Archive of ‘Meet the Team’ category

Meet Cassidy!

Meet Cassidy! She has worked at the Husky ABA Clinic since January 2020. At the clinic, she works with clients to build rapport, take data on their current abilities, and implement interventions to expand their skills. Most of this work is integrated with their play, so she and the staff get to have fun and make great connections with everyone involved.

Cassidy is a senior in the Community Psychology program at St. Cloud State. She became interested in ABA after taking her first behavior intervention class this past summer. At the time she was going for school counseling, but found that Behavior Analysis just “clicked.” She ended up talking to one of our professors, Dr. Traub, about the master’s program and has not looked back since!

After graduation, Cassidy will being pursuing her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at SCSU. Our clinic has given her first hand experience in the field, as well as connecting her to faculty and graduate students in the program she will be starting this Fall. Since starting at the clinic, Cassidy says she feels much more prepared and has a clear understanding of what she will be doing in the near future; she cannot be more excited!

One of Cassidy’s favorite experiences at the clinic so far was the first time that the client said her name and initiated in social play with her. At this point, Cassidy realized the strong connection she had made with the client and felt that she had earned her client’s trust, which is one of Cassidy’s biggest goals in this field.

One fun fact about Cassidy is she rescued a cat who was born with a muscular defect. His back legs do not work very well, which makes it very difficult to walk. However, he is the sweetest little guy and wants to be near you at all times. He loves to play with their other cat, even though he falls over pretty much the entire time, and is the best snuggler! Another fun fact about Cassidy is that she plays soccer here at SCSU. She has played soccer since she was 3 and has only grown to love the game more! Go Huskies!

Second Year Feature- Samantha

Meet Samantha! 

Samantha is in her second year here at St. Cloud State. She comes from Minnesota State University Moorhead, but ended up finishing her bachelor’s degree at SCSU. She received a degree in Community Psychology with a minor in Communication studies in 2018 and was accepted into the ABA program right after. Her parents are also alumni of SCSU, and she has been coming to campus since she was young and started off her experience at the college in the Lindgren child center. While she didn’t originally decide to come to SCSU she is happy she’s here and loves learning from the professors who are all very knowledgeable in their subjects. 

Samantha previously worked with high functioning preschool-aged children in a day treatment environment that was designed to emulate a classroom. She currently works in a level four special education classroom in a general education middle school. The students are lower functioning and engage in high rates of physical aggression, verbal aggression, elopement, and property destruction. While she enjoys working with children of all ages, she thinks found her niche in middle school. 

Something interesting about Sam is that she had a heart attack during her first year of college and acquired two neurological disorders. The primary symptoms include sudden loss of consciousness, vertigo, migraines, and chronic fatigue. To aide in her disability, she received a medical alert and mobility assist dog from the local organization, Can Do Canines (they are located in New Hope, MN). Her dog Obie helped her regain her independence and ensured that she could safely attend classes on campus again. After five years as a team, Obie is now retired and spends his days sleeping in the sun next to Luna, his kitty best friend. Obie and Samantha are now featured on a vehicle that was donated to Can Do Canines by Subaru.  

Meet Dr. Odessa Luna

Dr. Odessa Luna is an Assistant Professor in St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program. Dr. Luna received her Ph.D. in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences from Auburn University in 2019. Dr. Luna has been involved in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for nine years.

Dr. Luna is most proud of the work she has done supervising and mentoring master’s students in behavior analysis. Her former trainees are disseminating evidence-based practices for individuals diagnosed with autism across the nation in clinics, schools, and residential centers.

Dr. Luna was originally drawn to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis by her in-home work as a therapist for a young child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who was nonverbal.

Dr. Luna’s intervention expertise/area of expertise is parent, staff, and teacher training.

Some fun facts about Dr. Luna are that she enjoys playing Pokémon Go and trying new ice cream flavors!

For frequent updates on Odessa and the clinic team like us on Facebook.

Meet Dr. Kim Schulze

Dr. Kimberly A. Schulze is a Professor in St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program. Dr. Schulze received her Ph.D. in Special Education from Utah State University in 1990. Dr. Schulze has been involved in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 30 years.

Dr. Schulze is most proud of starting the distance ABA online program in 2002 along with Dr. Rudrud (professor emeritus).

Dr. Schulze was originally drawn to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis by her undergraduate advisor who was a student of Don Baer at the University of Kansas.

Dr. Schulze’s intervention expertise/area of expertise is Autism Spectrum Disorder, teacher training, social skills training, and distance teaching.

A fun fact about Dr. Schulze: One of the first ABA master’s graduates of the SCSU program. We had an operant lab with pigeons and rats back in the day.

To support Kim and the rest of the staff like our clinic on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuskyABAClinic

Meet Dr. Michele Traub

Dr. Michele Traub is an Assistant Professor in St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program. Dr. Traub received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2016. Dr. Traub has been involved in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 10 years.

Dr. Traub is most proud of her work mentoring students. She loves getting to know each student and working with them to help them achieve their goals!

Dr. Traub was originally drawn to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis by serving as a home-school instructor for a teenager diagnosed with autism.

Dr. Traub’s intervention expertise/area of expertise is school consultation, cultural competency, and behavioral medicine.

A fun fact about Dr. Traub is that before she was a behavior analyst, she worked as a stage manager for theater and opera productions!

To stay updated on Michele and the clinic like the Facebook page.

Meet Dr. Ben Witts!

Dr. Benjamin Witts is an Associate Professor and director of the St. Cloud State University’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program. Dr. Witts received his Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2013. Dr. Witts has been involved in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for 14 years.

Dr. Witts is most proud of his students’ success post-graduation, as his students continue to be a source of inspiration for him.

Dr. Witts was originally drawn to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis by its scientific and naturalistic approach to human behavior.

Dr. Witts’ area of expertise is research methodology, particularly single-case research designs.

A fun fact about Dr. Witts is he owns a first edition of every B. F. Skinner book, even a first edition first printing of Behavior of Organisms and a signed copy of About Behaviorism.

To keep up to date with Ben and the rest of the SCSU staff like the clinic on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuskyABAClinic

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