The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce named Dianne Van Hook, chancellor of College of the Canyons as winner of its Lifetime Achievement award on Friday. Currently serving as a member of the chamber’s board and chairwoman of the Chamber Institute, Van Hook has inspired partnerships between educational and training institutions with community organizations, government agencies and private industry, the chamber said in a statement. “There is no one more deserving of this great recognition for her more than 30 years of leadership at College of the Canyons,” Nancy Starczyk, chair of the chamber board, said in a statement. “Dr. Van Hook has spent her entire career educating our workforce and has implemented numerous business support service offerings at the college to support economic development.” Van Hook launched the college’s Economic Development Division in 1994, which has grown to include the Employee Training Institute, Center for Applied Competitive Technologies, Small Business Development Center and other regional and statewide initiatives to help local companies remain competitive in their industries. The division has generated $43.6 million in capital for local businesses, served 12,038 companies and trained 61,626 employees during the past 25 years, according to the chamber. Van Hook will receive her award at the chamber’s awards and installation gala on Jan. 24.
Santa Clarita Chamber Honors College of the Canyons Chancellor
