Dear NJABA Members,

It is both an honor and a privilege to begin serving as President of the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis. NJABA has been an important part of my professional journey for many years, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me. I look forward to working alongside our outstanding Board, committee members, volunteers, and members as we continue to strengthen behavior analysis throughout New Jersey.

As I begin this role, I find myself reflecting on the people who helped shape my career and the importance of mentorship in our profession. Every behavior analyst’s journey is different, but very few of us arrive where we are without someone who believes in us, encourages us, and helps us grow. I would not be where I am today without the guidance, encouragement, and generosity of mentors, including Dr. Sandra Harris, who passed away on June 1. Sandy saw potential in me before I saw it in myself, played an instrumental role in introducing me to the field of behavior analysis, and inspired me to remain in it. I know I am only one of many behavior analysts whose careers were shaped by her wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to helping others grow.

Her example reminds me that one of the greatest strengths of our profession is the way we invest in one another. Whether someone is an RBT taking their first steps in behavior analysis, a graduate student preparing to become a BCBA, an early-career behavior analyst seeking guidance, or an experienced clinician stepping into a new leadership role, we all benefit from colleagues who are willing to answer questions, share experiences, and offer support. A strong professional community values the diverse experiences, perspectives, and strengths each member brings. When we foster mentorship, collaboration, and cultural responsiveness, we strengthen not only our individual practice but our profession as a whole.

That is the spirit I hope we continue to cultivate through NJABA. During my presidency, I hope to help make NJABA an even more valuable professional community for our members throughout the year. Through mentoring opportunities, networking, active participation in our workgroups, and other meaningful ways to connect, I hope we can make it even easier for members to build lasting professional relationships, continue growing professionally, and feel a genuine sense of belonging within NJABA.

Our recent Annual Conference was a wonderful reminder of the strength of our community. It was inspiring to see behavior analysts, RBTs, students, educators, researchers, and our community partners come together to learn from one another, share new ideas, and advance the science and practice of behavior analysis. One of the highlights of this year’s conference was the success of our inaugural RBT track. It reflected our commitment to supporting members at every stage of their professional journey and ensuring that everyone, from those just entering the field to experienced behavior analysts, has meaningful opportunities to learn, connect, and grow through NJABA.

I thank our outstanding keynote speakers, Dr. Pat Friman, Dr. Mary Jane Weiss, and Dr. Bob LaRue, for sharing their expertise and inspiring our attendees. I also recognize the extraordinary efforts of our Conference Chairs, Marlene Brown and Quintara Tucker. Organizing a conference of this scale requires countless hours of planning, coordination, and problem-solving, much of it behind the scenes. Their dedication, along with the efforts of Success Communications Group, our Board members, numerous volunteers, presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees, made this year’s conference a tremendous success.

Thank you for being members of this community and for the opportunity to serve as your President. I am excited for the year ahead and look forward to working together to strengthen our profession, support one another, and continue building an NJABA where behavior analysts at every stage of their careers can learn, connect, contribute, and grow.

Warmly,

Robert Isenhower, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA-NJ
President, NJABA

President, NJABA