President Thayer’s Board Report for October 28, 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 28, 2025
Connect2Cypress HS Senior Event Draws 1,000 Potential Students
More than 1,000 seniors from area high schools attended the Connect2Cypress outreach event on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Visiting students connect with faculty and staff from academic pathways, and learn about resources from the Student Services Resource Fair.
Connect2Cypress is planned by the Charger Experience Program and launches outreach season for incoming fall 2026 students. Participants in the event will remain connected to the college through CEP’s efforts and will receive a series of ongoing communication to foster their successful transition from high school senior to enrolled Cypress College student.
The Majors2Careers (M2C) Showcase component includes career-related activities and is open to both the visiting high school students and to current Cypress College students. The M2C component is planned by the Career Center.
Cypress College Community Remembering Retired Professor Les Doak
We learned in the last week that retired Professor Les Doak passed away on September 2, 2025, at the age of 84. He joined Cypress College in 1990 as an adjunct faculty member in the Geography Department and became full-time in 1998.
Doak was instrumental in developing the college’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program, one of the first certificate programs of its kind at the community college level in the U.S.
In 1999, he secured a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant that significantly advanced GIS education at Cypress College. He also served faculty as a United Faculty vice president and
negotiator from 2009 to 2012. Doak retired in 2016 after a long and impactful career.
“He will be remembered as a dedicated educator, a strong advocate for students and faculty, and a valued colleague who left a lasting mark on the Social Sciences Division,” said Randy Martinez, interim dean for Social Sciences. “I remember Les as a warm colleague who expressed integrity and dignity. He is missed.”
Cypress College Expands Free Textbook Efforts in State ZTC/OER Cohort
A group from Cypress College launched into an expanded effort to bring free textbooks and course materials to students. The college has been accepted into the California Community College’s second cohort on ZTC/OER materials.
ZTC, zero textbook cost, and OER, open educational resources, is a combined effort to make education more accessible for students.
The cohort effort follows a model developed at Cosumnes River College, which currently has about 80% of its course offerings with no-cost textbooks Cypress College enters the cohort at about 30% following a focused effort among faculty to launch a program.
“We learned that we have a strong foundational infrastructure for ZTC/OER at Cypress College,” said Dr. Scott W. Thayer, who led a group attending the first meeting of the cohort last week. “Faculty have been supported in developing materials through stipends. We are excited for what expansion can happen as a result of this meeting.”
Also attending the launch meeting on October 16, 2025, along with Dr. Thayer, were Dr. Terri Long, interim Vice President of Instruction; Billy Pashaie, a Professor of Library & Information Science and the ASCCC OER/ZTC Liaison; and Michael Ashton, the Instructional Designer.
3rd Annual Cypress College Festival Full of Food, Music, Fun
The 3rd annual Cypress College Festival brought the campus to life on Thursday, October 16, 2025, running from 10:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The event was held outside the west entrance of the FASS Building, between Humanities and College Complex buildings, and attracted hundreds of students and employees in celebration of the many cultures represented on campus.
Attendees experienced diverse cultures beyond the classroom with 17 types of international cuisines at various booths, each offering free samples. In addition there were cultural performances, dance, singing, poetry, and more, representing various parts of the world.
Forensics Team Takes Third Place Sweepstakes at Crossman Invitational
Congratulations to our Forensics team for their successful participation at the Crossman Invitational and for their 3rd Place Sweepstakes award. Cypress College’ award winners are: Lilian Slick, Taliya Shurki, Kier Kieth, Faiz Ganie, Hiranmayee Subramanyam, Ramya Murakonda, are Arren-Ross Balila.
At the Crossman Invitational, Cypress College competed against both universities and other community colleges.
President Thayer Presents College Update to Local Rotary Club
Dr. Scott W. Thayer was the guest speaker for the Rotary Club of Los Alamitos, Cypress, and Seal Beach on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. He was joined by Howard Kummerman, Executive Director of the Foundation and Community Relations.
Dr. Thayer shared updates about campus improvements, enrollment trends and recovery, and the college’s innovate programs, student-centered events and centers, and a focus on building a supportive #OneCypress community.
The presentation was well received by the Rotarians in attendance.
Robust Undocumented Student Success Week Held to Support Students
Undocumented Student Success Week took place October 13–16, 2025, with a special bonus session this past Tuesday. The event is designed to support, celebrate, and empower undocumented students as they navigate their educational journeys.
Undocumented Student Success Week featured engaging workshops, resource sharing, and community building opportunities.
Veterans Resource Center Schedules Multiple Veterans Day Events
The Cypress College Veteran’s Resource Center will hold five events in Celebration of Veterans Day on November 11, 2025. The events are:
- 5 — Women Veterans Recognition
- 6 — Movie Night Out on the Lawn, The Mighty Ducks
- 7 — Softball Game – FC vs CC Softball Game (Cypress College Softball Field)
- 10 — Veterans BBQ (on the VRC Patio)
- 13 — VRC Carnival Night (adjacent to the VRC)
The campus is closed on November 11 in observance of the holiday.
Building Community and Charger Pride Through Campus Collaboration
Cypress College Athletics teamed up with campus partners including APIDA, PRIDE, Rising Scholars, VRC, Student Life & Leadership, and Charger Experience to host a series of inclusive events promoting community and Charger pride.
From the Affinity & Athletics Pool Party and Hispanic Heritage Month soccer celebration to the Pride Game and campus tailgate before men’s water polo, hundreds of students came together to connect, celebrate, and show their support for Cypress Athletics.
ShakeOut Drill Tests Evacuation Plan and Communication System
The 2025 National Great ShakeOut took place Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 10:16 a.m. As part of the preparedness drill, Cypress College conducted a full evacuation exercise, with members of the campus community moving out of buildings to temporary assembly points and then longer-term evacuation zones.
Messages were delivered electronically via text, email, and voice calls from the District’s RAVE emergency communication system. Performance metrics show that the system worked well, especially for text message delivery.
Click to view the What’s Happening This Week? video.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!