A new head of College of the Canyons was selected Monday, marking a pivotal moment after a year of turbulent leadership changes and signaling a new chapter for the Santa Clarita Valley’s largest higher education institution.

The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees narrowed the search to four finalists ahead of a special meeting Mondayafternoon: interim Superintendent/President Dr. Jasmine Ruys of College of the Canyons; Marvin Martinez, chancellor of the Rancho Santiago Community College District; Dr. Lataria Hall, interim vice chancellor of educational services and institutional effectiveness at West Hills Community College District; and Dr. Jeffery Archibald, vice president of academic affairs at West Los Angeles College.

After just 30 minutes of deliberation, the Board returned with their final answer: Dr. Jasmine Ruys. She will be the fifth Superintendent/President of College of the Canyons since its creation in 1968.

“Over the past six months, Dr. Ruys provided stable and consistent leadership to our college in the role of Interim Superintendent/President.  In a short time, she laid the foundation for a significant shift in our culture, marked by healthy dialog, transparent decision-making, and a commitment to shared governance and ongoing collegial consultation. As a board, we will support her efforts to continue that work, which is essential to the continued growth and success of our college,” read a statement from the College.

With 24 years of service, Ruys understands the college’s collective strengths and how to leverage them to shape its future in partnership with the staff, student body, and wider community, according to the college.

“I feel inspired and enthralled by what’s going to happen with our students, what we can do for our students, how we can just continue the amazing work the College of the Canyons has always done, and just make it better every time,” Ruys said.

COC officials shared a statement Monday detailing what made Dr. Ruys stand out to them as their final choice, including her dedication to the educational institution over the years, and stepping up to the plate over the last six months as an interim Superintendent/President. The board also expressed a commitment to continuing to collaborate and improve for the benefit of the entire College community.

“I am so honored to work with this board, I’m so honored to work with everybody here at College of the Canyons,” Ruys said of her appointment. “It’s been a wild ride, you guys, and we got this, it’s going to be so amazing. (…) I really appreciate everybody who worked so hard on the committee to be able to get us to this point. That was a lot of hard work for everybody on this campus. deal.”

Dr. Ruys is set to step into their new role on April 16, following the board’s April 15 business meeting, where her contract will be on the agenda for approval.

The Hunt For A New President

College of the Canyons has been searching for a new superintendent/president since the removal of longtime Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook, who served as CEO of the district and college for more than 35 years.

Questions surrounding the college’s leadership have persisted ever since.

Van Hook was placed on administrative leave in July 2024. Her interim replacement, political science professor David C. Andrus, soon ordered a forensic audit of the college’s facilities contracts.

By October, Van Hook filed wrongful termination and discrimination claims, alleging she was forced into an “abrupt retirement” through misuse of a staff climate survey, harassment, and retaliation. Her case remains ongoing.

In November 2024, legal counsel for the college reported that, over a 19-year period, millions of dollars were “misused and misappropriated” through various contractual practices. Investigators identified issues including bid splitting, multiple contracts awarded to the same individual under different companies, excess costs, “phantom projects,” improper licensing and bonding, overlapping duties with classified staff, inconsistent contract terms, and misuse of college funds.

In one example, investigators found contracts were issued to “paint the floors” of approximately 42 custodial closets.

The complete report has not been released, as it is under review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, according to college officials.

In September 2025, the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees voted to place Interim CEO David C. Andrus on paid administrative leave, pending termination, despite public outcry and formal resolutions of support from faculty, staff, and the community.

Frustration with the board’s leadership has continued in recent months.

Multiple staff unions, including CSEA Chapter 725 and the College of the Canyons Executive Board, issued votes of no confidence in Trustees Sharlene Johnson and Fred Arnold in September 2025.

In October 2025, the Associated Student Government followed with its own vote of no confidence against Johnson, Arnold and Trustee Darlene Trevino. As of last week, ASG representatives announced plans to pursue a petition seeking their removal.

To access the COC Board meeting minutes and/or agenda, click here.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.