President Thayer’s Board Report for March 24, 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 March 24, 2026
Swen Nater, Russamee Gulyanamitta inducted into 3C2A Hall of Fame
Two Cypress College alumni are set to be inducted into the California Community College Athletic Association, better known as the 3C2A, Hall of Fame on April 1. The pair — Russamee Gulyanamitta and Swen Nater — make up half of this year’s inductees.
The 2026 Hall of Fame Class also includes Newton Chelette, of Antelope Valley College, and Mike Liddell, of Butte College. The class is “comprised of four outstanding individuals that have made a lasting impact on their institutions and the 3C2A with their exceptional dedication, hard work, and contributions,” the state organization said in a release announcing the class.
Gulyanamitta is a trailblazer in the sport of women’s golf. She’s the first Thai golfer to reach the LPGA and is also the first female golfer to be inducted into the 3C2A Hall of Fame. She won the state title competing at Cypress College in 2000 before pursuing her professional golf career.
Nater exemplifies the power of the California Community Colleges. Here at Cypress, coaches Don Johnson and Tom Lubin helped mold Nater — who didn’t make his high school basketball team. Nater grew to be one of the most dominant and impactful players in program history. He was known for perseverance and hard work and his rebounding skills. At Cypress College, Nater was named an All-American. He transferred to UCLA where he played for the legendary coach John Wooden, winning NCAA championships in 1971 and 1972. He was a first-round selection in the NBA draft and led the league in rebounding in 1980.
The 2026 class will be honored at the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner during the annual 3C2A Convention at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank on Wednesday, Apr. 1. Tickets and additional information are available on the 3C2A website.
Emeritus Baseball Coach Pickler Makes MLB Debut with Son for Rockies
Cypress College Baseball Head Coach Emeritus Scott Pickler experienced a special full-circle moment, joining his son, Jeff Pickler coaching the Colorado Rockies in a spring training game between the Rockies and the Brewers earlier this month.
Jeff Pickler currently serves as the bench coach of the Rockies Major League Baseball team. Because the Rockies were playing two concurrent games, Jeff Pickler was selected to manage one squad. He surprised his father by extending the invitation for his father to be his primary assistant.
Scott Pickler’s legacy as Cypress College’s baseball coach from 1985 to 2020 is impressive. Over his career, Pickler guided the Chargers to 981 victories, boasting a .666 winning percentage. His teams captured five state championships (1991, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2013) and finished as state runner-up four times, solidifying his place as one of the most successful coaches in California Community College history.
Beyond Cypress College, Pickler achieved national recognition in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, where he tied the record for most championships in league history, earned four Manager of the Year awards, and mentored over 100 future Major League Baseball players. Pickler’s previous Hall of Fame inductions include honors from Cypress College, the Cape Cod League, Savanna High School, the American Baseball Coaches Association, and the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association.
While his resume is legendary, the spring training game with his son was Scott Pickler’s Major League Baseball debut. Cypress College alumnus Alon Leichman, who is the Rockies pitching coach, also participated in the contest with the Picklers.
KinderCaminata Draws 1,200 Local Students for First Day of College
This year’s KinderCaminata event brought some 1,200 kindergarten students to Cypress College for them to envision a future that includes their expected completion of a college degree. During their morning at Cypress College on Friday, March 13, 2026, the students and their chaperones participated in a resource/activity fair in which the students were exposed to a variety of careers represented by students and faculty in various Cypress College programs.
The students also received tote bags, visors, and lunch, provided by Raising Canes and Jimmy John’s. The children also enjoyed a photo opportunity with Charlie the Charger, and visited the Planetarium, which is a popular destination for students visiting KinderCaminata.
KinderCaminata is an annual event held for students at local elementary schools with the intent of establishing the expectation of attending college as they are beginning their education.
Women’s Basketball Run Ends in ‘Elite 8’ CA Championship Tournament
Cypress College women’s basketball capped a standout 2025–26 season with an Elite 8 appearance in the 3C2A State Championship Tournament, where the Chargers fell in a hard-fought 55-51 battle to eventual champion San Joaquin Delta College.
The Chargers finished with a 23-8 overall record, making a strong postseason run as the No. 6 seed with wins over Long Beach City College and Moorpark College to reach the state tournament.
The season was highlighted by All-State performances from Christaesha Jackson and Mariah Henderson under head coach Brittany Imaku.
