A tenured professor is a faculty member at a college or university who has been granted permanent employment status after a rigorous evaluation process. This status provides job security and protects academic freedom, allowing professors to teach and research without fear of dismissal for their ideas or opinions. To achieve tenure, professors typically undergo a probationary period of several years, during which they must demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, and service to the academic community. Once tenured, they often have more opportunities to influence curriculum and contribute to their field, benefiting both students and the institution as a whole.