President Thayer’s Board Report for October 27, 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 October 27, 2026
Ribbon Cutting Event Marks Opening of Renovated VAPA Building
Cypress College’s VAPA Building is officially open following a ribbon-cutting ceremony full of tours and performances to show off the space — which has been completely rebuilt with only the building shell remaining from its original iteration as one of the first permanent buildings on campus.
VAPA, previously known as the Fine Arts Building, is a 66,765-square-foot facility that was renovated with funds from both Measure J and a state bond. Design work began in August 2020 with the space open for instruction at the start of this fall semester.
The ribbon-cutting took place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, starting with a VIP reception that included a special performance on the new Steinway and Sons piano by Foundation donor Bobbie Stovall and Music student Grace Choi.
NOCCCD Board of Trustees President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath and President Dr. Scott W. Thayer shared remarks prior to being joined for the formal ribbon cutting by campus employees, including VAPA Dean Kellori Dower and the college executive team.
With the building officially opened, guests enjoyed musical and theatrical performances in the recital hall and building tours provided by faculty in each of the VAPA Division’s seven departments — Art, Dance, Journalism, Media Arts Design, Music, Photography, and Theater — which rounded out the event.
The spaces for each of these programs have been completely reconfigured, including new layouts, fixtures, classrooms, and lab spaces.
An overview of the programs can be seen in the VAPA Video Series, in which faculty describe their programs and highlight the new instructional spaces.
The tours included:
- 3D Studio/Classrooms by Professor Ed Giardina
- Ceramics Studio by Professor Jose Flores Nava
- Journalism Newsroom by Professor Michael Coronado
- Photography Spaces by Professor Tony Maher, Professor Aydi Ortiz, and Juan Valenzuela
- Recording Studio by Professor Marcus McMillan and Professor Clinton Rusich
- Art Gallery curated by Professor Janet Owen Driggs
A long list of partners helped bring the project to completion, including the NOCCCD fiscal, purchasing, and facility planning teams, the program management firm MAAS, and the Citizens Oversight Committee, which is chaired by former Cypress College dean Richard Rams. The design team also included: DLR Group, RTM Engineering, WSP, Psomas, construction manager: Sundt Construction, and 22 prime contractors.
Dr. Breland Holds ‘Chancellor Connect’ at Cypress College Complex
Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland held the Chancellor Connect engagement meeting in the Cypress College Complex on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
The event is an opportunity for members of the campus community to connect with Dr. Breland over coffee and seasonal treats.
Chancellor Connect was well attended and included a robust question-and-answer session.
Cypress College VRC Schedules Veterans Week Events for Next Month
The Cypress College VRC has scheduled on-campus events for Veterans Week 2026, which will be observed the week of November 9–13. Events include:
- Monday, November 9, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., — Green Zone Training Project;
- Monday, November 9, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. — Lunch with a Vet;
- Tuesday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Resource Fair featuring resources for veterans and their families;
- Wednesday, November 11 — Campus closed in observance of Veterans Day;
- Thursday, November 12 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. — Women Veterans Health presentation, “Menopause and Military Service”; and
- Friday, November 13, at 10 a.m. (at Fullerton College) — Cypress College VRC vs. Fullerton College VRC softball game.
Podcast, Ep. 8: Meet Associated Students President Geralyn Ibarra
Episode 8 of the Cypress College Campus Podcast published on Thursday, October 22, 2026. In the show, host and Cypress College President Dr. Scott W. Thayer interviews incoming Associated Students President Geralyn Ibarra.
Ibarra discusses her experience as an English and biology student, her involvement in the Honors Program and (STEM)², and her journey into student leadership. She also shares her goals as Associated Students president, her plans for medical school, and what Cypress College’s “We Take This Journey Together” motto means to her.
In the episode, Ibarra shares her appreciation for her professors and the communities she has found through academics, theater, clubs, and student government. She also discusses her plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a cardiothoracic surgeon or anesthesiologist.
Dr. Thayer concludes the episode by sharing information about Associated Students. The podcast can be heard on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
Associated Students Show Off Community Garden During Campus Event
The garden is finally green!
Associated Students invited the campus community to stop by for a Garden Picnic event on Wednesday, October 21, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., at the Student Garden.
The garden is located between the two gyms.
The event was scheduled for this semester because the first batch of plants has taken root.
