Board Highlights 04/22/25
On Tuesday, April 22, 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.
Chancellor’s Report: Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland congratulated the faculty achieving tenure. Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo reported that Fullerton College has engaged in a partnership with Sacramento State University’s new Black Honors College. Fullerton College Interim Vice President of Student Services Elizabeth Martinez introduced the student delegation that took a trip to Sacramento State University to speak about the highlights of their trip.
Highlights from the Recognition of Tenured Faculty: Each campus presented their newly tenured faculty to the Board.
From Cypress College, President Dr. Scott Thayer presented LaRon Armstead, Dr. Abigail Awad, Dr. Hilary Cisco-Reuter, Bradley Hampton, Dr. Giovanni Hortua, Phyllis Mays-Larson, Dr. Alejandro Omidsalar, Aydinaneth Ortiz, Vincent Romo, Clinton Rusich, and Aaron Schwartz.
From Fullerton College, President Dr. Cynthia Olivo presented Crystal Aguirre, Christopher Andrade, David Jacobsen, Michael Moore, and Luellen Swayzer.
From North Orange Continuing Education, President Valentina Purtell presented Corinna Lopez and Anacany Torres.
Highlights from the North Orange Continuing Education “State of the School” Presentation: NOCE President Valentina Purtell presented key accomplishments and updates, including:
· The State Chancellor’s Office recognized NOCE as one of the top-performing colleges in the demonstration project with United Domestic Workers.
· The Career Skills and Resource Lab integrated VR simulations into career exploration instruction.
· Disability Support Services received a three-year extension for the Educational Coaching Transition Counseling Grant of $1,118,451.
· Student Satisfaction Surveys report that 83% of NOCE students are satisfied with their experience at NOCE, far exceeding the national average of 69%.
· In the 2025 Spring Semester, registration has increased by 30%, student headcount has increased by 9%, and course offerings have increased by 5%.
· The NOCE Pharmacy Technician Program received the highest level of national accreditation status with the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists.
· NOCE engaged in 200+ community outreach events.
· NOCE is offering its programs at off-site locations to serve the community. The ESL/Citizenship Program is offered at 19 locations. The Emeritus Program is offered at 65 locations. The Parenting Program is offered at ten locations. The Disability Support Services Program is offered at three locations.
BOARD ACTIONS
The Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below.
· The Board adopted Resolution No. 24/25-17, declaring the week of May 5-9, 2025, as Teacher Appreciation Week.
Human Resources: The Board approved the retirement of Fullerton College’s Horticulture Instructor Jeffrey Feaster.
The Board also approved the hiring of Fullerton College’s Project Manager of Campus Capital Projects Joel Gonzalez; Cypress College’s Tutorial Services Coordinator, Writing Center Alexander Hoang, and NOCE’s Director of Distance Education Dr. Mirwais Azizi. The Board also approved Cypress College’s promotion of Financial Aid Technician Nishad Marathe to Financial Aid Coordinator and the District’s promotion of Executive Assistant II, VP Administrative Services Jeanne Tran to Human Resources Specialist. Congratulations to all!
Chancellor Staff Comments:
Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo reported on Fullerton’s efforts to gain status as a State of California Designated Black Serving Institution. She congratulated Drone Lab Director Jay Seidel who was awarded a $250,000 grant for an autonomous systems technician training hub program, and the Study Abroad Program under the leadership of Angela Henderson and Dani Wilson for their ranking in the top 10 Study Abroad Programs. The President’s Office, Associated Students, and Faculty Leaders are partnering together to host a Teach-In for undocumented students offered by community partner, Asian Americans Advancing Justice on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Dr. Olivo announced that the women’s lacrosse team has been invited to the Division 2 National Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
Cypress College President Dr. Scott Thayer shared that Cypress College hosted its annual career fair with more than 20 employers participating. Black Student Success Week celebrations are being held on campus with several events in conjunction with the State Chancellor’s office and the men’s student charter has joined the Legacy Program and the Black Student Union to host daily activities. A “Get Psyched for Success” event was held with the sponsorship of the American Psychological Association to allow students to explore the benefits of psychology-based careers. He closed out his report by introducing the campuses’ new Vice President of Administrative Services Dr. Tony Jake.
RESOURCE TABLE
District Management Association President Karla Frizler congratulated the tenured faculty and read a statement about DMA’s concerns about the Job Family Study. DMA plans to hold their election for the 2025-2026 Executive Board in May.
NOCE Academic Senate President Michelle Patrick-Norng congratulated the tenured professors and stated that their leadership and dedication to NOCE students are appreciated. She also welcomed Director of Distance Education Dr. Mirwais Azizi to NOCE and shared a statement from the Academic Senate in support of CSEA.
Cypress College Academic Senate President Kathleen McAlister also shared a statement in support of CSEA and congratulated the newly tenured faculty. She announced and congratulated the recipients of the Cypress College Faculty Awards: The Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Award winner is English Professor Kendyl Covey. The Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award winner is Theatre Arts Professor Raymond Gibson. The Charger Award winner is Math Professor Jennifer Coopman.
Fullerton College Faculty Senate President Bridget Kominek shared that the Senate has been working on BP 7600 Campus Safety Officer and the Fullerton College 2025-2029 Strategic Plan.
California School Employees Association President Elaine Loayza thanked NOCE for sharing their Annual Report and thanked classified professionals, both current and retired, for their presence at the meeting.
Adjunct Faculty United President Marlo Smith spoke about her passion for the work that NOCE does for its students and community. She also spoke about concerns over adjunct faculty compensation.
BOARD REPORTS
North Orange Continuing Education Student Trustee Robert Johnson congratulated the tenured faculty and thanked meeting attendees for their attention during the NOCE State of the School presentation.
Fullerton College Student Trustee Sharon Kim reported that in celebration of Earth Week, Fullerton College will host its annual Adopt-A-Channel event where students will help clean Fullerton Creek.
Cypress College Interim Student Trustee Moises Sandoval was invited to attend a First-Generation Low-Income College Student Conference where he presented a session on mental health.
Board President Jeffrey Brown reported on the progress of the Anaheim Campus Board room construction.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
During public comments, several speakers commented on the ongoing negotiations between the District and CSEA.
NEXT MEETING
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 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.
