Jezebel Steffen did not originally set out to work in the field of applied behavior analysis, but arrived at the decision through a series of personal experiences.
“In 2013,” Jez says, “a young man changed the course of my life.” At the time, she was a student in an unrelated field and needed a second job. She was hired to provide respite services for this young man’s mother and had the opportunity to take him into the community to do activities that he enjoyed.
That experience inspired her to continue providing support to individuals of all ages across a wide range of settings. A lifelong friend, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and mentor, Melinda, celebrated her creativity and gave her the confidence to step fully into the world of behavioral science.
Ball State University Faculty Who Stand Out
During her time as an online student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University, Jez worked with many faculty members whose influence continues to stand out to her. She fondly remembers one such professor.
“Professor Vincent LaMarca was one of my favorite professors. He goes the extra mile to make sure his students are successful, not just over the course of the semester, but much later in their careers as well. His class was highly rigorous, but it was achievable with his support,” Jez says.
“He also helped me feel like any other student in the classroom, despite my learning differences. So, I think what he accomplished in his communication with me is something he might consider a great success.”
She also mentions Dr. Brittany Bales, who encouraged her to pursue a PhD, as well as Professor Kacyn Tucker Ramer, Professor Kaitlin Smith, and Dr. Zina Eluri, whose compassion and handling of her disability support services (DSS) accommodations made her feel respected and cared for.
“I often caught myself apologizing when I needed extra time or deadline flexibility,” Jez recalls, “but Dr. Bales once told me, ‘Don’t apologize. Take your time and turn in work that you can be proud of.’ They might not have realized it at the time, but they were showing me how to lead with compassion, to encourage growth and presence over perfection, and to see the whole person in front of you.”
“[My professors] might not have realized it at the time, but they were showing me how to lead with compassion, to encourage growth and presence over perfection, and to see the whole person in front of you.”
Favorite Courses in the ABA Program
Jez remembers a specific semester-long group project in her Advanced Behavior Analysis class that really helped her learn something important about herself: specifically, that research is where she feels most at home. During this project, she discovered that she enjoys engaging with behavioral analytic literature and analyzing data, which solidified her interest in conducting her own research in the future.
From another course, Assessment of Young Children with Exceptional Needs, Jez explains what she learned.
“We completed a thorough developmental assessment for a child in our lives with either suspected or diagnosed developmental delays. Assessments are central to what we do. They allow us to identify strengths and challenges, make certain our interventions are evidence-based, and guide our goal selection,” she says.
“Pairing strong assessment practices with research is one of the most impactful ways I can support learners and contribute to the field.”
The Ball State Online Choice
For Jez, the most crucial part of selecting a program was the clinical focus as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) specialization, which she found at Ball State. “I chose Ball State knowing that the course sequence is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the program is well respected,” Jez explains.
“I chose Ball State knowing that the course sequence is verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the program is well respected.”
In keeping with her love for data and research, Jez shared some specifics about the Ball State ABA program.
“In 2023, the program’s first-time BCBA exam pass rate was 55 percent, which is pretty strong for such a large program,” she shares.
“The BCBA exam is tough. Many people in the field don’t pass the first time because the standards are so high.”
She explains that she is studying for the exam two years early to ensure her own readiness. She enjoys the free (and fun!) exam prep offered by the University and is grateful to the faculty who facilitate it during their own evenings.
“The program aims to prepare us with both the scientific foundation and the compassion we need to support and advocate for our clients,” she shares.
“Overall, I’m pleased with my decision to go with Ball State over other competitors.”
“The program aims to prepare us with both the scientific foundation and the compassion we need to support and advocate for our clients. Overall, I’m pleased with my decision to go with Ball State over other competitors.”
How the Ball State Program Turns Into a Career
Jez currently works as a neuro-affirming Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with Supportive Community Innovations, a trauma-informed agency with locations in central and southern Indiana. In this role, she directly supports children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities, and she will begin accruing concentrated supervised fieldwork hours in the spring, following the start of her master’s program.
“My time at Ball State gave me a strong foundation in applied behavior analysis, from assessment to intervention, and I definitely feel more prepared to step into this position with knowledge and confidence,” she tells us.
Jez is also proud to share that she will be the first person in her family to graduate from college, and that she received the Next One Up Scholarship from Ball State University’s Department of Special Education. She is also proud of maintaining a 4.0 GPA and being on track to graduate Summa Cum Laude as a neurodivergent student.
“For me,” she says, “this achievement represents not only perseverance and sacrifice, but also my commitment to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.”
She goes on to share, “I hold a belief in dignity and possibility at the core of my work. I understand the importance of compassionate support and the powerful difference it can make in the trajectory of someone’s life.”