Trainees

Jordan Clark

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 1

Jordan Clark (she/her) is a third-year school psychology Ed.S. student at the University of Delaware. Jordan’s professional background is in elementary and early childhood education, and she is passionate about continuing her education with a focus on supporting students and teachers. She looks forward to being an advocate for all students and continuing to promote mental health from an intersectional perspective. In addition to Project GROW, Jordan has served as a graduate assistant for the university’s Center for Disabilities Studies ACCESS Project, where she helped provide professional development on inclusive and accessible curricula and classroom supports. Outside of school and work, Jordan’s favorite things are attending concerts, spending time with friends, and being around animals.

Lauren Dombrowski

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 1

Lauren Dombrowski is a second-year school psychology graduate student at the University of Delaware. Lauren has always had a passion for mental health advocacy and is excited to share that passion with Project GROW! Within Project GROW, she is excited to gain hands-on experience advocating for those who may need help raising their voice and to increase others’ awareness of the school psychology profession.

Melissa Ferreiras

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 2

Melissa joins Project GROW’s second cohort as a graduate student in the school psychology program at the University of Delaware. Her passion lies in empowering children and their families, especially within the Latino community. Melissa is incredibly excited to be part of Project GROW! She views Project GROW as an invaluable experience that will equip her with the knowledge and skills to achieve her goals. As a Latina, Melissa believes that simply understanding the challenges faced by Hispanic families is not enough. Her ultimate aim is to become an advocate for these families. Melissa envisions creating a supportive environment, a safe space where every child thrives with unwavering self-belief. This means creating a place where cultural background becomes a source of strength, not a barrier to success. Melissa sees Project GROW as a crucial step in making this vision a reality.

Janai Gibson

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 2

Having graduated cum laude from the University of Delaware in 2023, Janai earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education. She joins Project GROW’s second cohort as a graduate student in the school psychology program at the University of Delaware. Following her undergraduate career, Janai spent a year working as a licensed educator in Delaware. While teaching, Janai realized the importance of fostering safe and inclusive learning environments that are suitable for student growth and achievement. This, along with a strong love for children, sparked an interest in the field of school psychology. As a Project Grow Trainee, Janai looks forward to serving young students and families in need while bringing additional awareness to the growing field of school psychology.

Adurayemi Jesujimi

Delaware State University Social Work Student, Project GROW Cohort 1

Adurayemi Jesujimi is a graduate student in the school social work program at Delaware State University. As an undergraduate, Adura majored in Sociology and realized her passion for children. Initially, she thought to focus on child and family welfare; however, as her passion for children increased, she decided to work with children with special needs. She looks forward to spreading awareness about this career and working alongside Project GROW to make a difference and support the recruitment of high-quality, passionate individuals into the field. In her free time, she loves to travel, spend time with friends and family, and study!

India McMillian

Delaware State University Social Work Student, Project GROW Cohort 2

India Monet McMillan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Delaware State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Excelling as a student athlete, student leader, and HBCU class queen, she now continues her journey as an MSW student.

India’s dedication to child welfare began during her undergraduate years. She served as an academic mentor and a recreational activities coach while leading various community service programs. Her hands-on experience at an elementary school in Wilmington, Delaware and work with Delaware State University’s social work department deepened her passion for the profession. India is committed to fostering environments where children can thrive and realize their fullest potential. Project GROW aligns with her mission to advocate for children from underserved communities.

Himani Patel

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 2

Himani Patel is a member of Project GROW’s second cohort. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, she developed a keen interest in adolescent mental health. Himani has worked as a research assistant in the field of connectomics, focusing on depression and anxiety in adolescents. This role has provided her with valuable insights into the neural underpinnings of mental health issues and the importance of early intervention. She aims to utilize her knowledge and skills to support students’ mental health and well-being within the educational system. Himani is excited to contribute to Project GROW, leveraging her research background and passion for mental health advocacy to promote well-being and resilience in students. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Chris Rochester

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 2

Chris joins Project GROW’s second cohort as a graduate student in the school psychology program at the University of Delaware. He hopes to combine the learning from his work with Delaware’s Services for Youth and Their Families as well as experience in local public schools teaching percussion with the knowledge he garnered at the University of Delaware in psychology to make an impact in high-need districts. Chris hopes to further develop the relationship between school psychologists and social workers, minimizing the divide and stigma surrounding mental health and treatment while emphasizing the importance of mental health care. He is excited to get started with GROW, and can’t wait to give back to his community.

