President Thayer’s Board Report for April 28, 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 April 28, 2026
Presidential Scholars of Distinction Representing Class of 2026 Selected
Cypress College’s Presidential Scholars of Distinction representing the class of 2026 have been selected from a faculty-driven process. The Presidential Scholars of Distinction Program highlights Cypress College students as they complete their studies and serve to represent each of the educational pathways
This year’s Presidential Scholars of Distinction are:
- Business and Computer Information Systems, Mia Navarro;
- Career Technical Education, Jesse Aguilar;
- We Journey Together — Library & Learning Resource Center, Zimal Amir;
- Health Science, Tara Ballantyne;
- Kinesiology, Timothy Cabalo;
- Language Arts, John Juan Carlos Foster Garcia;
- Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, Angel Hernandez;
- Social Sciences, Alec Gibson; and
- Visual and Performing Arts, Jasmine “Jae” Hernandez
Each of the graduating scholars will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Cypress College Foundation. The Presidential Scholars of Distinction Program was initiated in 2019, making this the eighth cohort of graduates to receive the scholarship. Each will walk with their pathway’s banner and dean during commencement on May 29, 2026, will be seated on the stage, and highlighted in videos played throughout the ceremony.
These scholars were nominated by their faculty, selected by members of their division, and affirmed by President Scott W. Thayer.
Outstanding Graduate Selected by Associated Students Committee
Huey Minh Hoang Jr., a Sociology and Liberal Arts Social Behavior major, is the Outstanding Graduate for 2026. Hoang was selected by a standing committee of the Associated Students of Cypress College.
Students who meet high honors GPA of 3.75 or higher are invited to complete an application for the honor. This year 374 students met that threshold.
“I am honored to be considered for the Outstanding Student of the Year Award, a recognition that reflects not only academic success but personal growth, resilience, and community impact,” Hoang said in completing the application. “In many ways, my journey at Cypress College represents the academic and personal transformation this award celebrates.”
Hoang served as president of the FITE (From Incarceration to Empowerment) Club and as a member of the Rising Scholars Advisory Board. He also co-founded the Martial Arts Club this semester and works with the RISE Youth Program to support those ages 17-25 who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.
“I help students transition into college, navigate probation requirements, and build confidence in their ability to succeed,” he said, noting a long-term goal of earning a doctoral degree and becoming a college educator and a teacher to those within the youth justice system.
“I’ve also volunteered extensively—speaking at events such as the North Orange County Mental Health Awareness Week, the ASCCC Fall Plenary Session, and the Cypress College Cultural Fest, and helping host events like Breaking the Stigma of Addiction,” he wrote. One of my most meaningful moments was co-hosting a panel at the 80th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology in Washington, D.C., where we discussed supporting young college students and reducing dropout rates.”
Hoang said his time at Cypress College has been marked by service, equity, and community.
“There were moments in my two years at Cypress College when times got rough, and I felt like giving up; despite it all, I have dedicated every semester to the Cypress College mission, ‘We Journey Together,’ and this journey has helped me grow in ways I never expected,” he said.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from programs and communities such as Disability Support Services, Associated Students, EOPS, Rising Scholars, Puente, Legacy, and APIDA. I am equally thankful to the individuals who have shaped my growth, including Rising Scholars Overseer Ann‑Marie Beck, RISE Youth Program Director Cynthia Blake, Cal State Long Beach Counselor Robert Ortiz, and Dr. Giovanni Hortúa, Professor Virgil Adams, President Scott Thayer, Dean Troy Davis, and Paul de Dios. I truly could not have come this far without these people and these programs walking alongside me.”
Newly Tenured Faculty Set for Recognition at Upcoming Board Meeting
Four Cypress College faculty are set to be recognized at this upcoming Board of Trustees meeting for the milestone of completing all the requirements to earn tenure. The four faculty are: Cynthia Acosta, Psychiatric Technology; Francisco Perez, Biology; Raymond Randa, Radiologic Technology; and Christina Villa, Mortuary Science.
Cynthia Acosta, Psychiatric Technology
In 2008, Dr. Cynthia Acosta was asked to serve as a mentor for the Psych Tech program. A decade later, she was asked to serve as an adjunct in the program. “I did not know what it was going to entail but I had a bit of a heartstring for Cypress College,” she said. “I knew I wanted to give back.”
A 2005 graduate of the program, she started her academic journey as a student employee in the bookstore to help pay for tuition.
Several degrees later, including a Ph.D., Acosta now serves as the program coordinator and department chair of the program.
When she’s not teaching, Acosta works as a licensed psychiatric technician at UC Irvine Medical Center, where she has been honored, including with their Nurse Exemplar Award.
Francisco Perez, Biology
Francisco Perez says his first “real” job was in education. Perez came to Cypress College in 2013 and worked his way up from his first role in services as a supplemental instruction leader for 6½ years.
He then was hired as an adjunct biology faculty, a role he held for another 3½ years.
Shortly after receiving the Academic Senate’s Outstanding Adjunct Faculty of the Year award, he was hired as a full-time biology faculty in fall 2022. In this role, he teaches microbiology and physiology.
Students selected Perez as the college’s 2025 Orange County Teacher of the Year nominee.
“Cypress College is my second home, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of working here,” he said. “I love working with students and witnessing their progress as they get closer to achieving their goals.”
Raymond Randa, Radiologic Technology
Dr. Raymond Randa is a professor and clinical coordinator for Cypress College’s Radiologic Technology program.
