President Thayer’s Board Report for November 12, 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 November 12, 2024
Cypress College Hosts NOCCCD’s First Mental Health & Wellness Summit
Cypress College hosted the first NOCCCD Mental Health & Wellness Summit on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. The event was presented in partnership with the Steve Fund to feature connection, collaboration, and interactive sessions addressing mental health concerns and providing healthy coping strategies for some of our most vulnerable students, while also fostering dialogue and support strategies for employees.
The welcome included messages from: Dr. Troy Davis, Dean of Counseling & Student Development at Cypress College; Cypress College Land Acknowledgement, Cypress College Faculty Member Virgil Adams; Kassy Nguyen, 2024-2025 Associated Students President at Cypress College; and Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland, Chancellor NOCCCD. Dr. Jan Collins-Eaglin, from the Steve Fund, presented the keynote address.
Multiple breakout sessions were held during the event. The closing of the Mental Health and Wellness Summit included a dance performance by Cypress College students and remarks by Cypress College President Dr. Scott W. Thayer.
Connect2Cypress Event Brings 1,500 High School Seniors to Campus
Outreach season is in full swing as the college continues to expand its enrollment. More than 1,500 students from local high schools participated in Connect2Cypress — Cypress College’s signature outreach event — which was held on campus on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This is the largest attendance in the event’s history.
On campus, the students participated in a welcome and miniature orientation, learned about career and transfer options, visited booths from a wide variety of pathways, programs, and services, and were treated to lunch.
The event dovetails with the Career Planning Center’s Majors2Careers event which connects current Cypress College students to transfer, degree, and career options.
Connect2Cypress is organized by the Charger Experience program, headed by Brittany Hamer. Cypress College’s advocates, ambassadors, counselors, faculty, classified staff, students, and administrators all support these events.
A partnership with Orange View Jr. High also brought students from that campus for a session with Stephanie Teer about Dual Enrollment opportunities.
Foundation Hosts Event to Thank Donors to VRC Paver Project
The Cypress College Foundation hosted an event to officially unveil newly engraved paver stones located in front of the Veterans Resource Center.
The pavers honor and remember military veterans — many of whom have close ties to the campus — for their service to the United States.
Dr. Bob Simpson, who was president when Measure J passed in 2014 initiating design and construction of the VRC, led participants in the Pledge of Allegiance. VRC faculty coordinator Dr. Juan Carlos Garcia discussed military service, the VRC’s purpose, and how it supports students. Foundation Executive Director Howard Kummerman and Cypress College President Dr. Scott W. Thayer provided welcome remarks, and Student Trey Santos shared how the VRC has impacted his student journey.
Former Cypress College Presidents Dr. Margie Lewis and Dr. JoAnna Schilling, both donors to the project, were also present at the event.
DSS Expo Highlights Services Available to Cypress College Students
The DSS Expo, held on Thursday, October 31, invited Cypress College students to stop by the Disability Support Services center to explore the resources and services offered by DSS.
The event offered free food and also helped introduce new DSS Director Matthew Dawood, who joined the Cypress College community this semester, replacing the role previously filled by Celeste Phelps, who is now the Dean of Student Support Services.
Cypress College’s OC Teacher of the Year, Kirk Domke, Recognized
Cypress College faculty member Kirk Domke was among the 61 educators recognized by the Orange County Department of Education on Friday, November 1, 2024 at the Disneyland Hotel. Domke was selected by students as Cypress College’s Teacher of the Year during the spring semester.
Domke teaches the Oceanography lecture and lab along with the Coastal Oceanography Field Studies course, Historical Geology, Environmental Geology, and Earth Science for Teachers. Earlier this semester, he discussed the award and his experiences at Cypress College as a guest of Dr. Scott W. Thayer on the Cypress College Campus Podcast.
Third Annual Classified Appreciation Awards Nominations Announced
Nominations for the Third Annual Classified Appreciation Awards are now open. The awards represent an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and contributions of our incredible classified professionals.
These awards highlight individuals who go above and beyond in their roles, making a positive impact on our organization and fostering a sense of community and collaboration. We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your colleagues’ efforts and nominate someone who has made a difference. Nominations are open through November 15, 2024 and the recipient will be announced at the Spring Opening Day convocation.
VAPA Dean to Receive National Honor for Leadership in the Arts
Visual and Performing Arts Dean Kellori Dower will receive the prestigious Diamond Award for Excellence in Higher Education Leadership, Philanthropy, Humanitarian Efforts, and Community Engagement from The Not Alone Foundation, Inc., and The Academy of the Diamond Awards.
According to the foundation, this accolade honors individuals who exemplify exceptional leadership and commitment to elevating both the academic landscape and the communities they serve. The Diamond Award celebrates recipients’ unwavering commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian efforts, particularly in advocating for underrepresented populations and creating pathways to educational access. Their initiatives not only address pressing societal issues but also enrich the lives of their students, empowering them to become transformative agents of change in the global marketplace.
Dr. Dower will be recognized in person at the 9th Academy of the Diamond Awards, which will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the historic Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
VAPA Alumnus Daniel Scipio Receives Excellence in Arts Award
Theatre and Dance alumni Daniel Scipio received the Excellence in Arts Award from the Torrance Theatre Company for his contribution to Drama and Theatre Arts. The ceremony was held in Torrance on October 27, 2024. Scipio performed several times on the Cypress stage, with his final show being the musical, In the Heights, where he served as assistant choreographer.
He joined the Torrance Theatre Company in 2018, and in that time has served as a director, actor, stage manager, box office manager, social media and marketing intern, and the consummate team player, according to the company.
McKenna VW Launches Food Drive Supporting the Campus Food Pantry
McKenna Volkswagen Cerritos recently launched VW Eats, the dealership’s November food drive and Instagram contest.
The effort supports the Cypress College Food Pantry by working in partnership with local favorites such as: Meccha Matcha, Solid Coffee, Wushiland Boba, and Café 86.
The campaign launched November 1 and runs through November 22, 2024.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!