Student Health and Wellness Center Grand Opening and Wellness Fair
The Student Health and Wellness Center celebrated the opening of its remodeled space by inviting the campus community to an open house, lunch, and wellness fair this week. It took advantage of St. Patrick’s Day to theme the entire event, including games and raffles to reward the roughly 270 visitors.
Attendees picked up cards from organizers to gather stamps from the tabling groups in the breezeway, including such student services as Basic Needs and Associated Students. Stamps were also given out by staff providing tours of the upgraded rooms inside the center, to accommodate physical and mental health checkups and testing. A full stamp card was a visitor’s ticket to a taco lunch including agua frescas and churros, provided by VRC and HRC student Jesse Aguilar.
After spending 18 months in temporary offices near the NOCE offices, the Center returned to the first floor of Gym 2 this semester with renovated rooms for the following services:
- First Aid & Emergency Care
- Diagnosis & Treatment of acute illness including availability of medication if needed
- Health Assessments — including blood pressure screening
- Family Planning Services
- Immunizations for Tetanus; Hepatitis B, and Seasonal Flu
- Tuberculosis Skin Testing (PPDs) and Quantiferon Gold Testing
- Personal Health Counseling & Referrals
- Psychological Counseling Services
- Health Information
- Classroom presentations
- Laboratory Services — including, but not limited to: Pap tests, free STD screening, pregnancy testing, cholesterol screening just to name a few.
The resource fair offered 12 resource tables from both community partners and Cypress College resources.
For example: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), OC Public Health Agency’s ADEPT (Alcohol & Drug Education & Prevention Team), LGBTQ+ Center of OC, COPE Health Solutions, TUPPs (Tobacco Use Prevention Program Public Health Services), Waymakers (victim assistance services), Cypress College Active Minds club, C.C. Integrative Wellness club, and Associated Students.
The center’s in-person hours are Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Services are remote Friday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m., with Zoom appointments available during normal business hours for medical and mental health counseling on request. Crisis Walk-In Hour: Monday–Thursday 1 p.m. After-hours telemental health appointments available Monday-Friday 5-9 pm.
Transfer Center, Career Planning and Workforce Development Workshops
The Transfer Center will host several workshops this semester. All on-campus workshops will be held in the Transfer Center on the second floor of the Student Center, and walk-ins are welcome. Online workshops will be held over Zoom. The center will host one event this week, as well as its ongoing series Transfer Tuesdays; keep your eye peeled for the Transfer Center table on campus each week to learn about transfer resources.
The Career Planning and Workforce Development Center’s Spring 2026 Workshop and Events are also under way. These include Virtual Resume Workshop and Employer Spotlight and Lunch.
Forensics Teams Wins 2nd Place at CCCFA State Championships
Cypress Forensics celebrated a big weekend competing at the California Community College Forensics Association State Championship tournament in Northern California. There were 20 community colleges competing across four days of competition.
Nine students represented the Cypress College, competing in both speech and debate events. Their competitive success helped the Chargers win 2nd place overall as a team.
Student competitors were inducted into the inaugural class of the CCCFA Honor Society, Lamda Phi Alpha. This honor society recognizes the following students’ commitment to excellence in speech and debate: Alec Amador, Amaury Smith, Bianca Alcantara, Faiz Gaine, Hiranmayee Subramanyam, Milena Telegina, Nyah Parekh, Ramya Murakonda, and Yuki Bengs.
The team is preparing for the Phi Rho Pi Community College National Championship Tournament in Bethesda, MD.
The individual student State Championship achievements are:
- Silver International Public Debate — Nyah Parekh
- Bronze International Public Debate — Bianca Alcantara
- Bronze Parliamentary Debate — Bianca Alcantara and Faiz Gaine
- Bronze Impromptu Speaking — Bianca Alcantara
- Bronze Lincoln Douglas Debate — Faiz Gaine
- Bronze Speech to Entertain — Faiz Gaine
Art Department Currently Hosting Two Exhibitions in Gallery
The Art Department invites the campus to two exhibitions that transform adversity into creativity, connection, and meaning. First, BLUE VIBRATIONS showcases the work of Mila Gokham; second, RESILIENCE highlights the work of Sara DeSmet, Alexia Kutzner, Maria Fuster, Eliza Pfister, and Licia Wise, all artists and art therapists. The exhibits remain on display through April 16, 2026.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!