"In the award-winning PBS series Discovering Psychology, I cover the fundamental principles in psychology and make the subject accessible to the public. In this book, my mentee, Joe, has done the same for college access and success. He makes use of personal experiences, applies years of empirical research, and his personable teaching style to help young people connect the dots from their present to a fulfilling future.

Fundamental to this work is the highlight of psychological factors that influence college success and life outcomes, which include mental health, a sense of belonging, and most effective mindsets. Any student who is interested in achieving academic success, gaining life direction, navigating college, living healthy, and maximizing their time in college should read this book. This book also highlights self-development, civic engagement, and other crucial topics that make a college experience whole and worthwhile.

Those who support students, such as parents and counselors, also need to read this book to gain a comprehensive look at the obstacles that emerging adults face. This book addresses the distinct challenges of diverse student populations, such as first-generation college students, minorities, women in STEM, and athletes. Furthermore, school leaders will benefit from this read as they will find useful initiatives and practices to increase academic achievement, retention, and the long-term success of their pupils and institutions. Joe establishes himself as an expert in the field.

I highly recommend this book and The Good Student organization, which offers the Student Success Survey (S3). This survey will enable students to get immediate support to life challenges and streamline their journey to school and life success. Joe's work is especially needed during the challenges of the pandemic and changes in learning environments. This is the right vaccine for the institution of education."

​– Philip Zimbardo, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Stanford University, President & Founder of the Heroic Imagination Project, former APA President, and TED Speaker

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Resources

"Joseph Dorri is a gifted, inspirational speaker who connects at a fundamental level with college and high school students. He has a compelling, visceral personal story coupled with genuine insights in how to navigate the avalanche of decisions young people face in this era."
​         ―Ron Vincent, Retired High School Teacher, Modesto High School, AVID Instructor

​Over 94% of users report that they would recommend this survey to their school administrators.

Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

LaShonda (Shonda) Johnson

Shonda has over 10 years of experience working directly with youth in educational programs and in school settings, providing several students with individual and group counseling. She has worked in many grade levels in Los Angeles County, including elementary, middle, K-8, high schools, and community colleges. Over the years she has helped several students improve academic achievement, develop life goals, prepare for college admissions, and to take effective steps toward preparing for a successful future. She received her master in counseling psychology from Mount St. Mary’s College and has a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling. 

Marilyn ​
​Saucedo

Marilyn has 16 years of experience as a classroom teacher, as well as 16 years as a school site and district administrator working with district and school administrators, teachers, students, and parents to build capacity for learning through collaborative partnerships. She was Beaumont Unified School District's director of college and career readiness. She also gathers data for comprehensive analysis during an academic climate review of a classroom, school, or district and publishes in scholarly journals. She holds a doctorate in education from Brandman University, is a child of immigrants, and a member of the Elevated Achievement Group. 

Ron
​Vincent

Ron is a retired high school teacher and successful instructor for Advancement Via Individual Determination, a nonprofit that influence lives by helping schools transition to a more equitable, student-centered approach. He has invested more than four decades in youth development and community engagement, working with over 7,000 emerging adults, many of who are minorities and low-income families. He is also a professor who is sought out for his expertise in pedagogy and effective communication. He has authored several books, including fiction and nonfiction, and earned graduate degrees from Texas A&M and the University of Notre Dame. 

Student Intern

Sophia Ryder

Sophia is a high school senior interested in psychology, history, and acting. She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars. She is starting a psychology club at her high school and has been nominated for her school's chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, a national mathematics honor society. She runs a blog discussing psychology, morality, and positivity through creativity and is the Student Director of Outreach for Butterfly Ambassadors, a non-profit educating peers on child trafficking through creativity and art.

President

Joe Dorri (Ben-Noam)

Joe is the founder of The Good Student, who designed the Student Success Survey (S3). He teaches psychology to high school and college students, conducts research, and designs and facilities workshops and presentations on well-being and success. He completed four graduate-level psychology courses as a part of his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California, shared his research at the Western Psychological Association's Convention, and earned a master's in education. He was acknowledged by the California State Legislature at the Capitol for academic achievement, leadership, and service. He has been awarded the Most Promising Future Educator Award and Ed Walsh Service Award. 

​"The Good Student's pioneering work is sure to empower generations to come!"
  ―Kare Anderson, Author of Mutuality Matters,  Emmy-winning NBC journalist and TED Talk on Opportunity Makers

"The Good Student provides an outstanding resource for young people to assess their mental and physical health, their readiness to attend college, and to examine optimal choices for the future job market... clear, accessible, and needs to be made widely available to teens through high schools, social media, and other venues they frequent."​​​
​―Edmund Bourne, Ph.D. author of The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (helping over one million readers)
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"Through a process of self-discovery, The Good Student offers a practical guide and resource for young people facing the challenge of “What do I do now?” Often, young people are unprepared for evaluating their financial, social, emotional and physical resources. This website offers both well-researched information and assessment tools enabling young people to find out for themselves options that fit their own personal goals. I found this website to be a valuable resource for both young people and the adults that support them."
​ ―Nancy J. Lavelle, Ph.D., Founder, President/CEO, Total Education Solutions, Inc.

An Organization FOR the GREATER GOOD!

The definition we use comes from Harvard University's professor Howard Gardner and his colleagues. They define good to be something that is: excellent, engaging, and ethical. ​The Good Student emphasizes these three components in its approach to supporting students and schools. 

"Good" DefINED