NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for May 13, 2025
On Tuesday, May 13, 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 Byron D. Clift Breland congratulated the Cypress College Speech and Debate Team for winning the Phi Rho Pi Community College National Tournament in Norfolk, VA. The team competed against 51 other community colleges across the nation, and six Cypress College students earned multiple awards. The Director of Forensics Jennifer Page as well as Speech and Debate co-coaches Kelly Hutchison and Abe Nesheiwat presented team members to the Board of Trustees.
Presentation
Highlights from the Cypress College “State of the College” Presentation:
Cypress College President Dr. Scott Thayer presented key accomplishments and updates from 2024-2025, including:
- Substantial enrollment growth culminating at 12,600 FTES for Spring semester.
- Review of campus events like the Mental Health & Wellness Summit; the AI Summit; APDIA Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; Yom Hoshoah Celebration; and Commit to Cypress.
- Overview of ACCJC reaccreditation status and awards.
- Campus position as “Top 100 Community College” in the nation.
- Improvements to facilities including 60 electric vehicle charging stations and a new coffee shop.
Board Actions
The Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below:
- The Board adopted Resolution No. 24/25-19 in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month.
- The Board adopted Resolution No. 24/25-20 declaring the week of May 18-24, 2025 as the Classified School Employee Week.
Human Resources
The Board approved the retirement of Fullerton College English Instructor Melanie Nabahani.
The Board also approved the hiring of Cypress College Financial Aid Administrative Assistant II Irene Bustamante; NOCE DSS Special Project Coordinator Erick Ju; Cypress College SEM Administrative Assistant I Valezrina Pham; District Services Accounting Analyst Priscilla Romero; and NOCE Admissions & Records Specialist Jenna Tarin.
Chancellor's Staff Reports
NOCE President Valentina Purtell reported on recent campus tours that were given to Dr. Stephen Bean, Orange County Department of Education Superintendent of Schools, and Congressman Lou Correa of the 46th District. She also gave highlights from the NOCE Career Fair and “Paws for Positivity” events. Ms. Purtell invited all to join NOCE this Friday, May 16, 2025, for their Commencement and Student Success event.
Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo thanked all campus staff involved with the celebration of API Heritage Month, including Ethnic Studies professor Rosie Kar and the entire APIDA Amplified team. She thanked Trustee Evangelina Rosales for attending the College’s “Students of Distinction” event and Board Secretary Dr. Barbara Dunsheath for attending the Solar Panel Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. She also thanked Trustee Mark Lopez for going to the Fullerton College Night to welcome incoming students. Dr. Olivo reported that the campus has received a $174,000 grant for its Rising Scholars Program.
Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Irma Ramos invited all employees to attend the Health & Wellness Fair to be held Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Cypress College from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Resource Table Reports
District Management Association President Karla Frizler reported on Executive Board efforts, including updating the organization’s constitution and bylaws as well as upcoming elections. She also expressed continued concerns about the McKnight Job Family Study project timeline and urged the Board to un-pause the Management Reclass Process.
NOCE Academic Senate President Michelle Patrick-Norng reported on the election of new executive board members and said that a special fall election will occur to replace the vice president position. The Academic Senate has also recently voted on and approved the following resolutions: Resolution No. 2025-1: Call for the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) to Offer Employment-Based Immigrant Visas and Resolution No. 2025-2: Affirmation of Support for LGBTQIA2S+ Students and Employees.
Cypress College Academic Senate President Kathleen McAllister congratulated the College’s Speech and Debate Team for their win and said it was inspiring to see how the team had come together. She also reported that the Senate recently voted on and approved the following resolutions: Resolution No. 2025-1: Call for the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) to Offer Employment-Based Immigrant Visas and Resolution No. 2025-2: Affirmation of Support for LGBTQIA2S+ Students and Employees.
California School Employees Association President Elaine Loayza reported on the celebration of Classified Employees Week and listed several accomplishments earned by CSEA this year. She mentioned that the IT Job Family Study Memorandum of Understanding with the District was ratified on May 9, 2025. She also announced that CSEA will soon debut a new logo and shirt design.
Board of Trustee Reports
North Continuing Education Student Trustee Robert Johnson shared his attendance at several events, including: the “Unlock Your Future” tech career fair; tours with Congressman Lou Correa and Superintendent Stephen Bean; and meeting with Cal Bright College. He stated that voting for the next student trustee has closed and results will be released soon.
Fullerton College Student Trustee Sharon Kim reported on the third annual APIDA Cultural Graduation event where students are recognized for their hard work. She also talked about the Friends of Fullerton College Foundation scholarship ceremony and the Transfer Celebration. She announced that she is transferring to University of California San Diego in the fall.
Cypress College Interim Student Trustee Moises Sandoval wished everyone a happy APIDA Heritage Month and reported on the following events: VAPA Student Show; Speech and Debate Fundraiser; the Charger Experience; Student Carnival; and Transfer Student Fair. He congratulated Active Minds for winning the club of the year and Dean David Okawa for working at Cypress College for 30 years.
Trustee Mark Lopez reported on his attendance at the Fullerton College Future Hornets event and Commit to Cypress event. He also spoke about the recent Community College League of California Trustees Conference.
Board Secretary Dr. Barbara Dunsheath congratulated Student Trustee Sharon Kim on being one of Fullerton College’s Students of Distinction. She spoke on Cypress College’s annual Yom Hashoah Celebration, pointing out Cliff Lester’s photographs of the Holocaust survivors which were featured in the program. Dr. Dunsheath also reported on her attendance at the Community College League of California Trustees Conference.
Trustee Dr. Ryan Bent congratulated Dr. Dunsheath on being elected as the President-Elect for the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) Board.
Trustee Evangelina Rosales congratulated Dr. Ryan Bent on earning his Ph.D. and congratulated Dr. Dunsheath on being elected as the President-Elect for the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) Board. She also congratulated Student Trustee Sharon Kim on being one of Fullerton College’s Students of Distinction and reported on her attendance at the Community College League of California Trustees Conference.
Public Comments
Fullerton College student Bianca Stopani shared concerns about various campus issues.
In Memoria
Trustee Evangelina Rosales asked that the meeting be adjourned in honor of Dr. Richard Ramirez who passed away in April. Rosales shared that Dr. Ramirez was a longtime member of the Fullerton College family and was very active in Los Amigos of Orange County. In closing, she read a poem that Dr. Ramirez had written for Chancellor Breland.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room.
