President Thayer’s Board Report for January 27, 2026
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 January 27, 2026
Softball Coach Amanda Fama to Run Torch at Milano Cortina Olympics
Amanda Fama — a record-setting member of the state champion 2010 softball team, an Italian Olympian, and a current Cypress College assistant coach — will run the 2.5-pound Olympic torch as it heads to Milano Cortina for the 2026 winter games.
In November, Fama announced that she had been selected for the honor of carrying the torch. On her Instagram page, she has been detailing the journey, which includes postponing knee surgery and a rehabilitation regimen that help her complete the run.
Fama is regularly seen in her videos wearing Cypress College apparel as she prepares for the January 24 run, which she will complete with a torn ACL and meniscus.
Fama made history as the first Cypress softball alum to represent the Chargers in the Olympics when she took the field for the Italian Softball National Team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She is also a two-time European Champion, a three-time Italian League Champion, and three-time Cup Champion.
As a Cypress College student athlete, Fama had a legendary career, helping the Chargers secure the 2010 state championship and three Orange Empire Conference championships. Over her two seasons (2008-2010), she etched her name into the Cypress record books 13 times. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was inducted into the Cypress Hall of Fame in 2017.
Fama continued her collegiate career at Concordia University in Irvine, and has since become a celebrated figure in the world of professional softball.
Remembering Retired Social Sciences Dean Nina DeMarkey
Cypress College is remembering Nina DeMarkey, retired dean of the Social Sciences 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.
DeMarkey was selected as the Social Sciences Dean in April 2004, coming to Cypress College full time 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 Sciences 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.”
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 reopen the Humanities Building after a major renovation as part of the Measure X bond. At the rededication of the building, she talked about the use of technology that would become available in the space because of the construction work.
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.
Cypress College Thanks Terri Long for Her Service to Cypress College
Dr. Terri Long has concluded her service to Cypress College as the Interim Vice President of Instruction at Cypress College, a position she assumed in August 2025.
She brought more than 35 years of experience in the California Community College system to Cypress College. More importantly, she brought a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success.
At Cypress College, she worked on myriad issues, including enrollment management, budget, student access to free textbooks, and leading the recruiting process for the incoming VPI. Her contributions to President’s Staff are also greatly appreciated.
Cypress College Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s Legacy
MLK Jr. 2.0 honored the dream and advanced collective wellbeing on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The capacity event centered on the idea that individual wellbeing is deeply tied to justice, equity, belonging, and collective care within our communities.
Alumnus and 2023 Presidential Scholar of Distinction Selwyn Gibson shared his journey from Cypress College to UCLA graduate. In one powerful moment, he shared a quote from Dr. King: “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”
Candice Varnado Bangura, Executive Director of the Cal State Dominguez Hills Health and Wellness center, provided a keynote speech. The virtual event also included playing a portion of Dr. King’s “What is Your Life’s Blueprint” speech. Participants included Najah Najiy, who rode the busses in Selma as part of the Civil Rights Movement, and Black Panther Muriel Shabazz.
“We are deeply grateful to the NOCCCD Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for their generous funding and continued commitment to equity-centered programming,” said faculty member Regina Rhymes, who hosted and helped plan the event. “Your support made this meaningful gathering possible.”
Because of the demand, the committee is planning MLK Jr. 2.0: Part II to build community, deepen dialogue, and advance Dr. King’s legacy through action and care.
Enrollment on Track to Meet Spring and Annual Targets at 5% Growth
While still fluctuating, Cypress College projects that the campus growth target of 5% will be met for the 2025-2026 academic year. Currently the combined winter/spring FTES estimate is running 5.06% ahead of the prior-year comparison, according to the NOCCCD Tableau dashboard for Thursday, January 22, 2026. Total enrollment is up 3.8%, headcount is up 3%, and fill rate is at 80.7%, up 2.4% over the 2025 spring semester.
The numbers will continue to fluctuate through the census date. However, the data indicate that Cypress College is on track to continue it’s enrollment growth.
By generating 12,180 FTES in the 2024-2025 academic year, Cypress College saw a total enrollment increase of 23.44% over its 2021-2022 pandemic-low enrollment.
Opening Day Campus Convocation Set for January 30
Cypress College’s Opening Day convocation is set for Friday, January 30, 2026. The all-campus gathering will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Theater Lobby and will conclude at 11 a.m. in the Campus Theater.
Opening Day will include an extended breakfast mix and mingle, a performance from the upcoming musical SpongeBob, recognitions that include Classified Senate Awards, interactive campus updates, welcomes from Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath and Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland, and the President’s Message from Dr. Scott W. Thayer, “Re-Charging for the Next 60 Years.”
President Thayer Accepted to Wheelhouse
Wheelhouse: The Center for Community College Leadership and Research has welcomed Cypress College President Dr. Scott W. Thayer as a fellow in the 9th Cohort of the CEO Institute on Leadership. The year-long institute begins in March.
Housed at the University of California, Davis, School of Education, Wheelhouse supports and strengthens leadership and practice in the California Community Colleges system through an institute specifically designed for community college CEOs and through independent research.
Each year, Wheelhouse assembles a cohort of 15-20 California Community Colleges CEOs who form a tight network and learning community as they jointly explore adaptive, student-centered leadership, strategic communications, and leadership theory and application.
Strong Participation in Student-Centered Funding Initiatives Academy
Cypress College had strong participation in the NOCCCD Student-Centered Funding Initiatives Academy — Part I, which was held at Fullerton College on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Notably, each of the college’s deans — Dr. Treisa Cassens, Dr. Kellori Dower, Rick Hodge, Dr. Randall Martinez, Patricia Menchaca, Dr. Celeste Phelps, Colin Preston, and Janet Vera — attended, as did all three vice presidents and other members of President’s Staff.
The half-day academy provided an opportunity to develop common language and understanding of enrollment management and planning time to facilitate implementation of both the campus and district strategic enrollment management initiatives.
Cypress College Hosts Anaheim Collaborative Education Partners
Cypress College was pleased to host the Anaheim Collaborative meeting on Friday, January 16, 2026, in the Cypress College Complex large conference room. The event brings together area NOCCCD partners representing local K-12, CSU, and UC institutions with the purpose of instilling a college-going culture.
“It is great to connect with our partners to talk about what is working and what can be improved to support our students,” said Dr. Scott W. Thayer, who also provided a welcome address at the gathering.
Coffee with the President Held in Kinesiology Division, Set for VAPA
Dr. Scott W. Thayer and the Kinesiology Division hosted the first Coffee with the President of the calendar year on the afternoon of Tuesday, January20, 2026, in the trophy room of Gym 2.
The next Coffee with the President will be hosted by the Visual and Performing Arts Division and is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2026, from noon-1 p.m., at the Edouard de Merlier Gallery Courtyard on the second floor of Tech Ed. II.
Revisit highlights from the past calendar year in this social media highlight produced by Communications Specialist Anthony Diaz and the Cypress College Campus Communications team.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!