Dr. Trevor Stokes
Alvin V. Baird Centennial Chair in Psychology
Director, Alvin V. Baird Attention and Learning Disabilities Center
Campbell Building 2241
540-568-7931
stokestf@jmu.edu
Dr. Stokes is the Alvin V. Baird Centennial Chair in Psychology and Professor of Graduate Psychology at James Madison University. He is also the Director of James Madison University’s Alvin V. Baird Attention and Learning Disabilities Center at the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services. He was educated at the University of Western Australia and the University of Kansas. Dr. Stokes is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and licensed Behavior Analyst in Virginia. Before coming to James Madison University, he held academic appointments at the University of Manitoba, West Virginia University, and the University of South Florida. Dr. Stokes has a diverse research background and a wide range of experience in practice and teaching in Clinical and School Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis.
Dr. Krisztina Jakobsen
Alvin V., Jr. and Nancy C. Baird Professor
Campbell Building 2240
540-568-4301
jakobskv@jmu.edu
Dr. Jakobsen is the Alvin V. and Nancy C. Baird Professor of Psychology and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at James Madison University. She also conducts research with the Cognitive Development Lab at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, her Master of Science from the University of Georgia, and her Ph.D. in Lifespan Human Development also from the University of Georgia. Dr. Jakobsen’s research interests include cognitive development in infants and children, visual attention and eye tracking, and evidence-based teaching practices.
Maria Leventhal, BCBA, LBA
Director, Applied Behavior Analysis Clinics
Campbell Building 2245
540-568-7931
leven2mk@jmu.edu
Maria is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, licensed through the Virginia Board of Medicine. She is a graduate of James Madison University, where she received an M.A in Psychological Sciences with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. While in the program, Maria held graduate assistantships in JMU's Baird Center Clinics and internships in the public schools and the Virginia Institute of Autism. In these roles, she provided ABA services to clients with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, created and implemented individualized programs, and worked with caregivers to identify areas of need. Her professional work is guided by an interdisciplinary approach, facilitating collaboration among professionals in various disciplines to achieve effective and lasting outcomes for clients. Her areas of interest include early intervention, caregiver training, and interprofessional collaboration.
Ethan Gutter
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Campbell Building 2243
540-568-7931
BairdCenter@jmu.edu
Ethan is a Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology-Behavior Analysis from the University of Florida. Ethan worked at the University of Florida as a research assistant studying the effects of the Good Behavior Game on managing classroom behaviors among public elementary and middle school students, with a focus on children with learning and developmental disabilities. This is Ethan’s second year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Ethan worked at VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment as a BCBA Intern last year. This year, Ethan is working in Augusta County Public Schools as a BCBA Intern. He has primarily been working with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. His research interests include treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), and substance abuse.
Kendall Hewitt
Inter-Professional Autism Clinic Coordinator
Campbell Building 2243
540-568-7931
BairdCenter@jmu.edu
Kendall is a Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication, from James Madison University. She currently holds a Registered Behavior Technician certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. In addition, Kendall worked at Continuum Behavioral Health as a Behavior Technician, providing ABA therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is Kendall’s second year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Kendall worked at Harrisonburg City Public Schools as a BCBA Intern last year. This year, Kendall is working in Waynesboro City Public Schools as a BCBA Intern. She has primarily been working with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. Her research interests include early intervention for children with ASD and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
Tatum Melone
Administrative Clinic Coordinator
Campbell Building 2243
540-568-7931
BairdCenter@jmu.edu
Tatum is a Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University. She currently holds a Registered Behavior Technician certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. In addition, Tatum worked at the Speech and Language Center as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing ABA therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is Tatum’s second year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Tatum worked at Shenandoah County Public Schools as a BCBA Intern last year. This year, Tatum is working in Harrisonburg City Public Schools as a BCBA Intern. She has primarily been working with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. Her research interests include early intervention, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Social Skills Training (SST).
Luis Alberto Escalera Romero Jr.
Nuevo Dia (Spanish Clinic) Coordinator
Campbell Building 2243
540-568-7931
BairdCenter@jmu.edu
Luis is a second-year Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. He received his Bachelor of Arts in General Psychology, with a minor in Medical Spanish, from James Madison University. He currently holds a Registered Behavior Technician certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. In addition, Luis volunteered at the Alvin V. Baird Attention & Learning Disabilities Center as an interpreter, providing services for Spanish-speaking clients. This is Luis’s second year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Luis worked at Waynesboro City Public Schools as a BCBA Intern last year. This year, Luis is working at VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment as a BCBA Intern. He has primarily been working with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. His research interests include creating culturally and linguistically adapted behavior-analytic interventions to improve service access and outcomes for Spanish-speaking populations.
Anna Thomas
ABA Parenting Clinic Coordinator
Campbell Building 2243
540-568-7931
BairdCenter@jmu.edu
Anna is a Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services, with a minor in History, from East Carolina University. She currently holds a Registered Behavior Technician certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. In addition, Anna worked at Aces for Autism as a Behavior Technician, providing ABA services to children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is Anna’s second year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Anna worked at VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment as a BCBA Intern last year. This year, Anna has been working in Staunton City Public Schools as a BCBA Intern. She has primarily been working with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. Her research interests include gender gaps in treatment effectiveness.
Eve Cunningham
Graduate Student Therapist
Eve is a Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from James Madison University. Eve worked at Fairfax County Public Schools as an elementary school teacher, providing differentiated learning experiences and implementing ABA practices with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. This is Eve’s first year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Eve is working at VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment as a BCBA Intern. She has primarily been working with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. Her research interests include early intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and PANS, as well as parent-child interaction and communication.
Tess Deyerle
Graduate Student Therapist
Tess is a Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive and Behavioral Science from Washington and Lee University. She currently holds a Registered Behavior Technician certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. In addition, Tess worked at Mosaic Pediatric Therapy as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing ABA therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is Tess’s first year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Tess has been working at Rockingham County Public Schools as a BCBA Intern. She has primarily been working with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. Her research interests include early intervention, differential reinforcement, and high-intensity behaviors.
Mary Flanagan
Graduate Student Therapist
Mary is a Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University. This is Mary’s first year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Mary has been working at VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment as a BCBA Intern. She has primarily been working with adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her research interests include early intervention and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to better support children with developmental disabilities and empower caregivers through evidence-based interventions.
Sophie Kemble
Graduate Student Therapist
Sophie is a Master’s student in the Psychological Sciences program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from the University of Dayton. She currently holds a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). In addition, Sophie worked at Ruby ABA as a Registered Behavior Technician in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities in both home- and clinic-based settings. This is Sophie’s first year working at the Baird Center as a Graduate Student Therapist, using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. In addition to working at the Baird Center, Sophie has been working in Shenandoah County Public Schools as a BCBA Intern. She has primarily been working with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. Her research interests include early intervention, social skills development, parent training and collaboration, and functional communication training.