Woman to Head 2-Year College in Santa Clarita
- Share via
Dianne Gracia Van Hook, dean of Lake Tahoe Community College, was named president of College of the Canyons on Monday by the Board of Trustees of the Santa Clarita Community College District.
When she takes over July 1, Van Hook, 37, will become the first woman to lead the single-campus district and one of the youngest people to head a college in the Southern California area, according to the Assn. of California College Administrators.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. May 19, 1988 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday May 19, 1988 Valley Edition Metro Part 2 Page 9 Column 3 Zones Desk 2 inches; 42 words Type of Material: Correction
An article Tuesday incorrectly reported that Ramon F. LaGrandeur, superintendent and president of the Santa Clarita Community College District, has resigned to join the Peace Corps. LaGrandeur said he and his wife have only discussed the possibility of his joining Volunteers in Service to America.
Van Hook, who signed a three-year contract with the district, will earn $74,000 in her first year. She was chosen after a six-month search by a board committee that screened more than 30 applicants.
This was Van Hook’s second try at becoming president of College of the Canyons. Five years ago, she was interviewed for the presidency of the two-year institution. At that time, the board appointed Ramon LaGrandeur, 61, who has resigned to join the Peace Corps.
Van Hook takes over at a time when the 19-year-old college has its highest enrollment. This spring, the college enrolled 4,650 students, a 23% increase over last semester.
“This is a very unique situation because most community colleges in the state are experiencing declining enrollments,” Van Hook said during a news conference.
Van Hook said she was especially impressed with the school’s faculty, its facilities and its potential.
“This is a very dynamic situation, and I like to be in dynamic situations. I like the area, and I like community colleges in smaller districts,” she added.
Van Hook has an associate arts degree from Long Beach City College, a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach, and master’s and doctoral degrees in educational administration from the University of La Verne.
She has served as dean of instruction at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif., and executive director of the Rancho Santiago Foundation for the district governing Rancho Santiago Community College, the Orange County school that was once called Santa Ana College.
She has served as dean of Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., since August, 1986.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
