High-Stakes Races for College of the Canyons Board of Trustees Heat Up in 2024
By Sage Rafferty
The College of the Canyons Board of Trustees races are highly competitive, with a mix of incumbents and challengers vying for key seats amid significant turnover on the board. With the departure of longtime Chancellor Dr. Diane Van Hook and two trustee resignations, these elections will be pivotal in shaping the college's future leadership.
September 1, 2024 - The races for the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees are heating up to become the most contentious races in Santa Clarita Valley in 2024. Expect big money to start flowing into these campaigns. On one side, the College of the Canyons Faculty Association (COCFA) has a slate of endorsed candidates. On the other side, the College of the Canyons Foundation is running another slate of candidates. These elections are made even more contentious with intrigue going on at College of the Canyons. Dr. Diane Van Hook was put on administrative leave before deciding to retire. With the resignations of both Chuck Lyons in Trustee Area 1 and Joan MacGregor in Trustee Area 4, control of the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees is up for grabs. Trustee Area 1 will go to a special election in November 2024, while Trustee Area 5 will likely have an appointment.
Michelle Kampbell and Darlene Trevino compete in a Special Election for Trustee Area 1
At Andrew Taban’s launch event in July 2024, Michelle Kampbell announced that she was running for the Board of Trustees in Area 1 after the resignation of Chuck Lyon, which triggered a special election. She almost immediately received the support COCFA. Michelle was a longtime aide to former Assemblywoman and Democratic Congressional candidate Christy Smith.
Kampbell held an official launch event at El Pueblo Restaurant in Newhall on August 17, 2024. The restaurant was standing room only, with union leaders, elected officials, friends, and supporters cheering her on.
“I remember standing on my front porch, and I was in full cap and gown the day I graduated high school,” Michelle said in an emotional speech. “And I was staring right at my father, and my father was staring right back at me. And he said, ‘You can’t go to college. You’re a woman.’ At that very moment, I told my mom to wait outside, and I’d be right there. I walked into my bedroom and I packed my bag, and I went with her to register at the first community college I could find.”
Kampbell emphasized the importance of community college for a community. She has a bachelor's degree in Public Administration Management from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). In a press release, Kampbell said the completion of her degree was made possible because she was able to take classes at College of the Canyons needed to transfer to CSUN.
“Community College is the place where no matter what your income is, no matter what your background is, no matter what obstacles you may have at home, it is flexible, it is acceptable, and it is affordable,” Michelle Kampbell said at her launch event.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-AD40) was there to support Kampbell, along with former Assemblywoman Christy Smith.
“I am incredibly proud to be supporting Michelle,” Pilar said. “You know one of the things I think is really important about Michelle is that she really brings to the work and she will bring to the college board is… You know there are so many people who go to community college later in life, and she knows what it’s like to struggle and trudge through working and going to school and taking care of a family and raising a kid. All of these things that you have to do to get that degree and continue to pursue no matter how hard it is.”
Diane Trevino, an attorney from Antelope Valley, is also running for the seat in Area 1. Trevino purchased a home in Santa Clarita Valley only weeks before filing to run for office. She is the owner and CEO of Trevino Law Firm, and until recently she lived in Palmdale. Trevino has been a featured speaker at a number of evangelical Christian conferences over the years and is an active member of the Antelope Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Businessman Scott Schauer Challenges Incumbent Edel Alonso in Trustee Area 2
Dr. Edel Alonso was elected in 2016 to the Board of Trustees of College of the Canyons after serving as a COC professor and academic counselor for 16 years. She won reelection to the seat in 2020, and she is running for her third term on the board. If re-elected, she will be the longest-serving member of the Board of Trustees.
“I believe that Edel has gone above and beyond as a board president and is very detailed and prepared and organized and only has the best wishes of everyone involved in mind,” Jerry Danielsen told Santa Clarita Weekly in August 2024.
Jerry Danielsen and Edel Alonso held a kickoff event together at Mimis Café on August 25, 2024. Like Danielsen, Dr. Alonso is supported by COCFA.
