discarded kids winter cap on the wood chips of a playground

Culturally Responsive Evidence-based Practices in School Psychology

Doctoral Students

Nancy Lagunas

Nancy Lagunas
(Entered 2026-2027)


 Hi y’all! My name is Nancy Lagunas (she/ella). Growing up, I split time between Florida and Nevada, so it is a bit hard to choose one as my hometown. Most summers living in Florida my family would travel back to my parents' pueblo in Michoacán, Mexico. This instilled my love for travel and exploration. I love hiking with my red merle mini aussie, Maeby, thrifting, cooking, trying new crafting hobbies, and capturing it all with my film camera. I can’t wait to do all of these things in Missoula! 

In 2019, I graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. I then completed my M.S. in Clinical Psychology at San Francisco State University (SFSU) in 2023. My thesis while at SFSU titled “Early Childhood Stress Response and Mental Health during COVID-19,” explored maternal sensitivity impact on physiological and regulation on childhood mental health outcomes. For the last three years, I have been working as a bilingual Spanish speaking therapist at a youth residential treatment facility conducting risk assessments, providing individual and family therapy through an integrative approach. Working in this setting underscored my desire to join the CRESP Lab under the guidance of Dr. Anisa Goforth. I am eager to expand my research and clinical skills on culturally responsive evidenced-based practices through school-based support and promote community connections. I am thrilled to be joining the lab as a research assistant on project SELA and to be working with my new lab mates!

Awards and Recognition Received while at UM:

  • 2026 Student Affiliates of School Psychology BIPOC Equity in School Psychology Training (BEST) Scholarship


 

Grace Bintz

Smiling woman kneeling down with a dog, trees in the background

(Entered 2025-2026)

Hi all! My name is Grace Bintz and I am a second-year doctoral student in the CRESP lab. I am originally from Missoula and am loving my graduate school journey as my fellow peers' Montana expert.

 

Currently, I am working on my thesis proposal which is about self-perceptions and protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) of students from a small town on the Flathead Nation. I have been so lucky to integrate my interests in supporting Native students into an ongoing SEL project (Project SELA) that Dr. Goforth has been leading for over a decade. My role in this project, as well as my journey developing my thesis proposal, has been the most fulfilling part of my graduate career so far. My favorite part of participating in these projects has been meeting amazing people that are incredibly devoted to the wellbeing of Native students and their successes in their school and communities. 
 
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, Mason, and my two pups, Bogey and Gus. When I need a break from school, I like to walk my dogs, cook yummy meals, watch reality tv, or read a thriller book!

Ana Carolina Grizoni Elias

Smiling Ana Carolina posing on a bridge at night with a city skyline of illuminated skyscrapers in the background.

(Entered 2024-2025)

Hi there! My name is Ana Carolina, and I am an international student originally from Brazil.  

I was born and raised in a small city called Assis, in the state of Sao Paulo. I graduated in 2020 from Paulista University with a bachelor’s in psychology. After graduating, I had an amazing experience working as a clinical therapist and as well in a rehabilitation center for men with addiction to alcohol and drugs. Although I loved working in these areas, my heart always had a special love for working with children. I moved to the US in 2021 for a cultural exchange, where I could focus on improving my English. I also used this time to explore the options and different areas of psychology that I wanted to continue gaining knowledge and conducting research. I am very excited to continue my journey as a PhD student at the University of Montana. As a new member of Dr. Anisa Goforth's Culturally Responsive Evidence-based Practices in School Psychology lab, I am interested in investigating inclusion in education, focusing my research on helping schools that need bilingual professionals to support students struggling with language, and conducting appropriate assessments to help diverse learners.

Exploring the U.S. and learning about American culture have been my favorite things to do in my free time. When I am not traveling, I like to hike, go to the gym, try new breweries, or read a good book. I am very excited to live in Montana and enjoy all that Missoula has to offer. 

Awards and Recognition While at UM:

  • 2024 Student Affiliates of School Psychology BIPOC Equity in School Psychology Training (BEST) Scholarship

Arturo Jimenez

Smiling Arturo Jimenez wearing glasses in a light gray T-shirt outdoors at night with trees and lights in the background.

