President Thayer’s Board Report for September 24, 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 September 24, 2024
Accreditation Visit Brings Commendation for Commitment to Students
Cypress College’s accreditation site visit was completed on Thursday, September 19, 2024 with four members of the team engaging with the campus community to affirm the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report submitted last fall. The accreditation process has been headed by faculty member Jill Bauer and Bryan Ventura, the campus Accreditation Liaison Officer.
During the exit report, Team Chair Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza thanked and recognized Cypress College for its clarion call to support students from start to finish on their educational journey, for the Charger Experience Program, KinderCaminata, the Veterans Resource Center, affinity spaces for Puente, Legacy, APIDA, Pride, and Rising Scholars, providing a food pantry and basic needs such as diapers to students, the #1 nursing program in the nation, two baccalaureate degrees, and top-quality career and academic programs.
In addition to Dr. Taylor-Mendoza, the team consisted of Dr. Robert Pimentel, Mr. Cory Wathen, Dr. Ilona Missakian, and ACCJC Vice President Dr. Gohar Momjian.
The team examined core inquiries during their focused visit to campus. In addition to core inquiry interviews, the team took a campus tour, participated in a welcome reception, and held an open forum.
Accreditation the Topic of Discussion on Episode #3 of the Podcast
In Episode 3 of the Cypress College Campus Podcast, Cypress College President Scott W. Thayer discusses the campus’ preparation for the accreditation site visit with Jill Bauer and Bryan Ventura. Bauer and Ventura are leading the Cypress College reaffirmation of accreditation process.
That process reached a milestone this week with the site visit. Bauer is a faculty member in the ESL Department, the Academic Senate’s Charger Award recipient, and the faculty chair of the accreditation process. Ventura is the director of the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. In this role, he also serves as the Accreditation Liaison Officer.
The Cypress College Campus Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Cypress College’s Hispanic Heritage Month Kicks Off on Campus
The campus’ Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off event took place on Thursday, September 19, 2024 near the pond. The event featured dance performances and dance lessons, paletas, and pupusas.
Hispanic Heritage Month events continue through mid October.
9/11 Remembrance on Campus
It’s been 23 years since the attacks on September 11, 2001. To honor the lives that were lost on that day, the Veterans Resource Center, the Cypress College Veterans Organization, and the VRC’s Women’s Unit(y) group asked that those who are willing to wear sky blue in remembrance of the fallen.
In addition, the VRC laid out its flag display on the lawn in front of the VRC with a flag to represent each victim of the attacks of that day. There was also a television alongside the lawn to air the tribute. We hope that you were able to stop by to reflect on this moment in our nation’s history.
Cypress College Hosts Japanese Study Abroad Students
Far away from their home in Nagoya, Japan, the country’s fourth largest city, the visiting students eagerly made their way across the sunny coastal Orange County, Calif. campus at Cypress College, guided by a group of institution representatives. The institution was one stop of many in the visiting students’ study abroad summer program.
Cypress College students enrolled in the institution’s Japanese program joined the visiting students’ tour of the campus and acted as guides and interpreters for the students, who were primarily middle school age.
During the tour, the Japanese and American students who acted as their guides practiced their foreign language skills, exchanged ideas, shared their cultures, and expanded their horizons for greater understanding.
“It was such an honor having the Nagoya students visit us at Cypress College. They seemed to really enjoy and appreciate the tour we gave them,” said Cypress College Japanese Professor Mihoko Terada Luther. “Our students studying Japanese truly enjoyed sharing our culture with them and practicing their Japanese with the study abroad students. We hope they will come back to visit again soon. Read more…
National Soccer Coaches Rank Cypress College Women #1
The United Soccer Coaches released their most-recent rankings for all divisions of NCAA and Junior College Men’s and Women’s Soccer on September 17, 2024. The rankings place the Cypress College women’s soccer team atop the list for Division III community college teams. Congratulations to the players and to Co-Head Coaches Erick Hurtarte and Randi Martinez.
Foundation Golf Classic Sets Records
The Cypress College Foundation’s 39th Annual Golf Classic took place on Monday, September 16, 2024 at Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park. The event appears to be the most successful golf classic in the Foundation’s history. With more than 160 participants, the tournament raised more than $200,000. The net proceeds project to be $50,000 more than last year’s tournament.
Sponsor Total Environmental Management, Inc. presented a check for $75,000 to the Cypress College Foundation’s Howard Kummerman and Rachel Ghatikar and to Dr. Thayer.
Dr. Thayer Hosts Popsicles With the President
As part of an ongoing series of events, Dr. Thayer and his office hosted Popsicles With the President on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The event provided an informal opportunity for the campus community to visit with Dr. Thayer. It took place on the Cypress College Complex patio.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!