President Thayer’s Board Report for May 12, 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 May 12, 2026
Cypress College Named 2026 CA Exemplary Dual Enrollment School
Cypress College has been named a 2026 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment School, one of 32 institutions statewide to receive the recognition from the California Department of Education. Schools that receive the designation hold the title for two years.
The California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award recognizes schools with strong dual enrollment programs that give high school students the opportunity to take college courses and earn credits before graduating. Honorees are selected for demonstrating high-quality, equity-driven programming that expands access to higher education.
Award recipients were evaluated across several areas of program excellence, including strong collaboration between colleges, high schools, families, community partners, and industry. Schools were also required to demonstrate sustained success through a commitment to equity, alignment between college and district planning, opportunities for students to earn dual credit toward high school graduation, clear academic pathways, measurable outcomes, and comprehensive student support systems.
“The success of this program is driven by our students, their determination, growth, and achievements, and by Cypress College’s commitment to supporting them every step of the way,” said Stephanie Teer, Director of Dual Enrollment at Cypress College.
Since its launch in 2016, Cypress College’s Dual Enrollment program has supported over 10,000 students and maintains an overall course success rate of 92.3%. Through partnerships with local school districts, the college offers College and Career Access Pathways that allow high school students to take college courses and begin earning credit toward certificates and associate degrees.
Cypress College collaborates with several school districts across the region, including Anaheim Union High School District, Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Garden Grove Unified School District, Los Alamitos Unified School District, and Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.
These partnerships help align coursework with student goals and expand access to higher education opportunities.
Students in the program are supported through a range of services, including educational planning, academic counseling, success workshops, and ongoing support from dedicated Dual Enrollment staff. The college is continuing to align its program with Vision 2030, a California Community Colleges initiative, focusing on strengthening long-term academic pathways and supporting student success beyond high school.
Cypress College Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony 2026
Join us on May 22 for the Cypress College Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony. The celebration will be held in the tent by the pond on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 3 p.m.
If you have been wanting to become a scholarship donor, this is the time to do it! Please contact Rachel Ghatikar to discuss the options.
May the 4th Be With Them: End-of-the-Year Retirement, Service Event
Cypress College hosted its annual End-of-the-Year Celebration with a “May the Fourth Be With You” theme on Monday, May 4, 2026. The event recognizes retiring employees and those reaching milestones in their employment.
Retirements:
- Peter Matthews
- Kelly Carter
- Lianna Koeppel
- Barbara Woolner
- Ali Moady
- Kathyrn Sonne
- Richard Fee
- Gary Zager
- Ruben Martinez
- Doug Sallade
- AeYoung Kim
- Tim Noriega
Service Awards:
- Carolee Freer (45 years)
- Carol Lewis (40 years)
- Ana Cota (35 years)
- Cecilia Richie (35 years)
- Liana Koeppel (35 years)
Employees reaching 25 years of service or more in 2026 will also be invited to the May 26 Board of Trustees meeting to receive their pins.
Swimmer Breaks Records, Earns Two Golds in State Championships
Freshman Chantee Nguyen broke records last weekend at the 3C2A State Championships, earning two gold medals and State Swimmer of the Year honors.
During the 77th Annual CCCAA Championships at Orange Coast College Aquatic Pavilion in Costa Mesa, women’s swim and dive freshman Nguyen posted a time of 2:05.99 in the 200 butterfly to earn gold and clinch the meet’s top individual performance. It was the third time this season she broke her own school record in the event.
At the event, she was recognized as State Swimmer of the Year. Additional athletics highlights are available here.
Chemistry Instructor in America’s Favorite Teacher Competition
Shaun Galvan, adjunct chemistry instructor teaching CHEM 107C at Cypress College, has been selected as a quarterfinalist in the 2026 America’s Favorite Teacher competition. The national competition seeks to recognize educators who have made an impact on students.
Candidates advance through each round based on votes from the public. Galvan currently holds eighth place in the quarterfinal round, which ends May 7, and must place first in his group to advance.
Individuals can claim one free vote every 24 hours (optional donation-based votes support a national charitable cause associated with the competition).
The overall winner of the grand prize receives a school-wide assembly featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy. Galvan would host this at the high school where he teaches full-time, Temescal Canyon High School.
More information and voting can be found here.
11th Annual Yom HaShoah Highlights Dozen Plus Holocaust Survivors
The 11th Annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust Day of Remembrance was held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the Cypress College Campus Theater.
Planned through the Cypress College Foundation, Yom HaShoah featured more than a dozen survivors, including Ingrid Gallin, Gabriella Karin, and Joe Alexander.
In addition, student Natalie Dien portrayed 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.
For additional highlights and headlines, visit the weekly @Cypress newsletter.
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!