College Leadership


Dr. Scott W. Thayer, President

Dr. Scott W. Thayer arrived as Cypress College’s 13th president in January, 2024. Dr. Thayer has 24 years of higher education experience in a variety of administrative roles. He has been an advocate for historically underrepresented students throughout his professional career and was integral in establishing a food pantry, housing support, and basic needs resources at San Bernardino Valley College. He is a part-time faculty member teaching in the San Diego State University Community College Leadership Program and serves on doctoral dissertation committees. Dr. Thayer received his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Southern California. He completed his Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in California, his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rollins College in Florida, and his Associate of Arts degree from Normandale Community College in Minnesota.

Information: web page


Dr. Kathleen Reiland, Vice President, Instruction

Dr. Kathleen Reiland serves as the Vice President of Instruction at Cypress College.

Information: web page

Dr. Kathleen Reiland

Dr. Paul de Dios, Vice President of Student Services

Dr. Paul de Dios serves as the Vice President of Student Services at Cypress College. In this position as the Chief Student Services Officer, he is responsible for all student services departments.

Information: web page


Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker, Acting Vice President of Administrative Services

Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker is Cypress College’s Interim Vice President of Administrative Services.

Information: web page

Stephen Schoonmaker

Howard Kummerman, Executive Director, Foundation

Howard Kummerman serves as executive director of the Foundation.

He began a career that spans more than 30 years working with non-profit organizations and community colleges. He holds a master of science in executive leadership from the Business School at the University of San Diego.

Before joining the Cypress College Foundation, Howard was the Executive Dean of Institutional Research and Planning and the Executive Director of the Foundation at Rio Hondo College. Howard was also formerly the Executive Director at the Grossmont College Foundation and numerous non-profit organizations in San Diego County.

 

Information: web page


Marc Posner, Director, Campus Communications

Marc Posner serves as director of Campus Communications.

He is a community college graduate, advocate, and employee. He has served as the spokesman and storyteller for Cypress College since July 2000. In that role, his ultimate responsibility is to shape and safeguard the image of the college.

As the college’s primary communicator, he has appeared on a broadcast of nearly every Los Angeles-market TV station, multiple radio stations, and has been quoted in major daily print publications. Posner has designed and implemented image and branding campaigns, introduced segmented marketing techniques, and pioneered the college’s use of social media.

Information: web page


Bryan Ventura
Bryan C. Ventura, Director, Institutional Research & Planning

Bryan C. Ventura is the Director of Institutional Research and Planning. In this role, he is responsible for research, planning, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, planning review, and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs).

Bryan was born and raised in Southern California and is a product of the California Community College System. Through the guidance and support of many in his life, he transferred and earned a BA in social sciences at the University of California, Irvine, and continued on to earn an MA in education with an emphasis on race and ethnic studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Before joining Cypress College, Bryan spent eight years at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) where he held every position in the institutional research office, from assistant researcher, senior researcher and, most currently, Dean of Institutional Research & Planning. He believes that research is the foundation for reimagining and advancing equitable and just possibilities for students at Cypress College.

 

Information: web page