English Department Faculty

Department Chair

Tania Jabour, Ph.D.

tania.jabour@gcccd.edu

I teach composition and literature for the English Department, and I have a special interest in issues of gender, sexuality, race, and social justice. I love helping students express themselves in writing and critically engage with important, real-world issues. In my spare time, I love to read, walk, cook, travel, and hang out with my pup, Bennie. I am also English Department Chair and Outcomes Assessment Co-Coordinator at Cuyamaca College; please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Kelly Allen

Dulce Arteaga

Ryan Bacchiaryan.bacchia@gcccd.edu

I have been teaching English at Cuyamaca College since 2006, and I have taught English 120, English 124, English 120/020 and various literature courses. As a professor for over eighteen years, I can honestly say that I love what I do and am passionate about writing, literature, social issues, and pop culture. And, although I have lived in San Diego for nearly 20 years, I am originally from the Philadelphia area, so I am a huge Eagles fan.

 Sample syllabus

Lindy Brazil

I taught as a representative of Cuyamaca College in Madrid, Spain during the 2023 spring semester. It was an amazing international experience!

Bri Brownbrianna.brown@gcccd.edu

I am highly invested in equity and helping students move through the English sequence and graduate with their desired degree or certificate. I have taught the full sequence of the English course sequence, and I am now serving as our college's Distance Education Coordinator. It is my hope that students feel validated, empowered, included, and celebrated in my courses through the content, policies, feedback, and accessibility I strive to provide. To this end, I use no-points grading systems in my classes. If you would like to see how this works, see my most recent course syllabi!

I live in Murrieta with my two cats, my husband, and our infant son. We enjoy watching sports (mainly football and basketball) and trying new restaurants together. I love to take indoor cycling and yoga classes, and I played competitive softball for fifteen years.

English 120/020 sample syllabus

English 124 sample syllabus 

English 238 (Black Literature) sample syllabus

Marvelyn Buckymarvelyn.bucky@gcccd.edu

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world" –Nelson Mandela

Marvelyn Bucky earned her Bachelor's Degree in English, Master's in English, as well as Master's in Education at San Diego State University. She’s been teaching English at the college level since 1994 and is a full-time professor at Cuyamaca College. She believes in creating a community of learners, engaging with texts from diverse authors, building on students’ own experience to enter into conversations which deepen understanding of themselves and the world around them. Every day, her students inspire her with their determination to pursue their passions and reach their goals.

On a personal note, she loves to read novels and write poetry. She also enjoys spending time with family and particularly likes to go for walks, watch movies, and travel with her husband and son. Each semester, she looks forward to new insights with her students as they explore their educational, professional, and personal journeys together.

Serena Collierserena.collier@gcccd.edu

Hello! I have had the privilege of teaching composition and reading courses since 2014 at the community college level. My educational background is in reading and writing education, literature, and rhetoric. I enjoy working with a variety of learners and approach my online and in-person courses with a focus on equity, inclusion, and collaboration.

My composition courses focus on informational and argumentative writing, skills necessary for success in other content area classes and real life writing experiences. Our classroom community approaches reading and writing through a social justice lens with a focus on digital literacy and enhancing student's technological skills. 

Personally, my husband and I have four kids and a mini golden doodle. Our family enjoys sports (especially soccer, basketball, and baseball - Go Padres!), reading, going to the beach, and exploring San Diego.

English 120 sample syllabus

Carmen Coxcarmen.cox@gcccd.edu

My teaching philosophy is based on the idea that I am here to help my students achieve and gain skills that will help them in their lives. At the community college level, I have had the privilege of working with incredibly inspiring and hard-working students who have overcome obstacles on their way to success. I am determined to help all my students by providing an individualized, supportive, and warm learning environment. The students I have worked with, as do you, have had much to offer, and I have been very excited to share in the learning process with them and enable them to access their various funds of knowledge to help them continue to grow. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn with you. Every semester, students teach me new ways to see things and I love it! It is an honor to share in this part of your journey.

Mary Grahammary.graham@gcccd.edu

I've been teaching literature, composition, journalism, and creative writing since 1991, when I first began teaching at SDSU. I love helping students find or strengthen their own voices. Every person has something important to say and a unique way of saying it. Your unique view of the world is invaluable, and I would love to learn with you. I am also the Cuyamaca Tutoring Coordinator.

English 217 sample syllabus

Trina Larson, Ph.D.trina.larson@gcccd.edu

I've taught at UCSD, for Cuyamaca, and for Grossmont almost 20 years, and it still feels new! I love working with the students I get to share classes with and enjoy the productive struggle of shaping ideas in words. I hope to share and spread this meaningful work through in the ENGL 120 and ENGL 124 courses I teach at Cuyamaca. Most often, I teach fully online. In my non-teaching life, I love animals, lakes, crossword puzzles, and binging shows. I'm just starting to travel and window shopping for destinations on the cheap. If you wondered, I appreciate all advice. It's wonderful that you're at Cuyamaca with the most caring and amazing faculty. I'm proud to be a part of them and so glad you're here.

Kim Lenox

Cynthia Lunacynthia.luna@gcccd.edu

Hello, my name is Cynthia Luna. I live in San Diego, Ca with my wonderful husband and our three children. We have two sons and a daughter. We love to travel and try to spend as much time as we can by the water. I enjoy reading, watching films, fishing, hiking, and traveling. 

I earned my Master’s degree in English emphasizing in Comparative Literature from San Diego State University. I have been teaching for over 15 years, and I am passionate about teaching writing. I was a community college student myself and was the first to graduate highschool and college in my family. The foundation of my teaching philosophy is rooted in providing care and love for students, providing an example of overcoming hurdles, allowing students to make mistakes and grow from them, and continually believing in their ability to advance and teach me to be a better teacher and human. I strive to to provide an avenue of hope and social change through education, to encourage students to believe that they belong in higher education and can make impact on the world around them. 

English 120/20 sample syllabus

Karen Marrujokaren.marrujo@gcccd.edu

The main courses I teach are composition, Chicanx Literature, and Creative Writing, and because I absolutely love both sharing and hearing stories, I encourage everyone to share their stories and bring their personal experiences and perspectives into the classroom.

Kristin McGregorkristin.mcgregor@gcccd.edu

Giovan Michaelgiovan.michael@gcccd.edu

Miranda Munozmiranda.munoz@gcccd.edu

Carlos Ortizcarlos.ortiz@gcccd.edu

Hi, my name is Carlos Ortiz. I've been teaching at Cuyamaca since 2018. I've also taught high school and middle school. I was born in Sand Diego and have lived on both sides of the border throughout my life. I enjoy reading, writing (creative writing, that is-NOT writing essays) and spending time with my two daughters.

Marisol Thayremarisol.thayre@gcccd.edu

Nikki Williamsnikki.williams@gcccd.edu

Kim Wolfekimberly.wolfe@gcccd.edu

Hello and Welcome to Cuyamaca College! I teach English Composition, 120, 120/20, and 124, and I am fortunate to be able to do something I love as a career. I am thrilled to work with students helping them to refine their authentic student voices through writing. I value all your life experiences, ideas, and thoughts, and I enjoy learning from my students. My English classes focus on writing argument and researching, two skills which will help you not only in your academic pursuits, but also your lives. 

On a personal note, I have two daughters and two sons in law, along with three pups, all of whom keep me pretty busy. I am an avid sports fan (Go Pads!) and love all live music.