College of the Canyons’ Advertising and Public Information Department garnered 17 awards at a recent California Community College Public Relations Organization competition, officials announced this week.

“These awards validate the fact that our team can not only create amazing work on a consistent basis, but we can do it across a huge range of media and methods,” said Bruce Battle, managing director of district communications and marketing.

The group picked up awards in 12 categories and earned first, second and third place in two areas — for best brochure and for best college Web pages.

The seven first-place awards are a record for the district communications office, which handles public relations for the district and COC’s campuses, Battle said.