President Thayer’s Board Report for December 16, 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 December 16, 2025
Campus Safety Officers Perform CPR to Save Life of Swap Meet Patron
On Sunday, November 23, 2025, Campus Safety Officers Anne-Marie Valadez and John Garbisch performed life-saving CPR on a swap meet patron. The pair had been called to the swap meet in the early morning hours to respond to reports of a man who was laying on his back and not breathing.
As swap meet employee performed CPR until Campus Safety arrived. Once on scene, officers Valadez and Garbisch administered chest compressions until the arrival Orange County Fire Authority members. Valadez provided 60 chest compressions before Garbisch took over, providing another 30 compressions.
The first responders were able to regain a pulse and the man was transported to Anaheim Memorial Hospital.
Students Present Research at On-Campus Multidisciplinary Conference
The Honors Program and the Psychology Department hosted the second annual Cypress College Student Voices: Cypress College Multidisciplinary Conference on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
At the conference, which was held in the Cypress College Complex, students presented academic research projects undertaken this semester.
The conference is designed to provide students from various academic disciplines with the opportunity to present their research or creative work. The goal is to foster an environment of academic collaboration while showcasing our students’ diverse talents and scholarly pursuits. The event featured individual, group, and poster presentations.
The Multidisciplinary Conference planning committee members are Kathryn Sonne, Randy Martinez, Brandy Young, Hilary Reuter, Angela de Dios, Yolanda Duenas, and Janet Vera.
Spotlight: Tra’Von Williams, Rising Scholars Outreach Coordinator
Tra’Von Williams serves as an outreach coordinator with the Cypress College Rising Scholars program. The program supports formerly-incarcerated and system-impacted students in their higher education pursuits. Williams, known best as Tray, is active in promoting the program and helping the students within it.
Recently, he emceed an on-campus workshop called “Build Healthy Masculinity,” to redefine strength, emotion, and identity for male-identifying students. During a break in the semester schedule, Williams had an amazing opportunity to teach in Denmark.
Williams, himself formerly incarcerated and a former foster youth, shared his background and experiences in a recent interview.
“I began my academic journey in community college back in 2003. Along the way, I faced homelessness, addiction, and constant struggles with mental health,” he said. “However, in 2017, everything began to change. That’s the year I got sober, and for the first time in a long time, I leaned on the support services and programs that were designed to help students like me. Through Minority Male Initiatives, Rising Scholars, EOPS, and other programs I connected with, I found not only guidance but a community that believed in me even when I doubted myself.”
Having developed academic success, Williams transferred to Azusa Pacific University. While employed at Cypress College, he was invited to teach an intersession in Denmark.
“I went there expecting to teach and share my acts of love, but what I received in return was a profound understanding of rehabilitation, restorative justice, and the essence of humanity,” he said. “Over the course of my visit, I had the privilege of teaching at three different facilities and two halfway houses across the country, which allowed me to refine my pedagogy, one that is deeply centered around love.
“This experience profoundly shaped my work at Cypress College,” Williams said. “I strive to bring elements of Denmark’s framework into our programs, ensuring that our students, too, have access to the foundational support they need to thrive. By nurturing these essentials, we help create not just educated students, but empowered, compassionate, and resilient human beings.”
Alum Alon Leichman Named MLB Pitching Coach for Colorado Rockies
Cypress College baseball alum Alon Leichman has become the first Charger to serve as the head pitching coach for a Major League Baseball team. Leichman — who came to Cypress College from Israel to study and for baseball — played for the Chargers from 2011-2013 before transferring to UC San Diego, where he was a scholar athlete.
The Colorado Rockies announced his selection as their MLB pitching coach on December 9, 2025.
Leichman played for Team Israel in the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021. He has served as an assistant pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds and the Miami Marlins, as well as in the Seattle Mariners minor league system.
Leichman took both a unique and inspiring path to Cypress College and the Olympics, according to a 2021 article authored for the Cypress College Chargers athletics website. Leichman served in the Israeli military for three years before being granted a leave to join the Cypress baseball program. Leichman earned the closing role for the Chargers his injury-shortened freshman year. As a sophomore, Leichman continued his role out of the bullpen for Cypress and dominated 31.2 innings with an ERA of 1.42.
With their backs against the wall during their 2013 State Championship run, then-Head Coach Scott Pickler needed a spot start in a crucial CCCAA Super Regional game.
“He had the most courage of anybody, and he was the guy I had faith in giving the ball to, because he would compete,” Pickler said.
Making his first career start, Leichman threw a complete-game shutout, advancing the Chargers to the State Finals where they went on to sweep the series and become the 2013 CCCAA State Champions.
The Times of Israel notes that Leichman is the first from his country to have a lead coaching role in the MLB.
Vote for Cypress College in the 2025 BroadwayWorld LA Awards
Multiple productions for Cypress College Theatre in 2025 have been nominated for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Regional Awards, and you could help them win.
These acknowledgments honor regional productions and touring shows performed between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. According to organizers, regional nominations reached more than 100 cities across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Cypress College contenders include the 2024 fall play “Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812” along with the 2025 spring musical “Hello, Dolly” and spring play “Twelfth Night.” Seven nominations in multiple categories have reached the next round. Voting continues through December 31at BroadwayWorld.
2025 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Cypress College Nominations
- Best Direction Of A Musical
Jim Hormel – Hello, Dolly! - Best Direction Of A Play
Jennifer McMillin – Twelfth Night – Cypress College - Best Music Direction & Orchestra Performance
Bradley Hampton – Hello, Dolly! – Cypress College - Best Musical
Hello, Dolly! – Cypress College - Best Performer In A Musical
Eric Lempinen – Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 – Cypress College - Best Play
Twelfth Night – Cypress College - Best Sound Design Of A Play Or Musical
Ray Gibson – Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 – Cypress College
Finals Fuel Helps Students Reach Semester’s Finish Line
Student Support Services and the LRC hosted Finals Fuel for students from December 1-10, 2025. The event provides students with extended hours in the Learning Resource Center from 6 p.m. to midnight. During Finals Fuel, a librarian and a Student Support Services manager staff the L/LRC every night, including the weekend shifts. In addition to a quiet study space, staff also provide the food for the late-night scholars.
Memorial Scholarship Established for Alum Keron Thomas
The Keron Thomas Memorial Scholarship is now officially launched through the Cypress College Foundation.
“We are honored to carry forward Keron Angello Thomas’s legacy by supporting the educational ambitions of students who embody growth, resilience, and self-improvement,” Thomas’ family announced in a social media post.
Thomas spent two years studying at Cypress College, where he was an exemplary student, a leader in the Legacy Program, and a dedicated student representative. Thomas transferred from Cypress to UC Berkeley, where he graduated in 2024.
He was killed earlier this year in a hit-and-run accident while riding his motorcycle on the 5 Freeway in Buena Park.
Recent Events
Coffee With the President
Nov. 18 & Dec 1. 2025
Illuminated Visions 3.0
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Legacy Friendsgiving
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Campus Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
APIDA Friendsgiving
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Kwanzaa
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Health & Wellness Center
Thursday, December 4, 2025
CC Chancellor Connect
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Americana Kick Off
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!