President Thayer’s Board Report for September 23, 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 September 23, 2025
Enrollment Reaches 16,743 Students and 5,858 FTES at Census
Cypress College’s enrollment reached 16,743 students at the first census date of the semester — one of the strongest unduplicated headcount metrics ever recorded at Cypress College. The full-time equivalent students, or FTES, measure was 5,858 at the census date.
These measures represent a 5.5% and a 4.5% increase, respectively, over the fall 2024 numbers. Looking at the efficiency metric, Cypress College courses were 92% full at the census date.
Factoring for late-start courses, the campus appears to be on track to meet it’s annual enrollment goal.
Celebration of Life for Professor Ganer Set for October 14
The Cypress College Foundation invites the campus community to gather in celebration of Dr. Patricia Ganer’s extraordinary life. Ganer, who passed away in July, was a beloved professor, coach, mentor, colleague, sister, aunt, and friend.
The celebration will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. RSVP to participate in the on-campus celebration. A specific location will be shared at a later time. Guests are welcome to bring a memory, a photo, or a favorite story to share as we honor and celebrate Dr. Ganer.
Professor Ganer touched the lives of so many with kindness, wisdom, unparalleled wit, and a generosity of spirit that will never be forgotten. The celebration of life will be a time to share stories, laughter, tears, and gratitude for the gift of having known and loved our colleague, who was dubbed the “Matriarch of Cypress College.”
Dr. Ganer was a generous donor to the Cypress College Foundation, including having established a Legacy Society Endowment to support Cypress College students in perpetuity. Contribute in Ganer’s memory.
Cypress College Hosting AUHSD Parent Summit on September 26
Cypress College is pleased to host the 5th Annual Anaheim Collaborative Family Summit on Friday, September 26, 2025. The event has limited space and requires registration through the Anaheim Union High School District.
The summit is a day of inspiration, learning and resources to help the teens of AUHSD parents succeed in high school, college, and beyond.
Highlights include a keynote presentation by Tony Orozco, titled “Disciplina Positiva,” a Resource Fair, and tips to help teens stay motivated and manage stress.
It takes place in the Cypress College Theater, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Culinary Arts Helps Welcome Community Colleges Board of Governors
North Orange Continuing Education hosted the California Community Colleges Board of Governors meeting on September 16–17, 2025, at the Anaheim Campus — and Cypress College’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Culinary Arts students and faculty were tapped to help welcome members of the state board for their first post-pandemic road meeting.
Rising Scholars, RISE Youth Program Host CCEMC Attendees
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the RISE Youth Program hosted attendees of the 12th Annual California Coalition to Dual Enrollment (CCEMC) Summit, which included representatives from the Chancellor’s Office and Dual Enrollment professionals from across the state of California.
The RISE Youth Program serves youth who have been impacted by, or experienced, the system of youth incarceration.
The event was held in various locations, both on and off campus, and included a lunch in the Cypress College Theater Lobby.
40th Annual Cypress College Foundation Golf Classic Raises $260,000
The Cypress College Foundation hosted its 40th Annual Golf Classic on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park. The best-ball tournament raises money to support students and programs at Cypress College and is one of the foundation’s two largest annual fundraising events.
While still pending finalization, the early financial returns appear to make this one of the — if not the single-most — successful golf tournaments in the college’s history. Projections show the classic will generate revenue in excess of $260,000.
Among the 168 participants in the tournament were Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland. Students from the Cypress College golf team offered, for a donation, a long-drive to tournament
participants looking for an extra advantage. Members of the softball team assisted with this facet of the fundraising.
The tournament was followed by an awards ceremony and a dinner.
Health and Wellness Center’s Medical Director Dr. Ali Passes Away
Our condolences to the family of the Student Health & Wellness Center’s Medical Director, Dr. Mir Ali, who passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 12, 2025.
Dr. Ali was hired as a contract employee in 1997 and was loyal to Cypress and the Health and Wellness Center’s mission, according to Director Marla McBride.
“He was a dedicated Internal Medicine Doctor in our local community and provided his medical expertise to our HWC,” she said. “His oversight allowed us to function and serve our students. He always believed in helping the community and paying back what he could. I can’t tell you how stunned and sad the HWC staff are at his passing.”
Prior to his passing, Dr. Ali asked his son, Dr. Mir Wasif Ali, — a Cypress College alum and a cardiovascular surgeon — to take over his responsibilities on our campus. The Health and Wellness Center is in the process of finalizing that agreement.
Puente’s Paletas Marks Hispanic Heritage Month, Program’s 30 Years
In collaboration with various employee groups across the District, the Hispanic Heritage Month Planning and Programming Committee launched this year’s series of engaging events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting Paletas with Puente.
The event took place on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in the Puente Center on the first floor of the Humanities Building. Hispanic Heritage Month events take place through October 16.
This vibrant month honors the rich histories, cultures, and traditions of Latin American and Hispanic communities. We hope you will join us in recognizing and celebrating these contributions throughout the month.
Bifurcated and Complex: Examining Immigrant Experiences-Part I
Join Professor Esther Villegas-Sandoval (Sociology Professor, College of the Sequoias) for an interactive two-part series exploring the bifurcated and complex experiences of immigrants and minoritized populations.
Research and lived experiences suggest community members can encounter conflicting experiences, such as belonging and exclusion; abjection and empowerment. This workshop will touch on how oppression can lead to misconceptions, bifurcation of consciousness, complex experiences with integration (such as contact with a “ring of fire” as minoritized community members attempt to assimilate), and resistance. Finally, attendees will learn how to challenge the status quo via an Anti-Oppressive Praxis in both classroom spaces, as well as office/office support spaces.
The event takes place on September 30, 2025, at 3 p.m. on Zoom.
A²MEND, BSU Host Successful Meet and Greet Event
The “Meet and Greet” for the A²MEND and BSU groups provided a great opportunity to build community and gather in the Legacy Center. The gathering included a Black History Trivia competition as students learned about the importance of Student Governance, Leadership, Mentoring, AI Coach Tutoring, Workshops and Training opportunities available via the Legacy program, A²MEND Student Charter, and the BSU Club during this 2025-2026 academic year.
Special thanks to Counselor Joshua James and Danny Crumble (Legacy Recruiter/Liaison) for their unwavering support and assistance in making the evening a big hit for all students who participated.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!