Robert W. Lent, Ph.D., professor in the Counseling Psychology Program, was named Distinguished University Professor (DUP). The recognition is the most prestigious academic honor that a tenured University of Maryland faculty member can receive, and Lent is one of seven recipients this year.
“Being named a Distinguished University Professor is an incredible honor," said Lent. "The College of Education has been my academic home for the past 27 years ago and I owe a good deal of my productivity as a researcher and theorist to the community of scholarship that exists here. I have been extremely fortunate to have found a group of colleagues and students who have constantly inspired me and created fertile ground for collaborative projects. To have been able to do what I love doing for so many years is its own reward; being honored for it by my peers is truly special.”
Lent is recognized for his research and expertise in the formulation of the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), a psychological theory that pulls together people’s interests, values, experiences, and expectations in ways that allow researchers and practitioners to better understand and explore career and vocational choices and decision-making. Lent’s research has been credited for having a tremendous impact in the U.S. and internationally.
“There are few like Professor Lent at UMD or around the country. As an active professor who continues to advise students, mentor junior faculty, and contribute his service time to the department, Professor Lent exemplifies the totality of what it means to be a senior faculty member, “ said William Liu, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education at the University of Maryland.
