NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for May 28, 2024

Board Actions

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

Finance and Facilities: The Board received the Draft NOCCCD Sustainability Action Plan to review. In February 2022, the District adopted an Environmental Sustainability Plan, aligning with California Community Colleges Board of Governors policies and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In May 2023, a contract was awarded to DLR Group to develop a comprehensive sustainability plan, focusing on purchasing, transportation, waste, energy, and water use. The goal is to meet state guidelines for carbon footprint reduction by 2025 and 2035. The plan also emphasizes wellness, mental health, and resilience within the campus community. It was developed over eight months with input from students, faculty, and staff across campuses and was presented to the District Consultation Council on May 20, 2024. The Sustainability Action Plan presented to the Board can be found on the District website.

Human Resources: The Board approved several retirements. Congratulations to:

• Yolanda Aguirre, Counselor, Fullerton College
• Darren Chiang-Schultheiss, English Instructor, Fullerton College
• Sujata Chiplunkar, Biological Science Instructor, Cypress College
• Robin De Roo, Chemistry Instructor, Cypress College
• Lillian Gabourie, Counselor, Cypress College
• Jane Jepson, Counselor, Cypress College
• Jennie Larez, Health Information Technology Instructor, Cypress College
• Terri Mitz, Radiological Technology Instructor, Cypress College
• Tom Morris, Biological Science Instructor, Fullerton College
• Therese Mosqueda-Ponce, Counselor, Cypress College
• Mary Odebunmi, Economics Instructor, Cypress College
• Leslie Palmer, Librarian, Cypress College
• Alix Plum, Physical Education Instructor, Fullerton College
• Edward Roth, Disability Support Services Director, Fullerton College
• Patricia Spitler, Health Information Technology Instructor, Cypress College
• Renee Ssensalo, Counselor, Cypress College
• Matthew Taylor, Speech Instructor, Fullerton College
• Dana Timmermans, Behavioral Health Services Director, Fullerton College

Human Resources: The Board also approved the hiring of new personnel: Danielle Carlson, ESL Noncredit Instructor at North Orange Continuing Education; Wesley Cox, Ethnic Studies Instructor at Fullerton College; and Jessica Wong, Nursing Instructor at Cypress College. Welcome aboard!

General: The Board voted to appoint Lourdes Valiente to the Citizens’ Oversight Committee.

Reports

Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland celebrated several District faculty and staff who had retired, and those who celebrated milestone years of service. Photos and a list of names can be found in the news section of the District website.

Chancellor Breland also introduced the Fullerton College Women’s Softball Team, who had recently clinched the 2024 3C2A State Championship. Co-head coaches Marian “Speedy” Mendoza and Crystal Aguirre expressed their immense pride in the Hornets team for their dedication to the game and to their academics with the team boasting an average GPA of 3.66. Infielder Jordan Elias said she is proud of the team they built in their 44-6 season and the camaraderie they’ve created. The team also wanted to share a special thank you to their coaching staff, especially Assistant Coach Brian Iseri, who was diagnosed with leukemia in early May. The team created a GoFundMe page to offset any financial burdens that may arise as he undergoes treatment.

Chancellor Breland and the Board also thanked outgoing student trustees Chloe Serrano and Jesus “Jessie” Ramirez, Jr. for their service for the 2023-24 year, as congratulated Trustee Ryan Bent for completing the Excellence in Trusteeship program from the Community College League of California.

North Orange Continuing Education President Valentina Purtell, Fullerton College President Cynthia Olivo and Cypress President Scott Thayer commented on the following events and activities:

• NOCE Updates
  • NOCE celebrated its Commencement and Student Success events. More than 700 students received their certificates, diplomas and GED. Nearly 50 students passed their U.S. citizenship exams, and Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva also provided certificates to them.
  • NOCE partnered with District Services to host the Classified Student Employees Appreciation Lunch on May 22.
  • On Wednesday, June 5, NOCE Career Technical Education Department will host the Artificial Intelligence Conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fullerton College Campus, rooms 224/226/228. All NOCCCD faculty, administrators and staff are welcome to attend. Faculty will be eligible for stipends, and breakfast and lunch will be included.
• Fullerton College Updates
  • President Olivio offered condolences to the family of Professor Mike Baker, who taught anatomy, physiology and microbiology at Fullerton College and served on the President’s Advisory Council.
  • Fullerton College also celebrated commencement, which included speaker Jessica Q. Chen, alumna, adjunct professor and Academy Award-winning journalist, and student commencement speaker Kash Amos, Student of Distinction.
  • Amy Schrack, ISS Administrative Assistant from Fullerton College, received the Unsing Hero Award from the Classified Student Employees Association; and Dean of Technology and Engineering Ken Starkman received the Administrator of the Year from the Faculty Senate.
  • The Crime Scene Investigation lab at Fullerton College is set for a grand opening event scheduled for fall.
  • Along with the Fullerton College softball team’s first state championship in 44 years, coaches Aguirre and Mendoza received the Orange Empire Conference Coaches of the Year Award, and pitcher Allyson Fuente earned the 3C2A State MVP award.
  • Art faculty at FC honored 47 student artists with a reception with 700 guests in attendance to view their art. The President’s Lounge area currently has some of that artwork on display.
  • Thirty-two students were honored at the 61st annual Humanities Scholarship Tea.
  • Fullerton College will host a game and fundraiser for the cheer team at Angel Stadium on Sept. 16.
• Cypress College Updates
  • President Thayer thanked trustees, District senior staff and organizers of commencement events for making his first commencement as President of Cypress College a special event, which also included a pre-commencement reception that was catered by the College’s HRC program.
  • About 700 students participated in the commencement ceremony, and Cypress handed out nearly 3,500 certificates and degrees. The ceremonies were live-streamed and reached 27 countries on six continents.
  • Cypress College nursing students topped the nation in the National Council Licensure Examination, scoring the highest pass rates across all degree programs, including bachelor’s degrees. They clinched the top spot not just in California but nationwide, setting a remarkable achievement in professional nursing licensure. Read more on Cypress College’s website.

Board Reports

Student Trustee Chloe Serrano gave her last report as a student trustee. She relayed her gratitude to the District and the Board, and conveyed how her tenure as student trustee has inspired her to pursue a career in policy. She is pursuing summer jobs and internships that will advance her knowledge in policy, and being a student trustee gave her the confidence to pursue those positions.

Student Trustee Jessie Ramirez also gave his last report and said he is proud of becoming an advocate and student voice. He said being a trustee gave him confidence to venture outside his comfort zone as a STEM student. He plans to continue more advocacy work and hopes to come back one day to Cypress as a professor.

Trustee Jefferey Brown reported attending commencement and finding joy and meaning in his work when he had the opportunity to meet with students on a personal level during the ceremony and offering advice.

Trustee Barbara Dunsheath also attended commencement ceremonies and thanked everyone who organized the events. She also thanked the Cypress College Foundation for handing out $500,000 in scholarships to students.

Trustee Stephen Blount attended the Fullerton College commencement and enjoyed his opportunity to speak with student speaker Kash Amos and his family.

Trustee Ryan Bent congratulated all graduates and said he particularly enjoyed graduation at North Orange Community College and enjoyed being able to talk with students and learning more about their visions and goals.

Board President Evangelina Rosales congratulated all graduates, particularly the people who became U.S. citizens and other students who had made their way to the stage while facing challenges.

The Board adjourned in memory of Mike Baker.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2024 at the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room.