As College of the Canyons board of trustees president, I am proud of the progress the board has made toward the goals we established at the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year. Â
Our goals centered on ensuring a successful presidential search and leadership transition, strengthening strategic dialogue and decision-making, and deepening our engagement with the college and broader community. While each goal focused on a different aspect of the board’s responsibilities, they shared a common purpose: ensuring College of the Canyons remains well-positioned to serve our students and community, both today and in the years ahead.
Perhaps no responsibility was more consequential this year than selecting the college’s next superintendent-president. Following a comprehensive search process, the board chose Jasmine Ruys in March 2026 to lead the college into its next chapter.
While choosing a superintendent-president is among the most consequential decisions a governing board can make, our responsibility extends beyond the initial selection. A successful transition requires establishing a strong foundation for the incoming CEO while also maintaining institutional stability and momentum. With Dr. Ruys’ appointment and the development of a CEO succession plan, the board took important steps to support continuity in leadership and position the college for long-term success.
We also made it a priority to strengthen the board’s ability to engage in thoughtful, informed decision-making.
Good governance depends upon trustees continually learning about the issues affecting our students, employees, employers and community. Throughout the year, we expanded our knowledge through advanced Brown Act training and strategic discussions related to workforce development, partnerships and career education.
These conversations are particularly important as the needs of our region and its workforce continue to evolve. As trustees, we must understand both the opportunities before the college and the perspectives of the people most closely connected to its work. Engaging with internal stakeholders helps us make better-informed decisions while remaining focused on the board’s role in supporting the college’s broader mission.
The strength of the college is reflected in the deep relationships we build and maintain throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.
As a result, community and stakeholder engagement remained another important focus for the board. The board served as a liaison to the COC Foundation, strengthening the connection between the board and an organization whose support helps expand opportunities for our students and staff members.
We also made a concerted effort to be present across our campuses and throughout the community. Each trustee committed to attending at least five college events during the year, in addition to participating in off-campus community events. Our presence at college events helps us stay connected to the people and community we have the privilege of serving.
Whether we are attending a student celebration, a college program, or a community event, these opportunities allow trustees to see firsthand the impact of the college’s work. They also give us the opportunity to gather feedback from students, employees, community members and partners on their needs, concerns and priorities, and to better understand the experiences, successes and challenges that shape our college.
Taken together, the accomplishments associated with our 2025-26 goals demonstrate that effective governance requires planning for the future while providing stability in the present.
The board’s success in reaching these goals would not have been possible without the dedication and support of our faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students and community partners. Their perspectives, expertise and commitment are essential to the continued success of College of the Canyons.
Achieving the goals we set for ourselves does not mean the work is finished. Rather, these accomplishments provide a foundation for what comes next.
With new presidential leadership in place, we have an opportunity to build upon the college’s strengths while continuing to respond to changing student, workforce and community needs. Maintaining meaningful dialogue, supporting partnerships and remaining visible and engaged will continue to be critical to that effort.
As board president, I am grateful for what we accomplished together during 2025-26 and for the trust our community places in us. I am also optimistic about what lies ahead.
College of the Canyons has always been an institution that looks forward. As trustees, our responsibility is to help ensure it continues doing so with strong leadership, thoughtful governance and an unwavering commitment to the students and community at the heart of our mission.
Sharlene Johnson serves as president of the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons.
