NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for May 12, 2026

Chancellor's Report

Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland welcomed Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo to deliver the 2026 State of the College presentation.

He also thanked faculty, staff, and administrators for their work throughout the academic year and highlighted the District’s second Student-Centered Funding Initiative Workshop. Chancellor Breland thanked Vice Chancellor of Educational Services & Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna, District Director of Research, Planning, and Data Management Dr. Gabrielle Stanco, faculty leadership, and researchers for their work analyzing student enrollment, engagement, and success data.

Chancellor Breland recognized Cypress College for hosting the Black Graduate Celebration, which honored Black and African American students.

He also spoke about Fullerton College Vice President Dr. José Ramón Núñez’s retirement celebration and thanked him for his years of service to Fullerton College and the District.

Chancellor Breland concluded by thanking the Board of Trustees for their participation in the recent Board Retreat and by recognizing the student trustees for sharing their perspectives during the discussion.

Presentations

State of the College

Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo delivered the 2026 State of the College presentation, titled “Adelante Hornets,” which means “Moving Forward.” Dr. Olivo shared that the college’s strategic plan was developed with input from more than 105 Fullerton College employees.

She also shared that Fullerton College is establishing a transfer partnership with California State University, Fullerton, which will include an MOU between the campuses and the launch of a CSUF Center at Fullerton College beginning in fall 2026. She noted that it will be the first partnership of its kind for both institutions.

Dr. Olivo highlighted Fullerton College’s new Division of Ethnic Studies and Student Equity, led by Interim Dean Dr. Ziza Delgado-Noguerra, and the college’s Drone and Autonomous Systems Program, which includes a new bachelor’s degree in drones and autonomous systems.

She concluded by sharing student success data for the 2024–2025 academic year, including 2,030 unduplicated degree earners, 1,733 unduplicated certificate earners, and improvements in course success rates from 68% in 2022–2023 to 72.2% in 2024–2025.

Board Actions

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

• Authorization to adopt Resolution No. 25/26-49 in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
• Authorization to adopt Resolution No. 25/26-50, declaring the week of May 17-23, 2026, as Classified School Employee Week.
• Authorization to adopt Resolutions No. 25/26-51 and No. 25/26-52, Order of Biennial Trustee Election and Specifications of the Election Orders.
• Authorization to consider whether an increase to compensation for Board members is desirable at this time.

Human Resources

The Board approved the hiring of Cypress College Nursing Instructor, Ernie Aguilera; Cypress College Dean of Counseling and Student Development, Irma Gonzalez; Cypress College Biology Instructor, Stephanie Matsuno; and Fullerton College EOPS Counselor, Nicole Winborne.

The Board also approved the retirement of Fullerton College Biological Science Instructor, Maala Allen; Cypress College Chemistry Instructor, Richard Fee; and Cypress College English Instructor, Kathryn Sonne.

Chancellor's Staff Reports

NOCE

NOCE President Valentina Purtell shared several end-of-semester events, including NOCE’s commencement and student success ceremony on May 15, the NOCE and District Services Classified Professional Appreciation Luncheon on May 19, and the Pride Space end-of-semester celebration on May 28.

She thanked Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland for hosting the Chancellor Connect event and Board Secretary Mark Lopez for attending.

Valentina Purtell concluded by recognizing NOCE faculty members Helen Serrano, Orange County Teacher of the Year nominee, and NOCE Faculty of the Year Carrie Ruffalo, who were recognized during the Angels Teacher Appreciation Night sponsored by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.

Cypress College

Cypress College President Dr. Scott W. Thayer congratulated Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath on her presentation at the Community College League of California Symposium.

He highlighted several campus celebrations and events taking place throughout the semester, including APIDA celebrations, employee milestone and retirement celebrations, international student celebrations, Black Faculty and Staff Association events, the Legacy Program culmination, and the Duck Derby.

Dr. Scott W. Thayer also announced that the Cypress College Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony will take place on May 22, 2026, at 3 p.m., and commencement will be held on May 29.

He concluded by congratulating incoming Associated Students President Geralyn Ibarra and incoming Student Trustee Ahmad Haidari for the 2026–2027 academic year. He concluded his report in memory of Chris Siragusa, who served as a mathematics faculty member at Cypress College for more than 25 years.

Educational Services & Institutional Effectiveness

Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna shared that the District hosted a Student-Centered Funding Initiative Workshop on May 1 with nearly 70 participants from the campuses and District Office. Faculty, staff, and administrators participated in discussions focused on strategic enrollment management, student-centered funding, and student success initiatives.

Administrative Services

Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Dr. John Parker shared an update on recent budget discussions held during President Valentina Purtell’s Pastries with the President sessions at NOCE and similar meetings taking place across the campuses. He shared that faculty, staff, and administrators engaged in discussions regarding the Student-Centered Funding Formula, campus carryover funds, and maintaining student services and programs. Dr. John Parker also noted that the campuses provided thoughtful questions, recommendations, and suggestions related to budget planning and enrollment growth.

