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I believe that healing is art for the soul.
I am Bridgette
Bell.
About
As a 19-year Army Soldier and Human Resources leader, I have a demonstrated history of using innovation and collaboration to generate impact. I am skilled in Military Operational Planning, Human Resources, Leadership Development, Engineering Psychology, Research, and Higher Education. As a senior officer, I strive to lead in the spaces that intersect the human dimension with psychology. I am a results-driven professional currently on sabbatical from the US Army to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology from a multicultural-focused program at Jackson State University.
As a 2017 Tillman Military Scholar, I proudly represent the Pat Tillman Foundation and was recently selected as a 2019 Aspen Ideas Health Scholar/Marineau Scholar. I have embarked on dissertation research to examine the relationship between cultural aspects of grief processing and clinicians’ self-efficacy in effectively providing grief interventions for diverse populations. I have always been passionate about working hard and giving back. On to the next chapter of service!
Values
I believe in family, community, and innovation. I am a staunch supporter of efforts to help recruit the next generation of Army leaders. I have found true stories of joy and resilience in the mountains of Haiti while serving with A Door to Hope. I have found sisterhood in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I am building new, unique ways to support veterans through Brogans and the forthcoming "Onyx Unlimited" wellness brand. I look forward to seeing these efforts generate results - I aim to bring more light into the world.
Community
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I am a Co-Founder of Do More Together, the West Point Association of Graduates Black & African American Alumni Organization, an alumni supporter of the USMA Cadet Gospel Choir, and a longtime member of The ROCKS, Inc. Selection as a 2017 Pat Tillman Foundation Military Scholar and recognition as the 2022 recipient of the Make Your Mark Award has given me even more opportunities to put my values into action with a community of fellow scholars and veterans. If you are looking for an opportunity like no other, apply!
Tillman Honors 2022
Contributions
Dissertation
Clinicians' perceptions of the cultural factors of grief and grief support self-efficacy
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Committee:
Bryman Williams, Ph.D. (Co-Chair)
Theresa Kearns-Cooper, Psy.D. (Co-Chair)
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Jackson State University
Grief is just as complicated as the human experience...
grief is the umbrella that protects us from the pain of our love...
grief is a process for some, a destination for others...
grief is culture.
Scholarship
Bell, B., Bonner, J., Norzagaray, A., & Ramsey, M. (2019). Jackson State University Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Externship Handbook. Jackson State University, Jackson, MS.
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Nosen, E., Blunt, C., Bell, B., & Omelian, S. (2019, May). Prolonged Exposure within Residential PTSD Treatment Programs: Virtual Reality and Other Innovative Strategies to Improve Treatment Access, Engagement and Efficacy. Poster presented at the Department of Veterans Affairs MH RRTP National Conference, Orlando, FL.
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Shattuck, L., Smith, D., Bell, B., & Rowan, C. (2018). Decision Making Chapter. In D. Smith & J. Swain, West Point Leadership (PL300). Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
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Ness, J. & Bell, B. (2015). Naturalistic Decision Making, Risk Management, & Leadership, Conference Proceedings, International Conference on Naturalistic Decision Making ‘15, McLean, VA.
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Bell, B. (2013). A Human Systems Integration Analysis of the US Army Suicide Prevention Program, Master’s Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA.
Clinical Experience
Doctoral Intern, Georgia Regional Hospital - Atlanta, Decatur, GA | 2020 - 2021
Serves as a 12-month Intern under the APA-accredited APPIC internship program for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), the state agency "that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with severe persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities." Currently completing a 6-month Forensics rotation, followed by a 6-month Adult Mental Health rotation.
Doctoral Extern, Killebrew Psychological Services, Ridgeland, MS | 2018 - 2019
Served as Extern under the supervision of Dr. Alyssa Killebrew, PhD, LPC, LPC-S. Provided individual counseling, coaching calls, family counseling, pre-surgical screenings, and cognitive/psychological testing for a diverse population of clients within the Jackson, MS area. Led weekly group skills training with Dialectical Behavior Therapy protocols.
JSU Clinical Psychology Program Assessment Team, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS | 2018
Assisted graduate students with the administration of cognitive assessments such as the WAIS-IV, WISC-V, WPPSI-IV, WIAT-III, WRAT-V, and WASI-II. This included the following: 1) critiquing their test administration performance; 2) consulting with the Director of Clinical Training for the Cognitive Assessment course; 3) providing assistance with integrative report writing; and 4) fulfilling any related requests by the Director of Clinical Training.
