NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for April 9, 2024
On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) Board of Trustees met for a regularly scheduled meeting. The following are highlights from the meeting held at 5:30 p.m. at the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room.
Board Actions
The Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below.
Finance & Facilities
The Board of Trustees approved to enter into a professional services agreement with Ruffalo Noel Levitz LLC (RNL) to create a five-year campus-specific strategic enrollment management plan.
The Board authorized out-of-country travel for a delegation of 25 individuals from North Orange Continuing Education, Fullerton College, and Cypress College to the All-African Diaspora Education 2024 Summit (ADES) in Ghana, Africa from Sept. 27-Oct. 6, 2024. The Summit brings together K-16 teachers/faculty, staff, policy makers and educational equity advocates who work on the behalf of Black/African American students and provides a one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity for Black/African American Employees. Several of the prospective delegates spoke in favor of the item and explained why it would be a transformative experience for them as professionals, as well as the positive effect it would have on students.
The Board authorized entering into a travel agreement with AIFS for Cypress College and Fullerton College Spring 2025 Study Abroad Program in Lisbon, Portugal which is scheduled from Feb. 21-May 16, 2025, and open to students in good standing who have completed a minimum of 12 units.
Human Resources
The Board approved the retirement of Fullerton College Dean of Physical Education David Grossman, dean of Physical Education, effective July 1, 2024. Congratulations on your retirement!
Reports
The Chancellor, campus Presidents, Members of the Board, and constituents shared updates on activities and events throughout the District.
Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland introduced NOCE President Valentina Purtell, who gave a presentation about the 50th Anniversary of NOCE. The presentation included a highlight video of NOCE’s accomplishments and activities throughout the year. Dulce Delgadillo, Director, Institutional Research and Planning, also provided data from NOCE that shows an upward trend in enrollment, programs and retention.
The Orange County Teacher of the Year nominees were also honored at the meeting. Each president introduced the teacher of the year from their school. Congratulations to Maryam Rezai, adjunct instructor for the ESL and Citizenship program for NOCE; Dr. Kirk Domke, geology professor from Cypress College; and Dr. Ziza Delgado Noguera, associate professor and department chair of ethnic studies at Fullerton College.
Chancellor Breland also thanked the Board for its support of the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) conference, of which NOCCCD was a diamond sponsor and 30-40 personnel attended, in Oakland April 4-5.
NOCE President Valentina Purtell reported NOCE expanded its partnership with Canine Companions and will roll out the “Puppies for Pawsativity” event at Wilshire Center on April 20 and May 1, Anaheim Campus on April 30, and Cypress Center on April 30. NOCE is also hosting an eight-week workshop series for students on emotional wellness; Rising Scholars is celebrating Second Chance Month April 8-12 with a weeklong series of workshops and events that bring awareness to the experiences of formerly incarcerated students; and NOCE is participating in the Resettlement Support Center Outreach Opportunity from April 16-20, an event that connects local refugee families to various services.
Fullerton College President Cynthia Olivo invited everyone to the College’s Black Student Success Week events April 22-26. On April 17, President Olivo will host NANDI, a new statewide organization for Black professional women in the California Community Colleges. President Olivio also attended the Estrella Awards and spoke at Cal State Long Beach to talk about being a woman leader. She thanked Dr. Jorge Gamboa for leading a group of students to Cal Poly Pomona to participate in its Young Men of Color Transfer Day, and Denise Fiero and staff of CalWORKS, Foster Youth and Rising Scholars for securing funds from Hire UP to award 174 students with monthly stipends.
Cypress College President Scott Thayer reported a successful annual career fair on April 9 with over 60 vendors and 300 students in attendance. On April 8, astronomy professor Michael Frey and students hosted a solar eclipse viewing at the pond, showcasing three solar telescopes. Theatre arts professor Donny Jackson and his theatre arts students came back from a New York City trip and toured The Julliard School, New York University and the Circle in the Square Theatre School, where two Cypress alumni attend. Additionally, nine Presidential Scholars of Distinction for the class of 2024 were affirmed, and will each receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Irma Ramos and her team highlighted HR leadership achievements. Trinda Best outlined accomplishments in Benefits, Labor & Employee Relations, EEO & Compliance, DEIAA programs, HR operations, talent acquisition, and professional development. Yasmine Andrawis emphasized strategic HR priorities led by VC Ramos and Associate Vice Chancellor Julie Kossick, including Board resolutions supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Dr. Flavio Medina-Martin praised NOCCCD's leadership in DEIAA, citing VC Ramos's pivotal role in executing the Vision for Success’ DEO Taskforce Implementation Plan and earning the ACHRO/EEO DEIA Champion Award. Amita Suhrid thanked VC Ramos for her contributions to the District’s advancement.
District Management Association president Treisa Cassens acknowledged the NOCE report and the amazing work of everyone involved and thanked the next DMA president and the work she does with the ESL. She also acknowledged the Teachers of the Year and their innovation, drive and care for our students. DMA is working with district staff and HR to plan and summer district all-mangers meeting to focus on best practices, connection, mentorship and equity planning.
Jeanette Rodriguez, Fullerton College Academic Senate president, congratulated NOCE for their accomplishments, and Dr. Ziza Delgado Noguera for being recognized as Teacher of the Year at Fullerton College. She also thanked the Board for supporting the delegation trip to Ghana and the Study Abroad Program.
CSEA President Pamela Spence congratulated the Teacher of the Year nominees, NOCE for its 50th anniversary and the classified employees listed in the agenda for their reclassifications the Board approved. The next CSEA union meeting is scheduled for April 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Adjunct Faculty United President Marlo Smith congratulated the Teachers of the Year nominees, notably Maryam Rezai from NOCE, and congratulated NOCE on the notable gains its accomplished post-pandemic. AdFac has come to a one-year agreement to extend members’ healthcare and Smith thanked AdFac membership, the Board, the CFA and others who made the extension possible.
Board Reports
Student Trustee Chloe Serrano congratulated Dr. Ziza Delgado Noguera and revealed she was one of the students who wrote a letter of recommendation for Teacher of the Year. Serrano attended the APAHE conference and enjoyed the sessions. Associated Students also started its student elections. Serrano announced she received an acceptance letter from UC Irvine and thanked everyone. She asked the room to participate in her “Day in the Life” video to give to her AS successors, which will be posted to the FC Associated Students Instagram page.
Trustee Jeffrey Brown addressed cybersecurity and the Board’s direction to the District to increase it, which is occurring. He said he received a phishing email on his District account and it is clear that Vice Chancellor Cherry Li-Bugg and IT are doing more visible work that will benefit cybersecurity for students, faculty and staff.
Trustee Barbara Dunsheath thanked Dr. Michael Frey for hosting the eclipse event at Cypress College.
Trustee Ryan Bent thanked NOCE for its presentation, and recognized HR Vice Chancellor Ramos and Associate Vice Chancellor Julie Kossick for all the work they do for the District.
Board President Evangelina Rosales congratulated NOCE for its 50th anniversary and applauded the Teachers of the Year.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, at the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room.
