He obtained his PhD in rehabilitation from Auburn University and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He is a 2009 recipient of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education’s Distinguished Career Award in rehabilitation education, and 2010 recipient of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association’s James F. Garrett Distinguished Career Award in rehabilitation research.

In 2012, Dr. Marini was bestowed an honorary Doctor of Science (honoris causa) from his alma mater Lakehead University and was the recipient of the 2013 National Council on Rehabilitation Education’s Educator of the Year award. In 2015, he was the recipient of the Patricia McCollom Distinguished Career Award in life care planning research, and in 2022 the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award with the International Academy of Life Care Planners.

He is the coauthor and coeditor of 8 books, 62 book chapters, and 95 refereed journal publications. He is the former chair of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, and former president of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association.