Doctoral Trainee, Applied Psychological Services Clinic, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS | 2017 - 2018
Provided individual counseling and cognitive/psychological testing for a diverse population of JSU students and community clients. Conducted youth psychological assessments for the Jackson Child and Welfare Services as a part of pre-adoption screening.
Student Research Assistant, Trauma Recovery Program, G.V. Sonny Montgomery VAMC, Jackson, MS | 2017 - 2019
Completed information gathering, document preparation, and data entry for research efforts in the Trauma Recovery Program under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Nosen, PhD. Specifically completed a study entitled Avoidance, Hypervigilance, and Motivation as Predictors of Attrition for Veterans Completing a Residential PTSD Treatment Program as Pre-Dissertation Research Project. Assisted with preparation for the TRP’s use of the Bravemind virtual reality exposure therapy system.
Service Journey
2016 - 2019
Chief of Staff & Assistant Professor
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS
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Served as Chief of Staff and Assistant Professor of Military Science in the Department of Military Science, providing oversight of staff operations, assistance with teaching duties, and coordinating support for 150 Cadets in 8 universities in the 6th Brigade, US Army Cadet Command. Additional responsibilities included Logistics Officer, Public Affairs Officer.
Identified as “a top 1% officer, a standout visionary whose mental agility and judgment surpasses her peers; an absolute must for battalion command.”
2013 - 2016
Assistant Professor & Course Director
West Point, NY
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Taught 270 West Point Cadets in General Psychology for Leaders, Experimental Psychology, and Anthropometry & Biomechanics in the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership in order to educate, train, and inspire future leaders of character and US Army Officers. Served as Department Personnel Officer responsible for coordinating annual department recruiting operations. Served as Chief of Staff for the McDonald Cadet Leadership Conference involving 23 countries and 57 institutions.
Ranked in the top 3 of rotating faculty peers due to “outstanding teaching practice and curriculum enhancement and innovative leadership in the areas of resilience, trust, and cohesion; must select for early promotion.”
2010 - 2011
Aide-de-Camp
US Army Human Resources Command
Alexandria, VA
Fort Knox, KY
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Served as the personal and administrative assistant to The 64th Adjutant General of the US Army, who simultaneously served as the Commanding General, US Army Physical Disability Agency and Executive Director, Military Postal Service Agency.
Provided “brilliant performance” supporting more than 30 TDY missions and identified as “best Captain in 30 years.”
2008 - 2010
Company Commander
HHC, US Army Garrison
Fort Myer, VA
Fort McNair, DC
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Held command authority and responsibility within Headquarters Command Battalion over Headquarters & Headquarters Company, US Army Garrison - the second largest company in the US Army. Served 240 assigned and 1200 attached Soldiers and their Families across 18 organizations within the Military District of Washington.
Lauded as “expert in the field who excelled at integrating human resources and Soldier support services, in the top 5% of all officers [served with] in 21 years.”
2004 -2008
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Battalion Human Resources Officer
Special Troops Battalion,
4th Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Fort Bliss, TX
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Responsible for all human resources operations for a 650-Soldier Task Force of a heavy Brigade Combat Team in the 1st Cavalry Division, both in garrison and deployed for 14 months to Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 in Mosul, Iraq.
Led team to produce “best administrative and personnel management in the brigade” and identified as “best HR officer in 20 years” by the commander.
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Assistant Brigade Human Resources Officer, 108th ADA Brigade (ABN), Fort Bliss, TX
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Assistant coordinator for human resources support in a 2000-Soldier Air Defense Artillery Brigade organic to the XVIII Airborne Corps.
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Assessed as “hard-charging officer with positive attitude and focus on mission accomplishment.
Education
Master of Science
Human Systems Integration
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is currently the only school in the nation that grants a degree in Human Systems Integration (HSI). The HSI program at NPS advocates a human-centered approach in the design, acquisition, testing, and operation of human-machine interfaces.
Master of Business Administration
Healthcare Management Concentration
The Jones International University (JIU) MBA in Healthcare Management program is designed specifically for working professionals in health care who seek a comprehensive MBA program that provides them with the latest critical management tools and technological expertise to excel.
Bachelor of Science
Chemistry & Life Sciences
Concentration in Computer Science
The USMA Department of Chemistry & Life Science trains Cadet Life Scientists to study the structure and processes of living organisms using the unifying principles of life: cell theory, evolution, genetics, and homeostasis. The department believes "the most important 'system' in the Army is the human Solider. Because the Soldier is a biological system, life science, biotechnology, and medicine offer unique potential for enhancing the performance of this most complex, critical, and costly of the Army’s systems."
"It is the mind that makes the body."