President Schilling’s Board Report for April 24, 2018

Presented by Cypress College President JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D.
on April 24, 2018

The college has been in thoroughly engaged in “end-of the-semester” events and we are enjoying seeing our students succeed and flourish. Here’s a recap of the many things going on:

College Events

  • Last Tuesday, Cypress hosted the third annual YomHaShoah. We welcomed 500 attendees and had four holocaust survivors, and a 98-year old GI who fought in WWII and participated in the liberation of the concentration camps. In addition, we commemorated the addition of Dr. Henry Nahoum to our Holocaust Memorial Gallery on the same day. Dr. Nahoum’s daughter, Bonnie Nahoum-Jaros, a former Santa Ana music professor, also sang during the YomHaShoah event. Thank you to professors Clifford Lester and David Halahmy for this moving event, and to Marc Posner for his assistance putting this together. We also appreciate Dr. Marshall and Trustees Rodarte, Dunsheath, and McClanahan for joining us.
  • Our women’s softball team won their fourth consecutive OEC Title and the 16th in the last 17th titles. This is the 23rd Conference Title under retiring Coach Brad Pickler. Playoffs begin this Saturday with a home against El Camino College. Go Chargers!
  • Cypress College art students presented scholarly research at ART+POLITICS, the 2nd Annual Community College Art History Conference that took place at the UC Riverside ARTSblock on Saturday, April 14. Students Sandra Alvarado and Randy Cruz presented on “White Westernized Walls” and “The Marginalization of People of Color in Film” respectively. Out of only six students chosen to present, two were from Cypress. Our thanks to art professors Janet Owen-Driggs, and Ed Giardina for making this opportunity possible for our students. We are #CYProud of Randy and Sandra!
  • We enjoyed hosting Coffee with the Chancellor on April 19. Dr. Marshall shared her budget presentation, and we discussed campus safety, the CBT report, and how the District can support the college. We appreciate having this opportunity to discuss ideas and issues with our Chancellor, and appreciate that Trustee McClanahan also joined her for this visit.
  • On Wednesday, April 18 our Professional Development committee hosted Janet Zadina, an expert on Brain studies, and how this can form our understanding of teaching and learning. Dr. Zadina spoke to a full house on how students learn, retain, and understand information. It was a fascinating look at how to improve the ways we share information, and an awareness we could all benefit from.
  • Tuesday, April 24, Cypress College will be adding our fourth Peace Pole. This project, inspired by English Professor Ambika Talwar, is to promote peace on campus and provide daily reminders to be kind to one another. We believe this fits in well with our core values of Inclusiveness and Collegiality and thank Ambika for her advocacy for promoting peace across our campus.
  • Our Engineering and Beyond symposium was held this Friday, April 20. Four graduates from our STEM programs who are either continuing their education and/or working in their field, were here to speak with our STEM2 students, share their journey and advice, and help provide inspiration to our current students. We appreciate Yanet Garcia and her innovative ways of providing opportunities for our students.

In an effort to get more student feedback, our Guided Pathways retention group is sponsoring the “Question of the Week” at our Student Table Talks. Last week the question was “what is great about Cypress and what can be improved?” Students added comments to the table poster board and then we will be capturing this to provide feedback for our strategic conversations. We love this idea and thank Treisa Cassens for this innovative way to get student feedback.

  • Our annual Sex Day, initiated and led by Psychology faculty member Susan Johnson, was held on Wednesday, April 18. Students participated in games focused on promoting a healthy sexual awareness, and emphasizing the importance of good health and self-esteem.
  • On Saturday, April 21, Dr. Schilling and Dean Paul De Dios attended the Latina Leadership Network conference to honor Dr. Therese Mosqueda-Ponce as she received the prestigious LLN Madrina Award for her 22 years of service to the Cypress College Puente Program and tireless support of her students and developing future Latina leaders. Eight Puente students were in attendance and spoke about their excitement at seeing so many powerful female leaders
  • On April 25. Cypress College will be sponsoring its spring Parents Night, welcoming prospective students and their parents to the college. In addition to attending Parents Night, Dr. Schilling will also be giving the keynote speech at the Boys and Girls Club of Cypress.

In closing, it is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Charlene “Char” Felos, retired Cypress College ceramics professor, who had worked so tirelessly for Cypress College, the education of students, and the fine arts community. Char died at her home in Huntington Beach on April 15 at the age of 75. She began her career at Cypress College in 1969 and became art department chair in 1987. She retired in 2003 after 34 years of service with the district.

That’s the Board Report from Cypress College. Buen Cypress!

 

%d bloggers like this: