Our Executive Officers have been elected by our entire membership. Our organization is a dynamic community dedicated to nurturing the next generation of visionaries and change-makers. Through mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on experience, we empower individuals to harness their potential and drive impactful change in their communities and beyond. Join us on a journey of growth, leadership, and endless possibilities by contacting your campus leader
Noora Al Saegh has more than 18+ years of progressive experience in Education, Counseling, Leadership and Workforce Development and would be honored to serve as the President for the San Diego Chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (SDCAAWCC). During the 2021-2024 academic year, Noora has been serving on the leadership team of the SDCAAWCC as a Campus Co-Lead and then as a professional Development Coordinator. In her role, Noora plays a critical part in developing programing through her representation of the diverse women in the San Diego Region. She has proposed and helped to implement many innovative ideas which have improved the organization, helping it to earn the distinction of 2021 Chapter of the Year. Noora hopes to serve in a greater capacity as President of the organization to continue the legacy of the chapter to fulfil such goals. Noora has been awarded as 2023 Faculty Woman of the year.
Noora’s professional history includes several professional positions such as Academic and Career Counselor, Outreach Committee Lead at Grossmont College, Professional Development Professor, curriculum designer, Foreign Relations Coordinator, and the Founder of The Bright Nations Initiative. Noora is a licensed Conflict Resolution Trainer. She holds a certificate in Project Management (PMP). Noora has bachelor's degree in English literature and Art and a master's degree in educational counseling in Higher Education.
Noora has deep knowledge and experience in providing equitable personal, academic and career counseling. She is an advocate of student success and equity.
Noora arrived to USA as an immigrant woman. She always supports and participates with community college leaders to help provide learning and spread knowledge about how to incorporate actionable Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) strategies into faculty, staff, and administrator professional development opportunities, culturally responsive teaching and learning practices, and student support services. In 2016, Noora founded and led The Bright Nations Initiatives a nonprofit-organization that has over 40 volunteers in southern California. The Bright Nations aims to help newcomers, immigrants, low-income families, and single mothers by providing them with essential household items in addition to self-sufficiency support. Translation and transportation services are also a part of The Bright Nations Initiatives. Counseling and community resources are also included to empower and help them have successful lives in the United States.
In her Free time, Noora enjoys biking, playing chess, and reading poetry. Noora loves singing and listening to music.
Ask Krista what has most shaped her career and she will say, “a passion for people and a drive to be useful.” As a seasoned non-profit leader and Certified Fundraising Executive currently serving the San Diego Mesa College Foundation, she is fortunate to fulfill both purposes. Since 2010, she has worked alongside impassioned leaders from public, private, and non-profit sectors—as well as exceptionally dedicated community members—to create a more equitable San Diego.
After attending De Anza Community College her senior year in high school and spending a year traveling and working abroad, Krista graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in literature, writing from UC San Diego. She is also a Certified Fundraising Executive; obtained the Cornell graduate certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; graduated from the National University Institute of Philanthropy; is a San Diego Leadership Alliance Fellow and former Board Member; a fellow of the Fieldstone Leadership Network Leadership Reading Circle; is a member of Women Give San Diego where she currently serves on the Transformational Committee and previously served as Co-Chair of the Grants Committee; was a participant in the San Diego Chamber of Commerce's Lead IMPACT Class of 2019 and is a current participant in the ADVANCE Class; and serves as a member of the leadership team for the American Association of Women in Community Colleges.
Krista is also the proud mother of a precocious toddler. Her "troupe" consists of herself, 3 year-old Milan (the one running the show), and their rescue dog Pita. As a single mom from day one, Krista has learned to truly value a cup of coffee.
Brieanna Cuellar is a dynamic and accomplished Technology Project Manager with a rich background in student services, amassing a decade of diverse experience in various capacities from student worker to classified and administrative positions. Armed with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership, her expertise lies in seamlessly merging the realms of education and technology to drive organizational efficiency and elevate educational outcomes.
In her career, Brieanna has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the advancement of education within the community college landscape. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach to project management, she has led and overseen numerous transformative technology initiatives that have significantly enhanced learning environments and operational processes.
