NOCCCD Board Meeting Highlights for May 27, 2025
On Tuesday, May 27, 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 thanked CSEA President Elaine Loayza and her team for organizing the Classified Employee Week lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Fullerton, stating it was wonderful to see everyone out celebrating our classified staff. He announced that he will be attending the Board of Trustees Retreat on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Dr. Breland thanked all faculty, staff, and administrators for their hard work this year.
Presentation
Recognition of Student Trustees
The Board of Trustees recognized the three Student Trustees that served during the 2024-25 academic year: Fullerton College student Sharon Kim, Cypress College student Moises Sandoval, and NOCE student Robert Johnson.
Recognition of Retirees and 25+ Years of Service
The District thanked employees who retired in calendar year 2024-25 as well as those who have been with NOCCCD for 25 years or more of service. These employees have played an integral and transformational role in the success of our students.
Recognition of North Star Awards
The NOCCCD North Star Award is given out once a year by the members of Chancellor’s Staff in appreciation of an individual’s exceptional contribution to our campuses and District.
The winners of the 2025 NOCCCD North Star Award:
- Marcie Kagawa, Cypress College, Communications Specialist
- Jim McKamy, Fullerton College Campus Safety Coordinator
- Deb Perkins, NOCE, Director of Student Success and Equity
- Bea Bates, NOCCCD, District Manager, Payroll
Learn more about the achievements and accomplishments of this year's winners.
Board Actions
The Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below:
- The appointment, compensation, and benefits of Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna to the position of NOCCCD Vice Chancellor, Educational Services and Institutional Effectiveness, effective September 1, 2025.
- The adoption of revised Board Policy 7600: Campus Safety Officers.
Human Resources
The Board approved the retirement of Fullerton College ESL Instructor Elizabeth Gaitatjis and Fullerton College Building Maintenance Coordinator Carlos Reza.
The Board approved the resignations of Human Resources Technician Erika Ramirez and Human Resources Coordinator/EEO and Compliance Valerie Romero.
The Board also approved the hiring of NOCE Older Adults Program Instructor Danielle Bloom; Cypress College Radiology Instructor Ryan Gregory Garcia; Cypress College Nursing Instructor Michelle Walker; NOCE Director of Admissions and Records Beverly Heasley; Cypress College Student Services Technician Carlos Martinez III; and Cypress College Special Projects Coordinator STEM2 Program Alyssa Perez.
Chancellor's Staff Reports
NOCE President Valentina Purtell reported on the campuses’ recent Student Success and Commencement event where degrees, certificates, and awards were handed out to students. She thanked dignitary guests for attending, including: Board of Trustees President Jeff Brown, Board of Trustees Vice President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath, Board of Trustees Secretary Ed Lopez, Board of Trustees Member Dr. Ryan Bent, and Board of Trustees Member Evangelina Rosales as well as Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland, Vice Chancellor Fred Williams, and District Director Kai Stearns. She also reported on the May 27 joint celebration with District Services to celebrate classified staff members. She thanked Joseph Aranda, Julie Schoepf, and Bea Bates for organizing the event.
Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo raved about the new Inside Fullerton Magazine which was completely produced by students, drawing attention to a beautiful portrait of activist Sylvia Mendez. She thanked Board of Trustees Member Mark Lopez for attending Fullerton’s First Year Experience program celebration. Dr. Olivo also reported that the Healthy Hornet meal service provided 169,847 healthy meals to students this academic year.
Cypress College President Dr. Scott Thayer announced that the campus is deep into celebration season with Commencement planned for Friday, May 30. He congratulated all the students who were awarded scholarships this year, saying that over $500,000 was distributed. He congratulated Cypress College North Star Award recipient Marcie Kagawa and all the other employees meeting milestones.
Vice Chancellor of Finance & Facilities Fred Willliams gave an update of the May Revision update of the California budget which was released on May 14. He noted that the State is now predicting a $12 billion deficit. He reminded everyone that NOCCCD won’t receive COLA or growth dollars in the upcoming budget year as we are still in Hold Harmless.
Resource Table Reports
Cypress College Academic Senate President Kathleen McAllister reported that this was her last Board Meeting, saying that she has learned a lot in her role as President. She also introduced Jaclyn Magginetti as next year’s President, saying that she is very committed.
Fullerton College Faculty Senate President Bridget Komineck gave updates including the adoption of Artificial Intelligence catalog guidelines; the approval of the Strategic Plan, the DSS Advocacy Resolution; the posthumous degree conferral of Caleb Strouss, and Jorge Gamboa being chosen as Manager of the Year.
California School Employees Association President Elaine Loayza congratulated all student trustees and award recipients. She also thanked everyone who attended the Classified Lunch and gave a shout out to emcee David Soto. She reported that CSEA and NOCCCD are closer to having a full contract and are opening successor negotiations.
Adjunct Faculty President Marlo Smith congratulated all student trustees and award recipients. She also reminded attendees that just as students want to be seen and heard by their professors, adjunct faculty like to be told that they matter.
Board of Trustees Reports
North Continuing Education Student Trustee Robert Johnson gave an overview of the recent Student Center Survey, saying that 278 students responded to 21 questions. He also announced that Kristine Nacu has been elected as the 2025/26 NOCE Student Trustee, saying that she is the President of campuses’ Christian Club. He thanked several people for supporting him as Student Trustee, including Valentina Purtell, Neisha Jenkins, Jennifer Perez, Julie Schoepf, and Byron Breland.
Fullerton College Student Trustee Sharon Kim gave her last Board report with an overview of year-end celebrations. She reflected on her time as a Trustee, working three jobs and being a full-time student. She praised community colleges, saying what a unique institution they are, full of life and opportunity for students.
Cypress College Interim Student Trustee Moises Sandoval reported on year-end celebrations, including Finals Fuel, Associated Students study sessions, Mortuary Science Commencement, and Cypress Pride Lavender Graduation and Queer Prom. He said thank you to everyone on the Board and at Cypress College for supporting him.
Trustee Mark Lopez reported on Fullerton Museum activities including Pridefest on June 7 and the Day of Music on June 21. He congratulated Professor Jodi Balma on her 25 years of service and remarked that Balma was his professor when he was a student at Fullerton College. He congratulated all the Student Trustees, nothing that Moises was the recipient of two scholarships.
Trustee Evangelina Rosales remarked on her experiences with each Student Trustee. She stated how proud she was of all the service recipients saying that is very rare in current times to be a part of an organization that lifts people up. She celebrated Memorial Day with a reading of “Salud America” which honors Latinos’ military service.
Board Vice President Dr. Barbara Dunsheath congratulated all the Student Trustees and asked them to keep in touch. She reported on Cypress College giving out $500,000 in student scholarship awards. She also thanked Kathleen McAllister for her 25 years of employment.
Trustee Stephen T. Blount congratulated all the students graduating this year, saying that they’re all inspirational.
Trustee Dr. Ryan Bent congratulated all the Student Trustees and reported on his attendance at the NOCE Commencement and Student Success event, saying that he especially looks forward to the joy of student accomplishments.
Public Comments
Fullerton College student Bianca Stopani shared concerns about various campus issues.
Professor Jodi Balma stated her appreciation of the honorary degree given to Fullerton College student Caleb Strouss, saying that he was active at the Veterans Resource Center and was always incredibly supportive of his classmates.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room.
