Diana Parry-Cruwys, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, and her journey with The New England Center for Children (NECC) is one of dedication, growth, and lasting impact. Over 15 years, she advanced through multiple roles, each shaping her into the educator and leader she is today.
“Before coming to NECC, I knew I wanted to work with individuals with disabilities,” shared Parry-Cruwys, who is now an associate professor of applied behavior analysis (ABA) at Regis College. “When I arrived at NECC, I saw firsthand what that work looked like, and it just felt right. Learning about behavior analysis was like seeing the world laid out in a way that had always made sense to me.”
Parry-Cruwys’s NECC story began in 2002 as a Level 2 teacher in the Adult Services program. As she gained experience working with students of a variety of ages and abilities across NECC’s programs, she moved through the ranks until ultimately becoming the assistant director of the Home-Based Program, supporting early intervention for children under the age of 3.
Parry-Cruwys’s time at NECC was not only professionally enriching but also academically transformative. She shared that she not only grew as an educator, but also developed the leadership skills that would shape her career in higher education.
“I was at NECC for so long that I did a lot of my growing up there,” she reflected. “The opportunities I had—working directly with students and developing administrative and supervisory skills—were invaluable.”
While working full-time at NECC, she took advantage of the on-site graduate programs and earned both her master’s and doctoral degrees; she received her Master of Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University, then joined the second cohort of Western New England University’s doctoral program. “When I learned about behavior analysis, it was like an epiphany on how I always felt about the world. There it was laid out in front of me in a way that made sense,” shared Parry-Cruwys.
As a professor in the ABA program at Regis, her focus has shifted from working directly with students to training the next generation of behavior analysts, a task she recognizes as gravely important.
“In our field, generational shifts happen quickly,” she explained. “Folks who were students are now BCBAs, supervisors, and are supervising their own students. I want to ensure that new behavior analysts are equipped to move our field forward in the right way.”
Because Parry-Cruwys had such incredible mentors who shaped her career as a well-rounded behavior analyst while at NECC, she often returns to NECC to pay it forward. She will often serve as a guest speaker at NECC, delivering presentations on important aspects of research and teaching happening in the field of ABA, ensuring that current NECC staff receive the same foundational knowledge and experiences she received while there.
“NECC was more than just a workplace—it was a community where I learned, grew, and found my purpose,” she said. “The lessons I learned here continue to influence my work, and I’m forever grateful.”