NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for March 10, 2026

Chancellor's Report

Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland announced that Fullerton College has received approval to offer two new programs in fall 2026: an Associate of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence and a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence. He noted that only five community colleges in California currently offer an associate degree focused on artificial intelligence.

He also recognized North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) for hosting the Spring 2026 Mega Power Up and Career Fair at the Anaheim Campus, which welcomed approximately 500 students and community members.

Recognizing Women’s History Month, Chancellor Breland highlighted the recent California Community College Women’s Caucus gathering hosted at Fullerton College in honor of International Women’s Day and congratulated the organizers, including Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath.

He also highlighted the annual MIND program summit and congratulated Cypress College for advancing to the finals of the Knowledge Bowl competition. He concluded by welcoming Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Dr. John Parker to his first Board of Trustees meeting and expressing appreciation to Erika Almaraz for her support during the transition.

Presentations

Fiscal Affairs

Executive Director of Fiscal Affairs Erika Almaraz reviewed the prior-year budget and confirmed that no revenue adjustments will be needed. She shared that the current year is nearing the FTES target and expects $3.3 million in additional SCFF revenue. Next year’s assumptions include 2.41% COLA, a total estimated revenue of $306.17 million, and total estimated expenses of $300.48 million. She also discussed the economic outlook and reported uncertainty about the labor market, housing, and broader economic conditions.

Erika reviewed multi-year projections and shared that the District’s fiscal health score remained in the low-risk category at18.2%. She reported on the District’s fiscal performance, shared that the District will be funded under the Student-Centered Funding Formula, and concluded her report by reviewing the fiscal stability plan.

Board Actions

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

• Authorization to adopt BP 3450, Animals on District Property.
• Authorization to review BP and AP 5020, Nonresident Tuition.
• Authorization to review Resolution No. 25/26-40, Support of Proposition 30/55 School Funding Extension Initiative.

Chancellor's Staff Reports

Fullerton College

Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo announced that the men’s basketball team advanced to the state championships and that Coach Perry Webster was named Coach of the Year. She also highlighted the statewide Women’s Caucus event hosted at Fullerton College, noting that Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath serves as co-chair, and thanked Nitzya Hamblet, Pat Sanchez, Dr. Ziza Delgado Noguera, and Dr. Sonia De La Torre for their support. She recognized five Jack Kent Cooke Foundation semifinalists. Dr. Olivo noted that the new Bachelor of Science in Drone degree exceeded its applicant goal and concluded by sharing that Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva named her Woman of the Year.

Cypress College

Cypress College Vice President of Student Services Dr. Paul de Dios shared that students Josiah Sylvers, Eric Mungai, William Masanja, Alec Gibson, and Nas Luti earned a bronze medal in the Knowledge Bowl at the annual A2MEND conference. He also reported that the women’s basketball team advanced to the 3C2A SoCal Regional Finals and shared upcoming community events. He concluded with a tribute to former Cypress College President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail, who was recognized as the first woman and the first person of color to lead Cypress College.

Educational Services & Institutional Effectiveness

Vice Chancellor of Educational Services & Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna thanked NOCE for inviting her to participate in its event with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. She also thanked Academic Senate presidents Michelle Patrick-Norng, Jaclyn Magginetti, and Bridget Kominek, as well as United Faculty President Steven Estrada, for their ongoing collaborative conversations.

Resource Table Reports

Academic Senate

NOCE Academic Senate Vice President Candace Lynch reported the results of the latest Academic Senate elections and shared that the NOCE Senate executive team will attend the ASCCC Area D meeting at Golden West College in preparation for the spring plenary.

Cypress College Academic Senate President Jaclyn Magginetti previewed the upcoming Academic Senate meeting, which will include a second reading of the joint collaboration constitution agreement involving the Cypress College Academic Senate, Fullerton College Faculty Senate, NOCE Academic Senate, United Faculty, and Adjunct Faculty United. She also shared that the Senate will receive presentations on new digital accessibility requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the statewide transition from TOP codes to CIP codes, and the District’s new academic calendar development process.

United Faculty

United Faculty Vice President Joel Saucedo shared that faculty have begun negotiations and stressed the need for contract language that reflects the year-round work faculty do to support students. He also shared that United Faculty is supporting the effort to gather signatures for a permanent extension of Proposition 55 on the November 2026 ballot, noting the funding is important to California community colleges.

CSEA

CSEA President Elaine Loayza thanked campus leadership for meeting with the evening custodial staff at Cypress College following last month’s campus closure. She also called for a clear timeline for the release of the job study recommendations and implementation process.

Adjunct Faculty United

Adjunct Faculty United President Marlo Smith thanked District leadership, Chancellor Breland, and the Board for supporting part-time health care for adjunct faculty and expressed hope to continue discussions on strengthening job security in the next negotiation cycle.

Board of Trustees Reports

NOCE Student Trustee Kristine Nacu shared updates on student engagement, leadership, and shared governance, including her participation in NOCE’s Power Up event and Cypress College’s Club Rush. She also noted that several students attended the Women’s Caucus event, “Celebrating Phenomenal Women” at Fullerton College, where student leader MaLuisa Hernandez served as a panelist.

Fullerton College Student Trustee Samiy Castillo Bolivar reported that the Associated Students met last Tuesday and are working on a statement to provide students and the campus community with more accessible, visible information about immigration protocols on campus. He also recognized Women’s History Month and expressed appreciation for the women across the District.

Cypress College Student Trustee Zachary Colinco shared that student activity remains strong, with clubs already surpassing $5,000 in grant funding this semester, and shared that the new Student Voice and Feedback Committee will begin gathering student input. He also reported that Associated Students has a record of 20 students running in the upcoming general election and that members will participate in Cypress College’s Kindercaminata this week.

Trustee Evangelina Rosales shared highlights from the Women’s Caucus event, “Celebrating Phenomenal Women.” She reflected on keynote speakers Dr. Leticia Clark and Betty Porto, a dissertation panel, and a student-professional panel focused on education, leadership, equity, and the experiences of students affected by immigration policies. She thanked Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath, Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo, and all the women involved for making the event possible.

Trustee Jeffrey P. Brown reflected on a recent news story about a 10-year-old student taking an art class through the San Bernardino Community College District, noting that it illustrated how community colleges can meet the needs of students at different stages of their educational journey. He also emphasized the importance of strong partnerships with feeder districts and the District’s continued outreach efforts.

Board Secretary Mark Lopez shared that he attended a meet-and-greet and book signing at Fullerton College with poet Danez Smith and thanked Professor Alysha Robinson, Dr. Cynthia Olivo, and those who hosted the event. He concluded by reminding the community of his upcoming campus visits on Monday, March 23, at Cypress College; Tuesday, March 24, at Fullerton College; and Wednesday, March 25, at North Orange Continuing Education.

Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath thanked Dr. Sonia De La Torre, Kai Stearns Davis, Dr. Ziza Delgado Noguera, Nitzya Hamblet, and Amabel Arredondo for their support in helping with the Women’s Caucus “Celebrating Phenomenal Women” event.

Public Comments

MaLuisa Hernandez shared her experience as a panelist during the Women’s Caucus “Celebrating Phenomenal Women” event at Fullerton College, where she participated in the “Behind the Shadow: Immigration Hot Talk” discussion and spoke about the challenges immigrant students face while pursuing their education. She thanked Maria Hernandez, Denise Mora, Trustee Evangelina Rosales, and Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath for their support.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.