Ruth E. Fassinger, PhD

Ruth E. Fassinger, PhD, is a member of the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology and is Dean of the College of Education at California State University, Stanislaus.  Previously she served as Interim Chair of the Department of Counseling and Personnel Services, Professor of Counseling Psychology, and a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher at The University of Maryland.  She received her PhD in psychology from The Ohio State University in 1987, and joined the UMD faculty after holding staff psychologist positions at the University of California/Santa Barbara and Arizona State University.

Her primary research interests are in the psychology of women and gender, the psychology of work and career development, sexuality and sexual orientation, diversity and advocacy in the mental health arena, and the history of psychology.  She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) in Divisions 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology), 35 (Society for the Psychology of Women), and 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues).  She serves on APA’s Board of Professional Affairs and is the BPA liaison to the Committee on Professional Practice Standards, serves on the editorial board of The Counseling Psychologist, and is currently completing her term a Past-President of APA’s Division 44.  She has received numerous awards for her scholarship, teaching, and professional contributions, including:

• Outstanding Achievement Award (APA Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns);

• Early Career Scientist-Practitioner Award (Division 17);

• Distinguished Contributions to Education and Training Award (Division 44); and

• Outstanding Scientific Contributions to Psychology Award (Maryland Psychological Association). 

She maintains a psychotherapy and consultation practice specializing in issues related to gender, work, and sexuality.