Currently enrolled in a PhD Program for Education for Social Justice, Brieanna is dedicated to furthering her knowledge and expertise to address the critical intersection of technology, education and social equity. This commitment reflects her passion for advocating for equal educational opportunities and fostering a just and inclusive society.
Brieanna embodies a forward-thinking and compassionate approach, consistently seeking ways to leverage technology for the betterment of education and society. With an insatiable drive for continuous improvement and a vision of an equitable educational landscape, she is a beacon of change in the realm of community college education.
President: 2022-2024
Dr. Edeama O. Jonah is an Associate Professor/Equity and Engagement Librarian at the San Diego Mesa College. She has worked as an Academic Librarian and gained several years of experience actively working in libraries and engaging with faculty and students toward promoting student success and learning outcomes.
She has a passion for motivating, encouraging, and uplifting women of different age groups and ethnic backgrounds. She was the inaugural Secretary of the chapter and served as Vice President for the San Diego Chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (SDC-AAWCC). She was the pioneering lead of the SDC-AAWCC Affinity Group for Black Women in Community Colleges and started the “Sister-Buddies” program offered to promote connections and relationships that support the women in the chapter.
Dr. Edeama was selected as a member of the 2021 AAWCC ``Under 40” National Award for her contributions to the association. She is currently the President of the San Diego Chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. She is committed to being a part of the team that creates an academic environment where women feel safe, welcomed, respected, and empowered.
Founding President
Julia has over 6 years of experience in Mediation with extensive customer service, accounting, and budget experience in education. Specialized in Conflict Resolution with over 5 years of experience focusing on social perceptiveness and relationship building. Her expertise is in team building, team performance, innovation, and strategic planning. Julia is a leader and effective communicator, with a love for problem-solving, and critical thinking. She is organized and detail oriented, with a passion for languages and traveling.
In addition, Julia values community involvement, which is why she became a member of the San Diego American Association for Women in Community Colleges, she is the secretary/treasurer for the San Diego Community College District Continuing Education Classified Senate, and is currently a volunteer for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Julia loves the outdoors but can be happy with a good book in her hands.
Julia received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University Dominguez Hills in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding. She currently works for the San Diego Community College District Continuing Education at North City as Administrative Assistant III.
Nora Kenney, Ph.D., is the coordinator of the Palomar College Rising Scholars program for currently and formerly incarcerated students. Since being founded in 2018 by a formerly incarcerated professor, Palomar College Rising Scholars has helped over 700 formerly incarcerated individuals pursue vocational and academic credentials. The program is the subject of Almost Home: Life After Incarceration, an Emmy-winning documentary that premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in June 2023. Dr. Kenney overcame childhood trauma to become a tenure track professor who taught, administered programs, and conducted research in Oakland schools and community centers on behalf of the UC Berkeley School of Education, where she also earned her advanced degrees. Dr. Kenney is a proud California community college alumna.
Karla’s career is dedicated to serving students transitioning through different stages of life and education. Karla has worked in higher education for over 18 years. She previously served as the Outreach, Promise Coordinator & Assessment Supervisor at Mesa College. She is currently serving as the Director of EOPS and Special Programs at Mesa College. In her role, Karla oversees the following special programs: Extended Opportunity and Programs and Services (EOPS) which supports students who are financially and educationally disadvantaged to increase college enrollment; The Rising Scholars Program supports students who have been justice impacted; Cooperative Agencies and Resources for Education (CARE) which supports students who are single parents and are current recipients of TANF/CalWORKs; Borderless Scholars Program which supports students who identify as undocumented or mixed status; Next UP and FAST supports students who have experienced foster care; and STAR TRIO which is a federally funded educational opportunity outreach program designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Karla has had the pleasure of working closely with prospective students and their families, serving as an advocate for them, collaborating with staff and faculty to better serve students, and develop programs that help students have successful transitions to community college. Serving diverse student populations through such capacities has motivated and guided her work in academia. Karla graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and earned her Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration in 2020. Karla is on track to begin her Ed.D program in Educational Leadership with UCSD and CSUSM in January 2025. Karla loves spending quality time with her husband Dennis and watching her son Dominik compete in water polo matches.