Williams and Ruiz Recognized for Leadership in Behavior Analysis
Michele Williams was recognized alongside Maria Ruiz, the first female psychology professor at Rollins, as one of the seminal female leaders in the field of behavior analysis.
July 24, 2025
Michele Williams, associate professor and department chair of the Master of Applied Behavior Analysis & Clinical Science (ABACS) program, recently served on an expert panel for accreditation site visitors at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International in Washington, D.C., where she was also recognized as one of the female leaders in the discipline.
As inaugural ABACS program director, she helped the program gain accreditation in 2019, only four years after founding the program. The Rollins ABACS program was created in part by former psychology professor Maria Ruiz, whose legacy has had far-reaching impacts on the field. Ruiz is most recognized as one of the advocates for female leaders in a male-dominated discipline. Among all her accomplishments, she counted the ABACS program as her most important contribution and mentored countless female undergraduate students as they embarked on careers in behavior analysis.
With over 9,000 members, the Association for Behavior Analysis International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting behavior analysis, organizing conferences, and publishing journals on the topic of applied behavior analysis.
Recent Stories
September 17, 2026
Rollins Museum of Art Premieres Fall 2026 Exhibition
The Rollins Museum of Art unveils a new exhibition for its fall season, which runs from September 11, 2026, to January 3, 2027.
September 17, 2026
Coyle Discusses Rocket Launch Noise Research
Rollins physics professor Whitney Coyle’s research into the long-term impacts of rocket launches on nearby communities was featured on Academic Minute. The program, produced by NPR affiliate WAMC and hosted by Association of American Colleges & Universities President Lynn Pasquerella, airs on more than 70 NPR member stations across the country. “A rocket launch produces rumblings, vibrations, and high-intensity sound near the launch pad that can also travel to communities tens of miles away. My research focuses on how that sound propagates into communities near Cape Canaveral and how repeated launches may affect the local environment as launch cadence increases,” said Coyle.
September 15, 2026
Myers Comments on Recent AI Concerns
Dan Myers, a professor of computer science at Rollins College, discussed concerns about the rapid development of artificial intelligence in this broadcast interview on FOX 35 Good Day Orlando.