(714) 484-7000

President Thayer’s Board Report for February 10, 2026

by Scott W. Thayer on February 11, 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 February 10, 2026

Enrollment For Spring Semester Has Cypress College on Track for Target

Cypress College opened the spring semester with 15,796 students enrolled, up 4.34% from the prior year. The estimated FTES metric showed an increase of 3.8% compared to spring 2025. While these numbers will change as students adjust their course schedules prior to census, the FTES of 5,337.4 puts Cypress College on track to meet the annual enrollment target.

From an efficiency standpoint, the college’s fill rate was 87.9%, up 2.2% from a year ago.

These increases continue a trend in which Cypress College has not only fully recovered enrollment from the pandemic period, but surpassed the pre-pandemic enrollment.

Opening Day Convocation Recharges Campus for the Next 60 Years

During the spring Opening Day convocation, Dr. Scott W. Thayer lauded the successes of the first 60 years of the college and uplifted today’s employees to recharge for the next 60. Cypress College will mark its 60th anniversary on September 12, 2026.

“We have come to describe our promise to students by saying ‘We Take This Journey Together.’ But, even before this phrase, it is who we are,” he said. “As I have reflected on the history of Cypress College … I have come to know that our founding faculty chose to work here because they aimed to build something special from the ground up. They had a unique philosophy of creating a student-centered environment.”

Dr. Thayer highlighted the work or early faculty members Tom Lubin, Kaleta Brown, and Don Tyrrell. He drew parallels between their work to support and foster student success and the efforts of today’s faculty and staff members.

“We have changed. But we are also the same as we were in 1966,” he noted. “To me, ‘We Take This Journey Together’ means we are One Cypress, a unified community where we are invested in each others’ achievements. As faculty, staff, and administrators here, we don’t feel successful unless our students are successful.” He encouraged the audience to move this concept into the college’s future.

“As this calendar year begins, I ask you to remember this philosophy — and to carry this tradition and belief forward into our next 60 years.”

Dr. Thayer also highlighted the work of both the college and district to focus on strategic enrollment management and connected this intentionality to the fiscal health of the institutions.

“Thanks to our recent growth — roughly 25% from our pandemic low — we have been able to add 30 faculty positions between the current and the coming academic years,” he said. “This is an investment in our institution, the most important part of which is the people who work and study here.”

The morning opened with an extended mixer in the Theater Lobby preceding the formal program, which kicked off with a performance by the cast of the spring musical, SpongeBob. This was followed by an introduction of Dr. Luis Gonzalez as the new Vice President of Instruction and recognition of Campus Safety officers Anne-Marie Valadez and John Garbisch for their life-saving efforts while on duty at the campus swap meet on November 23, 2025. Both officers were presented certificates of commendation in front of their family members who joined them at Opening Day.

The college also recognized recipients of the Classified Senate awards, presented by Christy Montenegro, Tayler Thomas, and Kristina Oganesian. The award recipients are:

  • Chelsea Truong, Student Engagement and Support;
  • Cari Jorgensen and Barbara Woolner, Service to the Campus Community;
  • Yvonne Cota, Presidential Award; and
  • Sharon Cox, Classified Employee of the Year

Student Kaili Nguyen then presented research that she shared at the second Student Voices Multidisciplinary Conference held on campus in December. Nguyen shared research, titled “Early Medical Procedures and Brain Development: Impacts on Emotional Development in Pediatric Cancer Patients.”

During the presentation, Nguyen share her findings along with how her experience as a survivor of childhood cancer drove her interest in the research topic.

The event rounded out with inspiring welcoming remarks from NOCCCD Board of Trustees President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath and from Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland, along with an audience-participation campus updates segment presented in the form of a trivia challenge.

Luis Gonzalez Welcomed as New Vice President of Instruction

Cypress College is pleased to welcome Dr. Luis A. Gonzalez as the new Vice President of Instruction. Dr. Gonzalez is an experienced educator and administrator with more than two decades of leadership in California’s higher education systems, including the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. Throughout his career, he has served in a wide range of instructional and executive leadership roles, including assistant Dean, Dean, Associate Vice President of Instruction, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Acting President.

He is also a former community college student, having completed coursework at Glendale Community College and East Los Angeles College before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies, followed by a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Organizations, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Dr. Gonzalez most recently served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Learning at Oxnard College. In this role, he provided executive leadership for strategic planning, enrollment management, student equity initiatives, noncredit and workforce programs, dual enrollment efforts, community and industry partnerships, and accreditation processes. His work emphasized collaboration, data-informed decision making, and aligning instructional programs with student needs and regional workforce priorities to support student success and institutional effectiveness.

In addition to his campus leadership, Dr. Gonzalez serves as a Strategic Enrollment Management Coach through the Strategic Enrollment Management Academy with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and as a member of the statewide Chief Instructional Officers Leadership Board. Through these roles, he collaborates with instructional leaders across the state and contributes to systemwide conversations focused on access, equity, enrollment sustainability, and instructional innovation.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Gonzalez is a first-generation college graduate whose personal and professional journey has shaped a strong commitment to educational access, equity, and opportunity.

