Board Highlights 3/25/2025

Chancellor’s Report: Presentations were given on the Women Champions of DEIAA Awards in honor of Women’s History Month and the Orange County Department of Education 2026 Teacher of the Year NOCCCD Nominees.

Highlights from the Women Champions of DEIAA Award Presentation: The North Orange County Community College District community was asked to nominate women at their respective campus/department who contribute to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism (DEIAA) at their institution, have made a difference in the nominator’s life, and have exhibited leadership in advancing DEIAA.

Awards were given to: 
Karla Frizler, NOCE Associate Dean, ESL & Citizenship, President, District Management Association; Dr. Connie Moreno Yamashiro, Fullerton College Director of Student Development and Engagement; Dr. Jeannie Mitsch, Cypress College Professor of Counseling (CTE); Jeanette Rodriguez-Salcedo, Fullerton College Director of Student Development and Engagement, Interim Dean of Humanities Division; Bridget Kominek,  Fullerton College Acting Faculty Senate President; Renay Laguana-Perinac, Cypress College Professor of Counseling (Counseling and Student Development); Cynthia Guardado, Fullerton College Professor (English) and Professional Learning Coordinator; Regina Alcala, NOCE District Adult Hourly- Counseling and Student Services; Aline Gregorio, Fullerton College Professor & Department Chair (Geography), and; Dr. Maha Afra, Cypress College Professor of Dance, Department Chair.

Highlights from the Orange County Department of Education 2026 Teacher of the Year Presentation: Each Campus president introduced their respective nominees for the OCDE 2026 Teacher of the Year Award. 
•    Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo presented French Foreign Language Professor Dr. Catherine Reinhardt-Zacair. North Orange Continuing Education President Valentina Purtell presented ESL Program Instructor Helen Serrano. Cypress College President Dr. Scott Thayer spoke about Biology Instructor Francisco Perez.

BOARD ACTIONS

The Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below.

•    The Board unanimously approved Resolution No. 24/25-14 to formally recognize Women’s History Month by promoting awareness and education, fostering inclusion and diversity, and providing support and resources. The Resolution states, “As an institution committed to fostering inclusivity, empowering individuals, and promoting equality, we seek to honor the exceptional achievements of women throughout history and in our community. By celebrating Women’s History Month, we aim to educate, inspire, and advance gender equity within NOCCCD.”
Study Session: A study session was led by consultants Julie Bruno, Irene Malmgren, and Pam Walker who presented on their recommendations of how the District’s governing bodies should interact.

Human Resources: Approval was given by the Board for the retirement of Earth Sciences Instructor William Chamberlin from Fullerton College, Dean of Counseling & Student Development Troy Davis from Cypress College, Vice President of Instruction Kathleen Reiland from Cypress College, Payroll Manager Beatrice Bates from NOCCCD, and Special Projects Director of Educational Services & Technology Anna Cathleen Greiner. Cypress College was approved to hire Vice President of Administrative Services Tonysha Jake. NOCE was approved to hire Director of NOCE CC TAP Lisa Mednick, and Instructional Assistant/ESL Soomin Yang. Congratulations to all!

Chancellor Staff Comments:

North Orange Continuing Education President Valentina Purtell reported that the School Scoop Newsletter published a special Women’s History Month edition highlighting Instructional Assistant in the ESL Program and CSEA Chapter President Elaine Loayza, Associate Dean of ESL and Citizenship and President of the District Management Association Karla Frizler, and adjunct faculty member in Noncredit ESL and President of NOCCCD Adjunct Faculty United Marlo Smith. She also recognized NOCE Student Leader MaLuisa Hernandez who won the Soroptimist International’s “Live Your Dream” Award. She closed out her report thanking NOCE Disability Support Services for their work at the Regional Transition Event.

Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo thanked everyone for supporting the STEM & MESA Center’s grand opening and thanked the Fullerton College Faculty Senate who gave up their office space to make way for the center. She recognized Vice President of Administrative Services Henry Hua for his selection as a participant in the University of California, Davis 2025 Wheelhouse Advancing Leaders Institute. She invited everyone to the 13th Annual French Film Festival which will run from April 8-9 starting each evening at 6:30 p.m. with free food from local restaurants with ticket purchase. The featured restaurants include Crepes Bonaparte, Crepes de Paris, Fraise Café, Les Annis, Zombees, Pandor, Moulin, Porto’s, and Roscoe’s. She closed out her report with the news that Radio Station 90.1 KBPK has officially been rebranded by the Hornet Media team to Hornet Radio which will offer 24-hour music and programming.

