NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for June 10, 2025
On Tuesday, June 10, 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 discussed several celebrations that closed out the end of the academic year, including the Commencement Celebrations of Cypress College, Fullerton College, and NOCE, saying that the events demonstrated the deep impact our District has on our students’ success.
The Chancellor also welcomed the three new Student Trustees, saying he had an opportunity to meet with each of them for their orientation to the role and that he looks forward to their energy and insights. Lastly, he spoke on the recent Board of Trustees Retreat, thanking the members for their thoughtful dialogue and strategic planning efforts.
Presentation
Seating of New Student Trustees
Board of Trustees President Jeff Brown administered the Oath of Allegiance to the three new Student Trustees that will serve during the 2025-26 academic year: Cypress College student Zachary Colinco, Fullerton College student Samy Castillo Bolivar, and NOCE student Kristine Nacu.
Board Actions
The Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below:
- Authorization to enter into a travel arrangement with Study Abroad Association for the Cypress College and Fullerton College Summer 2026 Study Abroad Program in Panama.
- Curriculum changes for Cypress College, Fullerton College, and NOCE.
Human Resources
The Board approved the retirements of Fullerton College Photography Instructor Melody La Montia; Fullerton College Earth Sciences Instructor Marc Willis; and Cypress College Human Services Instructor Gary Zager.
The Board approved the resignation of District Accounting Specialist Kimberly Do; Fullerton College Facilities Assistant Otto Rosales Flores; and NOCE Senior Research & Planning Analyst Harpreet Uppal.
The Board also approved the hiring of Cypress College Librarian Carolyn Caffrey; Cypress College Foreign Language Instructor Evelyn Gomez; Fullerton College Communication Studies Instructor LaToya Green; Cypress College Chemistry Instructor James Griffin; Cypress College Diagnostic Med Sonography Instructor Jennifer Loza; Cypress College Communications Instructor Justin Perkins; Fullerton College Natural Sciences Instructor Kavita Rajah-Boyer; Cypress College Film/ Media (Media Arts Design) Instructor Grant Speich; NOCE DSPS Instructor Ivan Stanojkovic; Fullerton College Counseling & Student Development Counselor Jewell Taylor; and Fullerton College Laboratory Technician/Horticulture Ashley Signorelli.
Chancellor Staff Reports
NOCE President Valentina Purtell introduced the Board to the campus’ second-ever Student Trustee Kristine Nacu, saying that Kristine began her journey at NOCE in 2022 taking classes toward a healthcare career and then became deeply involved with all aspects of the institution. Kristine is currently taking classes in the entrepreneurship and pharmacy tech programs. President Purtell also gave an update on summer enrollment, saying NOCE is seeing an increase of 8.5% in headcount and 17.8% in registration.
Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo thanked everyone for attending the campus’ 110th Annual Commencement Ceremony as well as those who planned the event. Other highlights from the report included: Summer enrollment is up 15%; there’s a 4% increase in people going to library study rooms; the Student Advocates staff contacted 20,000 students over the year; and that the College was planning its annual management retreat.
Cypress College President Dr. Scott Thayer reported that 750 graduates participate in the 58th Annual Commencement Ceremony. He also reported that the campus is 12% up in headcount and FTES for the 2025 Summer session, and that overall growth in Summer has increased 22% since the 2023 academic year. Dr. Thayer said that many hiring committees are hard at work, selecting 15 new faculty members as well as management hires. He also thanked Kathleen McAllister for serving two years as Academic Senate President and welcomed Jaclyn Magginetti as incoming President.
Resource Table Reports
NOCE Academic Senate President Michelle Patrick-Norng thanked former Student Trustee Robert Johnson for his advocacy and service during his tenure, and welcomed new Student Trustee Kristine Nacu as well as the other Student Trustees, saying that she looked forward to what they will bring to the District. She also referenced the immigration resources sent by President Purtell to all students.
Fullerton College Faculty Senate President Bridget Kominek gave a recap of projects from the Spring semester, including two resolutions passed by the Senate concerning immigration and customs enforcement and the desire to offer employment-based visas to staff. She also thanked Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland for facilitating talks throughout the year about the importance of participatory governance, saying that she appreciated the District empowering faculty to work together.
California School Employees Association President Elaine Loayza spoke about the importance of equitable compensation including retroactive pay, saying that it was vital to success of our organization.
Board of Trustees Reports
North Orange Continuing Education Student Trustee Kristine Nacu thanked everyone for the warm welcome she’s experienced as a new member of the Board, and reflected on her time at NOCE.
Fullerton College Student Trustee Samy Castillo Bolivar reported on campus events including an Art Gallery exhibit featuring a collaboration between the fashion and art departments running until June 24. He also expressed appreciation to Dr. Olivo for her efforts in considering diversity in terms of undocumented students and giving them resources.
Cypress College Interim Student Trustee Zachary Colinco reported on the Associated Students’ efforts around finals week to motivate students for the end of the school year. He also stated that Associated Students has opened applications for new members for the 2025-26 school year.
Trustee Mark Lopez reported on his participation at the Cypress College and Fullerton College Commencement Ceremonies. He particularly liked seeing some of his former high school students graduate. He also congratulated all three new Student Trustees on their elections.
Trustee Evangelina Rosales spoke about the Board of Trustees Retreat on the previous Saturday, thanking everyone who filled out surveys and gave feedback to the Board. She commented that the Retreat gave the Board time to come together as members and assess what they’re doing as a team. She also stated that she was looking forward to working with the Student Trustees and wished everyone a happy summer.
Board Vice President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath reported on her attendance at the various Commencement Celebrations, saying that each event was exemplary and that it was so fun to see the students’ move forward in their lives. She also made a statement that everyone is welcome at our District, including LGBTQIA+ and undocumented students.
Trustee Dr. Ryan Bent said that even though both events were the hottest on record, he had a blast at the Commencement Ceremonies. He noted that this is his ninth year of perfect attendance for all three graduation events.
President Jeff Brown congratulated all students graduating this year, saying that this is such an exciting time and that he is excited to follow their future.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room.
