Catherine Acuff, PhD was a psychologist in independent practice, a faculty member of the University of Hartford, a long-time member and former president of CPA, a policy analyst, a candidate for president of the American Psychological Association, and so much more. She died at the young age of 51 years and is remembered by her CPA colleagues as a bright, passionate woman and a devoted advocate- “as strong an advocate as we’ve ever had”- for the profession of psychology, both here in Connecticut as well as on a national level.

In honor of her fierce spirit and advocacy for the profession, the CPA Educational Foundation, supported by the generous donations of CPA member Debora Kustron, Psy.D., established two annual $500 awards in Catherine’s name. The Catherine Acuff Advocacy Award is given to a psychologist and/or graduate student of psychology who demonstrates commitment, as did Catherine Acuff, to the application of psychological knowledge and expertise to the solution of larger societal problems. The Catherine Acuff Student Research Award is available for student research.

Examples of the type of effort recognized by The Catherine Acuff Advocacy Award would be:

• work with governmental or grassroots committees and preparation of legislative briefs on issues related to mental health
• attendance at conferences and mentoring to promote greater awareness and skill in the advocacy process.

Eligibility for The Catherine Acuff Advocacy Award:  Current membership in the Connecticut Psychological Association in any of the following membership categories: Fellow, Full Associate, Unlicensed, Senior, or Student. Conference and mentoring awards are limited to students and early career professionals (individuals within 7 years of the receipt of the doctoral degree).

The Catherine Acuff Student Research Award supports doctoral-level scholarship on the psychological issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons.

Eligibility for The Catherine Acuff Student Research Award:  Students must be members of CPA and engaged in original research and/or scholarship as a requirement for completion of a doctorate in psychology. This award is not available to support previously completed work.

The CPA Education Foundation is actively seeking nominations for the Catherine Acuff Awards; self-nominations are welcome. The Catherine Acuff Awards are given to a psychologist and/or graduate student of psychology who demonstrates commitment, as did Catherine Acuff, to the application of psychological knowledge and expertise to the solution of larger societal problems. A second award is available for student research.  Donate to the Foundation here.

Application

To nominate an individual or to apply for one of the awards, please email a brief note of intent to Dr. Meghan Butler, Executive Director of the CPA Educational
Foundation, who will then solicit further information from candidates.

Donate

Individuals wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to the Catherine Acuff Fund can do so by donating to the CPA Educational Foundation here, with a notation that you intend your funds to support the Acuff Fund.