Canyons for years to come,” Medina-Martin said. 

See Related: College Of The Canyons Named 2021 Bellwether Award Finalist

The all-day event is also set to include the introduction of the campus series “The Happenings of the World”, as well as a new Muslim Appreciation Series and a virtual ribbon cutting by COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook.

“By showcasing a rich variety of thought and perspectives, the Multicultural Center will create new possibilities for dialogue and provide a place that offers appreciation, care and compassion to our students,” Van Hook said in a statement Wednesday. “The welcoming environment will enable students to find their voice, realize their potential, and make their own unique contributions to fostering the inclusivity and togetherness that mark our campus culture.”

Officials say that the Multicultural Center represents the university’s persistent pledge to create an environment where the student body can pursue education equally by “removing barriers that inhibit student access, engagement and success.”

The virtual celebration is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. via Zoom, and is set to end with an open mic and spoken word poetry session.

For more information, residents are asked to email Medina-Martin at [email protected].


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COC To Open Brand-New Multicultural Center

2 comments

  1. Is there a Christian appreciation series?
    Is there a Jewish appreciation series?
    Is there a Buddhist appreciation series?
    Is there a Hindu appreciation series?
    Where is the diversity?
    It just makes you want to defund the college and send the money to law enforcement….

  2. More waste of money and space for divisissness and hate/blame of the white man. Everybody has space everywhere IF they want to assimilate and embrace the USA. Those who work hard an embrace their culture already happens unless they want to be divisive and push THEIR ways on others in the best(not perfect)country in the world, that’s why people immigrate here. Please be inclusive as one American of different ancestries, not to make us a different country by constantly pushing other countries! Thanks??

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About Connor Grose

Connor Grose was born and raised in Santa Clarita. After graduating from Golden Valley High School in 2013, he went on to pursue writing & film at California State Northridge. Connor joined KHTS in 2020 as a video & marketing intern and has since joined their News Team. When he is not working, Connor enjoys playing guitar and making short films.