Students Welcomed to the Spring Semester at Cypress College

Students were provided a list of tips, services, and frequently asked questions to help guide them through the first few weeks of the semester. Through multiple communication channels, all students were advised to visit Spring Semester Central to keep up to date with information to facilitate their success.

Each semester, the Office of Campus Communications also produces and distributes a week-long series of resource-rich emails to students in advance of the semester. This semester’s lead-up series included:

Finally, employees were shared a start-of-the-semester resources sheet to facilitate a strong start to the spring semester.

Black History Month Celebrations Launch with Feb. 10, 12 Events

This year marks a century of national commemorations of Black history. Join the campus celebrations starting next week with two events (register here for locations) and see all events on our online calendar.

  • Celebration Breakfast with Keynote Speaker Kenneth Starks, February 10, 9:45-11:50 a.m.
  • Cypress Charger Basketball Game, February 12, 6 m.

UndocuAdvocate Training Scheduled for February 24 for Employees

Faculty and staff are invited to join UndocuAdvocate Training, a professional development event designed to understand the lived experiences of undocumented and mixed-status students in higher education. This training centers the unique challenges of undocumented students and explores the critical role employees play in fostering inclusive and affirming environments. Certificate of completion and lunch will be provided. Register for UndocuAdvocate training.

  • When: February 24 at 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Where: CCCPLX-414

Associated Students Schedules Spring Semester Events

The Associated Students of Cypress College have scheduled three major spring semester events:

  • Welcome Back — February 11 from 1-3 p.m., in front of Student Life & Leadership/VRC near the pond
  • Club Rush — February 18 and 19 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in front of Student Life & Leadership/VRC near the pond
  • World Fest — April 22 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in front of Student Life & Leadership/VRC near the pond

Art & Photo Galleries Exhibits and Openings

The Cypress Art Gallery and the Photography Department are hosting their exhibition receptions early this semester. The art gallery will present Topographix: Latinx Photographers and the Sub/Urban Landscape, and the photo gallery will feature works by Arnoldo Vargas. Both receptions will be in the evening of Thursday, February 12.

  • When: February 12, 6-8 p.m.
  • Where: Cypress College Art Gallery (adjacent to Theater) and Edouard de Merlier Gallery (TE1)

Give to the Foundation Now, Have Your Gift Matched by Donor

This spring 2026, when you support students through the Cypress College Foundation Employee Giving Program, your gift will be matched by the Foundation Board President.

Simply start giving or increase your current donation to have your gift matched, and you will also be entered for a chance to attend the Americana Awards or the Golf Classic.

You can give through Payroll Deduction as an easy way to make your tax-deductible gift. A monthly gift may also be scheduled through your bank or credit card. Your support, no matter the amount, is vital to all our programs including scholarships, emergency assistance, and other campus programs.

Sign up to donate online. Thank you for your investment in our students!

Coffee With the President Scheduled for Feb. 12 at Theater Lobby

Join Dr. Scott W. Thayer and the Visual and Performing Arts Division for a coffee break and to soak up the celebration of Black History Month during Coffee with the President. The coffee will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, in the Theater Lobby, from 12-1 p.m.

Gather with your colleagues across divisions to enjoy coffee and specialty drinks from Cypresso and signature treats from local Black-owned bakery, Sweet Red Peach. While at the event, we also welcome you to stop by the Cypress College Art Gallery to see the latest exhibits.

Foundation Executive Director Kummerman on ChamberTalk Podcast

Howard Kummerman, the executive director of the Cypress College Foundation, joined the North Orange County Chamber of Commerce’s ChamberTalk Podcast to discuss the campus, our students, and their needs.

ChamberTalk is hosted by chamber CEO Andrew Gregson and is a platform for genuine conversations with North Orange County Chamber members, business owners, entrepreneurs, local influencers, and political leaders.

“Join Andrew Gregson as he sits down with Howard Kummerman, the compassionate force behind the Cypress College Foundation, to explore how a tight-knit campus community keeps students in the classroom and changes lives,” the episode’s description reads.

Cypress College Automotive Technology Students Wow Parts-Maker

A recent Facebook post from the National Hot Rod Association shared a video in which an auto-parts maker praised the skills of Cypress College Automotive Technology students.

The NHRA held an event in late November in Pomona where auto parts maker Speedmaster celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Chevrolet small-block engine. As part of this celebration, Speedmaster invited Cypress College auto tech students to upgrade a classic small block 350 standard stroke engine.

Speedmaster CEO Jason Kenzewski said the young students showed a passion for cars “that we grew up with,” and admired their problem-solving skills.

“I’ve been doing this for 25 years, building engines, and they’re actually doing it a lot better than me!” Kenzewski said. “Clearly the college and all the training works because, as you can see, these kids are really firing through it.”

Cypress College Celebrates Olympic Torch Runner

Cypress College celebrates softball assistant coach Amanda Fama for running the Olympic torch in advance of the Milano Cortina games, which are underway. Fama is a member of the Chargers Athletics Hall of Fame, a 2020 Olympian, and has been part of the softball coaching staff since 2024. Watch our tribute video, created from portions of her publicly shared social media posts.

We Take This Journey Together!

%d bloggers like this: