Meet the CalWORKs Team
Dr. Sade Burrell
Associate Dean of Student Services and Special Programs
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Dr. Sade Burrell is a socially conscious leader with a deep commitment to diversity, access, and student success. She has dedicated over 15 years of her life and career to serving members of the community. With experience as a tenured faculty member at another college and as an Associate Dean at Cuyamaca College, Dr. Burrell has inspired and empowered others through her own intersecting identities and using them to analyze her mindset and hone in on her skills and passions for serving others. Dr. Burrell seeks to create an equity-centered, assessment-based system by implementing and sustaining positive changes that benefit those she serves. |
Asma Yassi
CalWORKs Counselor and Program Coordinator
| Hello! My name is Asma Yassi, and I am the full-time CalWORKs counselor and program coordinator. I was originally born in Baghdad, Iraq then I immigrated to the U.S. in 2005. I am a former student of Cuyamaca College, transferred to San Diego State University to earn my bachelors in Biology. Then, I found my calling in Counseling and earned my master’s in Education with emphasis in Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University. I have served as a General Counselor and EOPS counselor before, I have also worked at San Diego City College until I became full time in 2018 and was assigned to serve the CalWORKs population. Aside from counseling and coordinating the CalWORKs program, I also teach COUN 120 and WEX 110 courses and participate in various committees and events on campus. I am so grateful to work with my students and be able to serve and guide them to reach their personal, academic, and career goals. Community college has transformed my life and I want my students to go through a successful journey here at the college and beyond. |
Sara Allen
Program Specialist
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Hello, my name is Sara Allen and I have been with the Cuyamaca CalWORKs Program for 21 years, starting as a Student Worker in 2004 and now I am the Program Specialist. I met my husband, Michael Allen, a Financial Aid Advisor, here in 2004 and we married in 2012. In CalWORKs, we strive to help students during their educational journey, whether it is with Student Supplies or printing materials for class. We also have an awesome Work Study Program for eligible students. Stop by and see us in G-300. |
Hala Barsom
Office Interpreter
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My name is Hala Barsom I was born in Iraq. I earned an associate degree in Business of Technology from Cuyamaca College in 2017. I am bilingual in English and Arabic. I work at the CalWORKs office as Interpreter and Office Assistant, I love working with CalWORKs students to help and support them. |
Rita Paulus
Office Interpreter
| My Name is Rita Paulus, I graduated from Cuyamaca College in 2017, I have associate degree in Social work, and I am working as an interpreter with CalWORKs office. I Fluent in the English, Arabic, and Chaldean languages. I enjoy serving students and look forward to help students to achieve their goals and support them through their journey. |
Carla Edwards
Part-Time Counselor
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Hi, my name is Carla Edwards and I am very pleased to serve you as a semi-retired CalWORKs counselor. I have over 22 years of experience in several college districts and enjoy working with students of many different cultures, backgrounds and languages. CalWORKs students have a special place in my heart because I know how difficult it can be raising children on a shoestring budget. Having the ambition to pursue a higher education and make a better life for oneself and family is to be commended. Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable! My M.A. is in College Counseling and Student Services from the University of San Diego and my B. A. is in Journalism from San Diego State University. I have a son, a daughter and two grandsons. Hobbies I enjoy include arts and crafts, piano and board games. I look forward to meeting you! |
Martina Peinado
Part-Time Counselor
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Welcome students! Martina Peinado has worked in the CalWORKs Program in different capacities for 25 years. She is currently a part-time Spanish speaking CalWORKs counselor at Cuyamaca College. Martina has an Associate’s in Architectural Technology, Bachelor’s in Public Administration, and Master’s in Counseling from San Diego State University. She is a first-generation transfer student and university graduate and formerly a student who faced socio-economic setbacks throughout her education and young life. Martina is an advocate for students who want to grow personally and professionally, prepare for the workforce, and transfer to a university. She looks forward to meeting you. |
Melanie Baeza-McCray
melanie.baeza-mccray@gcccd.edu
Part-Time Counselor
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My name is Melanie Baeza and I have been a CalWORKs Counselor at Cuyamaca College since 2015. I was raised in the Imperial Valley and have lived in the Central Coast of CA as well as San Diego. My career and educational background have been in academic, university transfer, and career counseling. I was a community college student and transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for Psychology. My Master's degree is from the University of San Diego in Counseling. After 12 years, I am returning to college to complete my Master's in Social Work (MSW). There is never a "perfect" time to pursue your goals! I am a mother of two children and enjoy spending time with them as well as our two kittens. |
Belle Ayala
Part-Time Counselor
| Hello, my name is Belle Ayala, and I am a CalWORKs counselor. I am a proud first-generation college student, I started out at a community college and then transferred to Point Loma Nazarene University to earn my Child Development bachelor's degree. I also hold an M.A. Ed degree with a concentration in counseling and student guidance from Point Loma Nazarene University. I speak Spanish fluently and I enjoy photography during my free time. I am a mother of four children who I enjoy my free time with them at the beach. |
| Hello CalWORKs Cuyamaca community! My name is B. Melissa Pompa Zavala. Right after
high school I enlisted in the United States Military within the Army branch which
made me realize that if I was capable of serving the country I could accomplish so
much more. I’m a product of Community College and former EOPS student. I received
my communication associates at San Diego Mesa College, transferred to San Diego State
University and completed my Bachelor’s degree in Health Communication which motivated
me to continuing my education and received my Masters in Education with an emphasis
in Counseling and Trauma Informed Care Certificate. My academic journey, as you can
see, is diverse as it took me some exploring to find my passion as a Community College
Counselor. My personal and professional experiences have shaped my understanding of
diversity and have largely influenced my commitmentto equity and inclusion as the foundation of my career. I’m committed to using my
journey of healing as a possible model to support students to transition from surviving
to living. |
Yasmine Mena
Part-Time Counselor
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Hello, my name is Yasmine Mena, and I have the opportunity to serve as a part-time Counselor at Cuyamaca College. Growing up in San Diego and spending part of my childhood in Baja California shaped my journey as a first-generation college student. I earned my AA in Psychology from San Diego City College, then transferred to UC San Diego, where I obtained my BA in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. I realized that becoming a community college counselor would allow me to fulfill my passion for mental health and education. I pursued an MA in Education with a concentration in Counseling from San Diego State University. I am committed to fostering equity and diversity to empower every student on their journey to success. |