CalWORKs - Team
Supporting parents to achieve their academic goals; helping them to create new opportunities for themselves; their children; & their communities.
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Or call: (619) 644-7552
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CalWORKs Team
Veronica Romero, M.A.
Associate Dean of Student Services & Special Programs
(EOPS/CARE/NextUp, CalWORKs, ARC)
Speaks: English and Spanish
My name is Veronica and I am the Associate Dean of Student Services and Special Programs. Although I began this position in 2023, I have been at Grossmont College for over 16 years as a classified staff member, supervisor, and counselor. I look forward to supporting the mission of our CalWORKs department and am excited for the great work ahead. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Spanish and a Master's in Counseling from the University of San Diego.
Gabrielle Gosselin
CalWORKs Program Coordinator/Counselor
Speaks: English, Italian and Kinyarwanda
I lead and counsel for the CalWORKs/New Horizons Department. I am grateful that I engage daily with a diverse department serving students who speak over 27 languages and transcend socioeconomic barriers.
I hold a Bachelor’s in Africana History, Master’s in Counseling, Multiculturalism/Cross-Cultural Education, and specialized training in trauma informed care, culturally responsive counseling, and inclusive and belonging pedagogy.
CalWORKs Counselor
Speaks: English and Arabic
Noora Al Saegh is a CalWORKs counselor and outreach lead who brings 10 years of CalWORKs progressive experience and student services. Noora is so passionate to serve diverse students and support them with their path to success. Noora is a licensed Conflict Resolution Trainer and hold a certificate in Project Management (PMP). She holds Bachelor’s in English Literature and Art and Master’s of Science degree in Educational Counseling in Higher Education.
CalWORKs Counselor
Speaks: English and French
My name is Michelle!
I have worked at CalWORKs since 2016, and I feel very grateful to work with such remarkable human beings over the years.
Before my career as a professional counselor in the community college setting, I attained 15+ years of experience teaching in the areas of early-childhood education, special education, K-12 education, parent-education, and social services, combined. In 2013, I earned my B.A. in Sociology and Ethnic Studies, and later earned my Masters of Arts in with a concentration in multicultural community counseling. This led to over seven years of lecturing within the Community-Based Block (CBB) program at San Diego State University serving post-graduate counselors-in-training.
CalWORKs Counselor and New Horizons
Speaks: English, Arabic, and Chaldean
My name is Sandi Duraid, and I love working with CalWORKs and New Horizons' student population. I have been with CalWORKs since 2019 as a counselor. I have a Master’s in Education with concentration in counseling from SDSU as well as a Bachelor’s in Psychology and minor in Counseling and Social Change. I am also certified in Trauma Informed Care. I have many years of experience in counsleing as well as teaching and with the county, county contractors, organizations, and school districts.
CalWORKs and New Horizon's Counselor
Speaks: English
My name is Theron Page CalWORKs Adjunct Counselor. I majored in Sociology at UC Berkeley and obtained my Master’s in Higher Education Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University. I have always had a passion working with students and CalWORKs has allowed me to do it..
CalWORKs Counselor
Speaks: English and Hmong
Hi! My name is Carrie and I've been with Grossmont College's CalWORKs Department since
2022. I am grateful to work with an amazing and passionate team to help our CalWORKs
students in their educational journey. I have my Master's degree in Education Counseling
from San Diego State University and my Bachelor's degree in Human Development, with
a focus on Adult Development and Gerontology Concentration from CSU East Bay. I am
also certified in Mental Health Recovery and Trauma-Informed Care. I look forward
to meeting with you!
CalWORKs Counselor
Speaks: English
My name is Alembrhan, but I go by Alem. I was born and raised in San Diego, however, my family originates from Ethiopia. I have a passion for working with people who come from communities that are traditionally underserved, as I am one of those people. I have received my Bachelors of Arts from San Diego State University after studying Sociology and Africana Studies. I have also received my Masters of Science for Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice. Through my personal experience and education, I value the power relationships have to support one’s growth and provide healing. Because of this, I love spending time with my family and friends as much as I can. I also love new experiences with new people; everyone’s story or experiences often provide an opportunity for me to learn more about others and myself. I am always happy if I can visit the beach and spend time with my fur baby, Skye.
CalWORKs Counselor
Speaks: English
Hi everyone, my name is Jordan Nash and I'm a CalWORKs counselor. I'm a Mesa College and SDSU alumni, majoring in Communication Studies and earning my MA in Education - Counseling. I've been working in education for about 6 years and have had the pleasure of working with students from all types of backgrounds. Growing up in a single parent home helps me resonate with our students and I'm happy to be a helpful part of this process. of My passions are serving others, inspiring and enacting change, and speaking out on issues. I look forward to bringing all my experiences together and serving our students here in CalWORKs.
I'm a San Diego native who enjoys going to concerts, exploring the city, and spending time with others. When I have down time I'm likely: listening to music, playing video games, doing home improvement projects being active, or traveling.
Sahar Mohammadi
CalWORKs Counselor
Speaks: English and Farsi
Hello! My name is Sahar Mohammadi and I am an Adjunct Counselor here at CalWORKS. I am eager to meet with so many people from various backgrounds in hopes of learning more about the rich cultures here at Grossmont. I come from an Afghan refugee family myself, which has taught me to stay resilient during difficult times and to help others as they face theirs. I am here to not only support you, but to empower you during your academic journey.