The event featured lunch and the opportunity to learn about the garden project a
Humanities in Action Speaker Series to Highlight Faculty’s Work
Humanities in Action is a new speaker series designed to highlight the creative work, research, and ideas of Language Arts faculty and invited guests. The launch is timed to celebrate along with the campus during the 60th Anniversary year.
The series will create opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to come together for engaging conversations that demonstrate how the humanities help us understand ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. Each event will feature a presentation and include a conversation with the audience.
The series will initially feature faculty speakers, beginning with Professor Ashton Politanoff in November 2026 and Professor Bret Kaufman in December 2026 or February 2027. As the series develops, student speakers will also become part of the program, providing opportunities for students to showcase their creative work, projects, publications, and other significant academic accomplishments.
The purpose is to: highlight the accomplishments of Language Arts faculty; create opportunities for students to present their own writing, creative work, and academic projects; provide opportunities for student engagement with faculty, peers, alumni, and invited speakers beyond the classroom; encourage intellectual curiosity, dialogue, and interdisciplinary learning; and build stronger connections and sense of belonging among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader campus community.
For the launch, Politanoff will present “Writing is Rejection: My Road to Publication and What I’ve Learned Along the Way” on Tuesday, November 10, from 12:30-2 p.m. He will read from his book “Dad Had a Bad Day,” participate in a Q&A moderated by Professor John Payne, and have a book signing.
Social Sciences Lecture Series Launches with “How to Lie with Maps”
Social Sciences launches its new lecture series with “How to Lie with Maps” presented by Professor Eric Bladh. The event takes place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. in CCCPLX-216.
Bladh will share that every map you have ever viewed is a lie — without exception!
“Map literacy is a skill that is needed more than ever to navigate the landscape of information abundance we live in today,” the program flyer says. “Learn about maps, where they come from, what they show, how you are part of it, and most of all…how the lies creep in.”
Also upcoming, on November 17, 2026, Regina Rhymes will present about her experience as a Ghana Fellow following the group’s recent trip to Ghana. The presentation also takes place in CCCPLX-216, from 2-4 p.m.
Pride Center Holds Event as Part of National Coming Out Day
The Cypress College Pride Center held an event on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, to honor National Coming Out Day.
National Coming Out Day celebrates coming out and raises awareness for the LGBTQIA+ Community.
The event consisted of a campus-wide community gathering for Queer students, faculty, administrators, and allies. This includes a resource fair with campus-wide programs and community partners advertising their services and a variety of activities.
Caring Campus Launches the Flair Button Challenge on Campus
The Cypress College Caring Campus Program launched the “Flair Button Challenge” as a way for campus employees to get to know various areas on campus as well as collect campus-themed pins.
Participants begin by stopping by the Office of Campus Communications for a lanyard, first pin, and an info sheet about the office.
Once the items are received from Campus Communications, participants will be informed of where to find the second pin. Participants must go in order and cannot get the second pin without receiving the first pin.
To collect the third pin participants must get caught caring.
Holocaust Survivor Eva Schneider to Present to Campus October 27
Holocaust survivor Eva Schneider will present an upcoming informative program on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 2-4 p.m., in CCCPLX-407.
The event is hosted by Professional Development and the Holocaust Education Initiative, supported by the Cypress College Foundation.
During this special presentation, Schneider will share her powerful story and discuss how three miracles saved her life.
Dia de los Muertos Community Altar Accepting Items for October 29 Event
The Puente Program is building a community altar for Dia De Los Muertos, with contributions by members of the campus community, who are invited to bring a photo or keepsake or write a name or memory to honor those who have passed.
Collections take place in HUM-248. In collaboration with the affinity spaces, Puente will gather on October 29 for coffee and pan dulce to showcase of the altar.
Career Planning and Workforce Development Center Haunted Open House
Stop by the Career Planning and Workforce Development Center Haunted Open House! Get free professional clothing, learn about career-finding services, and make some treats disappear. Meet the career team who can help you on your job-finding path.
The event takes place October 26–28, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. in the Career Planning and Workforce Development Center, located in CCCPLX-215.
Transfer, Pre-Graduation, and Job Fair on October 29 at 10 a.m.
Learn about the Cypress College graduation process and your transfer options while preparing for a career! Hear from college and university reps from 25+ Cal State, UC, and private and out-of-state universities. Get info from employers about career opportunities, and discover support resources from Cypress College Student Services.
