Today we’d like to introduce you to Glenn Harrell.
Hi Glenn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Absolutely. I’m originally from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, born and raised, up until I turned 18 years old and graduated from high school. After graduating from Elverson Military Academy, I was accepted into an accelerated two-year Early Commissioning Program at Valley Forge Military Academy & College to become a US Army Officer (2nd Lieutenant). While there, I would also be pursuing a two-year associate’s degree in life-science biology for the pre-med track. For as long as I can remember, my goal has always been to become a doctor because I knew that I wanted to help people, needed to escape the socioeconomic status I was born into, and really wanted to learn more about the human condition.. I always wondered what truly motivated us to act as we did. Not to mention, I was a math and science nerd – LOL.
Once I graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in 2013 with my associates, I transferred to Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) to continue pursuing my bachelor’s degree in pre-med biology. By my senior year, I started to realize how close I was to have to apply to medical school. Since this was a long-time dream of mine that I worked diligently towards since the first grade, you would probably think that I’d be excited. But unfortunately, I just didn’t feel fulfilled. I wasn’t learning what I thought I would, and medical school just seemed like more of the same; so I brought up my concerns to my student advisor. Surprisingly, I was told to get an internship outside of the field I was currently pursuing to see if I could find “a more fulfilling interest elsewhere”. At FIT, an internship is a graduation requirement, but for me, it turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime.
While searching for an internship, I came across the Scott Center for Autism treatment and as I read through the description of job duties I was shocked because, for the first time, I saw a professional role that operationally defined my interest. So I applied … and a week later got the position.
On my first day, I was invited to join their clinical roundtable meeting. While there, I heard scientists discuss ways to increase their client’s motivation, decrease their frequency of dangerous problem behaviors (using things like differential reinforcement), and how we could meticulously manipulate their environment to increase the rate at which they learned new skills. And just like that, I WAS HOOKED! The very next day I went to my student advisor and changed my major to Clinical Psychology.
I never looked back.
Since then, I continued my work and contributions to the field of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (for 12 years and counting), and worked my way up from Behavior Technician to Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). I had worked for the largest autism treatment companies in the world and at that point knew that the corporate sector had nothing left to offer me. I believed that on my own, I could have a better impact on the people I served, and with the people who choose to serve alongside me. This is how I got here! This is how Roger Williams Academy was born!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As a first-generation college graduate from the inner city of Philadelphia, my journey to where I am now, professionally, has been quite difficult. Growing up in a space where I witnessed violence, drugs, incarceration, and lack of resources destroy families, my biggest fear was never making it out of that environment. I always had an aptitude for academics & sports but knew that school was going to be my saving grace. This way, at least I could be certain that an injury wouldn’t end my career, sending me right back to the place I worked so hard to escape. So with that, I worked diligently to make good grades, spent weekends and summers participating in STEM/College-Prep programs, and worked my way into the best magnet schools in the city (because private school wasn’t an option). It also took sacrificing some of my early teenage years to help care for my younger siblings, while ensuring that I maintain my academics. I could barely think about hanging out with my friends at that age, unfortunately. My parents both worked full-time jobs (sometimes multiple) just to ensure we were as comfortable as possible and had access to opportunities that they didn’t.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I mean… At first, glance, what sets me apart from others within my field certainly has to be my race /ethnicity, and the gender I identify as. In the field of autism and developmental disabilities, there is a dramatic and disproportionate number of African-American/Black behavior analysts and an even lower number of black male analysts/therapists. Other than that, I think my intrinsic empathy, unwavering commitment to clients and employees, and dedication to improving diversity and inclusion within ABA are some things that set me apart from many of my counterparts. If we’re talking about business owners, I haven’t met anyone quite like me.
As a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, I specialize in providing behavior analytic therapy and consulting services to adults, adolescents, couples, families, and organizations. My target demographic is people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As chief executive officer and clinical operations director of Roger Williams Academy LLC, I’m responsible for strategy implementation, client and employee satisfaction, treatment fidelity, and growth/development with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). I have more than ten years of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis, organizational behavior management (OBM), and developmental disabilities. I’m proud to say that I’ve led organizations in a variety of settings (i.e., hospitals, residential, outpatient, in-home, center, universities, etc.).
My clients have described me as warm, empathetic, charismatic, and knowledgeable, and enjoy working with me because my therapeutic style prioritizes Pivotal Response Training (PRT), which uses a client(s) natural motivation to encourage growth & development. I also incorporate Discrete Trial Training (DTT) as a tool for increasing the rate of skill acquisition.
I truly believe that everyone has the ability to learn and grow. What’s often missing is the environment conducive to success, individualized instruction, and a good model. This is why Roger Williams was created – A behavior analytic approach to developing growth mindsets! One of my favorite quotes is “There is no teaching without learning” – Paulo Freire
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for those who are just starting is to seek help. You can not do it all alone, it’s easy to burn out and start to believe that your goal is not achievable. They are… it just takes a lot of freaking work! Let go of your ego and grow!
Pricing:
- ABA Therapy: 150/hr
- ABA SPED Tutoring: 120/hr
- ABA SPED Daycare: $500/wk
- Parent Training/Therapy: 120/hr
- Expert Witness: $300/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: glenn@rogerwilliamsacademy.com
- Website: www.rogerwilliamsacademy.com
- Instagram: rw.academy.aba
Image Credits:
Samuel Ayoade
