One of the founding figures of the College of the Canyons died on Oct. 6, 2000, when the first Superintendent-President, Robert C. Rockwell passed away on his 87th birthday. Rockwell, who was hired as the college’s first superintendent-president in July 1968, led College of the Canyons through its formative years and helped establish the institution that would become one of ...

Registration is now open for 370 short-term classes still available during the College of the Canyons fall 2026 semester. With start dates scheduled throughout October and November, late-start classes will be offered at the College of the Canyons‘ Valencia and Canyon Country campuses, as well as online, providing flexible options for students balancing work, family and other commitments. “These five- ...

Today in 1970, College of the Canyons (COC) held its first classes in portable buildings located just south of the future Cougar Stadium. The new college, created after Santa Clarita Valley voters approved a junior college in 1967, opened with hundreds of students and more than 160 courses across subjects including art, science, business, and police science.  Classes had been ...

On Sept. 29, 1969, the first classes officially started at College of the Canyons (COC). About 800 students enrolled at College of the Canyons, far surpassing the 550 –700 anticipated by Superintendent-President Dr. Robert C. Rockwell. The turnout was described as a “pleasant surprise” and a sign that Santa Clarita was ready to support its own junior college. At the ...

For the past 10 years, the sky has been the limit for the College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team (AST), which has provided students with hands-on research opportunities through NASA student spaceflight programs, including the High Altitude Student Platform  (HASP), RockSat-X and RockOn. As the only community college to successfully be selected to participate in NASA’s HASP program ...

College of the Canyons students, staff and community members can donate blood this month and receive an exclusive Hello Kitty collectible as part of an American Red Cross blood drive. The College of the Canyons Red Cross Blood Drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, and Thursday, Sept. 17. The blood drive will be ...

College of the Canyons has received a $15,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation to support scholarships for students pursuing Computer Numerical Control (CNC) training through the college’s Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA). “Advanced manufacturing continues to offer excellent career opportunities for our students and meets a critical workforce need throughout the region,” said Jeff Gregor, assistant superintendent/vice president of workforce ...

For the sixth year in a row, the College of the Canyons Contracts, Procurement, and Risk Management (CPRM) department has been honored with the 2026 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI). The national recognition places COC among 251 organizations nationwide to receive the award, which honors public agencies whose procurement practices ...

College of the Canyons student team CARE-D3 earned second place and a $25,000 prize at the 2026 NASA ORBIT Challenge, held in July at Space Center Houston in Texas. Led by students Sophia Cranshaw and Tatiana Torrecampo, CARE-D3 was the only community college team competing in the challenge’s Space Track and one of more than 100 teams from colleges and ...

College of the Canyons is accepting applications until Aug. 28 to serve on the Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. The committee’s mission is to ensure that bond revenues are expended only for the purposes authorized by law.  The committee oversees the compliance of Measure E bond funds with Prop. 39 spending requirements. Measure E is the $230 million general obligation ...