Like many local residents, my college experience started at College of the Canyons. I was a student-athlete on the softball team, balancing practice, academic expectations and a part-time job.
It was a period of significant learning and growth that laid the foundation for future opportunities and success. For me, that meant transferring to a four-year university, earning my bachelor’s degree and beginning a career. And, although I didn’t know it then, COC would continue to provide me with so many more learning opportunities in the years to come.
My appreciation for the doors that College of the Canyons opened for me sparked a desire to open them for others. That led me to serve as a member of the College of the Canyons Foundation board of directors.
There, I learned firsthand how volunteer leaders can personally impact the success of our students by generously supporting the foundation’s important work of awarding scholarships and emergency grants.
Inspired by that experience, and wanting to do more to give back to the college that has given so much to me, I ran successfully for election to the college’s governing board, where I have served as board president for the past year.
My learning continues, beginning with the statutes, regulations, and policies that govern a public agency.
More rewarding, however, is the opportunity to begin understanding the college culture, and to partner with the faculty, staff, and administrators who are responsible for ensuring student success and whose passion, dedication and commitment have shaped the college into the excellent community institution it has become.
College of the Canyons offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs, and last year served more than 40,000 students. With more than 1,600 employees, and a $416 million annual budget, it is among the largest organizations in the Santa Clarita Valley, and a catalyst for economic growth and development.
Widely recognized as an innovative instructional leader, COC creates new programs that equip students for rewarding careers in fast-growing fields that offer a significant return on investment.
We are the only college in California awarding a bachelor’s degree – yes, COC has a four-year degree – in building performance (sustainable design).
In just this current fall semester, we launched new health care programs that offer training for physical therapy assistants, pharmacy technicians, and diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound) technicians, and we celebrated the first cohort of graduates from our clinical lab scientist program.
These accomplishments create excitement for the future, especially as we begin working to select the college’s next superintendent/president, who we fully expect to capitalize on our current success, and lead the college toward continued accomplishments.
The selection process is more than hiring a CEO; it’s about identifying a leader whose vision will shape the next era of growth and innovation at College of the Canyons. To that end, our board is deeply committed to ensuring that this search is transparent, inclusive, and focused on finding someone who embodies integrity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to student success.
We contracted with a highly regarded recruiting firm that specializes in CEO placement to conduct a national search for candidates, and we will craft a job description that outlines the specific needs of our college and reflects the insights of our faculty, staff and administrators.
A representative committee will screen applicants, conduct first-level interviews, and recommend a pool of four to five finalists to be interviewed by the board. The finalists also will be invited to speak at public forums to share their vision for our college’s future with employees and the community.
The goal of this process is clear: to select a leader who works to ensure College of the Canyons continues to be recognized for the excellence that our students and community have come to expect, and whose efforts are grounded in transparency and teamwork.
College of the Canyons has been a source of opportunity for me, along with thousands of other local residents. This is where dreams start, careers take shape, and second chances happen every single day. And, because we are always learning and always growing, I’m confident that College of the Canyons will continue to deliver opportunity for decades to come.
Sharlene Johnson serves as president of the board of trustees for College of the Canyons.
