Cheryl Young-Pelton

Dr. Cheryl Young-Pelton

Professor, Educational Theory and Practice, COE

Dr. Cheryl Young-Pelton is a 2021 recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award for her work in developing a new hallmark program at MSUB, her efforts in the community, and greater contributions to her field.

Young-Pelton single-handedly developed the Master’s in Special Education Advanced Studies Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) option in 2009. As an online program, it increased graduate enrollment significantly in the college, attracting students nationwide and abroad. The ABA program is the only program of its kind in Montana and is ranked as one of the top programs in the country.

As the lead program faculty member, Young-Pelton spearheaded a five-year plan in 2014 that led toward accreditation by the Association for Behavior Analysis International in 2019.

Young-Pelton is an excellent professor who teaches graduate courses, undergraduate courses, and supervises student research projects and internships. She mentors her ABA graduate students in their early career paths, tutoring them through their professional exam and will occasionally publish and present with them.

Along with her other achievements, Young-Pelton continues to advance her own scholarship. She has published nine peer reviewed articles since she began at MSUB. Young-Pelton has also presented workshops and spoken at several national and regional conferences. These scholarship efforts have played a role in advancing the reputation and awareness of MSUB.

She has shown exemplary service to others. Young-Pelton was recruited as a consultant for the Office of Public Instruction, MT Autism Education Project, to support children with challenging behavior. Over the years she provided technical assistance to teachers in nearly 175 schools. In 2013, Young-Pelton founded Montana Association for Behavior Analysis, a statewide chapter for professionals in the field. Her service also included authoring plans for the Institute for Neurodiversity and ABA at MSUB and being chair for the advisory committee.

Young-Pelton could not be more deserving of this award for what she has brought to our university, her students, the field of Special Education and ABA, and this community.