President Thayer’s Board Report for March 11, 2025
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 March 11, 2025
Biology Instructor Francisco Perez is Campus Teacher of the Year
Cypress College’s Teacher of the Year Nominee is Biology instructor Francisco Perez. Perez was the selection of a student committee following student nominations and a review process. He now represents Cypress College in the Orange County Teacher of the Year process through the Orange County Department of Education.
Perez has been a full-time instructor in the Science, Engineering, and Math Division since fall 2022 and served as an adjunct in the division since spring 2019. He was also a professional expert in the Learning Resource Center with the Supplemental Instruction Program from August 2013 until he was hired as an adjunct.
“As a teacher, I get to change lives,” he said. “Every day, I get the opportunity to be accepted into somebody’s life and guide them in their academic journey. Teaching is an experience that makes me appreciate who I am and what I have.”
Perez teaches medical microbiology and human physiology. He has been a mentor in both the Legacy and Puente programs, a member of the Cypress College Foundation Scholarship Committee, and a participant in the North Orange County Community College District Leadership Academy.
“Because of his encouragement, I became an SI leader for his physiology class in spring 2023, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Cypress College,” said alumnus Krystofer Angelo Bagunu, who is now attending San Diego State University. “I was nervous about stepping into a leadership role, but Professor Perez mentored me every step of the way. He gave me advice on how to engage students, break down tough topics, and build confidence in my ability to teach others. That experience helped me grow not just academically, but personally.”
Basketball Teams Advance to ‘Sweet 16’ in State Playoffs
For the first time since the 1990-91 season under Cypress College legend Don Johnson, the No. 10 Chargers men’s basketball team advanced past the second round of the playoffs. Cypress pulled off a dominant 81-65 road upset over No. 7 Moorpark to secure their spot in the Sweet 16.
The Chargers now set their sights on No. 2 Citrus College in the SoCal Regional Final, where a victory will punch their ticket to the 3C2A State Tournament at Mt. San Antonio College from March 13-16. Results are updated on the men’s 3C2A brackets page.
The No. 5 Cypress College women’s basketball team powered past the No. 21 East L.A. Huskies with an impressive 80-60 home victory to secure their spot in the Sweet 16. The Chargers will now hit the road to face No. 4 Glendale College on Saturday, March 8.
A win will send them to the 3C2A State Tournament at Mt. San Antonio College from March 13-16. The women’s 3C2A page will have results.
VRC’s Women Empowerment Gala on March 27
In celebration of Women’s History Month, you’re invited to the Women Empowerment Gala, hosted by Student Support Services, on March 27, 2025. The event is an evening dedicated to recognizing and uplifting women’s voices, achievements, and contributions.
This gala is more than just a celebratory event; it is a tribute to the strength, resilience, and accomplishments of women from diverse backgrounds. Through shared experiences and collective support, we aim to foster empowerment, leadership, and community, reinforcing our commitment to gender equality and inclusion.
The evening will feature inspirational storytelling, networking opportunities, and a strong sense of unity as we celebrate the past, present, and future of women’s empowerment.
The is also a 50/50 opportunity drawing, with proceeds benefiting the Women’s Unit(y) student club, which provides essential support, resources, and opportunities for women within our college community. If interested in purchasing a ticket, please contact Sandy Golden at (714) 484-7150 or via email.
Automotive Technology Department Hosts Events, Boosts Connections
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Automotive Technology Department hosted a career event on campus for its students to discover how to take the next steps on their career paths. The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association co-organized this “Classroom to Career” fair and brought together representatives from dealerships across the county to talk to students about job opportunities in their field.
In the lift bay between the Auto Tech and Automotive Collision Repair shops, students walked among giveaway tables and new model cars that the dealerships had brought to exhibit. Ford, General Motors, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Toyota, Mazda, and Land Rover were all represented, and students heard from professionals about how to be a part of these companies.