The event takes place October 29, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the pond.
Roots & Resistance: An Affinity Open House (& Block Party)
The Student Equity and Achievement Office, in collaboration with campus affinity spaces, is hosting its first Affinity Open House (& Block Party) on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from noon–3 p.m., on the first floor of the Humanities Building.
Called “Roots & Resistance: An Affinity Open House,” the event will spotlight the strong work happening across our affinity and co-conspirator programs (including Honors and Language Exchange). Each space will feature a figure whose legacy of resistance speaks to the strength, resilience, and greatness of the student communities represented.
Figures of resistance such as Tupac and Afeni Shakur, Gloria Anzaldúa, Marcus Garvey — and many others — will be highlighted. Students who answer questions about these revolutionaries will be entered into a drawing.
Additionally, throughout the Humanities Building hallways, students and employees will have opportunities to engage in interactive activities. Students will explore and celebrate their cultural wealth and inherent strengths, while employees will be invited to reflect on their commitments to cultivating a campus that celebrates our students’ identities and lived experiences.
Fall Play: Much Ado About Nothing Opens October 30 in Theater
This Shakespeare classic takes place in Messina, Italy, and tells the story of Beatrice and Benedick, who constantly argue. Their friends plot to make them fall in love with each other.
Tickets available in person at the show or at the online Box Office.
- When: October 30, 31 and November 6, 7 at 7 p.m.; November 1, 8 at 4 p.m.
- Where: Cypress College Theater
Passings: Cypress College Remembers Two Retirees, Notable Alumnus
Cypress College is remembering two retired faculty — Dr. Noreen O’Brien and William Svendsen — along with notable alumnus Rodney Muñoz.
O’Brien, a nursing professor who taught Pediatric and Obstetric Nursing at Cypress College, died on September 14, 2026. In addition to being a valued member of the nursing faculty, she also was approved by the Board of Registered Nursing to serve as Assistant Director of the Nursing Program and also served as Interim Nursing Program Director.
“She was a consummate professional with a delightful sense of humor and always a twinkle in her lovely blue eyes,” said Andrea Hannon, a retired Health Science dean. “It was a pleasure to work with her.”
Svendsen passed away earlier this month. He was a former Speech and Communications faculty at Cypress College.
Retired faculty member Donna Friess noted that Svendsen served as the first forensics coach — and the team delivered the first-ever championship in any competition at Cypress College.
No information about services were available for either O’Brien or Svendsen.
Muñoz — an Emmy-winning costume designer — passed away on October 2. He is best known for his years of work on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
In spring 2017, Muñoz helped Cypress College celebrate its 50th anniversary, working on the production of “Follies.” According to the 2017 event program:
Rodney Muñoz arrived at C.C. as a performer. Immediately they saw a costume designer within him. With caring and supportive guidance, he learned to sew and designed “The Wiz” (fall 1986). That led to winning A.C.T.F. and his acceptance to N.Y.U. Arriving in N.Y. he was fast tracked into N.Y.U.’s Graduate Design Program. NYU offered him both BFA and MFA’s in 5 years of study. He’s worked On Broadway, regional theaters across U.S.A., operas abroad, “Late Show with David Letterman” (5 years there). Currently in season 15 at “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” where he’s received an EMMY Award for his work there.
Events
The following is a partial listing of upcoming events at Cypress College to help connect you with campus life.
- Transfer Awareness Week — October 26-30
- Transfer, Pre-Graduation, and Job Fair — October 29, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., near the pond
- Career Planning and Workforce Development Center Haunted Open House — October 26–28, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., CCCPLX-215. Get free professional clothing from the career closet, career services and Handshake info, treat bags, and assistance from the Career Center Team
- Social Science Lecture Series: How to Lie with Maps — October 27, 2–4 p.m., CCCPLX-216
- Spooktacular Wellness Fair: Treat Yourself to Health — October 28, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Breezeway between TE2 and Gym 2
- Halloween Parade — October 29, 12 p.m., met at the Flagpole next to Lot 1. Costume competition plus Dance Club performance after parade. Sponsored by Dance Ensemble, Dance Club, and Dance Department
- Pumpkin Bash — October 29, 5–8 p.m., Gateway Plaza
- Illuminated Visions — October 29, 6-9 p.m., Library Mural
- Roots and Resistance Affinity Block Party — November 12, 12-3 m., Humanities Building First Floor.
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!