InsideNOCCCD- January 2025 Edition

The latest news from the North Orange County Community College District.

Beginning in the Fall of 2026, Fullerton College will be launching its first ever Bachelor of Science in Drones and Autonomous Systems. The program will be a ground-breaking and affordable option for those interested in learning about operations, management, applications, and programming in a rapidly growing field with a hands-on approach. This will be the college’s first and only bachelor’s degree program.

The new Bachelor of Science program builds on the existing highly acclaimed Drone Lab at Fullerton College. The program has offered two associates degrees and four certificate programs since its founding in 2018 by Professor and Program Director Jay Seidel. The Fullerton Drone Lab developed the first-ever registered apprenticeship program in the country for drone piloting and has been named the most built-out drone program in California.

“Being able to provide this level of training in such a growing tech field will be transformative for both our students and for the industry,” said Seidel. “Students will be able to learn and develop quality skills and earn a bachelor’s degree in technology at an affordable price, thus making college more attainable for a greater number of students.”

At the December 17, 2024 Board of Trustees meeting, history was made when Robert Johnson was sworn in as the first Student Trustee representative to North Orange Continuing Education.

The event took place at Cypress College and was held in partnership with The Steve Fund, Fullerton College, Cypress College, and NOCE. The Steve Fund is a national organization dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.

The Diversity Report is an annual evaluation of the District’s commitment toward diverse and equitable employment practices. It looks at trends over time in hiring and the make-up of the District’s staff in comparison with the student body and surrounding community.

At the November 26, 2024 Board of Trustees meeting, the Board officially approved the 2022-2026 NOCCCD District-Wide Strategic Plan. The plan outlines how the District Strategic Directions identified in the 2021-2030 Educational and Facilities Master Plan will be achieved through initiatives requiring collaboration and coordination among District Services and all campus constituents.

A workgroup to create the Strategic Plan was formed in 2022. They worked with a design team to create a Strategic Compass that included “intentional alignment with identity and purpose,” “continuous adaptation and learning,” and incorporating “leading measures of inputs and processes.” Each part of the compass was intended “to uplift individuals and communities through education, a vehicle for social mobility.”

NOCCCD District Director of Research, Planning, and Data Management, Dr. Gabrielle Stanco, said about the completion of this plan, “I am hopeful that NOCCCD’s Strategic Compass approach to planning will help the District anchor the work we do in our shared identity and purpose and that we will be able to fine-tune more effectively to better serve students throughout the year.”

NOCCCD Board of Trustee meetings are held twice a month. The Board gathers to address District business including: staffing changes, fiscal matters, the passing of Board Policies, and other issues affecting Cypress College, Fullerton College, and NOCE