Interns
Isabella Brod
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Bella is a high school junior in Miami, Florida, where she helps bring the Nonprofit's Tool to her school, Miami Country Day School, and community. Bella first fell in love with psychology when she took Joe Dorri’s psychology course offered through UCLA. As an intern at The Good Student, Bella builds her research, community partnership, and leadership skills; and she provides valuable insights into creating content that will support many high school students. Furthermore, Bella shadows a school counselor, focusing on child psychology and ways to cultivate a positive learning environment for them. Her growing passion for psychology and proactive approach have led her to enroll in an intensive course through Stanford University to explore the different stages of child development. Bella desires to give back to her community and introduce The Good Student's Tool across Florida and the United States.
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DOMENICA BEDONPhoto coming soon...
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Domenica is a student at Texas A&M University completing her last courses to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, in addition to an Applied Behavioral Health Certificate. She was an intern for the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the University of Florida (Summer of 2022), where she conducted research on non-medical use of prescription stimulants among US college students. Domenica is also a Research Assistant at the Goodrich Lab, where she administers comprehensive language assessments to elementary students so to understand the development of language and learning disorders in multilingual children. Domenica has a deep passion for mental health and is exploring post-graduate careers/opportunities in the field. She is thrilled to be a member of The Good Student Team, where she has the opportunity to increase awareness of mental health challenges and provide solutions to students and their colleges.
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JEN WELLS
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Jen is a student at Western Washington University, after several decades away from college, where she is completing her bachelor of arts in Psychology. As a mother to two teenagers, Jen understands the route that must be navigated and the challenges that must be overcome by teenagers. Discovering the work of the nonprofit, she jumped into the role of an intern to support students in her various communities. Jen is an engaged Psi Chi, International Honor Society in Psychology, member researching the effects of gender stereotypes in nonbinary college students. Jen also volunteers with the Inner Ocean Empowerment Project, a nonprofit that works to support vulnerable individuals around the world dealing with trauma. She plans to continue her education by attending graduate school where she will focus on developing and implementing innovative mental health resources for underserved populations.
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Colin Simsarian
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Colin is a second-year clinical doctoral student at Palo Alto University (PAU), where he also supports the Clinical Crises and Emergencies Research Lab, led by Dr. Bruce Bongar. Thus far, he has submitted chapters to the Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence, and the Multidisciplinary Handbook of Character Development (all currently under review). Colin’s career interests include working in a global mental health context, such as the United Nations, and incorporating neuropsychology and trauma therapy to treat people impacted by violence/conflict. Colin’s primary research interests are courage/bravery, resilience, and PTSD. Clinical interests involve treating a diverse clientele who have been exposed to/impacted by violence and trauma. Colin is completing his second-year practicum at the Gronowski. Colin also serves in leadership positions on the boards of Palo Alto University’s Student Veteran Organization, Psi Chi, and the Association for Traumatic Stress Studies.
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Alexa Wright
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Lexi is a second-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from DePaul University and her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology from PAU. Her interests include neuropsychology, social justice, and implementing anti-oppressive practices. Lexi is a member of the Identity, Culture, and Liberation research lab where their work is grounded in critical consciousness, inclusion, equity, intersectionality, and explores how the intentional analysis of components such as these can lead to healing, liberation, and wellness amongst vulnerable populations. Lexi's clinical practicum at the Gronowski Center includes serving diverse populations with various conditions across the lifespan. Her other affiliations include the Psi Chi Honor Society, the Society for Black Neuropsychology, and the Queer Neuropsychological Society. Lexi aspires to become a licensed clinical psychologist that specializes in working with BIPOC women and other minoritized individuals.
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President & Senior Researcher
Joseph Dorri
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Joe is the founder of The Good Student. His personal and academic journey have shaped his interest in psychology and education. He was recognized by the California Legislature for his academic excellence, leadership, and service. He graduated from community college in the top sixty-nine among two million students and completed graduate-level courses as a part of his undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Southern California. He earned a master's in education and was trained by Leonard Jason in research methods. Joe teaches psychology to both high school and college students online and at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has received various awards including the Ed Walsh Service Award for service to the community and the Most Promising Future Educator Award. His mentors include Phil Zimbardo, an Emeritus Professor at Stanford, and Noam Chomsky, an Emeritus Professor at MIT. Joe studies and applies findings in well-being, high school and college student success, psychosocial interventions, and social psychology.
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Board of Directors
LaShonda Johnson
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Shonda has over 12 years of experience working directly with youth in educational programs and 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 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. Shonda also works as a summer counselor at UCLA. She is a first-generation college student and received her master's in counseling psychology from Mount St. Mary’s College and earned a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling. Shonda works for multiple community organizations.
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Marilyn Saucedo
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Marilyn has 17 years of experience as a classroom instructor, teaching English as a Second Language, Spanish, World History, and Math in both bilingual and mainstream classroom settings. She also has 17 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. Marilyn also gathers data for comprehensive analysis during an academic climate review of a classroom, school, or district, bolstering efficacy. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts Global, is a child of immigrants, and is a member of the Elevated Achievement Group, which leads educators to create environments of educational ownership to support academic achievement.
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Ronald Vincent
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Ron is a retired high school teacher and successful instructor for Advancement Via Individual Determination, a nonprofit that influences lives by helping schools transition to a more equitable, student-centered approach. He has invested more than four decades in youth development, working with over 9,000 emerging adults, many of whom are minorities and low-income families. Ron has served as Teacher Representative in the California Teachers' Association Representative Assembly. He is also a professor sought out for his expertise in pedagogy and effective communication – teaching at California State University, Stanislaus and among others. He has authored several books, to include a sensational novel about a college student's journey to success, titled "Shake." Ron has earned graduate degrees from Texas A&M and the University of Notre Dame.
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Philip Zimbardo
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Phil is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Stanford University and has taught at NYU and Columbia, among others. He is recognized as the "voice and face of contemporary American psychology" through his widely seen PBS-TV series, Discovering Psychology. Phil was the principal investigator of the Stanford Prison Experiment, now on its 51st Anniversary (2021). He has published over five hundred articles and several books. He is the past president of the American Psychological Association and Western Psychological Association. Phil is also the founder and president of the Heroic Imagination Project, which is based on his research on good and evil and uses psychological interventions to train all people to be everyday heroes. His work has reached several countries. His most recent initiative includes an eco-hero youth movement.
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