With more than 25 years in medical imaging, he earned an associate degree in diagnostic medical imaging in 2006. He completed his doctoral studies in healthcare education and administration at Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences and a Bachelor of Health Science from California State University, Dominguez Hills. His specialties include cardiac and neuro-intervention, special procedures, and diagnostic radiography. He is licensed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch.
Christina Villa, Mortuary Science
Christina Villa is a Cypress College Mortuary Science alumna (2001), U.S. Navy corpsman, and decedent affairs specialist veteran. She is also a pre-licensed mental health clinician with a focus on grief work and counseling veterans and students. Currently, Christina is a doctoral student in the counseling program at Oregon State University where she is strengthening her teaching skills and pedagogy to serve diverse learners at Cypress College.
She is committed to promoting student success and supporting meaningful, gainful employment for students who are pursuing their passions in funeral service.
When off campus, Christina enjoys spending time with her three children at their multiple sports and music activities as well as visiting family abroad.
Dr. Breland Presents Chancellor Connect Event on Campus
NOCCCD Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland presented Chancellor Connect on Campus on Tuesday, April 21. The reception was held on the Cypress College Complex patio and served, in part, to welcome the two newest members of the Chancellor’s Staff team: Vice Chancellor of Educational Services, Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna, and Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services, Dr. John Parker.
The vice chancellors shared their journeys to their current roles, their outlooks for the future, and how they plan to serve our district.
The chancellor also shared updates and took questions from the dozens of employees and students gathered for the event.
Team from Cypress College Attends APAHE National Conference
A strong contingent from Cypress College attended the 2026 APAHE National Conference, which took place from Sunday, April 12 through Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Anaheim Marriott.
Both the NOCCCD and the district APIDA Faculty Staff Association were sponsors for the event, which carried the theme Legacies in Action: Courage & Resilience for this year’s gathering.
The conference offered multiple tracks, including coalition building, wellness, leadership development, and legislation.
Cypress College Hosts Author Hobbs for Black Student Success Week
Cypress College hosted New York Times bestselling author Jeff Hobbs on Thursday, April 23 as part of Black Student Success Week.
Hobbs authored “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League.” In the book, Hobbs chronicles the life of his close friend and Yale roommate.
Peace majored in molecular biophysics and biochemistry and worked in a laboratory for research of cancer and infectious diseases.
The event was sponsored by the DEIAA Committee.
This is the seventh annual Black Student Success Week, which also featured daily gatherings for the CCCCO’s webinars.
Forensics Team Represents at Community College National Tournament
The Speech and Debate team competed at the Phi Rho Pi National Championship Tournament for Community Colleges in Bethesda, MD. Seven students competed against more than 50 different community colleges across the country in both debate and individual events.
The students competed over five days and brought home three national awards. Student Bianca Alcantara was awarded the prestigious Warren-Dahlin Student Fellowship Award. This award goes to one student per region for the outstanding student at the National Tournament exhibiting the finest qualities of fellowship, camaraderie, and kindness within forensics.
Students who earned national accolades are:
- Bianca Alcantara — Silver-International Public Debate
- Fiaz Ganie — Bronze-International Public Debate
- Aidan Kunze — Bronze-Prose Interpretation
Swim & Dive with Record-Breaking Performances at OEC Championships
Cypress men’s and women’s swim and dive teams turned in an impressive showing at the Orange Empire Conference Championships, highlighted by standout individual performances on both sides. Chantee Nguyen led the way with three first-place finishes and set a new conference record in the 200 backstroke (2:02.82), while Jasmine Liu added a strong performance with one first-place finish and two second-place finishes.
On the men’s side, Giovanni Demuro contributed with a first-place finish along with multiple top-four finishes, helping lead the Chargers to a fourth-place overall team finish.
Spring Play ‘Big Love’ Makes Debut in Studio Theater
Cypress College’s spring play — Big Love — opens a two-weekend run in the Campus Studio Theater. Written by Charles Mee, this play tells the story of fifty brides who flee to a manor in Italy to escape their arranged marriages. Tickets for sale here.
When: April 24, 25 and May 1, 2 at 7 p.m.; April 26 (ASL-interpreted show) and May 3 at 4 p.m.
Where: Cypress College Studio Theater
Denim Day Resource Fair and Clothesline Project
The Clothesline Project exhibit contains rows of hanging t-shirts that tell the stories of sexual assault survivors. It will be on display during Denim Day, and draw awareness to Sexual Assault Awareness Month. A resource fair will include a self-defense workshop, restorative yoga, on- and off-campus service representatives, and free shaved ice from Kona Ice.
When: April 28, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Where: In front of the L/LRC
Yom HaShoah
The 11th Annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust Day of Remembrance will feature more than a dozen survivors, including Ingrid Gallin, Gabriella Karin, and Joe Alexander. The event will also pay tribute to survivors who have previously been involved with Cypress College’s Yom HaShoah event who have since passed away.
Student Natalie Dien will portray a first-person presentation of Ursula Foster, a contemporary of Anne Frank and mother of Clifford Lester, the professor emeritus whose photographic work inspired the creation of the event. Dr. Scott W. Thayer will also make remarks.
When: April 29, 7-9 p.m. Where: Campus Theater
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, April 29, 2026 — 11th Annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust Day of Remembrance, 7-9 m., Cypress College Theater
- Monday, May 4, 2026 — Service Awards and Retirement Recognition, 11:30 m.-1 p.m., Celebration Tent
- Wednesday, May 6, 2026 — 2nd Duck Derby, 11:30 m.-1 p.m., Cypress College Pool
- Friday, May 22, 2026 — Cypress College Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony, 3 p.m., Celebration Tent
- Friday, May 29, 2026 — 59th Commencement, 4 p.m., Gateway Plaza
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!