January 13, 2026
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A College of the Canyons (COC) program, developed to reduce systematic barriers to education and careers for justice-impacted individuals, has been selected as this year’s California Community Colleges Board of Governors’ Exemplary Program Award winner.
The theme for this year’s award is “Voices of Resilience,” highlighting programs that uplift student voices and create space for lived experiences in education.
The Rising Scholars Program at COC innovatively expands access for people impacted by the criminal justice system by recognizing and adapting to the shorter length of county jail stays. To reach these individuals, short-term, noncredit courses focused on vocational training, skills development, and reentry preparation were created. This intentional design resulted in an increase in noncredit enrollment and hundreds of students earning certificates that assist with court compliance and early release.
“COC is successfully helping justice-impacted individuals rebuild their lives by creating a program to meet their unique needs. Not only does this program provide these individuals with workforce and personal development training, but it establishes a space for students to build community. We’re proud of the work being done at COC and excited to see how this program continues to progress and grow,” said Board President Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo.
The program works in close collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Education-Based Incarceration Program. On campus, the program coordinates a unified reentry network involving the School of Personal and Professional Learning, counseling, and basic-needs departments to provide warm handoffs to students transitioning out of custody.
Congratulations to the College of the Canyons on a well-deserved award. Your program reflects the heart of Vision 2030 – expanding access. By dedicated pathways to education and careers, you’re helping justice-impacted students unlock a bright future and opening doors to economic mobility,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian.
The Exemplary Program Award was established in 1991 by the Board of Governors and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to recognize, support, and embrace exceptional community college programs. The award is sponsored by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) selects annual themes.
“It is with great pride that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges recognizes the College of the Canyons Rising Scholars Program. This initiative reflects the ingenuity and commitment of California community colleges to remove barriers and create equitable access to learning. By amplifying student narratives and fostering inclusive practices, they not only support student success today but also model sustainable, forward-thinking strategies that strengthen our entire system. We celebrate their achievement and the transformative impact they continue to make in advancing equity and inclusion in higher education,” said LaTonya Parker-Parnell, ASCCC president.
The award and honorable mentions were presented today at the Board of Governors meeting in Sacramento. Honorable mentions went to MiraCosta College, City College of San Francisco, and Santa Monica College.
MiraCosta College was honored for its Transitions Scholars Program, which supports justice-impacted students by addressing barriers like housing insecurity stigma, trauma, and limited support through a holistic and responsive approach that builds belonging and stability.
City College of San Francisco was acknowledged for its Photography program, which expands equitable access to professional training for students who couldn’t otherwise afford it by covering nearly all material costs and providing "Equity Kits" to remove financial barriers.
Santa Monica College earned recognition for its Architecture Program, which addresses the lack of diversity in architecture. The program builds community and belonging by focusing on design projects for marginalized communities and shared course scheduling.
The Exemplary Program Awards recognize efforts that show evidence of overall success; contribute to faculty engagement; respond to the needs of students, faculty, and the college; work in concert with other programs or the community; provide evidence of supporting the community colleges’ mission; and can be used as models for other community colleges.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.2 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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