President Thayer’s Board Report for April 8, 2025

by Scott W. Thayer on April 9, 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 April 8, 2025

Strategic Planning Retreat Helps College Develop New Plan for ’25-’28

Cypress College leaders — including faculty, classified staff, and administrators — gathered on Friday, March 28, 2025, to help develop the new campus Strategic Plan for 2025-2028.

The endeavor aligns the plan with the District Strategic Plan to ensure that campus work is supportive of and congruent with the NOCCCD Strategic Directions.

The retreat work also helps the new Cypress College plan to be developed in a manner making it overarching of existing working plans at the campus. These include the Strategic

Enrollment Management Plan, the SEA Plan, Program Review, Accreditation, and Guided Pathways.

The roughly 100 participants reviewed and evaluated the college’s current vision and mission statements along with the core values. This work will be synthesized and considered for potential revisions. This work was driven by data, including Institutional Set Standards, Guided Pathways metrics, and separate earlier employee and student surveys that evaluated the campus climate.

Dr. Scott W. Thayer also reiterated the campus priorities of enrollment, belonging, and wellness. Thanks to Bryan Ventura and the Institutional Research and Planning team and to Kristi Valdez for organizing the retreat.

Women Empowerment Gala Wraps Up Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Student Support Services and the Women’s Unit(y) club hosted the Women Empowerment Gala on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

The evening gala — held between the VRC and the pond — was dedicated to recognizing and uplifting women’s voices, achievements, and contributions.

This gala was also a tribute to the strength, resilience, and accomplishments of women from diverse backgrounds.

Congratulations to Esmeralda Martin, Sandra Golden, and Juan Garcia, along with the rest of the VRC team, and to Student Support Services Dean Celeste Phelps and her team on the successful event.

Cypress Faculty and Students to Welcome AUHSD Study Abroad Students

Cypress College’s International Students services along with faculty in the Foreign Language Department are teaming for a welcome event hosting approximately 40 study abroad students who are currently attending high schools in the Anaheim Union High School District.

These students come from various countries, primarily in Europe. Students and faculty from Cypress College’s French and Spanish programs will participate in the visit from the high school students.

The AUHSD students will visit Cypress College on the morning of Friday, April 11, 2025. They will visit the planetarium for activities that include opening greetings, introductions, trivia, dance, and a group photograph.

HRC Advisory Meeting Held in Campus Bistro on March 25

The Hotel, Restaurant, and Culinary Arts (HRC) Advisory Board meeting was held at the Cypress Bistro on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. The event welcomed advisors, education partners, students, and faculty.

On the agenda were welcome remarks from Dr. Scott W. Thayer and Dr. Kathleen Reiland.

Program updates were provided by faculty Jeanette Jones, Jeremy Peters, Amanda Gargano, and Lisa Clark.

The advisory group discussion covered industry trends, labor outlook, artificial intelligence in the culinary/hospitality industry, and a summary of recommendations from the advisory group members.

Ceremony Honors Young Cybersecurity Students

On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, faculty and staff from the Computer Information Systems program held the Superintendent’s Cup Award ceremony for elementary school students. The event took place in the Cypress College Theater and capped off 20 weeks of training by honoring winners in three competitions.

More than 300 guests, including 90 students across 13 schools in three districts, attended the awards presentation. Presenters recognized students for their participation as well as their achievements through this offshoot of the Cyber Patriot program.

The Cyber Patriot program traditionally focuses on middle and high school students but faculty envisioned extending this training to younger students, as they are becoming more and more technologically advanced. Organizers say the aim of the program is not only to interest elementary school students in Cybersecurity, but also to protect them from dangers that surround a more online world.

Marquee Replacement Begins During Campus Spring Break

The quiet, spring recess turned out to be a perfect time for the replacement of the aging campus marquee. The new Daktronics board replaces and upgrades the decade-old digital sign at the main entrance on Valley View Street at Cypress College West.

The current sign had reached its end of life with parts no longer available to make repairs. In recent months, the sign had multiple outages and the south-facing side ultimately stopped working.

The new sign is scheduled to be up and running the week of April 8. In addition to being larger and brighter, the existing cabinet will be re-used and re-painted.

Thanks to Allison Coburn and the Campus Capital Projects team for leading the replacement.

Podcast Episode 5 Features Guest Kassy Nguyen, AS President

On Episode 5 of the Cypress College Campus Podcast, Dr. Scott W. Thayer interviews current Associated Students President Kassy Nguyen. As the AS president, Ms. Nguyen leads the student government — which is comprised of elected student representatives who advocate for fellow students on campus, and at regional and state levels.

The two discuss Ms. Nguyen’s time at Cypress College — including participation in student government and on the tennis team — and talk about her upcoming bid to seek the presidency of the Associated Students of California Community Colleges.