Jeffrey Centeno-Jerviss wants his fellow USF students, especially those who are struggling, to know that they can do anything they set their mind to. If anyone is a great example of that, it is Centeno-Jerviss, himself. Not only did he manage his mental health challenges including anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder during his time at USF, but he also lost 130 pounds, became a first-generation college graduate and passed the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) exam.
“My knowledge from USF allowed me to pass the BCaBA exam on my first attempt!” said Centeno-Jerviss. “After graduation, I plan to pursue a career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I have also considered earning a certification in substance abuse counseling so that I may service a larger population.”
Centeno-Jerviss was inspired by his supervisors and peers while working as a registered behavior technician to earn his degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA).
“The way they conducted themselves inspired me to further pursue the field,” said Centeno-Jerviss. “I had already found the field of applied behavior analysis when I started my master's program, accidentally, in fact! I had always wanted to help people and found a job posting for a registered behavior technician. Sarah, one of my supervisors, took a chance on me and hired me with no experience!”
The master’s in applied behavior analysis at USF is an online program. Centeno-Jerviss says that being an online student gave him the advantage of working at his own pace and the flexibility to obtain his fieldwork hours and work full time.
Centeno-Jerviss with Dr. Anthony Concepcion (left) and Dr. Heather Zerger (right)
His favorite courses in the program were Applied Behavior Analysis Basic Principles taught by Justin Han, MS, BCBA; Behavior Theory taught by Heather Zerger, PhD, BCBA-D; and Practicum taught by Anthony Concepcion, PhD, BCBA-D.
“Each one of the professors showed extreme kindness and compassion and found ways to make learning a truly enjoyable experience. Applied Behavior Analysis Basic Principles taught us the foundations of ABA and was incredibly interesting. It is impossible to have an impact on the future of the field if we do not know where we started! Behavior Theory, on the other hand, provided insight on the complexities of ABA, highlighting different ideologies in the field. This course made us think deeply. Finally, Practicum provided us with a recap of all that we have learned throughout the course. It was a true test of our knowledge and enabled us an opportunity to reflect while adding new ideas!”
While he's looking forward to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and pursuing the next steps in his career, Centeno-Jerviss looks back fondly on his time as a student in the ABA program at USF.
“I will miss most having so many opportunities to engage with my peers and professors. We had such intellectually stimulating conversations about ABA and how to evolve with the field. This included personal testimonies from my peers about their experiences, and how they have adapted to an ever-changing environment!”
To new students starting in the program, he says commitment is key.
“I would give the advice that what you are about to embark on will be difficult. At times, you may even want to quit or give up. However, it all gets easier and becomes very much worth it. Focus on what you can achieve once you finish the program, and as cliché as it sounds, believe in yourself!”