Valeska Dubon

Weston, FL 33326
(813) 325-0601, vxdubon@gmail.com

Qualifications

Experience in presenting and teaching in professional and academic settings in face-to-face and
online venues

Particular proficiency in developmental psychology, statistics, research methods, program

evaluation, and survey creation

Education
Ph.D. coursework and research
Applied Positive Developmental Psychology Claremont, CA
Claremont Graduate University
Advisor: Dr. Kendall Cotton Bronk
Lab: Adolescent Moral Development Lab

M.A., Positive Developmental Psychology Claremont, CA

Co-Concentration: Evaluation May 2014
Claremont Graduate University
Thesis: “Restoring the Self through Self-Care: Development and Validation of a Self-Care Scale”
Advisors: Dr. Kendall Cotton Bronk & Dr. Jason Siegel
GPA: 3.8

B.S., Psychology with Distinction Davie, FL

Minor: Statistics and Mathematics May 2011
Nova Southeastern University
GPA: 3.8
Higher Education Teaching Experience
Adjunct Professor (Jan 2016- May 2018)
California State University, Fullerton Fullerton, CA
Department of Child and Adolescent Studies
• Motivated and educated students through engaging assignments, lectures, and group
projects using evidence-based teaching strategies
• Supported students in gaining content knowledge and practical life skills
• Participated in professional development activities related to cultural competency and
using technology to facilitate learning
• Attended and presented at research conferences to remain up-to-date on current
research in developmental psychology
Courses:
-Introduction to Child and Adolescent Studies (5 sections) Jan 2016- May 2018
-Parenting in the 21st Century Aug 2017-Dec 2017
-Child Development Aug 2016-Dec 2016
Associate Professor (Mar 2016- May 2019)
Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CA
Department of Psychology
• Delivered quality instruction using evidence-based teaching strategies
• Participated in AVID for higher education training and implemented activities to
increase student engagement and learning
• Supervised and mentored students in various research projects and initiated
Saddleback’s Psychology Department Undergraduate Research Showcase for 2 years

Courses:
-Introduction to Psychology (4 sections) Mar 2016 - May 2018
-Research Methods in Psychology (7 sections) Aug 2016- May 2019
-Research Methods in Psychology (Honors Section) Jan 2019- May 2019

Teaching Assistant (Sept 2013- May 2016)

Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CA
Department of Behavioral Sciences
Courses:
-Survey Research Methods (2 sections) Sept 2014- May 2016
-Theories of Lifespan Developmental Psychology Jan 2015- May 2015
-Categorical Data Analysis Mar 2014- May 2014
- Applied Multiple Regression Jan 2014- Mar 2014
-ANOVA Nov 2013- Dec 2013
-Intermediate Statistics Sept 2013- Nov 2013
Other Professional Experience
Research Associate Claremont, CA
Adolescent Moral Development Lab, Claremont Graduate University Sept 2014- June 2019
• Successfully co-created and tested the Fostering Purpose Toolkit to increase purpose in
life among adolescents (more information at fosterpurpose.org)
• Collected, managed, and analyzed large amounts of data (both quantitative and
qualitative)
• Conducted interviews with adolescents
• Presented research findings at various professional conferences
• Prepared various papers for publication

English/Spanish Translator Claremont, CA

Claremont Evaluation Center (contracted work) June 2015

Research Associate Claremont, CA

CARE Lab, Pomona College Mar 2014- June 2016
• Collected and analyzed data on student achievement motivation
• Helped prepare papers for publication and conference posters

Data Collection Associate Los Angeles, CA

Harder+ Co (contracted work) May 2013- Jan 2016
• Met with community members to collect data on community resources
 • Led focus groups and small group activities in both English and Spanish

Positive Psychology Fellow Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University Sept 2013- May 2014
• Successfully planned catered events inviting guest speakers from various research
institutions to share their current projects
• Increased student and faculty attendance at events from previous years

