The call for nominations for the 2026 Awards is now open! Be prepared to submit two to three paragraphs about why you or the person you are nominating deserve the award and a resume or CV for the Scott Geller and Early Career Awards.  If you know of a deserving individual, please nominate them using the links below:

Scott Geller Award for Distinguished Service to Applied Behavioral Science

Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis Early Career Award

Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis Award for Excellence in Direct Service Provision

Please submit your nominations by 12/19/25. Winners will be notified by: 1/30/26

E. Scott Geller Award for Distinguished Service to Applied Behavioral Science

This award is given annually to an individual who has made a significant, long-standing contribution to the field of applied behavioral science (ABS).

This award is named after Dr. E. Scott Geller, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, who has been a researcher, teacher, scholar, and advocate for humanistic behaviorism at Virginia Tech for over 54 years. His international consulting has aimed to promote the cultivation of actively caring for people (AC4P) cultures. As such, nominees for this award could work in any number of occupations in behavior analysis or ABS, but their efforts must have made a significant contribution to applying behavioral science to improve human welfare.

The award consists of recognition at the annual business meeting, a free-standing award, one complimentary registration to VABA, and an invitation to lunch with the VABA Board.

Criteria: Currently live and practice behavior analysis in Virginia. Nominees must be practicing for at least 10 years post-licensure and have made a significant and sustained contribution to the field of behavior analysis.

2024 – Christy Evanko, BCBA, LBA

2025– Dr. Trevor Stokes, PhD, LBA 

Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis Early Career Award

This award is given to an early career behavior analyst working in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The recipient can work in any specialty within behavior analysis, but their work should have a significant impact on the lives of individuals in the Commonwealth. The award consists of recognition at the annual business meeting, plaque, one complimentary registration to VABA, and an invitation to lunch with the VABA Board.

Criteria: Currently live and practice behavior analysis in Virginia. At the
time of nomination, the individual should not be practicing for more than 5 years post-licensure.

2024 – Hannah Riddle, BCBA, LBA

2025– Valencia Pankey, BCBA, LBA 

Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis Award for Excellence in Direct Service Provision

This award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to improve care and quality of life for individuals they support through behavior intervention programs. The award consists of recognition at the annual business meeting, a framed certificate, travel funds to attend the conference, one complimentary registration to VABA, and an invitation to lunch with the VABA Board.

Criteria: Currently live in Virginia.  Individuals should be RBTs or behavior technician—recipients cannot be BCBAs, BCaBAs, or eligible for the credentials. Students who do not yet qualify to sit for certification examination are eligible for the award.

2024 – Darlene Olivo-Cesar, RBT

2025– Kyle Smith, RBT