Dr. Griffin Rooker

Griffin Rooker, BCBA, Ph.D.

Director for New Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Focuses on: Servant Leadership, Compassion and Community

THE MOUNT WELCOMES GRIFFIN ROOKER, BCBA, PH.D., director of graduate studies in applied behavior analysis and assistant professor, to create, shape and lead the new Master of Science in applied behavior analysis (MSABA)—an interdisciplinary degree between the School of Education and the Department of Psychology in the School of Natural Science and Mathematics.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rooker as the founding director of the new applied behavior analysis program,” said Dean of the School of Education Barbara Marinak, Ph.D. “Under his leadership we are confident the program advances both the university’s mission and our Catholic identity by preparing graduates to serve vulnerable children and young adults with dignity and professionalism.”

Rooker has more than two decades of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Before he arrived at the Mount, he was an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a research scientist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, where he conducted NIH-funded research focused on self-injurious behavior amongst individuals with IDD. He has published dozens of scholarly articles and is associate editor for the peer-reviewed Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. He’s won several awards, including the 2017 and 2018 “Contribution of the Year” from the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

He first encountered applied behavior analysis while working at the New England Center for Children in Massachusetts where he provided residential care to individuals who engage in severe problem behaviors including aggression and self-injury. “It was really powerful to be able to work one-on-one with those individuals who are definitely the most underserved in our society and see their behavior change, to see these people get better on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “It’s really disturbing to watch someone hurt themselves, but it’s really powerful to watch them learn to use language instead of engaging in these severe behaviors.” Rooker reasoned it was good to positively affect one person’s life, but better to positively affect lots of people’s lives. Initially, that’s how he ended up in research, completing his master's at Northeastern University and doctorate at the University of Florida.

His path of research and training complemented his mentoring and teaching—and that’s when he began looking for a position that would allow him to do the greatest good. He believes the new MSABA program is centered on the ideas of servant leadership and compassionate care. “Underneath all of this is a desire to help other people,” he stated. “We’re looking for individuals to serve their local communities and provide care—and we can train them.”

Applied behavior analysts assess and treat behavioral, communication, developmental and learning disorders/ disabilities. Behavior analysts work in several settings including providing care in schools, clinics, homes, hospitals and everyday workplaces. According to the most recent report of the U.S. Employment Demand for Behavior Analysts, annual demand for board certified behavior analysts has increased about 800% from 2010 to 2017.

The Mount’s MSABA is unique because it offers highly desirable opportunities for students to learn from a range of professors with diverse experiences in applied behavior analysis—from translational researchers in behavioral science to educators who are experienced in classroom management—with the goal to improve communities and serve those in need.

Want to learn more?

Visit msmary.edu/aba or email Dr. Rooker at g.w.rooker@msmary.edu.