For many people, the pursuit of higher education can feel out of reach while balancing a full-time career and family life, but for Assistant Behavior Specialist Liisa Leo-Smith, support from Springbrook Scholars helped turn a long-held professional goal into reality.
Liisa recently graduated from Daemen University with a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), completing the program in May 2026 after beginning her studies in September 2024. Her achievement marks an important milestone in a journey driven by dedication to the people she supports and a passion for behavioral services.
Liisa said Springbrook’s partnership with Daemen University, along with the university’s strong Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam pass rates, encouraged her to finally pursue the degree she had been considering for years.
Through the support of the Springbrook Scholars program, she was able to make graduate school financially possible while continuing her work at Springbrook.
“I would not have been able to afford graduate school without the assistance from the Springbrook Scholars program,” Liisa shared. “I intend to stay with the agency long-term, and the program has provided the funds to support my growth at Springbrook.”
Throughout her graduate studies, Liisa found one of the most rewarding aspects was being able to immediately apply what she was learning to her role as Assistant Behavior Specialist. Supporting both students and staff while deepening her understanding of behavior strengthened her confidence and reinforced her passion for the field.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this graduate school journey has been being able to apply my education to the work I do,” she said. “This trek into the world of behavior has improved my overall confidence in providing behavioral support.”
While rewarding, the journey also came with significant challenges. Liisa began the program shortly after the birth of her son while navigating major staffing turnover within the campus behavior team. Balancing graduate school, full-time work, motherhood, coaching competitive gymnastics at the YMCA, and caring for a large group of pets and animals required careful time management and sacrifice.
She credits much of her success to the support of her husband, Matt, who stepped in to manage many household and childcare responsibilities while she pursued her goals. She also recognized her behavior team colleagues, especially Behavior Analyst in Training Jonathan Vega and Residential Director at The School Adam Remillard, for helping her build confidence and persevere through moments of self-doubt.
Looking ahead, Liisa hopes her studies will help strengthen behavioral training opportunities for staff while continuing to promote proactive interventions that support students in meaningful ways. She is especially passionate about supporting direct support professionals and ensuring they have the tools and skills needed to implement effective behavioral strategies.
“Challenging behavior happens for a reason,” Liisa explained. “If we work to understand the ‘why’ behind the behavior, we can implement strategies that will truly be impactful for the individual and the people who support them.”
Liisa will continue accruing her fieldwork hours over the next year and plans to sit for the BCBA exam in 2027. Her journey reflects the impact of professional development opportunities like Springbrook Scholars and the dedication of employees who continue to grow in service of others.