Governor Appoints Faculty Member Jolena Grande to California Community Colleges Board of Governors
Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Cypress College faculty member Jolena Grande to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. She is a long-time leader on the campus, including in her program and on the Academic Senate, and was instrumental in the college’s efforts to offer baccalaureate degrees.
Grande has been a full-time instructor in the Mortuary Science Program since 1999 and was an adjunct faculty member in the program from 1995-1999. She is also an alumna of Cypress College. The Westminster resident completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Oklahoma and two master’s degrees at National University.
“Jolena’s appointment to the Board of Governors is an exciting and well-deserved honor,” said JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D., president of Cypress College. “We are proud of her selection and know that she will represent community college students and employees well in this role.”
In addition to her work at Cypress College, she has been a licensed embalmer at Service Corporation International since 2009. Grande is a member of the National Association of Colleges of Mortuary Science and the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges sets policy and provides guidance for the 72 districts and 114 colleges, including Cypress College, which constitute the system. The 17-member board is appointed by the governor and formally interacts with state and federal officials and other state organizations. The California Community Colleges serve 2.1 million students annually.
About Cypress College:
Cypress College has motivated the minds of students since 1966. For nearly a half-million people — including actors, athletes, doctors, executives, mechanics, nurses, and teachers — Cypress College has been a springboard to their dreams. For some, Cypress College is the ticket into their university of choice and for others it provides essential training for a rewarding career. Just one Cypress College class is often all it takes to provide cutting-edge skills that lead to a promotion or a new job.
Cypress College’s 16,000 students and the highly qualified teaching faculty are proud of the many excellent academic and vocational programs. Cypress College offers 56 university-transfer majors, 176 career-certificate programs, and degrees in 73 areas of study. The college’s traditional semesters begin in January and August, while short-term courses start throughout the year. A Cypress College education costs $46 per unit — $138 for a typical, full-credit class — California’s lowest tuition. Financial aid and scholarships are also available to qualifying students.
Cypress College is one of three campuses in the North Orange County Community College District and a member of the 114-campus California Community College System. The college primarily serves the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Garden Grove, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, and Stanton.
Located at 9200 Valley View Street in Cypress, the college is easily accessible from several Southern California freeways, including the 5, 91, 605, 22, and 405. The campus is just a stone’s-throw from Downtown Disney and Knott’s Berry Farm.