Cypress College President Dr. Scott Thayer reported that the second round of AP courses started this week which is anticipated to increase spring semester enrollments. The Annual Women’s Empowerment Gala took place at the Veteran’s Resource Center and was dedicated to recognizing and uplifting women’s voices, achievements, and contributions as a collaborative effort between Student Support Services and the Women’s Unity Club with proceeds benefiting Cypress College Students. He thanked Executive Director of the Cypress College Foundation Howard Kummerman and the Cypress College Foundation for organizing the 50th anniversary Americana Awards which raised over $600,000 for Cypress College students. Dr. Thayer then recognized the retirements of Dean of Counseling & Student Development Troy Davis and Vice President of Instruction Kathleen Reiland.

RESOURCE TABLE

District Management Association President Karla Frizler gave updates on a meeting that DMA held with constituents on how managers can better support their employees and thanked District Director, Professional Development Amita Suhrid and Professional Development Coordinator Joseph Aranda for inviting DMA to Professional Development events.

California School Employees Association President Elaine Loayza expressed concern over longevity pay.

Adjunct Faculty United President Marlo Smith congratulated the Women Champions of DEIAA award winners and the OCDE 2026 Teacher of the Year nominees on their accomplishments. She also expressed her support for CSEA.

BOARD REPORTS

North Orange Continuing Education Student Trustee Robert Johnson congratulated the Women Champions of DEIAA Award recipients and reported that he attended the 50th Anniversary Americana Awards. He also reported that a survey was sent out to NOCE students on how the campus could be bettered and thanked NOCE Director of Campus Communications Jennifer Perez for her work. He expressed his excitement that NOCE would have voting power at the Student Senate for California Community Colleges now that NOCE has a student trustee and closed out his report sharing that he completed a CTE certificate called App Development with Swift.

Fullerton College Student Trustee Sharon Kim invited everyone to the Theatre Arts department’s show, “Cabaret,” and the upcoming APIDA Club meeting which will feature former Fullerton College student trustee and current Miss Philippines USA Chloe Reyes as a guest speaker. The Fullerton College Associated Student Assembly is preparing for the 29th annual Student Senate of California Community Colleges General Assembly and congratulated the newly elected ASG cabinet.

Trustee Mark Lopez reported on his attendance at the 50th Americana Awards and thanked Dr. Thayer for the work that went into the event.

Trustee Evangelina Rosales highlighted Women’s History Month and all women working throughout the District. She also congratulated all the retirees and recognized the important women who have impacted her life.

Board Vice President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath shared that she enjoyed the 50th Americana Awards Gala and is proud of the Cypress College Foundation for raising over $600,000 for students. She encouraged everyone to attend the Yom HaShoah event coming up at Cypress College on April 10, 2025, from 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Trustee Ryan Bent congratulated Cypress College on the success of the Americana Awards Gala.

Board President Jeffrey Brown also congratulated Cypress College on the Americana Awards Gala and spoke to the importance of nursing programs in community colleges and throughout the education system.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Public Education Advocate Paulette Chaffee thanked Trustee Evangelina Rosales and her husband for their efforts that made the Dining for Dollars event possible. She also gave a shout out to Bob Jensen and Isabelle Poserea for their work on the event, which raised over $30,000 for Fullerton College students.

Fullerton College and Cypress College Student Bianca Stopani expressed some concerns about student safety and support.

Fullerton College Art Gallery Lab Tech Seija Rohkea and Former CSEA President Pamela Spence expressed concerns about longevity pay and employee retention.

Cypress College Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Services Gloria Ortega and Fullerton College Scene Shop Supervisor Matthew Muranaga (through a representative) shared concerns about the medical benefits for employees in the District.

Fullerton College Student Hoang Ho spoke in support of CSEA staff.

NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 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.