Linda Hayes, a professor of psychology, was awarded this month with the 2022 Distinguished Faculty Award. Hayes’s work as both a professor and a researcher passionate about patients made her beyond eligible in the eyes of her colleagues.

The eligibility requirements for this prestigious award include positive and productive relationships with colleagues and students, a record of leadership, dedication to the University and a strong record of outreach and engagement with the public, among others.

Hayes co-founded and directs the University’s Behavior Analysis Program and founded and directed the University’s Satellite Programs in Behavior Analysis. The satellite programs have helped to make available more trained behavior analysts in areas where there isn’t access to such training, including areas in the U.S. and Canada, Jordan, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, China and Kenya.

“I have been fortunate to spend my years at the University in the company of fine colleagues and wonderful students,” Hayes said. “I am especially proud to have mentored 33 doctoral students, many of whom are now pursuing their own distinguished career.” Several of those students have founded Behavior Analysis Programs at other universities or served as editors for prestigious journals in Behavior Analysis and two have been elected to the Executive Council of the Association of Behavior Analysis International.

Hayes was elected twice as the President of the Association for Behavior Analysis International and has received teaching awards from that association among many others. Hayes also served as a member of the Graduate Council at the University and on other various committees at the College and in the psychology department.

Psychology professor and department chair Michael Crognale said he was thrilled that Hayes was named the Distinguished Faculty member. Psychology professor Ramona Houmanfar, who is the Director of the Behavior Analysis Program that Hayes started, was also extremely supportive of Hayes’s nomination, and according to Crognale did the ground work for Hayes’s nomination.

“Through the years we have learned that Dr. Hayes is a person with positively unique and wonderful human qualities,” Houmanfar and Crognale said. “Simply stated, she brings out the best in her colleagues and promotes the success of institutions and organizations for which she works through her exceptional approach toward teaching, scholarly work and leadership.”

“I am very happy that my work has been found worthy of this award,” said Hayes. “It is especially nice to be honored as a Distinguished Faculty member upon my retirement.” Hayes will be retiring after 32 years of service to the University.