Evaluation Consultant Pomona, CA

Boys and Girls Club of Pomona Valley Sept 2013- Dec 2013
• Collaborated with program leaders to develop a logic model
• Worked with various stakeholders to create a plan for evaluating the efficacy of the
program

Evaluation Associate Claremont, CA

Claremont Evaluation Center Jan 2013- Dec 2013
• Worked with evaluation team to evaluate various after-school programs
• Conducted in-depth program observations and collected survey data
• Translated evaluation materials for Spanish-speakers
• Assisted in data analysis and report writing

Statistics Tutor Claremont, CA

Independent Sept 2013- May 2014

Behavior Therapist Sunrise, FL

Learning Blocks Dec 2011- July 2012
• Used evidence-based behavior analysis techniques in in-home settings with adolescents
on the autism spectrum

Research Assistant Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University Dec 2010- May 2011
• Interviewed children and parents
• Collected data on depression in motherhood and attachment styles
• Presented findings in the form on a poster at research conference
______________________________________________________________________________
Professional Service and Professional Development
• Co-creator of Fostering Purpose Toolkit (fosterpurpose.org)
• Diversity/ cultural competency training
• Supervised student research and initiated the Undergraduate Psychology Research
showcase at Saddleback College Aug 2017- May 2019
• AVID for Higher Education Peer Academy Participant Jan 2019- May 2019
• AVID for Higher Education Practicum Participant Sept 2018- Dec 2018
• Editorial Board member, Journal of Psychological Sciences June 2016- 2017
• Co-President, Positive Psychology Club at CGU Sept 2013- Sept 2014
______________________________________________________________________________
Additional Skills
• Fluent in Spanish (written and verbal)
• Canvas, BlackBoard, and Moodle learning management systems
• SPSS, Amos, JASP, and Excel for statistical analyses
• Qualtrics, Amazon MTurk, Google Forms for survey data collection
• Microsoft Office (Powerpoint, Word, Excel)
• Excellent writing and oral presentation skills
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Proficiency in data management and data analysis
• Experienced in program evaluation
• Experienced in developing and testing interventions
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Professional Affiliations
• Society for Research on Adolescence
• Western Psychological Association
• International Positive Psychology Association
• Association for Moral Education
• American Psychological Association
• Western Positive Psychological Association

Honors and Awards

• Teaching Assistant of the Year- Student Nominated Award (2016)
• Claremont Graduate University Fellowship
• Claremont Graduate University Dean’s Merit Fellowship
• Claremont Graduate University Minority Fellowship
• Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology
• National Society of Leadership and Success, Honor Society
• Delta Epsilon Iota, Honor Society

