December 11, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANAHEIM, CA – December 11, 2023 – The board of the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2 MEND) organization is excited to share that Dr. Scott W. Thayer has been selected as the next president of Cypress College. The decision was approved by the North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees at their Nov. 14 meeting.
“Dr. Scott Thayer was a part of the leadership that established A2 MEND almost 20 years ago,” said Herbert English, President, A2 MEND. “He has been laser focused on student success and positive change within the California Community College system. He will go above and beyond as a college president for the campus and community.”
Prior to arriving to Cypress College, Dr. Thayer served as an administrator in the California Community College system for the past 23 years in various executive leadership positions during his career at San Bernardino Valley College, Cuyamaca College, Pasadena City College, and Los Angeles Southwest College. Dr. Thayer has been an advocate for historically underrepresented students throughout his professional career.
“I am excited for Cypress College as not only are they gaining a seasoned equity focused leader, but they are also gaining a great, kind, and conscientious person,” said Dr. Edward Bush, President, Cosumnes River College, and a founding member of A2 MEND. “I am eagerly anticipating the impactful work that will occur at Cypress College under Dr. Thayer’s leadership.”
Dr. Thayer holds a doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Southern California. Prior to this, he earned his Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Point Loma Nazarene University in California, his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rollins College in Florida, and his Associate of Arts from Normandale Community College in Minnesota. Notably, Dr. Thayer was awarded a scholarship to extend his baseball career at Rollins College following his instrumental role in securing two state championships for Normandale Community College.
“We are so excited and proud that Dr. Thayer will be the next president of Cypress College,” said Dr. Ricky Shabazz, President, San Diego City College. “Dr. Thayer works to improve the educational conditions for all students which makes him an excellent leader. He will work collaboratively with faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and students to further many of the great efforts that are already underway at Cypress College. I promise you that they made the right choice.
Dr. Thayer is actively engaged in professional development and community organizations. He has fulfilled the role of a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) coach through the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative (IEPI) under the state Chancellor’s Office. Additionally, Dr. Thayer has contributed as a member of Partnership Resource Teams, offering technical assistance to bolster student access, retention, K-20 partnerships, and equity and success initiatives.
In addition to his position as the treasurer and a founding member of A²MEND, he is also a cofounder of Have Faith, Be Strong, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer. Together with his wife Maria, they take pride in being parents to their daughters, Maya, and Marisol.
Dr. Thayer will assume his new role in January 2024.
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The African American Male Education Network & Development (A2 MEND) organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by African American male educators who utilize their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system to increase success of African American male students. Since establishing the organization in 2006, A2 MEND has served as the premiere nonprofit solely focused on addressing the lack of educational success for African American male students in community colleges.