(Entered 2024-2025)

Hello all. I am Arturo Jimenez, I grew up in central MN before moving to El Paso, TX in middle school. I graduated in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in History from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, where I played football and threw in track and field. I have previously worked in a developmental psychology research lab and with youth K-6 in an afterschool program. My research interests focus on equitable educational systems and identity-supportive school environments. The research I am interested in developed from my background as a person of mixed race living in central MN. In my free time I enjoy reading, listening to music, going disc golfing, and cooking new recipes. I am looking forward to being involved in the CRESP lab and other opportunities Missoula offers.

Awards and Recognition Received While at UM:

  • 2025 National Association of School Psychologists Graduate Student Research Grant ($1000)

Deborah Ith

Deborah Ith holding a black-and-tan puppy in a grassy park with trees and parked cars in the background.

(Entered 2023-2024)

Hello everyone, my name is Deborah Ith.  I am grateful to be a part of the CRESP Lab and have learned a great deal from Dr. Goforth and other lab members and have grown as both a researcher and a person as I have worked with them.
 
I love living, working, and learning in Missoula. In my free time I enjoy creating diverse types of art and enjoying art created by others. I also enjoy chatting with my grown kids who live far away, hiking with my dogs, and anything that allows me to be outside in nature.
 
I earned my B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Cultural Anthropology from Central Washington University in 2021. I earned my M.A. in School Psychology from the University of Montana in 2025 and am working towards my Ph.D. My research focuses on promoting equity in public schools, multitiered social-emotional and behavioral interventions in K-12 education, and programs that build hope, resilience, and wellness in children and adolescents. This year I will also be completing my dissertation to co-develop (with students, educators, and parents) a culturally grounded measure of school belonging for Indigenous students living in a rural community in Montana.

Awards and Recognition Received while at UM:

  • 2026 Society for the Study of School Psychology Dissertation Grant ($5000)
  • 2026 Bertha Morton Scholarship, University of Montana
  • 2025 American Psychological Association Division 16 Student Poster Finalist, APA Convention, Denver
  • 2024 National Association of School Psychologists Graduate Student Research Grant ($1000)
  • 2024 Montana Association of School Psychologists Montana Exemplary Student Action Award ($500)

Anna Reszewicz

Anna Reszewicz sitting on a rock ledge beneath a large desert sandstone arch, overlooking a canyon landscape.

(Entered 2023-2024)

Hey! I am Anna, I am a doctoral student in the School Psychology PhD program here at the University of Montana. I am a born and raised Canadian from Calgary, AB where I graduated from the University of Calgary with my B.A in Psychology. My research interests include bilingualism and executive functioning and how the two intersect with each other in the academic setting. Currently, I am a member of the Culturally Responsive Evidence Based Practices in School Psychology Lab (CRESP Lab) under my advisor Dr. Anisa Goforth. When I'm not working or doing school work you will most likely find me attending a spin class, skiing or hiking.

Jaida Lilly

Smiling Jaida Lilly in a scarf and coat walking on a mossy stone bridge in a wooded park.

(Entered 2022-2023)

Hi everyone! My name is Jaida Lilly (she/her) and I am originally from Chicago, Illinois. I received my B.S. in psychology with an art minor, from Carroll University in 2019. As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to work directly with students in various PreK-12 settings, including providing ABA therapy and assisting in special education. My experiences studying abroad ignited my passion for social justice advocacy and the application of culturally responsive interventions. After graduation, I gained my clinical experience by working as a Behavioral Specialist for 2.5 years, providing direct patient care within residential and partial-hospitalization facilities. I also had the opportunity to navigate the creation and leadership of the hospital’s BIPOC employee resource group. I’m looking forward to being involved in the CRESP lab’s current research and hope to explore my interests in the academic standards contributing to educational inequity, in addition to global mental health.

I love traveling, making arts/crafts, yoga, SUP with my pup, and spending time in nature. For the past 2 years, I’ve enjoyed living in the Pacific Northwest with my dog, Jasper, and we are so excited to see what new adventures Missoula has to offer!

Awards and Recognitions Received while at UM:

  • 2026 APA Division 16 Outstanding Contributions to Anti-Racism in School Psychology: Student Award
  • 2024 Outstanding Student Diversity Leadership Award, University of Montana
  • 2023 Student Diversity Leadership Award, University of Montana
  • 2023 Student Leadership Champion, National Association of School Psychologists Graduate Student Committee