William P. Erchul, a professor in the Graduate School of Education, has been awarded the 2019 Jack Bardon Distinguished Service Award from Division 16 of the American Psychological Association. This lifetime achievement award is presented annually to a school psychologist who has had a distinguished career of providing exceptional programs of service meriting special recognition. 

Erchul, who joined UCR’s faculty in 2016, is also the director of the Graduate School of Education’s doctoral training program in school psychology.

As a researcher, he is known for his empirical studies of school consultation, a problem-solving process involving a specialist who works with another professional on problems involving a third-party client. His popular co-authored textbook, “School Consultation: Conceptual and Empirical Bases of Practice,” first published in 1997, has been used to train school consultants in the U.S. and abroad.

Erchul is also known for his commitment to the science and practice of school psychology. To date, he is the only person to serve both as president of the Society for the Study of School Psychology and president of the American Academy of School Psychology, the two national organizations that represent the highest levels of science and practice, respectively, in the field of school psychology.

“No one starts out in a career expecting this type of recognition, so it does take you by surprise,” Erchul said. “I was lucky enough to have known and worked with Jack Bardon, so the award has special meaning.” Bardon, who spent most of his academic career at Rutgers University, is remembered as a true school psychology leader and visionary, Erchul added.

 “‘Standing on the shoulders of giants’ is an apt phrase here because I’ve learned so much from prior award recipients,” he said, noting that the award’s previous winners include four of his former professors from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as many others with whom he has collaborated on research and service activities. 

Erchul will receive the award during the American Psychological Association’s annual convention, held this year in Chicago from Aug. 8-11.