Scott Schauer is challenging Dr. Alonso for the seat. Schauer is a businessman and a graduate of COC. Schauer served as Student Senate Vice President from 1977 to 1978 and is a former member of the College of the Canyons Foundation Board (2007-2012).
Andrew Taban, Fred Arnold, and Tasha Hoggatt Face Off in Trustee Area 3
Andrew Taban, a staffer for Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-AD40), was the first candidate for the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees to announce. He held his launch party at the home of a supporter in July 2024. He was joined by many supporters, including Wendy Brill-Wynkoop from COCFA, Democratic State Senate candidate Kipp Mueller, Jerry Danielsen, and former Assemblywoman Christy Smith.
“Andrew is a passionate man, and he is well-versed in the legislature and well-versed in the culture of the city of Santa Clarita,” COC Board member Jerry Danielsen told Santa Clarita Weekly in July 2024. “And I believe that he will bring vigor of youth… And I trust his opinions.”
Danielsen said that he believes Taban will due his “due diligence” to do research before voting.
Fred Arnold, a mortgage professional and member of the COC Foundation, is also running for the seat. Arnold has 32 years of experience in business, and he views his run for the Board of Trustees as a way to “give back” to the city of Santa Clarita.
Appointed Incumbent Jerry Danielsen and COC Foundation Board Member Sharlene Johnson Face Off in Trustee Area 4
Jerry Danielsen, vice president of the Santa Clarita Community College District board of trustees, has announced his bid for election in Trustee Area 4. Danielsen was appointed in March 2023 after the death of Michele Jenkins, who served as a board member for nearly 40 years. Danielsen had run for the seat against Jenkins in 2020 and narrowly lost.
"I am very pleased that Jerry Danielsen was selected by the Board of Trustees to serve in Seat #4," Board of Trustees President Dr. Edel Alonso said at the time. "He has shown a great interest in serving on this Board having run for previous election and garnering the support of so many residents, as well as having attended some of our meetings via Zoom. He will bring a variety of perspectives as a COC alumnus, graduate of a local university, a small business owner, and a person with record of success in the music world who is interested in all the arts. I think he will complement our Board well."
In a press release, Danielsen emphasized his commitment to the community and deep ties with Santa Clarita. "My Santa Clarita roots run deep,” Danielsen said in a press release.” I’m a graduate of Hart High, College of the Canyons, and Cal Arts," Danielsen shared in his campaign announcement. "I am now an experienced educator and small business owner in our community. I joined the board as a trustee in 2023 and have been part of many amazing projects since that time."
Danielsen's campaign highlighted his accomplishments during his tenure, including expanding course offerings, increasing student resources, and approving the development of new baccalaureate and certificate programs tailored to current job market needs. He also oversaw significant improvements to campus infrastructure, including modernized classrooms and state-of-the-art technology, and helped expand support services essential to student success.
Reflecting on his first term, Danielsen expressed pride in the board’s achievements. "I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished for our students and feel that my re-election to the board will ensure continuity and lend experience as we progress into the new term," he said.
Sharlene Johnson, Board Member of the College of the Canyons Foundation, has also announced her candidacy for Trustee Area 4. Like Danielsen, Johnson graduated with an Associates degree from College of the Canyons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
“My time at College of the Canyons is a large part of why I hope to serve in this role and why I have served on the College of the Canyons Foundation Board for 5 years- to give back to the institution that gave me so much,” Johnson wrote on her website.
Johnson held her kickoff event in Santa Clarita, and it was attended by friends and supporters, including Tim Burkhart and Patsy Ayala, two candidates for City Council in District 1. Burkhart and Ayala are facing off with Progressive candidate Bryce Jepsen.
Religious author Tasha Hoggatt is also running for the seat. Hoggatt, like Darlene Travino in Trustee Area 1, moved from Palmdale to Santa Clarita to run for office.
As the races for the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees intensify, candidates from various backgrounds and experiences are vying for control of the board during a time of significant change. With multiple resignations, a special election, and the departure of long-serving Chancellor Dr. Diane Van Hook, the outcomes of these elections will shape the future direction of the college. As endorsements roll in and campaigns gain momentum, voters will face important choices that could redefine the leadership and priorities at the College of the Canyons for years to come.
Santa Clarita Weekly
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