President Thayer’s Board Report for June 23, 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 June 23, 2026
Cypress College Remembers Charter Faculty Member Jim Phillips
Before there were sites such as Rate My Professor, one measure of a professor’s impact was the number of times alumni directly asked if they were still teaching. Jim Phillips was certainly on that leaderboard. A fixture on campus and in the Cypress community, Phillips will be remembered on June 20.
Phillips, an original faculty member at Cypress College, taught for 42 years as a full-time instructor, was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club, and a cheerleader for the college both at events and online, where he frequently shared his memories of the campus.
He retired in 2008, 42 years after becoming a charter faculty member when the college opened in 1966. He was one of 18 faculty members who transferred from Fullerton College to help launch Cypress College.
In his memory, his wife, Cathy, has established the Jim Phillips Endowment at the Cypress College Foundation. Upon his retirement, he and the campus community launched the Jim Phillips Economics Department Scholarship Fund for Economics majors with financial need.
To contribute to the Jim Phillips Endowment, visit the Cypress College Foundation and select the scholarship from the drop-down menu. You can also contact the Foundation directly with any questions.
Services will be held Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m., at the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist in Long Beach.
Mazda MAST Auto Tech Program Celebrates Second Graduation Event
On June 3, 2026, the Automotive Technology program’s Mazda Automotive Student Training students participated in a graduation ceremony, honoring the second group of graduates to complete the curriculum since its arrival at Cypress College.
Mazda corporate representatives attended the evening dinner event, as did representatives from four local dealerships: Tustin Mazda, Caruso Mazda, Browning Mazda, and Huntington Beach Mazda. From Cypress College, President Dr. Scott W. Thayer, Vice President of Instruction Dr. Luis Gonzalez, and Dean Rick Hodge took the podium to speak to graduates during the ceremony.
Of the 10 graduates, eight have already begun working at dealerships, including two women working in the field: Astrid Venegas at Mazda of Orange and Kimberly Palencia at Caruso Mazda in Long Beach. Others found positions at Tustin Mazda, Huntington Beach Mazda, and South Bay Toyota.
Alumni of the partnership attended, too, to recognize this year’s graduates, as well as current students in MAST. This year’s graduates are: Alexander Wyatt Bouzar; Angel Gabriel Beltran; Ethan Zeccardi; Victor Bravo; Astrid Venegas; Saul Avelar; Alan Davalos; Robert Angeles Gonzalez; Daniel Juarez Baron; and Kimberly Palencia.
Pride Center Hosts Lavender Graduation and Queer Prom Event
Lavender Graduation and Queer Prom once again took place at Cypress College to celebrate graduating students who identify as LGTBQ+. The event included a dinner and dance party in early June. Hosted by the Pride Center for the fifth year in a row, the 12 graduates attending received a Lavender Graduation certificate and stole.
These graduates invited family, friends, and Cypress faculty or staff who supported them during their time on campus. The 76 attendees enjoyed food, photo booths, music, dancing, and more.
Pride students received a total of 29 awards, including some that came with money raised during the recent drag show put on by Pride. In total, $2,400 was distributed.
Cypresso Coffee Shop to Re-Open in July Following Upgrades
The Cypresso coffee shop is currently closed for upgrades as part of a renovation that will improve the use of the shop’s space. The shop will re-open in July.
The construction will affect the coffee shop only and it will be closed for the duration of construction. The pedestrian walkways, fire lanes, and all other building entrances will remain open. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of June 2026.
The following is a partial listing of upcoming events at Cypress College. This listing will be a recurring feature in the newsletter to help connect you with campus life.
- Management Team Retreat — July 30, 2026, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Popsicles with the President — TBD (June)
- Popsicles with the President — TBD (July)
- Fall 2026 Opening Day — Friday, August 21, 2026, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
- New Student Welcome Night — Friday, August 21, 2026
If you are interested in attending any of these events, please contact Mercedes Milner in the President’s Office.
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Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together!