Department Chair
Email: vknapp@daemen.edu
Office: TRC 204
Phone: 716-839-7290
Vicki Madaus Knapp, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (NY) is the Chairperson of the Behavioral Science Department at 51Թ and an Associate Professor and Executive Director in the Department. Dr. Knapp holds a Doctorate in Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Kansas, specializing in ABA. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Western Michigan University. She is an NYS Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D). She has been practicing in ABA to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve their goals for over 30 years. Dr. Knapp is a member of the NYS Board for Applied Behavior Analysis. She recently served as the Secretary for the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA) and has held other positions in the past, including Representative-at-Large, Education Chairperson, Conference Chairperson, and President. She has multiple scholarly publications and has provided several invited presentations at regional conferences and events.
Faculty
Email: abrehm@daemen.edu
Office: TRC 207
Phone: 716-839-7285
Ashley Brehm joined 51Թ in February of 2019 as an assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Science after serving as an adjunct faculty member since the fall of 2018. After graduating from Gannon University with a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary and Special Education she served as a preschool autism teacher for 3 years in Fairfax, Virginia. Ashley has her Masters in Special Education from Canisius College. Upon moving back to Buffalo she served a variety of roles, including leadership roles, at a school for children with developmental disabilities in the area. Ashley also has experience working as a clinical supervisor providing insurance based services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Her primary professional and research interests include early intervention for children with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, increasing functional communication skills of individuals with disabilities and training special education staff to use evidence based practices within the public school system. She is a member of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts and New York State Association for Behavior Analysis.
Ashley resides in Collins with her husband and 3 daughters. They enjoy camping and spending time with family and friends.
Email: mhickman@daemen.edu
Office: TRC 202
Phone: 716-839-8339
Dr. Michelle Hickman joined 51Թ as an assistant professor of Behavioral Science, having most recently served as an adjunct faculty member and as director of curriculum, instruction and training at The Summit Center.
Hickman, who has more than 20 years of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis and special education, previously worked as an assistant professor of exceptional education at SUNY Buffalo State and as a clinical supervisor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Hickman’s research interests include programming for generalized learning in individuals with developmental disabilities and training special education teachers to use evidence-based practices. She also has an interest and experience in curriculum development and providing engaging and effective instruction to nontraditional college learners.
Hickman earned a doctorate in special education and applied behavior analysis and a master’s degree in special education, both from The Ohio State University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology and secondary science education from SUNY Cortland.
Outside 51Թ, Hickman enjoys spending time with her husband and four sons. She also enjoys the outdoors and traveling to competitions for her sons, who are competitive gymnasts.
Email: kkotwick@daemen.edu
Office: TRC 206
Phone: 716-839-7225
Kellie Kotwicki is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Experiential Learning Coordinator in the Behavioral Science Department at 51Թ.
Kellie completed her Master of Science Degree in School Counseling from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. She then went on to obtain her Advanced Coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology. She has been working in the field delivering insurance-based and consultative services for over 10 years and is licensed and practicing in New York State (NYS). Her passion for this field is providing ABA in the home and school settings, delivering quality and evidence based services remotely in rural areas. She has an special interest in ethical and professional supervision programs for students pursuing coursework in ABA which includes the teaching soft skills and self care strategies for graduate students. As the Experiential Learning Coordinator, it is her goal to help guide students in learning the laws, rules and regulations set forth by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for NYS Licensure and ensure that they have a quality supervision experience.
Email: dnapolit@daemen.edu
Office: TRC 201
Phone: 716-839-8545
Dr. Deborah Napolitano joined the Behavioral Science faculty at 51Թ as an Assistant Professor in October of 2018. Debbi previously was on faculty as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine where she still retains a Courtesy Clinical Associate Professor appointment. Debbi also consults to the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing. Debbi obtained her Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology/Behavior Analysis from the University of Kansas in 2000.
Debbi is widely published in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and behavior analysis, with peer reviewed research publications in some of the field’s premier journals such as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Debbi also serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Mental Health Research in Developmental Disabilities. Debbi’s research interests are in the areas of rigid and repetitive behavior in individuals with autism, drug and behavior interactions, applications of behavior analysis in child welfare, and the assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior of persons with IDD. Her clinical interests are also in these areas, with additional focus on interprofessional collaboration and the interface between behavior therapy (e.g., Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and ABA for individuals with dual diagnosis of IDD and brain health concerns.
