NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for July 22, 2025
On Tuesday, July 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 Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland recognized the work of Fullerton College and the Friends of Fullerton College Foundation in delivering emergency food boxes to families impacted by recent immigration activity. He thanked the Foundation’s leadership—Trustee Evangelina Rosales, Dr. Anna Corral, and Dr. Vicki Calhoun—for their compassion and community support. He congratulated Dr. Roman de Jesus on his appointment as a Climate Fellow through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. He also shared that he was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship. He announced that NOCCCD will cohost a statewide noncredit education workshop at Woodland College alongside CCC Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian and Woodland College President Dr. Lizette Navarette. He recognized NOCE President Valentina Purtell and Director of Institutional Research and Planning Dulce Delgadillo for their key roles in this event and thanked Julie Schoepf for her behind-the-scenes planning. Lastly, he closed by thanking the Anaheim Union High School District for their hospitality, as this meeting marked the Board’s final Board meeting at the site.
Presentations
Fresh Success Program
Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland introduced Dr. Mary Gallagher of Educational Management Resource Group (EMRG), who presented on the Fresh Success program. The federally funded initiative is designed to support CalFresh recipients by helping students gain employment skills and transition off public assistance. The program, facilitated by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, serves both credit and noncredit students.
Board Actions
The Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below:
- Authorization to enter into a two-year agreement with the Educational Management Resource Group
- Authorization to adopt the 2025–2026 NOCCCD Board of Trustees Goals
- Authorization to form an ad hoc policy review committee
Human Resources
The Board approved the resignations of Fullerton College Interim Dean of Student Support Services Rosio Becerra; Fullerton College Basic Needs Special Projects Director Katarina Barela-Perez; Fullerton College Admissions and Records Analyst Megan Beck; Anaheim Campus Groundskeeper Christopher Bringman; Fullerton College EOPS Program Coordinator Dolores Cornejo; Anaheim Campus IT Security Analyst/System Administrator Brandon Getino; NOCE ESL Administrative Assistant II Cecelia Lopez.
The Board also approved the hiring of NOCE Counseling and Student Services Counselor Luz Fernandez Marquez; Fullerton College Ceramics Instructor Ryan Flores; Cypress College Computer Information Systems Instructor Michael Franklin; Cypress College Kinesiology Counselor Brianna Gonzales-Harwell; Fullerton College Construction Technology Instructor Jacob McFee; Fullerton College Librarian Victor Meza; Cypress College Ethnic Studies Instructor Kayley Okamura; Fullerton College Child Development Instructor Michelle Ramirez; Cypress College Puente Program Counselor Rosemary Rangel; Fullerton College Ethnic (Native American) Studies Instructor Donald Salcedo; NOCE Admissions and Records Technician Janet Carreno; Cypress College Financial Aid Technician Lisa Cisneros; Financial Aid Outreach Special Projects Coordinator Sean Del Castillo; Cypress College Laboratory Technician/Health Science Nathan Johnson; Cypress College International Student Program Manager Ryan O’Connell; Fullerton College Senior Research & Planning Analyst Vinnie Wu. Congratulations to all!
Chancellor's Staff Reports
NOCE President Valentina Purtell shared that NOCE’s Disability Support Services program has been selected as a model program by the California Adult Education Program and thanked Associate Dean I of Disability Support Services Dr. Adam Gottdank for his many years of transformative leadership. She also reported a 14 percent increase in NOCE’s FTES production for 2024–25 compared to the previous year. She noted a decline in ESL positive attendance during the summer term, which she linked to fear around immigration enforcement. She invited all to NOCE’s Opening Day on August 8, themed “We Are NOCE: Serving with Care and Leading with Inclusion.”
Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo announced that Fullerton College has been awarded a multimillion-dollar grant from a private philanthropic organization and thanked Friends of Fullerton College Foundation and Community Relations Interim Executive Director Janeth Manjarrez and STEM deans for their efforts in securing the award. She also recognized Tam Nguyen-Contreras, Director of Dual Enrollment, for helping local school districts secure over $4 million in grant funding, with $1.5 million supporting dual enrollment efforts at Fullerton College. She welcomed new team members Leona Vassale, Director of Disability Support Services; Jeanette Rodriguez, Dean of Humanities; and Sumaiyah Imraan, Administrative Assistant II of Student Development & Engagement. She noted that 13 new tenure-track faculty have been hired and invited the Board to meet them at Convocation, themed “Hornet Hope.”
