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 began her tenure at Cypress College in 2000 as a faculty member. Like many community college students, Dr. Reiland is a first-generation college student who grew up without a safety net. Her family moved every year or two, which meant her haphazard education left her underprepared for college. When she enrolled in a California community college, she had no money but felt lucky to find a free room listed on a bulletin board in exchange for housekeeping. Her goal was to get in and out of college as quickly as possible with a job that would pay the rent. It worked and that experience is key to understanding her “why.” She says attending a community college provided her with a short path to employable skills that led to a job, a place to live, and a steady income as a psychiatric technician. In essence, community college gave her the means for moving up from the bottom tier of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. When she could afford it, she periodically returned to college to finish her degrees, which enabled her to advance her career in aviation management and eventually in higher education. Today, she serves as the Vice President of Instruction, supporting faculty, staff, and students.
Information: web page
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. Tony Jake, Vice President of Administrative Services
Dr. Jake is a transformative leader and strategic executive with over 16 years of progressive leadership in higher education administration and finance. As the Vice President of Administrative Services at Cypress College, she brings a proven track record of organizational transformation, financial stewardship, and cross-functional leadership. Prior to joining Cypress College, Dr. Jake served as Associate Vice President of Finance & Business at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she led key initiatives including multimillion-dollar construction projects, financial system modernization, and the co-creation of a real estate division with public-private partnerships.
Information: web page
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 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