Julia Santoro

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 1

Julia Santoro is a second-year school psychology graduate student at the University of Delaware. Prior to graduate school, Julia spent two years working as a special education teacher in Baltimore, Maryland. She also worked part-time at a local psychiatric hospital as a mental health worker. Her experience in the classroom and in the psychiatric hospital inspired her to pursue a graduate degree in school psychology. Through Project GROW, Julia enjoys continuing to provide mental health services to children and adolescents in high-need areas while simultaneously working to spread awareness about the field of school psychology.

Molly Stuart

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 1

Molly Stuart is a second-year school psychology graduate student at the University of Delaware. Through her undergraduate study in psychology at Goucher College and experience working in Maryland’s public school system, she found her passion for supporting student success and well-being. As a Project GROW trainee, she enjoys increasing community awareness related to the field of school psychology and continuing to grow as a student and professional!

Brianna Taylor

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 2

Brianna Taylor is a 2024 graduate of Howard University, having received her bachelor’s degree in 3 years majoring in Human Development. While living in Washington, DC, Brianna was an intern with Howard University’s Early Learning Program. This daycare, for children ages 3 to 6 years old, sparked her interest in school psychology. Traveling back to the first state to continue her educational journey will be coming full circle for Brianna, as learning about psychology started in Delaware for Brianna. As a mental health advocate in schools, Brianna is ready to serve and make a difference in the lives of the next generation of youth and prepare them for their futures both in and out of school.

Abby Vanderloo

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 1

Abby Vanderloo is a second-year school psychology graduate student at the University of Delaware. A graduate of UD’s Elementary Teacher Education program, Abby always had a strong interest in working with children in an academic setting. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Abby dedicated her time to studying equity-based special educational practices and hopes to further study the effect these practices have on positive student mental health. In her free time, Abby works at the Children’s Beach House in Lewes, DE, as the Head Counselor of the Youth Development Program.

Ashleigh Ward

University of Delaware School Psychology Student, Project GROW Cohort 1

Ashleigh Ward is a third-year school psychology graduate student at the University of Delaware. Throughout high school and college, Ashleigh knew that she had a heart for helping others. She is passionate about mental health and helping children thrive in school. She enjoys spreading awareness about this career and working alongside Project GROW to make a difference. In her free time, she loves to travel, spend time with friends and family, and bake!

Shaunna Alexander

Delaware State University Social Work Alumnus, Project GROW Cohort 1

Social work is not just a job, it’s a passion. Shaunna Ashley Alexander is a recent Summa Cum
Laude graduate from Delaware State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. Shaunna developed a compelling desire for child welfare when she spent her undergrad as an academic mentor, a recreational activities coach, and as a summer camp counselor. Shaunna is a firm believer that every child deserves to grow up feeling safe and loved. Shaunna has honed her skills in emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and advocacy through education, training, and experience. Her favorite part of being a social worker is knowing she has made a difference in someone’s life. She is thrilled to bring her prowess to Project GROW where she will continue her mission of helping vulnerable children.

Thyra Broadnax

University of Delaware School Psychology Alumnus, Project GROW Cohort 1

School Psychologist, Colonial School District

Thyra Broadnax is a graduate of the School Psychology program at the University of Delaware and a school psychologist in the Colonial School District. She has always had a passion for helping students, be this helping them chase their dreams, knowing their full self-worth, or teaching them how to advocate for themselves and the realize the power of their voice. She is interested in students’ mental health because, without the right support and resources, students can feel that they are tackling life on their own. She feels strongly that the proper mindset, help, and community can equip students to have a better tomorrow.

Lissy Heurich

University of Delaware School Psychology Alumnus, Project GROW Cohort 1

School Psychologist, Red Clay Consolidated School District

Lissy Heurich is a graduate of the school psychology program at the University of Delaware and a school psychologist in the Red Clay Consolidated School District. While earning her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and biobehavioral health at Penn State, Lissy knew that she wanted to work with children and in the mental health field, but it wasn’t until her last year of undergrad that she learned about the field of school psychology and its alignment with her interests and values. Through Project GROW, she enjoyed increasing high school and college students’ awareness about school psychology and supporting the recruitment of high-quality, passionate individuals into the field.