Publications
Bronk, K. C., Baumsteiger R., Riches, B. R., Mangan, M., Dubon, V., X., Benavides, C. M., & Bono,
G. (2018). Fostering purpose: Effective online interventions. Journal of Character
Education.
Miranda-Chan, T., Fruiht, V., Dubon, V. X., & Wray-Lake, L. (2016). Functions and longitudinal
outcomes of adolescents’ naturally occurring mentoring relationships. American Journal
of Community Psychology, 57, 47- 59.
Smiley, P. A.; Buttitta, K. V., Chung, S. Y., Dubon, V. X., & Chang, L. K. (2016). Mediation Models
of Implicit Theories and Achievement Goals Predict Planning and Withdrawal after Failure.
Motivation and Emotion.
Bronk, K. C., & Dubon, V. X. (2015). Approaches to fostering purpose among adolescents in
educational settings. The International Forum for Logotherapy, 38.
Dubon, V. X., Riches, B. R., Benavides, C. M., & Bronk, K. C. (in preparation). Validation of the
Searching for Purpose Inventory.
Benavides, C. M., Dubon, V. X., Riches, B. R., & Bronk, K. C. (in preparation). Students’ political
values and civic engagement under the 45th president.
Riches, B. R., Dubon, V. X., Benavides, C. M., & Bronk, K. C. (in preparation). Fostering purpose:
Evidence for the efficacy of the fostering purpose toolkit.
______________________________________________________________________________
Technical Reports and Non-Peer Reviewed Articles
Bronk, K. C., Riches, B. R., & Dubon, V. X. (2016). Fostering purpose among adolescents in
secondary education settings. Jubilee Centre Cultivating Virtues: Interdisciplinary
Approaches Conference. Oriel College: Oxford, England. Available online:
http://jubileecentre.ac.uk/userfiles/jubileecentre/pdf/conference-
papers/Cultivating_Virtues/CottonBronk,K.pdf
Berry, T., Dubon, V., & Murphy, K. (2014). Comparing After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles
Participants to Non-Participants on Test Scores, School Attendance, and Suspensions at
Nine LAUSD Middle Schools. Claremont Graduate University: Claremont Evaluation Center.
Berry, T., Meyer, L., Dubon, V. X., & Diaz, B. R. (2013). Montebello Unified School District’s
Extended Learning Opportunity: Local Evaluation Report. Claremont Graduate University:
Claremont Evaluation Center.
______________________________________________________________________________
Presentations and Posters
Riches, B. R., Dubon, V. X., Giesemann, X., Benavides, C. M., & Bronk, K. C. (2018, November).
Using Technology to Foster Purpose Among Adolescents and Young Adults. Symposium
conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for Moral Education, Barcelona,
Spain.
Benavides, C. M., Dubon, V. X., & Riches, B. R. (2017, November). Students’ Political Values and
Civic Engagement Under the 45th President. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting
of the Association for Moral Education, St. Louis, MO.
Riches, B. R. & Dubon, V. X. (2016, April). Fostering Purpose Project: Fostering purpose through
goals, values, and identity. In. S. A. Mangan (chair), Fostering Purpose in Life in
Adolescence. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological
Association, Long Beach, CA.
Miranda-Chan, T., Fruiht, V., Dubon, V., & Wray-Lake (2016, March). The Functions and
Longitudinal Outcomes of Adolescents Naturally Occurring Mentorships: A Mixed Methods
Approach. In V. Fruiht (chair), New Approaches to Understanding Adolescent and
Emerging Adult Mentoring Relationships. Symposium conducted at the biennial meeting
of the Society for Research on Adolescence, Baltimore, MD.
Bronk, K. C., Riches, B. R., Malin, H., & Dubon, V. X. (2015, April). Youth Purpose: What’s the
Purpose? In K. C. Bronk (Chair), Youth Purpose: New Methods for Assessment. Symposium
conducted at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Las Vegas, NV.
Buttitta, K. V., Chung, S. Y., Coffey, J., Dubon, V. X., Smiley, P. A., & Borrelli, J. (2015, March).
You’re Sad? I’m Angry! Parent conditional positive regard, anger expression, and
performance in children. Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the Society
for Research in Child Development, Philadelphia, PA.
Chung, S. Y., Buttitta, K. V., Dubon, V. X., Smiley, P. A., & Chang, L. K. (2015, March).
Mediational models of achievement goals and attributions predict behavioral, cognitive,
and emotional responses to failure in Euro-American college students. Poster session
presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development,
Philadelphia, PA.
Mangan, S., Dowlat, R., Riches, B. R., & Dubon, V. X. (2014, September). Getting to the Nitty
Gritty: Assessing the link between mindfulness and grit. Poster session presented at the
annual meeting of the Western Positive Psychology Association, Claremont, CA.
Riches, B. R., Dubon, V. X., Dowlat, R., & Mangan, S. (2014, September). Do You Mind? Testing a
short online mindfulness exercise. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the
Western Positive Psychology Association, Claremont, CA.
Menon, M., Augutin & Dubon, V. X. (2010, May). Links between Child Perception of Parenting
and Depression: Role of Maternal Attachment. Poster session presented at the annual
meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Boston, MA.