- Cusumano family donates $1 million to College of the Canyons, the largest single gift in the Foundation’s history.
- Donation establishes the Diana & Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Endowed Program Fund and the Cusumano Family & Friends Endowed Scholarship Fund.
- iCUE building to be renamed Diana & Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Building, supporting student scholarships, faculty, and industry-ready culinary education.
The $1 million donation to College of the Canyons from the Cusumano family represents a remarkable commitment to education, community, and the culinary arts, marking the largest single contribution in the history of the College of the Canyons Foundation. This transformative gift establishes both the Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Endowed Program Fund and the Cusumano Family and Friends Endowed Scholarship Fund, ensuring lasting support for students and the institution. The college's Institute for Culinary Education (iCUE) building will be renamed the Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Building, also known as Cusumano iCUE, in honor of the couple's generosity.
The endowed scholarship fund comes at a pivotal time, as community colleges across the nation grapple with budget constrictions and changing enrollment trends. The Cusumano Family and Friends Endowed Scholarship Fund will help level the playing field for students who pursue careers in the culinary arts, providing financial assistance to both part-time and full-time students with at least a 2.75 GPA who demonstrate financial need. Students will be able to apply for scholarships, which can cover tuition, chef's tools, and professional training opportunities locally and abroad starting spring 2027.
The Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Program Fund will support staffing, faculty training, and ongoing equipment and kitchen upgrades to foster innovation and strengthen industry partnerships. These resources are intended to position iCUE at the forefront of culinary education while preparing students for in-demand careers. The endowment also honors the life and legacy of Diana Cusumano, a beloved educator, artist, business owner, and philanthropist in the Santa Clarita community. Diana’s passion for education and the culinary arts inspired so many, and as a Foundation Board Director, she led the iCUE fundraising campaign to create opportunities for students to pursue meaningful trade careers.
Gary Cusumano, a longtime resident of the Santa Clarita Valley and former Newhall Land President, CEO and Chairman, said the gift celebrates Diana's life by supporting the next generation of culinary professionals. "Diana believed that education-both academic and hands-on-was the strongest path to success in life. I hope this gift will open doors for students who share Diana's passion for the culinary arts and are seeking an affordable, practical route to a rewarding career", he said.
Also Read: UNNES And HNUE Vietnam Collaborate To Boost Data Education
The donation comes at a time when skilled trades are of growing interest to Gen Z, often called the 'Tool Belt Generation', who favor practical, high-demand careers over traditional degrees. According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse, enrollment at vocationally focused community colleges increased 16% in 2024, amid a trend toward hands-on learning and mastery-based careers, such as the culinary arts. According to Pew Research, "chef/cook" is now the fifth most desired occupation by workers without traditional degrees.
The culinary profession is expected to grow, with 197,300 chefs and head cooks employed in 2024 and a 7% increase projected over the next decade. The Santa Clarita area offers a slightly higher median salary than the broader Los Angeles County, highlighting strong local opportunities. Yet, industry-wide staffing challenges remain, with many restaurants struggling to fill positions. The Cusumano family's gift will help train and prepare students to meet this demand and add to an expected 200,000 new jobs with the industry growing to $1.5 trillion in food services by 2025.
With tuition currently at $46 a unit, the College of the Canyons' Culinary Arts program provides an economical route to well-paying careers. The program includes an Associate Degree and three certificate options, and due to high demand in the industry, many students are recruited before graduating. The gift will make the program more accessible to students and provide opportunities for study-abroad experiences, said Chef Cindy Schwanke, Department Chair.
The Cusumano family and the College of the Canyons Foundation welcome further donations from industry partners, alumni, and community members to increase the breadth and depth of the impact created by this gift. Monica Lee Copeland, Chief Development Officer, conveyed her profound appreciation for the vision and compassion of the family, highlighting that the iCUE building, when renamed, will eternally stand as a testament to Diana and Gary Cusumano's commitment to education and student success.
