College of the Canyons is the second-fastest growing community college in America serving 10,000 or more students, according to a report released by Community College Week magazine.

The magazine examined enrollment changes and found that College of the Canyons grew from 15,177 to 18,508 students, an increase of 21.9 percent, from fall 2012 to fall 2013.

“We bounced back quickly after the recession because of strategic enrollment management during the recession,” said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “So when funding came through from Proposition 30, we were able to increase offerings and begin the process of rebuilding after years of consecutive budget cuts.”

The college’s fall 2014 semester was its largest ever in terms of the number of classes offered, and that trend continues with the winter 2015 session and spring 2015 semester, which will be larger than the same sessions offered in previous years.

The growth experienced at COC is part of a statewide trend. Of the 20 fastest growing community colleges in the nation, 13 are in California, according to the Community College Week report.

Community College Week compiled its report using data gathered by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

“Our growth is also due in part to the reputation that our college has for innovation, student success, and offering multiple points of access during its 45 years of service of Santa Clarita,” Van Hook said. “Students make College of the Canyons their first choice, whether they intend to transfer to a four-year university, or seek the hands-on, cutting-edge training needed to launch a career in a growing industry.”

College of the Canyons ranks in the top five community colleges in California for its student-completion rate, the percentage of students earning degrees or certificates, transferring, or becoming transfer prepared by completing 60 transferable units with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

“We see our mission broadly at College of the Canyons, and are committed to growing in our ability to meet the diverse needs of the community, particularly in the area of economic development,” Van Hook said.

Over the course of 2013-14, College of the Canyons generated more than $3 million in external funding to provide 866 businesses and 5,000 workers with job-specific customized training. As well, its Small Business Development Center helped companies increase sales by $24.3 million and raise $13.9 million in new capital.

“We are the partner of choice for businesses looking to upgrade their workforce, and that creates unique synergies to fuel our continued growth.”

The Community College Week report is available online [HERE].

For more information about College of the Canyons please visit www.canyons.edu.