President Thayer’s Board Report for August 25, 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 August 25, 2026
Opening Day Convocation Celebrates ‘60 Years. One Cypress.’ Theme
Cypress College launched its 60th anniversary celebration during the 2026-2027 Opening Day convocation. The event featured the diamond anniversary and centered around the theme of “60 Years. One Cypress.”
Dr. Scott W. Thayer spoke about both elements of that theme, noting that “60 Years” represents the rich history of investing in students and their success, while “One Cypress” places a strong focus on working in unison toward a common goal of investment in each student’s journey.
During the event, Dr. Thayer also introduced new employees — 14 tenure-track faculty, 17 new or newly promoted classified staff, and seven new or newly promoted managers. He honored Brittany Hamer for receiving the NOCCCD North Star Award, which was officially presented by the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland in May.
Each member of the campus executive leadership team presented updates from their areas of responsibility, ranging from enrollment to facilities to student services and from the Foundation to Communications and Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness efforts.
A slide show of historic campus images also highlighted the anniversary.
Renovated VAPA Building Opens to Students and Faculty for Fall Term
Cypress College’s Visual and Performing Arts Building is now open to students and faculty in time for the start of the 2026-27 academic year. Formerly the Fine Arts Building, the facility was gutted, reinforced, and rebuilt as part of the Measure J bond program.
Lot #8 also reopened with work on the building substantially complete.
Each discipline in the VAPA division has new instructional space, including photography, which previously had been housed in the Tech Ed. 1 Building, away from the rest of the division. A ribbon-cutting celebration will be held during the semester.
New UCLA ADT Program Available for Cypress College Students
A new pathway to four-year college acceptance has come to Cypress College. Cypress is among 10 California Community Colleges selected to offer an Associate Degree for Transfer to UCLA beginning this fall, according to EdSource.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1291 into law in October 2023 for the UCLA-created ADT Pilot Program. It gives priority consideration to some students who wish to transfer to the Los Angeles university.
Students in the following majors can pursue the ADT, which transfers to a corresponding UCLA major: Anthropology, Chemistry (Atmospheric and Oceanic Science), Environmental Science (Earth and Environmental Science), Geology, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, and Political Science (Public Affairs).
No additional application is required of Cypress College students. Applicants will be reviewed and considered based on their UC application.
Aviation Faculty Member Runs Summer Camp for Young Pilots
Summer stayed busy for Aviation Instructor Thomas Sutfin. Instead of taking a long break, he returned to the summer camp he established 18 years ago for kids 10-15 years old who want to fly.
According to the OC Register, Sutfin founded the camp at Long Beach Airport in 2008 to incorporate principles of aviation in order for junior high and high school students to learn without even knowing it.
“The kids are having fun, but they’re also learning about topics like charts, airplane types and calculations like weight balance,” he told the newspaper.
Sutfin previously taught high school and says he started the camp to make up for gaps in cutbacks to shop classes.
The campers get this education through what Sutfin calls “hard fun.” They use flight simulators and combat simulators, partnering with each other on a mission in a nose-to-nose battle.
They get to see the airport’s control tower, meet with controllers, and learn how pilots conduct a preflight on an airplane.
The camp offers eight, one-week sessions at the Fullerton and Long Beach airports and Flabob Airport in Riverside.
Upcoming Events
The following is a partial listing of upcoming events at Cypress College to help connect you with campus life.
- Foundation Golf Classic — Monday, September 14, 2026, at Los Coyotes Country Club
- Coffee with the President — Monday, September 21, 2026, at Student Life and Leadership, from 1-2 p.m.
If you are interested in attending any of these events, please contact Mercedes Milner in the President’s Office.
60 Years. One Cypress. We Take This Journey Together!