NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for March 24, 2026

Chancellor's Report

Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland reported on the District’s March 17, 2026, legislative advocacy trip to Sacramento, where the District team met with senators, assemblymembers, and policy staff to advance NOCCCD priorities. These priorities included workforce development, basic needs, noncredit, long-term fiscal stability, COLA, SEAP, student housing, artificial intelligence, and the restoration of Strong Workforce funding. He thanked Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath, District Director of Public & Governmental Affairs Kai Stearns Davis, North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) President Valentina Purtell, and Vice Chancellor of Educational Services & Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna for their leadership and participation.

He acknowledged Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo, who was honored as Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva on March 16 at the State Capitol, stating the recognition reflects her leadership, sustained commitment to students, and community impact.

He also recognized the Orange County Teacher of the Year nominees and invited campus presidents to come forward to introduce their nominees.

Chancellor Breland concluded his report by recognizing the District’s Women’s Champions of DEIAA. He noted the impact of women’s leadership on students, colleagues, and the campus community. He then invited the District Director of Diversity, Culture, and Inclusion Dr. Flavio Medina-Martin to recognize the individuals nominated by their peers.

Board Actions

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

• Authorization to review the 2026 Board assessment summaries.
• Authorization to adopt Resolution No. 25/26-41 in recognition of Women’s History Month.
• Authorization to adopt revised BP 4225 Course Repetition.

Human Resources

The Board approved the retirement of Fullerton College Skilled Maintenance Assistant, Brad Garrett; Cypress College Speech Instructor, Liana Koeppel.

The Board approved the hiring of Cypress College President’s Office Administrative Assistant II, Mercedes Milner.

Presentations

Fullerton College Men's Basketball State Champions

Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo recognized the men’s basketball team as state champions. She also recognized Head Coach Perry Webster for being named Coach of the Year, noted this is his fifth state championship, and thanked Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva’s office for providing certificates to the team and coaching staff.

2027 Orange County Teacher of the Year Nominees

Campus presidents announced the 2027 Orange County Teacher of the Year nominees:

• Eunice Mitakidze, NOCE
• Clarence Foster Stanback, Aviation & Travel Careers, Cypress College
• Kelly Nelson-Wright, Sociology, Fullerton College

NOCCCD Women Champions of DEIAA

District Director of Diversity, Culture, and Inclusion Dr. Flavio Medina-Martin presented the NOCCCD Women Champions of DEIAA recognitions. The awardees were celebrated in our most recent news story.

Dual Enrollment Study Session

Vice Chancellor of Educational Services & Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna and Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Gabrielle Stanco presented a study session on dual enrollment, with support from Cypress Vice President of Instruction Dr. Luis Gonzalez, Fullerton Vice President of Instruction Dr. José Ramón Núñez, and campus leaders. The study session covered the following:

For CTE and Transfer Pathways, data showed that in fall 2025, most students at Cypress College and Fullerton College selected career technical education programs. The rates were 61% at Cypress College, 51% at Fullerton College, and 21% at NOCE.

Next, regarding Credit for Prior Learning, data showed a 45% increase in the number of students receiving CPL over three years, with an average of 12.5 units awarded per student. The most common subject areas included general education courses such as history and languages.

For Dual Enrollment, data showed a 68% increase in student headcount over three years, with more than 5,400 students enrolled District-wide in 2024–25. Hispanic and Asian students represented the largest racial and ethnic groups, accounting for 82% of dual enrollment students.

For Baccalaureate Programs, updates were presented on Cypress College’s Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service. In addition, updates included a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, pending approval, with cohorts beginning in fall 2026 and fall 2027. Updates were also presented on Fullerton College’s Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems. The first cohort is planned for fall 2026, with around 40 applicants.

Chancellor Staff Reports

NOCE

North Orange Continuing Education President Valentina Purtell reported that NOCE hosted a two-day visit on March 12–13 from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) to showcase California’s noncredit education model and explore potential collaboration with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

She announced a three-year partnership with Calbright College focused on expanding digital learning and developing credit-for-prior-learning pathways and concluded her report by sharing that the Disability Support Services program hosted its second annual Orange County-Wide Transition Night and the Inaugural and Student Leadership Conference, which welcomed more than 700 attendees.

Fullerton College

Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo thanked counseling faculty for their work on Major Discovery Day, noted collaboration with California State University, Fullerton through the Aspen Transfer Intensive Institute, encouraged students to participate in Associated Students elections, and recognized student leaders for creating a resource video to support students and concluded by thanking Board Secretary Mark Lopez for hosting the Tea with a Trustee event, which was attended by approximately 50 people.

Cypress College

Cypress College President Dr. Scott Thayer shared that the 51st Annual Americana Awards event welcomed more than 500 attendees and noted initial estimates of about $750,000 raised. He thanked the Board members who attended the event, as well as District leadership, for their support.

