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SPRING 2017 | COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS BREAKING NEWS 3

It’s Time for

College to

Offer 4-Year

Degrees

“I’m so glad College
of the Canyons is offering
bachelor’s degrees. It’s
about time!”
That refrain – and
hundreds of variations
like it – are uttered to me
frequently. It happens
just about everywhere
throughout the Santa
Clarita Valley, whether
I’m at a fundraising event
or standing in line at the Viewpoint
supermarket.
I have to gently offer Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook SOPHOMORE NATALIE FORTMAN WAS ONE OF CALIFORNIA’S 55 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTERS DURING THE RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
a clarification, of course.
College of the Canyons confers quite a large num-
ber of associate degrees, but the bachelor’s de- MOMENTOUS HONOR
grees – and master’s degrees, for that matter – are
offered at our University Center. Yes, the Universi-
ty Center is located at College of the Canyons, but College of the Canyons Student Serves as Electoral College Member
the degree programs are offered by institutions
such as the University of La Verne, Brandman Uni- oting in the recent presidential man after witnessing her passion for On Dec. 19, Fortman and her
versity, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Bakersfield, election was especially momen- civic engagement. family traveled to the State Capitol in
and National University. Vtous for College of the Canyons “I was really impressed with her Sacramento to take part in a ceremoni-
I mention this not to point out the common sophomore student Natalie Fortman, leadership and engagement in the po- al proceeding that is as old as the U.S.
confusion, but to emphasize the collective enthu- not only because she was exercising litical process,” Caforio said. “It was an Constitution itself.
siasm about bachelor’s degrees being offered at her right to vote for the first time, but easy decision to make for me to give Composed of 538 electors, the
College of the Canyons. It’s an idea that excites the because she was one of California’s 55 her the opportunity to make her voice Electoral College was established by
local populace because it’s important to them. As electoral voters. heard at the national level.” the Founding Fathers to provide elec-
it should be. The 20-year-old was appointed to tions with stability and leave little
We created the University Center because it the Electoral College by Bryan Caforio, Civic Engagement room for contested election results.
removed significant barriers to higher education. a Democratic nominee for California’s Fortman would often attend town “It was very exciting and inspira-
It made earning an advanced degree far more con- 25th Congressional District. Fortman hall meetings, Caforio recalled, and tional,” Fortman said of the experience,
venient and accessible. Local residents didn’t have served as an intern on his campaign. would ask questions directly to Con- which allowed her to enjoy the Capitol
many options before the University Center opened “I was surprised and very hon- gressman Steve Knight about issues ’s exhibits and architecture.
in 2002. Since then, 2,804 people have graduated ored to be appointed to the Electoral she cared about. Following an unofficial meeting
with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. College,” Fortman said. “I had no idea “It is important to the future of during which electoral members met
That’s an impressive number of people who Caforio had the authority to appoint a our democracy to have young people each other, she was sworn in as an elec-
have been empowered to grow and to advance member to the Electoral College, and I engaged in the political process,” Ca- tor in the Assembly Chamber.
their careers. It bodes well too for an untold was very humbled when he asked if I forio said. “That’s exactly the kind of The hour-and-a-half proceeding
number of businesses that have benefited from would like to do it.” person I wanted to appoint to the po- consisted of appointing members to
SEE VIEWPOINT ON PAGE 7 Caforio said he appointed Fort- sition.” SEE ELECTORAL ON PAGE 6

Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook

UNIVERSITY CENTER

WE HAVE YOUR DEGREE PROGRAM!

GET YOUR BACHELOR’S Brandman University California State University Bakersfield University of La Verne
OR MASTER’S DEGREE CERTIFICATE BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS CREDENTIAL
RIGHT HERE! • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Communications • Mild/Moderate Preliminary Education Specialist
BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS • Sociology • Single-Subject/Multiple-Subject Teaching
All of the programs listed here are • Applied Studies California State University Northridge BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS
offered by a variety of excellent • Criminal Justice MASTER’S PROGRAMS • Accounting
universities at the Dr. Dianne G. Van • Legal Studies • Public Administration • Business Administration
Hook University Center, convenient- • Psychology • Social Work • Child Development
ly located on the Valencia campus • Social Science • Educational Studies (Liberal Studies)
of College of the Canyons. We’ve • Social Work National University • Organizational Management
taken the long commute to distant • Computing Technologies CERTIFICATE
campuses out of the equation, mak- MASTER’S PROGRAMS • Applied Behavior Analysis MASTER’S PROGRAMS
ing it more convenient than ever for • Psychology – Marriage & Family Therapy Emphasis BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS • Business Administration
you to get that degree you’ve been • Psychology – Marriage & Family Therapy and • Homeland Security & Emergency Management • Educational Counseling, Credential in Pupil
dreaming about. Your degree is Professional Clinical Counseling Emphasis • Nursing Personnel Services
waiting! DOCTORAL PROGRAMS • Paralegal Studies • Educational Leadership, Credential in Preliminary
Administrative, Concentration in Leadership
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing • Sport Psychology • Leadership Management
INFORMATION Practice MASTER’S PROGRAMS • Special Education
(661) 362-5474 • Applied Behavior Analysis
www.cocuniversitycenter.com • Criminal Justice