As a first-generation student, I look forward to helping others in achieving their educational goals and seeing them succeed. I have received my bachelor’s degree in History at California State University San Marcos and my master’s degree in Educational Counseling at San Diego State University. I am forever grateful for the opportunities that I have been given to be in this position that I am today. I am excited to build trusting relationships with both my peers and students so that we are all able to continue to flourish as a caring community.
Gerardette Nutt
Program Specialist
Speaks: English
Bill Rapolla
Account Clerk Senior
Speaks: English
Rafael A. Cazzorla
Speaks: English and Spanish
I am a Projects Lead, Outreach Committee Member, and Cultural Committee member for the CalWORKs/New Horizons Department, and am constantly honored to work with such a creative and forward-thinking team. I come from a first-generation, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual background, and am always looking to bring different perspectives into my work. I speak English and Spanish with working knowledge of German and French, and keep conversational Arabic and Persian as a future goal.
I graduated from San Diego State University in History with minors in Arabic & Islamic Studies, Classics, and Journalism. I love to continue practicing a plurality of skills I have learned from being a K-7th grade English Teacher, working in immigrant & refugee services, language translations, and magazine editorial and copywriting positions with whatever new work project I tackle. Having worked in classrooms from California to Turkey, with copyediting and content creation experience for projects based in the USA, Mexico, Columbia, Portugal, and Iran, I bring various points of view into the already beautifully multi-cultural space that is CalWORKs/New Horizons.
When away from my work computer, I love spending time in the sun and trying different food spots with good company, as well as writing poetry, listening to new music, and dancing.
Jose Dizon
Speaks: English
Uhmbaya Laury
Speaks: English
Sudad Abdulrazak
Speaks: English and Arabic
Marie Robinson
Speaks: English
Bojin Haji
Speaks: English, Arabic, Farsi, and Kurdish
I am a senior front staff member and Peer Ambassador Lead for the CalWORKs/New Horizons. In
addition, I also have previous experience at the International Rescue Committee (IRC),
where I functioned as a liaison between several departments. Refugee issues and rights,
as well as politics, are huge passions of mine, with my biggest passion being helping
students at CalWORKs! I am also the administrator and content creator of CalWORKs'
multicultural Afghan/Kurdish/Persian Facebook group, "Sharing is Caring". Check us
out!
I am a Triton alumnus of the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor
of Political Science - International Studies. Although I may have a degree, I will and always will remain to be a dedicated life-long
learner. By being resourceful by adapting to numerous settings including immigrating to a new
country, being a transfer student from Grossmont College to University of California,
San Diego, etc. it has allowed me to remain open-minded to many different cultures
from interacting with people of different cultures to adapting my learning style. I am always excited to meet new people in different cultures and having lived in several
countries throughout my life, and subsequently have learned to speak five languages
– Kurdish being my native, with Arabic, Persian, Turkish and English being learned
later.
Nabeel Shano
Speaks: English, Arabic, Chaldean
Greetings all, my name is Nabeel Shano. I am proud being a husband, father, and a grandfather. I am a senior staff, and I have been working in the CalWORKs department as an ambassador since 2017.
I was fortunate to be part of Grossmont College from the beginning, as the college provided me with the opportunity to work and study. As for my studies, I started back in Spring 2017 with the ESL classes. Then, I started with Business as a major, and I was able to obtain a degree in Business General. Also, I am on my way obtaining another degree in Arabic. In addition, by the end of the spring 2023 semester I will obtain a degree in Business Administration and transfer to university work on my bachelor’s degree (thinking of multiple degree choices in this regard.) I would like to extend gratitude and appreciation to all counselors in our CalWORKs office, and other departments, who helped me reaching this academic goal.
Through my work at the CalWORKs department, I was able to achieve several goals at the same time including gaining income and as well as helping students with various aspects, especially newcomers to the United States. Through this the individuals’ sense of importance in his or her new society, and I feel warm from the looks of appreciation and respect from the students that I help. I believe that in helping others we create a healthy and perfect society. I had previously worked as a volunteer in a non-profit organization for four years, from 2016 to 2020. I stopped due to the spread of the pandemic.
Within my personal hobbies and interests, I love to read a lot, especially about philosophy. My previous readings contributed to the development of communication and dialogue skills with others, which are necessary to achieve a common goal. I love building rapport with the student. I believe if the student does not trust the person to help him, that help will not be of any use.
You can contact me directly if you need help.
Sospeter Kamau
Speaks: English and Swahili
Ajmal Fazli
Speaks: English, Pashtu, Dari
Rajiha Abdulrahmam
Speaks: English, Arabic, Kurdish
Ghalib Hamad
Speaks: English, Arabic
The CalWORKs Inreach Team works to promote the CalWORKs Program on campus by hosting fun and educational events.
The CalWORKs Outreach Team conducts events outside of campus to reach out to the San Diego community. If you're interested in having CalWORKs present at your event, call us at (619) 609-7430.
Noora Al Saegh
CalWORKs Counselor/Outreach Lead
Rafael Cazzorla
Program/ Project Lead and outreach member
Bojin haji
Student Worker and outreach member
The Cultural Committee gives a platform to cultural groups that are both a part of the CalWORKs/New Horizons Department and Grossmont College in order to better inform our counselors, department, and campus as a whole.