He recognized the 30th anniversary of the Puente Program and its impact on student success and transfer pathways, and concluded his report by thanking Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Dr. John Parker for visiting the campus.

Resource Table Reports

District Management Association

District Management Association President Karla Frizler shared that a recent newsletter was distributed to approximately 122 managers District-wide and thanked Dr. Gabrielle Stanco, Monica Farias, and her team for their contributions.

She shared that DMA is currently accepting nominations for the 2026–27 executive board, noted that Rosanna Islas will serve as the next president, and recognized Yanett Camarillo for her recent award.

Academic Senate

NOCE Academic Senate President Michelle Patrick-Norng shared that the group’s upcoming April meeting will include action items, including the appointment of Ali Stanoikovich to continue as SLO Coordinator and the confirmation of SLO department leads for the 2026–27 academic year.

She also noted that the WASC mid-cycle report was recently approved, highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen student learning outcomes and data tracking as part of accreditation work, and concluded by sharing that the Senate will continue discussions on instructional practices, policy updates, and planning efforts tied to the District’s 2026–30 Strategic Plan.

Cypress College Academic Senate President Jaclyn Magginetti shared that the March 26 meeting will include a second read of the Accessible Facilities AP. The meeting will also feature a presentation on potential upgrades from the Starfish Student Success Platform to Navigate 360. She concluded by highlighting the Cypress College production of SpongeBob the Musical.

Fullerton College Academic Senate President Bridget Kominek recognized the Fullerton College men’s basketball team on their state championship win and Coach Perry Webster on his fifth state championship. She also congratulated the Women of DEIA awardees, the Teacher of the Year recipients, and Dr. Cynthia Olivo on being named Woman of the Year.

She shared that the Faculty Senate recently discussed and voted to support proposed administrative procedures related to inclusive restroom and locker room facilities, and that upcoming discussions will include program review resource requests.

United Faculty

United Faculty President Steven Estrada shared that a special election for the secretary position is currently underway, with regular representative council elections scheduled for later this semester.

He noted ongoing collaboration with District groups, including DMA, CSEA, and the Faculty Senate, as well as participation in District-wide planning and enrollment efforts. He concluded by noting that contract reopening negotiations have begun.

CSEA

CSEA President Elaine Loayza congratulated award recipients and recognized recent accomplishments across the District. She shared that she attended a meeting in San Jose as the Area H representative for the Research and Negotiations Committee, where she presented a proposal on job-study guidelines to support negotiations. She concluded by sharing that CSEA looks forward to recognizing Farm Workers Day.

Adjunct Faculty United

Adjunct Faculty United President Marlo Smith congratulated the Teacher of the Year nominees and DEIAA awardees across the District. She also shared that elections will be held next month and encouraged interested adjunct faculty to participate

Board Member Reports

NOCE Student Trustee Kristine Nacu congratulated Fullerton College on the men’s basketball state championship. She shared upcoming student engagement, including a Teatime with the Student Trustee event on April 1 at the Anaheim Campus and via Zoom. She also noted the creation of a guide to help students start and develop clubs.

Fullerton College Student Trustee Samiy Castillo Bolivar shared that Associated Students elections are underway with efforts to recruit student leaders. He concluded by highlighting recent student activities, including a study session, and shared that student leaders will participate in the Student Senate for California Community Colleges General Assembly.

Cypress College Student Trustee Zachary Colinco shared that Associated Students will host a soft opening of the campus garden on April 8. He concluded by sharing that student leaders will attend the Student Senate for California Community Colleges General Assembly to participate in leadership activities and statewide discussions.

Board Secretary Mark Lopez noted that he attended Dr. Cynthia Olivo’s open office hours at Fullerton College. Additionally, he hosted Tea with a Trustee at Cypress College and Fullerton College, where he met with students, faculty, and staff.

He also shared that he attended a training on undocumented allies at the NOCE Wilshire Center and followed up with campus community members regarding questions, including those related to Proposition 55. He concluded by sharing that he will be hosting a Tea with a Trustee event at the Anaheim Campus on March 25 at 12 p.m.

Trustee Stephen T. Blount shared that he is recovering from recent health issues and expects to resume full participation soon.

Trustee Dr. Ryan Bent shared that he recently toured training centers with the Ironworkers and Carpenters unions and noted their partnerships with other community colleges.

He highlighted the opportunities these programs provide for students to earn college credit through workforce training and suggested that the District explore similar partnerships to expand career technical education opportunities.

Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath congratulated those recognized during the meeting, including Dr. Cynthia Olivo for being named Woman of the Year, the Fullerton College men’s basketball team, Women of DEIA awardees, and Teacher of the Year recipients.

She also highlighted the upcoming Honors Transfer Council of California Building Bridges Research Conference, noting that more than 29 Fullerton College students and approximately eight instructors will be presenting. She concluded by reading a statement from the California Community Colleges Women’s Caucus regarding recent allegations involving Cesar Chavez and the availability of resources for those in need of support.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.