Board Highlights 02/25/25
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) Board of Trustees met for a regularly scheduled meeting. The following are highlights of the meeting held at 5:30 p.m. at the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room.
Presentations: A presentation was given on Strategic Enrollment Planning for North Orange County Community College District.
Highlights from the Presentation:
Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL) Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning, Dr. Dawn Fortin Matoon, presented a plan to increase enrollment and student completion of programs at Cypress College, Fullerton College and NOCE. The new Strategic Enrollment Plan will be in line with the State Chancellor’s Office Vision 2030.
BOARD ACTIONS
The Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below.
The Board passed Resolution No. 24-25-09 Reaffirming Commitment to Inclusivity, Equity, & Compliance which states, “[T]he North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and effective teaching and learning environment for all students and employees; … [O]n February 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education issued a "Dear Colleague" letter to all federally funded educational institutions, directing them to cease using race preferences and stereotypes; and …NOCCCD has always remained in full compliance with Proposition 209 and does not use race-based preferences in any of its programs, policies, or practices; [T]he Board of Trustees reaffirms NOCCCD’s commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and social justice as essential elements of the District’s mission, vision, and values…”
A presentation was given on a plan to fund Fullerton College’s new Performing Arts Complex and received approval from the Board.
Human Resources: Approval was given by the Board for NOCE to hire Doreen Doherty as a Special Projects Coordinator, ESL Curriculum. Fullerton College has been approved to hire Allison Hancock as Special Projects Coordinator, Dual Enrollment; Jumel Merwin as a Student Services Specialist, EOPS; and Tu Truong as Administrative Assistant III, Campus Capital Projects. Cypress College has been approved to hire Laura Razo as a Facilities Custodian I; and Aahren Rhodes as an Admissions and Records Analyst. Congratulations to all!
Chancellor Staff Comments:
Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland offered his congratulations to NOCE for receiving a formal recognition from State Chancellor Sonya Christian on their work helping students navigate from non-credit to credit pathways, career development workshops, and education for disabled individuals. Student Trustee Katie Wong has resigned from her position as Student Trustee of Cypress College and Trustee Stephen T. Blount was unable to attend the meeting due to his recovery from surgery. Dr. Breland was invited to give the closing keynote address for the Equity in Mental Health on Campus Initiative event on March 6, 2025. He thanked attendees and organizers of all the Black History Month events across NOCCCD and invited nominations for the NOCCCD Women Champions of DEIAA award which will be presented at the March 25, 2025, Board meeting. The Chancellor also congratulated Cypress College on the opening of their Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Resource Center. He closed out his report by introducing new staff: Fullerton College’s Director of Campus Safety, Johnathan Krok and Interim Dean of Student Support Services, Rosio Becerra.
NOCE President Valentina Purtell reported on NOCE being featured in the State Chancellor’s latest email communication titled, “Communication to the Field: Noncredit Pathways to a credential - California Community Colleges Supporting our Working Learners” as an example of a non-credit institution doing exemplary work in championing “inclusive education, empowering adults with disabilities to achieve independence, employment, and academic success.” Managing Director of the Moral Courage College, Allison Gerrard will launch the “Practice Makes Painless” workshop on Friday, February 28, 2025. The Career Technical Education (CTE) program has purchased a van to expand outreach to the community which will be outfitted with health services and Virtual Reality equipment to offer hands-on education to prospective students.
Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo shared that Fullerton College student Eric Park and the Hornet Drone Team qualified for the Autonomous Aerial Robotics League (A2RL) Autonomous Drone Race in April in Abu Dhabi as one of only 12 international teams. Dr. Olivo updated the Board on the planned upgrades to the campus’ softball field and proudly displayed her Softball Championship ring.
Cypress College President Dr. Scott Thayer reported that Cypress College’s Dual Enrollment Program was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Partners in Educational Excellence Award by the Association of California School Administrators for providing exemplary leadership and support for student achievement. He thanked all attendees of the Black History Month events held throughout February on the Cypress College campus as well as the attendees of the APIDA Resource Center opening ceremonies. To close out his report, Dr. Thayer shared the Cypress College television ad that ran on local cable channels during the Super Bowl.
Vice Chancellor of Finance & Facilities, Fred Williams introduced the new District Director of Risk Management, Julie Leggin.
RESOURCE TABLE
NOCE College Academic Senate President Michelle Patrick-Norng asked the Board to participate in DEIA efforts in all ways that they can to support marginalized students, faculty, and staff.
Fullerton College Faculty Senate President Bridget Kominek reported that the Fullerton Senate supports the new AP 3415 Immigration Enforcement Activities to support undocumented students and invited everyone to attend Fullerton College’s 13th annual French Film Festival which will happen April 8-9, 2025.
United Faculty President Christie Diep stressed the importance of supporting all students and expressed that UF stands in solidarity with CSEA negotiations.
California School Employees Association President Elaine Loayza reported that the “Unsung Hero of the Year” 2025 Award was awarded to Fullerton College Financial Aid Technician, Josue Abarca. She also requested that negotiations be expedited and that the results of the District’s Job Family Study be shared publicly.
Adjunct Faculty United President Marlo Smith congratulated NOCE Adjunct ESL Instructor Helen Serrano on her selection as the NOCE 2026 Orange County Teacher of the Year Nominee. She also stressed the importance of being competitive with adjunct compensation.
BOARD REPORTS
NOCE Student Trustee Robert Johnson shared that NOCE held a Title 9 training course that was well received. He suggested having a counselor on-site to help students understand academic expectations and congratulated the NOCE 2026 OC Teacher of the Year Nominee Helen Serrano.
Fullerton College Student Trustee Sharon Kim reported that the Club Kickoff was held on campus last week with 42 clubs registering and participating. The event also featured a successful Chick-fil-A fundraiser. On February 18, 2025, Fullerton College hosted a blood drive with 24 donors, beating the previous record for the campus. The Associated Student Government is beginning elections in conjunction with The Hornet newspaper which will do interviews with candidates and cover the full election process.
Trustee Mark Lopez reported on his attendance at the Retirement Board Meeting.
Trustee Evangelina Rosales reported that the tickets for the Dining for Dollars Dinner supporting the Friends of Fullerton College Foundation are sold out, but donations are still welcomed and appreciated.
Board Vice President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath attended the APIDA opening at Cypress College and was impressed with the food and cultural displays. She appreciated the student testimonials shown at the event regarding the importance of the APIDA Center. She also invited everyone to Cypress College’s 50th Anniversary Americana Awards Gala on March 15, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Fullerton College student Bianca Stopani expressed concerns to the Board about students feeling supported by staff and faculty.
NEXT MEETING
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room.
Board Highlights is produced by NOCCCD Public & Governmental Affairs as a summary of the Board actions and reports. It is not intended as a replacement of the official minutes of the Board meeting. For more information on the NOCCCD Board of Trustees, please visit the website.
