President Thayer’s Board Report for October 14, 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 October 14, 2025
Nursing Program Ranks No. 1 in Student Test Results
The Cypress College Nursing Program received results from students’ Quarter 3 NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), which revealed that all students had scored 100% on the exam.
The perfect scores follow a pattern that has been present for several rounds of exams, according to Director of Nursing Colleen Peralta, DNP, RN.
“We are very proud to report that in the last 10 reports we received 100% every time except for once,” Peralta, DNP, RN. “That score was 96.8%.”
She added that the bigger news was a report from the 24/25 academic of schools participating in Mountain Measure NCLEX scores. Cypress College Nursing scored the following:
- 1 in NCLEX scores in the Associate Degree of Nursing programs
- 1 in California out of 1179
- 1 in the Nation out of 2232.
“Our faculty work very hard to help our students succeed in our program and beyond,” Peralta said.
NCLEX examinations are developed and owned by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN), which produces nurse licensure and certification examinations.
Undocumented Student Success Week is October 13-16
Undocumented Student Success Week takes place October 13-16, with a special bonus session on October 21. The events of the week are intended to support, celebrate, and empower undocumented students as they navigate their educational journeys.
Engaging workshops, resource sharing, and community building opportunities will fill the week. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend and support.
Undocumented Student Success Week is presented in collaboration with CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend and show their support. Click to view the full slate of events.
Great ShakeOut Event Takes Place on October 16
The 2025 National Great ShakeOut takes place Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 10:16 a.m. Cypress College will conduct a full evacuation exercise.
For the drill, text, email, and phone messages will be sent to all members of the campus community. Campus Safety officers will lead people who are able to participate to their evacuation zone.
Third Annual Cypress College Festival Scheduled for October 16
The Third Annual Cypress College Festival (formerly the Cypress College International Cultural Festival) takes place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m. in front of the FASS Building.
This year, organizers will offer 17 types of international food, each with 150 samples, significantly more than last year. The group will also present the various cultures through food and testimonials to highlight the impact of each group’s academic and cultural activities.
In addition to food samples, there is live music, dance performances, and information tables.
This event has been promoted to local high school students and their families who visited our campus information sessions. The goal is to showcase Cypress College as a welcoming, vibrant, and inclusive community — a place our community will be proud to be part of and to have their children attend.
Cypress Forensics Competes in PSCFA Warm-Up
Cypress Forensics competed in the PSCFA Warm-Up this past weekend at El Camino College, marking the first competition of the 2025-2026 season. There were 16 community colleges and universities in attendance. The team celebrates the debut of several first-time debate competitors in addition to bringing home several awards.
Below are the students’ accolades:
- Haley Nguyen – Novice Persuasive Speaking- Certificate of Excellence
- Bianca Alcantara – Open IPDA – Certificate of Excellence
- Faiz Ganie – Open IPDA – Certificate of Excellence
- First Time Debate Competitors: Faith Perez Cruz, Arren-Ross Balila, and Maximus Young
Semester’s Second Coffee With the President on October 28
Join Dr. Scott W. Thayer and the SEM Division team for a spooky coffee break on Tuesday, October 28 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.!
Join your colleagues across divisions and enjoy coffee, tea, and seasonal desserts from the Campus Coffee Shop to give your Tuesday afternoon an extra boost. And, to soak up the spirit of the season on Halloween week, costumes are encouraged!
Cybersecurity Program Recognized as a Leader by Programs.com
Cypress College has been recognized as one of the best schools in California for cybersecurity degrees in 2025 by Programs.com. The site, a platform that ranks cybersecurity degree and certificate programs, based their results on curriculum strength, career outcomes, affordability, and overall academic reputation.
“We have a great faculty, tutor, and mentor team, along with consultants and of course our great admin support,” Cybersecurity Program Director Ben Izadi said.
Izadi says several things set the Cypress College program apart from and above others. They include a curriculum aligned to industry standards, embedded hands-on activities in classes, preparation for industry certification, project-based learning, and summer workshop opportunities led by an industry experts on technical concepts.
Izadi adds that through grants such as NSF, Perkins, and SWP, cybersecurity professionals, mentors, and tutors can be hired. Even senior students assist with courses as lab instructors and participate in the CyberPatriot training program.
New Searchable Class Schedule to Debut for Winter, Spring Registration
NOCCCD campuses, including Cypress College, are using a new searchable schedule to register for courses. The improved schedule arrives as the District upgrades Banner, its enterprise information system.
Take a look at this new layout for spring/winter 2026, visit the preview searchable class schedule here.
4th Annual Walk of Hope Held on Wednesday, September 24
Cypress College thanks all who participated in our 4th annual Walk of Hope on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. This event is designed to promote Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness.
Hosted by the Active Minds Club and the Student Health and Wellness Center, this is a powerful event dedicated to bringing our community together in support, hope, and healing.
This walk is more than just a gathering; it is a chance to honor and remember those we’ve lost, raise awareness about suicide prevention, break the stigma surrounding mental health, and encourage connection.
It is a reminder that you are not alone in this journey. Thank you again for walking with us to continue to raise awareness and support mental health and wellness.
Transfer Center Workshops a Prelude to Transfer Awareness Week
Ahead of Cypress College Transfer Awareness Week, the Transfer Center will hold several workshops. You’ll find information on application workshops to CSUs and UCs, university visits, and, finally, the Transfer and Pre-Graduation and Job Fair. View the full list of workshops.
Transfer Awareness Week takes place October 27-31, 2025. The Transfer and Pre-Graduation Fair is held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the pond area.
Fall Musical: Into the Woods Opens October 10, Closes October 19
Cypress College Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.”
The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, such as Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella, exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests.
Performances take place October 10, 11, 17, 18 at 7 p.m. and October 12, 19 at 4 p.m. in the Cypress College Theater.
Ticket purchase is available through the Theater’s online platform.
Click to view the What’s Happening This Week? video.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!