Gabrielle Gosselin
CalWORKs Program Coordinator/Counselor

Speaks: English, Italian and Kinyarwanda

 

I lead and counsels 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. Utilizing my familiarity with the French, Italian, Kinyarwanda languages, while incorporating a holistic counseling philosophy focused on the strengths of a dynamic student population, I have excelled at simultaneously supporting the needs of individual students, fostering equity and inclusivity, and celebrating the heterogeneity of the Grossmont Campus community.

  

I have worked as an instructor, counselor, consultant and leader in academia, private industry and human service for over two decades, in San Diego, Hawaii, East Africa and Europe. 

I was raised in Toronto, Canada and the San Francisco Bay Area in a multicultural, multilingual and multi-generational home. I credit my broad cultural experience, especially in East Africa, as her greatest asset in understanding the importance of community. 

 

I hold a BA in Africana History, MA in Counseling, Multiculturalism/Cross-Cultural Education and specialized training in trauma informed care, culturally responsive counseling, and inclusive and belonging pedagogy  

 

I am passionate about travel, learning, horses, music and cooking. 

 

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 Michelle Rowe-Odom

 CalWORKs and New Horizons Counselor

Speaks: English and French

 

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Yohany Corona-Batalona

CalWORKs Counselor/Grossmont Justice Scholars Program Coordinator

Speaks: English and Spanish

 

I have been a counselor in the CalWORKs Department at Grossmont College since 2015, When I started my career as a community college counselor. I have been passionate about working with underrepresented communities since the start of my career within the non-profit/social services programs in San Diego County and later on in higher education.

 

CalWORKs holds a special place in my heart because I was raised by a single mother, who was on public assistance programs, and understands the struggles of parents who are trying to make ends meet in order to provide a better future for her children. I grew up on both sides of the border, where English was not spoken at home, and knows the struggles of children of immigrant parents having to be the culture broker of the family. But because of these amazing and complicated experiences, it has given me the first hand experience of the beauty of culture, the resilience of immigrant communities and the transformational power of education.

 

I graduated with her Master’s Degree in Multicultural Education with an emphasis in Counseling and Social Justice from the CBB program at San Diego State University as well as my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Spanish.

I am fluent in Spanish and loves spending time with my extended family celebrating cultural traditions and is a proud wife and mother of 3 children

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Cierra DeVries

CalWORKs Counselor

Speaks: English

 

Hi everyone, my name is Cierra, like the mountains. I’ve been with Grossmont CalWORKs since I was an intern fresh out of graduate school. I am also one of your New Horizons Counselors!

 

I am a first-generation student, I earned my Associates degree at Grossmont College before transferring to SDSU where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Social Change. From there I went back to SDSU for a graduate program in Education Counseling. I am currently in a program completing my Master’s of Social Work so that I can do both educational counseling and mental health counseling. I am certified in Trauma informed care and also work as a crisis counselor/advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

 

In my time here at CalWORKs, I have been part of the Outreach team, our Social Media Lead, our Website Team lead as well as trained new counselors. At Grossmont I have also been part of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Women’s History month campaigns. My primary focus is always that of our students though, I can’t wait to meet you.

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Sandi Duraid

CalWORKs Counselor

Speaks: English, Arabic, and Chaldean

 

My name is Sandi Duraid. I have a Master’s degree in Education with concentration in counseling from SDSU as well as bachelors in psychology and minor in counseling and social change. I am also certified in Trauma informed care.

 

I have been with CalWORKs since 2019 as a counselor. I have rich experience with CalWORKs and county requirements. I have a professional experience history in different diligent positions like Education, Mental Health, Therapy, and county. I am also trained and certified in remote teaching/counseling, canvas creation and website. I am also part of Grossmont Women’s History Month planning Committee and outreach.

 

I am originally from Iraq (Baghdad).I came here to the U.S as an immigrant. I am multicultural competent as I know a lot about different cultures and always interested to learn more. My knowledge of working with diverse population made me always always believe inequity and recognize people’s strengths and values. I also believe as a department, we uplift each other which gives us the power of resilience and transformation. I enjoy working at CalWORKs and always eager to learn from my students when I provide them personal, academic, and career counseling.

 

Things I enjoy doing are: family time, listening to music, and singing, coordinating, decorating, cooking, and watching series

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Noora Al Saegh
CalWORKs Counselor

Speaks: English and Arabic

 

My name Noora Al Saegh, I have more than 18+ years of progressive experience in Education, Counseling, Leadership and Workforce Development. My professional history includes several professional positions such as Educational and Employment Counselor and Outreach Committee Lead at Grossmont College. I worked also as an instructor and curriculum designer, Individual Development Account and Foreign Relations Coordinator in Middle East, Europe and USA.

 

I am licensed Conflict Resolution Trainer. I hold certificate in Project Management (PMP). I have Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Art and Master degree in Educational Counseling in Higher Education.

 

I arrived to USA as an immigrant woman. I have deep knowledge and experience in providing equitable personal, academic and career counseling. I am an advocate of student success and equity. I enjoy my work as a CalWORKs counselor and always have the passion to support students overcome their barriers to education and employment.

 

In my free time, I enjoy biking, playing chess, and read poetry. I love singing and listening to music. I enjoy planning and coordinating events, parties and conferences.

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Theron Page Jr.

CalWORKs Counselor

Speaks: English 

 

My name is Theron Page CalWORKs Adjunct Counselor, I majored in Sociology at UC Berkeley and obtained my Master in Higher Education Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University. I have lots of experience in so many ways.I have coordinated retreats and personal growth courses. I have dedicated to helping student parents and is enjoys using his passion for counseling to help students hurdle many barriers as single parents, immigrants, refugees etc.

 

I thrive in helping students to see their strengths and work diligently in assisting them with obstacles. I am  committed to the importance of mental health and is an advocate not just for his students but for the whole CalWORKs Family.

 

Growing up as a first-generation student from a low-income single mother household, CalWORKs has a special place In my heart. I am an obsessive Los Angeles Lakers fan, and I like to think I can throw down in the kitchen. My favorite movie is Lion King, but the cartoon version. The real version isn't my cup of tea, but we can debate about it.

 

I like watching documentaries, playing sports, and playing with my Pitbull Blue!