About Us

Dr. Tonya N. Davis is a professor of educational psychology with expertise in special education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She earned her Ph.D. in special education from the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in autism and developmental disabilities, and holds BCBA-D certification. Dr. Davis coordinates Baylor University’s undergraduate Special Education Program and the master's program in educational psychology with an ABA focus. Her research centers on ABA applications for severe challenging behaviors in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a focus on communication interventions and teaching strategies for autism. She also investigates best practices for training professionals to implement evidence-based practices. Dr. Davis's work is published in top journals, and she serves on editorial boards, including Behavior Modification. She teaches undergraduate, master's, and doctoral courses, and has been recognized with multiple awards for her scholarship and teaching excellence.

Dr. Jessica S. Akers is an associate professor of educational psychology with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and holds a Ph.D. in Disability Disciplines from Utah State University. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral Level (BCBA-D), Dr. Akers’s research explores strategies for enhancing social, play, and verbal skills in individuals with autism. She is particularly interested in fostering play between children with autism and their typically developing peers and siblings. Her work has been published in journals such as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and The Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Dr. Akers has extensive experience working with children with autism in home, center, and school settings, focusing on skill development and behavior management.

Dr. Jennifer H. Robins is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Baylor University. She received her doctorate in educational psychology with an emphasis in gifted education from Baylor University. Previously, she taught gifted elementary students in Waco ISD; worked as senior editor at Prufrock Press, focusing on the development of scholarly materials; and was the Director of Publications and Professional Development at the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary. From 2018–2023, she was the Director of the Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at Baylor.

Her textbook, Introduction to Gifted Education, which was coedited with Dr. Julia Roberts and Dr. Tracy Ford Inman, won the 2018 Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Legacy Book Award in the scholar category. She has served as secretary, treasurer, and vice-president of The Association for the Gifted, Council for Exceptional Children, and has been actively involved with the National Association for Gifted Children, the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, and the Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent (RoGCT) AERA SIG, serving on a number of committees and in positions as an elected or appointed member. She is currently the past program chair for the RoGCT SIG.

She is coeditor, with Dr. Jennifer L. Jolly, of the Journal for the Education of the Gifted. Her areas of interest include the history of gifted education and underrepresented populations.

Kristy is a Senior Research Associate for the Family CARE program and a doctoral candidate in the School of Education's EdD in Learning & Organizational Change. Kristy attended the University of North Texas, earning a BA in sociology and MEd in special education.  She is also a graduate of Tarleton State University, with an MEd in Educational Administration with principal certification. 

Kristy's certifications specialize in autism intervention and emotional/behavior disorders; she is also a certified transition specialist. Kristy is a board member for the Bell County Autism Intervention Team (BAIT), Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) of Bell, Coryell, and Milam Counties. She was also a board member and race director for the Heart of Texas Autism Network (HOTAN) 5K Run and Walk for Autism for 10 years. She coaches Special Olympics for The Incredibles of Waco (adult team), along with her husband, James, and daughter, Kinley.

Kristy enjoys being involved in the community and has a vision to motivate, inspire, encourage, and teach the children of today! She is a voice for individuals with disabilities, and she advocates for creating an equal opportunity to continue every student’s higher education and involvement in the community.

Kaci Lott is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Educational Psychology at Baylor University. She has a background in community outreach, education, program management, and child and family advocacy. Her work has included leading trauma-informed initiatives, managing grant-funded programs, and collaborating with schools, nonprofits, and community partners to support families and build stronger communities.

Kaci is passionate about creating environments where individuals feel heard, valued, and supported. Her work is grounded in her faith and guided by her commitment to trust, empathy, and consistency. She brings these values into her daily work and relationships, striving to make a meaningful impact through both service and connection.

Outside of her professional life, Kaci enjoys spending time with her husband, Matthew, and their three daughters — Poppi Grace, Willow, and Sunny. They bring so much love and laughter to her life.

Beyza is a doctoral student in the Educational Psychology Department at Baylor University, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Originally from Türkiye, Beyza is a special education teacher committed to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Her research interests include caregiver-implemented interventions to address challenging behaviors in individuals with IDD and tailoring interventions to align with diverse cultural contexts.

Fun fact: Beyza can make amigurumi dolls!

