President Thayer’s Board Report for February 13, 2024
The following is a report to members of the North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees
Presented by Cypress College President Scott W. Thayer, Ed.D.
on February 13, 2024
We have kicked off our Black History Month celebration, beginning with a breakfast last Wednesday to honor outstanding scholars. The festivities will continue throughout the month, with “Hip-Hop and Mental Healing” scheduled for tomorrow. You can learn more about this and the rest of our events on our website. Our gratitude extends to co-chairs Regina Rhymes and Virgil Adams, as well as the Black History Month Planning Committee for their contributions.
Additionally, last week marked our inaugural Lunar New Year celebration on campus, commemorating the Year of the Dragon. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about the new ARC (Access, Resiliency, & Community) Center to support Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Desi, and Pacific Islander students. The center is located in HUM-123. This event was organized by Romeo Garcia, Jeannie Mitsch, Renay Laguana-Ferinac, and the APIDA Faculty Staff Association, with thanks to Marcie Kagawa for event publicity.
This spring semester we are thrilled to announce the lineup of workshops and events being offered by Cypress College’s Career Planning and Workforce Development Center. We cordially invite you to join us for these engaging and informative sessions, all conveniently hosted at the Career Center, located in CCCPLX-215, or on Zoom. The series opens on February with the Love Your Career: Pick up a Valentine Treat. February also features a Black Professionals Panel and a workshop titled: Find a Career to Fit Your Lifestyle.
We are also delighted to announce the resumption of the annual Kindercaminata event (March 15, 9–11 a.m., near the pond)! For the first time since COVID, we will be opening our doors to our local kindergarteners to experience Cypress College and the many opportunities made possible through education. Keeping with tradition, our hope is to host an interactive fair for kindergarteners to participate in hands-on activities, see live demonstrations, and interact with our vibrant campus community in a positive and loving way. We look forward to welcoming 1,000 kindergarteners to campus!
Beginning on February 12, the Integrative Wellness Club will host yoga sessions available to all students, faculty, and staff. Classes will include gentle, therapeutic yoga postures, with breathing and meditation practices. Events will be held in GYM 2 on March 6, March 20, April 10, April 24, and May 8, from 12:15-1 p.m.
We also celebrate the induction of Bernice (Orwig) O’Connor and Dan Ripley into the 2024 3C2A Hall of Fame Class! Go Chargers!
We are excited to share the success of recent events hosted by the Rising Scholars community. On January 23, Rising Scholars facilitated a hybrid event featuring the esteemed Lami J. Glenn, Sr.; Lami is recognized as a distinguished scholar, leader, and advocate for individuals affected by incarceration.
We eagerly anticipate your participation in these enriching events and workshops as we continue to support Cypress students’ academic and professional journeys.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!