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we ranked second in the state for student completion rate; and we are one of just a few colleges in the
state where student enrollment continues to grow.
It’s successes like these that strengthen our foundation, shore up our collective confidence, and encourage
us to move forward with innovative ideas.
COC is Innovative
That COC produces innovators is a long-established fact. We proved that again this year as we made
the long-anticipated move to electronic services for our students with the launch of the online education
plan, giving students the power to plan their college experience in advance; expanded use of ePortfolios,
empowering students to develop professional digital examples of their work to show potential employers;
and the implementation of etranscripts, significantly reducing mailing costs and saving priceless time.
These are but a few of the countless accomplishments that have benefitted students. By saving time
and money with these student-focused services now, it provides us with the flexibility to plan for more
innovations that help us better respond to the needs of current and future students.
Furthermore, we actively seek ways to help students succeed, even when they may think they can’t. This
dedication to our students is demonstrated daily in our award-winning classes: Math 75 and English 96.
These innovative programs triple our students’ chances of completing college-level classes. Programs such
as these put our student focus on full display, while providing our institution the flexibility to respond to
student needs before they arise.
COC is Responsive
Much of our innovation is driven by our continued focus on responding to emerging community needs.
Whether we’re serving business and industry, local school districts, or community organizations, COC
has built a reputation for collaboration and partnership, which has yielded amazing opportunities for our
students and the encompassing community.

Our responsiveness was on full display during the past year during two job fairs that served more than
1,000 job seekers and employers; and as we delivered training in chemistry, earth sciences, biology,
physics and engineering to science teachers from local K-12 school districts to help prepare them for new
science standards.
Further, COC’s one-of-a-kind University Center worked with its partners to launch a bachelor of science in
nursing program, shortening the time needed for nurses to earn bachelor’s degrees; as well as a much-in-
demand bachelor of arts in accounting program. COC also opened a civic engagement initiative highlighted
by the first-ever “McKeon Leadership Forum,” named in honor of retired Congressman Buck McKeon.

Our history is marked by incredible achievements, and grand ideas executed by people who pushed the
accepted limits of possibilities. This passionate pursuit of excellence has created a culture of ingenuity and
hard work, resulting in a college that is uniquely equipped to build for the future.

We are proud of what we have accomplished for our community, and we look forward to a future of
continued partnership and achievement.

Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook
Chancellor

Star Party

2 COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS ANNUAL REPORT 2015 - 2016