News release
College of the Canyons has been selected to join the 2025-2026 class of National Park Trust College Ambassadors, standing out as the only community college among a prestigious group of universities nationwide, according to a news release from the college.
Other participating schools include Harvard University, Georgetown University, University of Florida, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and 13 additional institutions.
The College Ambassador Program equips students to lead outdoor initiatives on their campuses, leveraging campus resources and community partnerships to foster recreation, environmental stewardship, and appreciation for public lands, all while gaining practical, hands-on experience in the park and outdoor industries, the release said.
“We are proud to be the only community college selected to join the 2025-2026 class of National Park Trust College Ambassadors,” Brittany Applen, chair of the college’s recreation management department, said in the release. “Programs like this allow us to connect students with local parks, trails and public lands, while also opening doors to potential careers in the environmental and outdoor industries.”
As a participating college, COC will have two student ambassadors — Heidi Cravens and Amber Palomino — lead multiple events throughout the year.
For more information about the college’s Recreation Management department, visit www.canyons.edu/academics/recreation/index.php.