Kelsey is a doctoral student specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Her goal is to make a positive impact by disseminating the science of ABA and promoting evidence-based practices that foster meaningful, lasting change.

Her long-term aspiration is to empower families and professionals by providing tools to support individuals with disabilities, enhancing inclusion and overall well-being.

Fun fact: Kelsey loves spending time at the lake and water skiing with friends and family.

Michael is a graduate assistant specializing in Journalism and Public Relations. He graduated from Baylor University with a BA in Photojournalism. He is passionate about building relationships, having meaningful conversations about God,  and photography. Through his passion for visual storytelling, Michael aims to tell the stories of those who feel they have no voice. 

Fun Fact: Michael has a Beagle named Bailey.

Flor is currently a Graduate Assistant working towards obtaining her Master’s in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Back in her home country, Honduras, she understood the power of learning to transform lives which led her to get her Bachelor’s in Psychology and also become a teacher that was a passionate advocate for creating effective and inclusive learning environments for her students. Flor is deeply committed to ensuring that children and teenagers have access to high-quality, evidence-based strategies that meet their individual needs and help them grow into confident, lifelong learners. For her, education is more than a profession—it is a way to open doors and create opportunities for all. 

In her free time, she enjoys reading a variety of books, watching science fiction movies, and playing soccer.

Alex is a doctoral student in the Educational Psychology department specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  She is committed to providing behavior analytic services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through increased access to evidence-based strategies to individuals and their support teams. Alex's research interests are ethical service delivery in residential placements for adolescents with challenging behavior. 

Serena Garza is a 4th year Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Her research interests include coaching caregivers to implement interventions, improving the social validity of evidence-based practices, and increasing accessibility of behavioral strategies for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Nazette is a graduate assistant at Baylor University and a master's student in Educational Psychology, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to creating more supportive and inclusive environments for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Through her research and academic pursuits, Nazette aims to empower individuals and families of these communities. 

Fun fact: Nazette can make pasta from scratch!

Sarah McClaskey is a graduate student in the Educational Psychology Department at Baylor University, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Originally from California, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Thought with a minor in Global Cultural Studies from Concordia University Irvine. During her undergraduate studies, Sarah spent a semester abroad in Rwanda, where she volunteered at a home for children with special needs—an experience that inspired her passion for Educational Psychology. Dedicated to helping children thrive, Sarah aspires to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and expand access to ABA services for children both in the U.S. and around the world.

Ashlyn is a Family CARE graduate assistant and a master’s student at Baylor University, studying Applied Behavior Analysis. Her goal is to become a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn self-regulation and life skills. Ashlyn is passionate about helping families use evidence-based practices at home and teaching strategies that improve daily life. 

Fun fact: Ashlyn has lived in Texas her whole life!

Nathan is a graduate assistant at Baylor University, studying in the field of Educational Psychology with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Nathan attended Baylor University here he received his BA in Psychology. Nathan is passionate about creating a meaningful impact on individuals with ASD, while supporting them and their families. Nathan’s goal is to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, where he will utilize evidence-based practices to foster learning and encourage growth. 

Fun fact: Nathan loves coaching swimmers!

Ruby Okoh is a graduate student in the Educational Psychology Department at Baylor University, with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Originally from Ghana, Ruby pursued her undergraduate studies in Psychology in Turkey, where she developed a strong interest in working with children. Since then, she has gained extensive experience supporting children and adolescents across various settings.

Ruby is passionate about making a meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of children with autism by helping them reach their full potential through evidence-based ABA practices. Her long-term research interests focus on integrating technology and artificial intelligence into the science of ABA to enhance treatment outcomes and accessibility.

Fun fact : Ruby enjoys playing musical instruments in her free time and has taught herself to play three at an intermediate level.

Anni is a graduate student in the Journalism program at Baylor. Originally from China, she is passionate about cross-cultural communication and corporate public relations, with a particular focus on how organizations build and manage stakeholder relationships across cultural and institutional boundaries.

Anni also has a strong interest in education. Prior to her graduate studies in the U.S., she taught at a college in China, where she mentored undergraduate students and supported their career development through coursework and internship guidance.

As a member of the Family CARE team, Anni assists with marketing and outreach efforts by preparing newsletters, designing flyers, and helping manage social media updates—all aimed at supporting parent engagement and increasing awareness of available services.