Alina Sala

Dr. Alina Sala is currently working as a DSPS Counselor/Faculty at San Joaquin Delta College. During her 5 ½ years at Delta college Dr. Sala has expanded the summer transition learning community program for incoming HS students with disabilities (Transition for Academic Success is Key – TASK). Dr. Sala is co-lead for the Chicanx/Latinx Task force advocating for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion while implementing multidisciplinary strategies for the Delta college district. Advocating for the DREAMers Success Center on the San Joaquin Delta College for the DREAMer students.

She is an active member of California Association of Post-secondary Education and Disability (CAPED) and is the Northern Co-Chair of the CAPED Interest Group on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability.

Dr. Sala has a passion for teaching and is a strong advocate for hands-on and Appreciative Inquiry learning. She practices and created Compassion learning and teaching strategies Additional interests focus on working with individual with behavioral health diagnosis, autism spectrum and intellectual developmental disabilities. Previous projects include working with the Atkinson Family Services (foster youth group homes) and transitional age youth.

Dr. Sala worked with the State Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) as a Bilingual/Bicultural Rehabilitation Counselor and District Manager. During her time at DOR she worked in collaboration with Sacramento County Behavioral Health, NAMI, Women’s Empowerment (An agency for Homeless women with children), Sacramento Workforce Development Broad, Sacramento Training and Employment Agency (SETA) and the Homeless consortium in Sacramento. Dr. Sala served a as liaison with community mental health business partner and establish innovative practices to serve this population of individuals.

Dr. Sala has 25 years as a business owner and entrepreneur. She successfully operated and expanded her vocational rehabilitation corporation through California and Mexico.

Dr. Sala is a recipient of the fellowships:
CAPSES Fellowship and Carlos J. Vallejo Research Fellowship for her contributions to transitional age youth with disabilities.