Remembering Retired Dean Nina DeMarkey
Cypress College is remembering Nina DeMarkey, retired dean of the Social Science Division. DeMarkey passed on January 1 in North Carolina. A celebration of her life is planned for Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home in Greensboro.
Nina DeMarkey new-hire portrait, August 11, 2004.
DeMarkey was selected as the Social Science Dean in April 2004, coming to Cypress College fulltime after working at both Fullerton College and NOCE (then the School of Continuing Education). She retired in the spring of 2017, after roughly 22 years in the North Orange County Community College District.
“Nina led with integrity and kindness,” said Randall Martinez, the current interim dean for Social Science and a faculty member in the division when DeMarkey served as Dean. “She cared deeply for faculty, staff, and students, and was widely respected for her thoughtful leadership and steady presence. I knew her not only as a valued administrator, but also a dignified colleague and a trusted friend. Her contributions to the Social Sciences Division and to the college left a lasting impact that will be remembered with gratitude and respect.”
Cypress College’s deans as photographed at the 44th Commencement on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at 6 p.m., in the Gateway Plaza.
Following a 20-year career in the corporate environment, she began teaching classes in resume writing, interviewing and job search techniques, and advised students in these areas at Fullerton College. She then worked for the School of Continuing Education in Digital Media Programs and Grants, and she also did adjunct counseling for SCE and Cypress College.
In addition to her primary role as dean, she also managed the Teacher Preparation and Honors Programs.
In 2010, DeMarkey helped re-open the Humanities Building after a major renovation as part of the Measure X bond. At the re-dedication of the building, she talked about the use of technology that would become available in the space because of the construction work.
Nina DeMarkey spoke at the re-dedication ceremony for the Cypress College Humanities Building on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.
That same year, she spearheaded donations for the then-new Veterans Resource Center by collecting donations from campus administrators to purchase a television for the VRC — a purchase that helped make the space a comfortable environment and helped set the vision for the permanent VRC.
In 2016, DeMarkey was recognized by the Associated Students as part of their annual Women’s Recognition Awards. She received their “Most Inspirational” award along with three colleagues.
Prior to her employment with NOCCCD, DeMarkey spent almost 20 years as a Human Resources Director. She earned a masters degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Higher Education & Career Counseling from Chapman University, and received her B.A. degree in Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University.