“It was really motivating to see how far you could get from just working at the dealership,” student Alan Davalos, who studies the Mazda MAST curriculum, said. “The dealers are looking for people who have a passion about cars and working on them.”
Additional detail is available on the Cypress College website.
The next event is the High School Auto Skills Challenge on March 13, 2025, from 5-8 p.m. Russ Bacarella, Automotive Technology faculty and co-organizer of the event, invited selected high school students and their parents to attend, and the students will compete with each other by attempting five or so mechanical tasks as proficiently and quickly as possible. It’s the third year of the event.
Dinner will be by The Habit, and an awards ceremony will cap off the night with trophies and prizes.
Dual Enrollment Receives Association of CA School Administrators Award
The Cypress College Dual Enrollment Program was selected as the ACSA Region 17 Recipient of the 2025 Partners in Education award. The honor recognizes the program as one of the leaders in Orange County for providing exemplary leadership and support for student achievement. An awards dinner will be held in Irvine on May 12, 2025.
“To be selected by your peers is the highest honor in recognition of your dedication to students, staff, and community,” said Kari Adams, ACSA Region 17 President. “Your colleagues and ACSA Region 17 celebrate your exemplary leadership, serving as a role model and mentor and your support for student achievement. Each role in the educational experience of our students is vitally important to the success of future generations.”
Scholarship Applications Set to Open on Friday, March 14
The Cypress College Foundation Scholarship applications will open on March 14.
This year, the Cypress College Foundation is launching new scholarship software that should make it even easier for students to apply and scholarship reviewers to evaluate applications.
In 2024, the Foundation awarded more than a half-million dollars in scholarships and aid to students. The 2025 Foundation Scholarship Awards ceremony will be held on Friday, May 23.
Photography Department Hosts Ken Hada Exhibition, Club Fundraiser
The Cypress Photography Department is excited to present Ken Hada’s solo exhibition, Make A Thing Every Day. This show highlights 13 years of Ken’s photography, during which he witnessed and documented a unique period in skateboard history.
Forty years ago, he worked at Skatopia Skatepark, where he witnessed the birth of skatepark skateboarding. Thirteen years ago, he connected with innovators in women’s skateboarding, a time when this aspect of the sport had been removed from contest agendas and was often overlooked in the skateboarding industry. Women’s skateboarding was in a precarious state. Armed with his camera, Ken captured its progression into what it is today.
The Cypress Photo Club proudly presents Ashley Rego’s solo exhibition, Violent Consumption. A depiction of life experience through the lens of a woman using alternative photo processes and raw materials that come with an expiration.
Spring Musical: Hello, Dolly!
The Theatre Arts Department shows off its biggest, boldest stage sets yet in this spring’s musical “Hello, Dolly!” Showtimes are March 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 7 p.m. and March 16 and 23 at 4 p.m.
Opening Reception: An Earth Twin at the Digital Dawn
Janet Owen Driggs curates this exhibit of Tom Van Sant’s Geosphere Project, which mapped out a model of Earth in the very early years of the tech revolution. It will be on view at the Cypress College Art Gallery March 6 – April 18, 2025, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and by appointment.
View the Earth Twin at the Digital Dawn Exhibit.
Opening Reception: Make a Thing Every Day
Make A Thing Every Day by Ken Hada will be on display in the Edouard de Merlier Gallery, located in TE-1 Second Floor, Bldg. 10, from March 6 – April 18, 2025. The Gallery hours are: Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Friday: 10:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Career Planning and Workforce Development Center Events
The Career Planning and Workforce Development Center will hold workshops this spring to prepare students for the job field. March events include resume-building, LinkedIn profile editing, and online job search training. All on-campus workshops will be held in the Career Center in CCCPLX-215.
Visit the Career Planning and Workforce Development Center.
Happening This Week
Here’s what’s Happening This Week — for Week 6 of the 2025 spring semester — March 10-14, 2025 — at Cypress College.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!