Our Mission
The College of the Canyons Faculty Association (COCFA) represents the professional and labor interests for all full-time faculty within the Santa Clarita Community College District. The association supports members in and out of the classroom, making sure their voices are heard and accomplishments are respected on campus and throughout the community.
This Association
Promotes
Academic freedom
Shared governance
Democratic processes
Collegiality
An exceptional student experience
COCFA Representatives
President
Jason Burgdorfer
Earth & Space Sciences
Jason Burgdorfer is a graduate of the Academy of the Canyons (2008) and College of the Canyons (2009). He earned his B.A. Geography, minor in Geology from UCSB (2011) and M.A. Geography from The George Washington University (2013). In 2013 he was hired as an adjunct professor at College of the Canyons and since 2015 has served as a full-time professor of Geography and Geology.
In his full-time professor role at College of the Canyons, Jason Burgdorfer has served as Chair of the Academic Program Review Committee (2016-2022), Vice President of the Academic Senate (2016-2020), Department Chair of Earth and Space Sciences (2018-Present), Faculty Co-Chair PAC-B committee (2019- Present) and College of the Canyons Faculty Association President (2022- Present). In his free time, he enjoys traveling, skiing, and camping. He has traveled to 32 countries and 42 US states.
Vice President
David Stears
Theater
David Stears (Acting Instructor/Theater Department producer) is an actor, director, and producer originally from New York, and has been involved in live theatre for the past thirty years. David is a founding member of the highly acclaimed Actor's Project on Long Island. Trained in New York at HB Studio Uta Hagen). David came to California where he continued his training at the California Institute of the Arts School of Theatre (Libby Apple, Dean). David has produced and directed over 100 productions and has been involved in over sixty as an actor. Upon graduating, David founded The Santa Clarita Repertory Theatre, and was the company’s Producing-Artistic Director until July 2001, founding the Shakespeare in the Park series locally, and opening the first theatre in Downtown Newhall.
With the department since the fall of 2000, David teaches acting, movement, & Shakespeare. For 12 years he was the director and producer for the New Works Festival at College of the Canyons and has published two anthologies of plays from the festival. Currently, David serves as the producer for the theatre programs’ productions throughout the year.
David is one of the Founding Members of the Arts Alliance for Santa Clarita, a local arts advocacy coalition for artists, arts organizations, and art supporters. He holds a certificate in fundraising from U.C.L.A., a masters in public administration, and has been recognized by LA County Supervisor for his role in developing the arts in the region. He works as an independent producer/director and is the lead partner in Stears & Associates, a nonprofit and fundraising consulting company. Facebook.com/David.Stears.Theatre. On instagram @StearsHerd
Lead Negotiator
Deanna Riveira
Secretary
Brittany Applen
Treasurer
Nadia Monosov
COCFA PAC CHAIR
Wendy Brill-Wynkoop
Membership Benefits
As a part of state and national association affiliations, COCFA members receive myriad discounts and other benefits. These include:
Travel discounts – lodging and car rental
Entertainment – movie theaters, theme parks, comedy clubs and more
Insurance – life, property, disability, long-term care and even pet insurance
Cell phone service – AT&T
Costco membership
Find out more about membership benefits through the
California Teachers Association and the National Education Association