Debbi has spent a great deal of her career advocating for individuals with IDD, their families, and for the profession of Behavior Analysis. She serves on the Leadership Council for the National Council for Severe Autism. Debbi is currently the chair for the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA) legislative committee where she works towards appropriate credentialing in the state. Debbi also is the secretary for the Severe Challenging Behavior Special Interest Group of the International Association on the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID). Debbi has previously served as President of NYSABA and as a board member for the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) Board of Directors for the previous six years.
Email: hpane@daemen.edu
Phone: 716-839-7344
Dr. Heather Pane joined 51Թ as an assistant professor in the Behavioral Science Department in September of 2022. Heather has over 25 years of experience specializing in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Her experience includes working at private not-for-profit schools for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), providing training and consultation to public-school programs, and providing direct instruction, training, and consultation in the home and community settings. Heather also serves as an adjunct professor at Caldwell University for the Department of ABA and the Department of Psychology and Counseling. Heather completed her Master’s and Doctorate degree in ABA at Caldwell University. She also completed a Master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in developmental disabilities at William Paterson University, and she has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Rider University. She is a doctorate-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and holds a teacher of the handicapped certificate in New Jersey. Heather has also presented at many local and national conferences, has peer reviewed research publications, and was the recipient of awards for both her thesis and dissertation research. Her research interests include teaching play and social skills to children with ASD.
Email: vpatrone@daemen.edu
Office: TRC 203
Phone: (716) 839-8233
Vanessa Patrone joined 51Թ as a full-time faculty member of the Education Department in November of 2017 after teaching as an adjunct instructor for both the Psychology and Education departments since 2014. She is currently teaching both online and at our Amherst campus in the graduate Behavioral Science Program and continues to teach the undergraduate introduction to ABA as well.
Originally from Olean, NY, Vanessa received her undergraduate degree in psychology from SUNY Geneseo and went on to receive a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Human Services Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. While in Maryland, she worked with individuals with severe behavior disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute of the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Upon moving to New York State, Vanessa worked as a Behavior Analyst and Consultant for the Summit Center.
Vanessa was Board Certified as a Behavior Analyst in 2003, was licensed in the State of New York in 2015 and is currently working towards her PhD in Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning at the University at Buffalo. She serves on the Board of Directors of New York State Association for Applied Behavior Analysis (NYSABA). Her research interests include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, functional assessment of problem behavior and the impact of culture on behavior analytic service provision.
Vanessa lives in Buffalo with her husband and two daughters.
Adjunct Faculty
Email: ajenning@daemen.edu
Phone: 716-839-7346
Dr. Adrienne Jennings is an adjunct instructor and a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Jennings received her B.S. in psychology from Texas Christian University, M.A. in psychology (with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis) from California State University Sacramento (CSUS), and her Ph.D. in applied behavior analysis from Caldwell University. As a doctoral student, Dr. Jennings completed an externship at Kennedy Krieger Institute in the neurobehavioral unit. Additionally, she has over 10 years of experience in clinical settings working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. She serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and the Research Competition Coordinator for the Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group. She has published peer-reviewed articles and presented at state, regional, and international conferences. Her research interests include the acquisition and development of verbal behavior, the role of verbal behavior in learning, emergent behavior, and strategies to increase teaching efficiency. Dr. Jennings is also interested in incorporating data science to research in behavior analysis.
Email: jrumfola@daemen.edu
Jennifer Rumfola, MA, CCC/SLP, BCBA/LBA is a dually credentialed professional, licensed and certified as a Speech Language Pathologist and Behavior Analyst (BCBA/LBA) in NY. She possesses expertise and advanced skills in teaching language and prosocial behaviors to children on the autism spectrum. She has helped clients across the life span from Early Intervention, Preschool through School in both home, center-based, and public-school settings. Over the past 10+ years, she has successfully integrated strategies and techniques from both disciplines to help individuals with autism and their educational teams generate better student outcomes.
Jennifer works for an online company that provides continuing education and clinical products for a variety of professional disciplines. She serves as the CE coordinator that oversees ACE, QABA, ASHA, APA and AOTA certification. Jennifer conducts training for a variety of audiences including educators, related service providers, administrators, parents, para-professionals and undergraduate/ graduate students across disciplines. She serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Behavioral Science Department's graduate program at 51Թ in Buffalo, NY, and was formerly a part time graduate clinical supervisor and adjunct faculty at the University of New York at Buffalo in the Communication Disorders and Sciences Department.