Cypress College President Dr. Scott W. Thayer welcomed Vice President of Student Services Dr. Paul de Dios back to the campus and shared that Cypress College has exceeded its growth target, with a 23.4% increase in FTES since 2021–2022. He announced that Cypress College and Fullerton College participated for the first time in the Summer Bridge Partnership Program, and a recognition ceremony for students who completed the program will take place this Saturday, July 27, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at UC Irvine. He also honored the life of Keron Thomas, a Legacy alumnus, UC Berkeley graduate, and mentee of Trustee Dr. Ryan Bent, who tragically passed away in June. He also shared that Dr. Pat Gainer, who retired in 2017 after 46 years of service, recently passed away and will be remembered for her many contributions and lasting impact to the Cypress community.
Resource Table Reports
District Management Association President Karla Frizler thanked the Board for approving the salary and benefits increases for 2025–26 and 2026–27, and shared that the DMA Executive Board will be holding its annual planning retreat this Thursday, July 25.
Angela Haug attended on behalf of CSEA President Elaine Loayza and extended her gratitude to the Board regarding negotiations. She announced that the CSEA successor contract was ratified with strong member support and thanked those who voted in favor of its adoption, as well as ADFAC, students, and other groups who voiced support. She also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the CSEA negotiation team throughout the bargaining process.
Board of Trustees Reports
North Orange Continuing Education Student Trustee Kristine Nacu shared that on June 27, she attended the SSCCC Region VIII Executive Board Meeting and End-of-Year Celebration at Cerritos College. On July 9, she participated in the NOCE Student Leader Retreat, which she said was well organized and full of meaningful activities. She thanked NOCE President Valentina Purtell and Executive Administrator to the President Julie Schoepf for helping her with her monthly student connection event, Tea Time with the Student Trustee. The event is held twice a month, and she shared that she enjoys talking with students, hearing their stories, and helping connect them with resources and support.
Fullerton College Student Trustee Samiy Castillo Bolivar reported on his participation in the recent “Parking Lot Prints!” event, a partnership with local print and magazine artists held at Fullerton College. He also attended an AI Bootcamp hosted by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, which he said transformed his view of artificial intelligence. In addition, he participated in the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) Region VIII Executive Board Meeting and End-of-Year Celebration at Cerritos College.
Cypress College Student Trustee Zachary Colinco reported that Cypress College Associated Students will hold their summer meeting on Tuesday, July 29.
Trustee Mark Lopez shared that he attended the Cypress College Salute to America Celebration on June 27. After the event, he spoke with Miguel Garcia, a night custodian at the collegeHe said the conversation reminded him of how much happens behind the scenes and expressed his gratitude to all employees for the important work they do each day. He also reported attending a Fullerton Museum Board meeting, where he shared invitations and online information for upcoming museum events, including the Leo Fender Day event on August 10.
Trustee Evangelina Rosales offered her condolences to the family of Keron Thomas, the Legacy Scholar and UC Berkeley graduate, whose life was honored earlier in the meeting.
Board Vice President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath, who serves as President-Elect of the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) Board, stepped in for the Board President at the Chancellor’s Consultation Council meeting in July. She shared that the group discussed Vision 2030, the role and value of community colleges, budget and funding, and how policy changes could impact community colleges. She also offered her condolences to the Keron Thomas family. In addition, she spoke fondly of Dr. Pat Gainer, describing her as warm, funny, wickedly smart, and kind-hearted and extended her deepest sympathies to the Gainer family.
Trustee Dr. Ryan Bent thanked the family of Keron Thomas for being present and shared heartfelt remarks in his honor. He recalled being paired with Keron Thomas in 2019 as a mentor and spoke about the lasting impression he made. He described Keron as a bright light, driven, full of life, and someone who never saw limits. Dr. Bent requested that the meeting be adjourned in Keron Thomas’ memory.
Public Comments
Bianca Stopani offered her condolences to the family of Keron Thomas, asked the Board to consider basic needs support for students, and shared concerns about various campus-related issues.
Jordan Cox, best friend of Keron Thomas, spoke about the pain of losing his friend and said Keron was taken too soon. He urged anyone with information about the accident to come forward and contact “Justice for Keron” on any platform.
Abigal Rangel, Keron Thomas’ girlfriend, described him as someone who lived with purpose and compassion. She urged the community to come forward with answers, saying he always showed up for others, and now it’s time to advocate on his behalf.
Cypress College Professor Regina Rhymes thanked Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland, Trustee Dr. Ryan Bent, and the Board of Trustees for honoring Keron Thomas. She spoke of his quiet confidence, strong work ethic, and the love and support he received from his mother.
North Orange Continuing Education Academic Senate President Michelle Patrick-Norng shared information on contingency language approved by the Board on October 22, 2024.
Noah Marks thanked the Board of Trustees for recognizing his nephew. He spoke highly of Keron’s character and encouraged anyone with information to come forward and contact the California Highway Patrol – Westminster Division with any details.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the Anaheim Campus.