Resource Table Reports

Academic Senate

OCE Academic Senate President Michelle Patrick-Norng shared that all three Senate bodies across the District voted in support of the joint collaborative consultation understanding and are awaiting final consideration from United Faculty and AdFac United.

The report also highlighted end-of-semester efforts by NOCE faculty supporting students through final exams, grading, and counseling services, as well as the upcoming NOCE Commencement and Student Success event scheduled for May 15.

She concluded by congratulating Yellckin Brenes for being elected as the next NOCE student trustee.

Cypress College Academic Senate President Jaclyn Magginetti shared several upcoming discussion items for the May 14 Academic Senate meeting, including revisions to the attendance and academic honesty policies, guided pathways program map design, the Guided Pathways annual report, and updates to the campus technology plan.

She also shared that the Senate will discuss a proposed drop survey intended to better understand why students leave courses. She concluded by thanking the District for hosting the May 1 Student-Centered Funding Initiative meeting and highlighted the collaboration and discussions that took place across the District.

Fullerton College Academic Senate President Bridget Kominek congratulated Fullerton College on the 2026 State of the College presentation and recognized the collaborative work completed across the District.

She also shared a resolution approved by the Fullerton College Faculty Senate opposing proposed changes to institutional eligibility requirements under the Higher Education Act. She presented concerns regarding proposed changes to accreditation regulations related to the use of student data, cost-efficiency measures, and intellectual diversity requirements.

Adjunct Faculty United

Adjunct Faculty United President Marlo Smith expressed appreciation for classified professionals in recognition of Classified School Employee Week. She also thanked CSEA President Elaine Loayza for her support and advocacy for classified employees.

She concluded by discussing the class-action lawsuit about adjunct faculty compensation. She shared that it was filed independently, not by Adjunct Faculty United. She acknowledged ongoing concerns about compensation and workload and stated that she welcomes continued good-faith discussions with the District on these issues.

Board of Trustees Reports

NOCE Student Trustee Kristine Nacu shared updates on recent student engagement and leadership activities, including the final Tea Time with the Student Trustee session held at the Anaheim Campus on May 1. She shared that ESL students attended and provided feedback regarding student needs and resources.

She announced that the 2026 NOCE Commencement and Student Success Awards Ceremony will take place on May 15 at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos and congratulated Yellckin Brenes on being elected as the 2026–2027 NOCE Student Trustee.

Fullerton College Student Trustee Samiy Castillo Bolivar shared updates from the final Associated Students Senate and executive meetings of the semester, including campus initiatives, revisions to Associated Students governing documents, and discussions regarding student representation across different academic departments and programs.

He concluded by sharing statements approved by Associated Students regarding immigration enforcement concerns affecting students and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in academic work.

Cypress College Student Trustee Zachary Colinco shared that Associated Students recently held its annual banquet to celebrate the accomplishments and activities of the semester. He also thanked President Dr. Scott W. Thayer for attending the event.

He concluded by sharing that Associated Students will host its annual finals pop-up event to provide students with snacks, drinks, and stress-relief items during finals week.

Trustee Stephen T. Blount thanked the Board for approving a 5% increase to Board member stipends.

Trustee Jeffrey P. Brown shared reflections from the recent Community College League of California conference, including a session focused on college and District marketing strategies. He highlighted discussions on how colleges can better distinguish themselves through taglines and noted that Cypress College’s “We Take This Journey Together” message reflected those themes.

Board Secretary Mark Lopez reported on his attendance at several recent events, including the Chancellor Connect; the District’s Black Faculty and Staff Association End of Year Backyard Boogie; the Cypress College Disability Support Services celebration, and a Cypress College student art show featuring student-created artwork.

Trustee Evangelina Rosales shared reflections from the recent Board Retreat and thanked the three student trustees for participating and contributing to the discussions.

Trustee Rosales also attended the Community College League of California conference and highlighted sessions on artificial intelligence in higher education and on efforts to support students affected by immigration enforcement concerns.

She also recognized the retirement celebration for Fullerton College Vice President of Instruction Dr. José Ramón Núñez and thanked him for his years of service to the District and Fullerton College.

Trustee Dr. Ryan Bent thanked trustees for their participation in the recent Board Retreat and those who attended the Community College League of California conference for sharing information and insights from the conference sessions.

Trustee Bent also recognized Fullerton College Vice President of Instruction Dr. José Ramón Núñez for his years of service to the District and thanked him for his leadership, presentations to the Board, and collaboration with campus groups throughout his career.

Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath shared reflections on the recent Yom HaShoah event held at Cypress College and thanked Emeritus Professor Clifford Lester and others for sponsoring it. She also recognized Holocaust survivors for sharing their stories.

Dr. Barbara Dunsheath also shared highlights from the recent Community College League of California conference, including sessions focused on guided pathways, board goals and evaluations, artificial intelligence in higher education, and strategic reserve management.

During the discussion, Chancellor Breland recognized Board President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath for 20 years of service as a trustee and congratulated her on being elected president of the Community College League of California Board.

She concluded by recognizing Dr. José Ramón Núñez's retirement celebration and expressing appreciation for his service to the District.

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Anaheim Campus.