New SSCP Award: Lawrence H. Cohen Outstanding Mentor Award

This past year, the Board of Directors of SSCP created the Lawrence H. Cohen Outstanding Mentor Award. This award is dedicated to the memory of Lawrence H. Cohen, Professor of Psychology at the University of Delaware and SSCP member, who was known during his career as a strong advocate and mentor to many students in clinical psychology. Dr. Cohen passed away on April 1, 2012. 

The winner of this award will come from the ranks of members of SSCP in good standing with substantial experience mentoring clinical psychology graduate students, interns, and/or postdoctoral fellows in clinical psychological science. Outstanding mentors are those who have provided exceptional guidance through leadership, role modeling, advising, supervision, instruction, advocacy, and other activities aimed at providing opportunities for scientific growth, professional development, and networking.

Nominees will be evaluated on these criteria, as well as the accomplishments of their current and former doctoral students, interns and/or postdoctoral fellows in terms of awards, grants, publications, presentations, and positions attained upon completion of their training, etc. However, these criteria will be weighed in the context of the mentor nominee’s stage of career. Strong consideration will be given to the statements of nominees’ current and former doctoral students, interns, and/or postdoctoral fellows about their mentor’s qualitative and specific impact on their professional training and development.

Appropriate nominators are current or past trainees of the mentor. Fellow colleagues may nominate a mentor as well, if they have sufficient knowledge of the mentoring practices of the nominee.

Nominators should submit applications by email to me as a single document at heimberg@temple.edu.  Applications should include: (a) a cover letter nominating a particular individual for the award; (b) a statement of the reasons why the nominee is considered to be outstanding, consistent with the definition and criteria provided above; (c) a list of present and past students, interns, and/or postdoctoral fellows and their current positions; and (d) a minimum of three letters from these former mentees in support of the application (two if the nominator is a former mentee).

Application packages should be received no later than March 1, 2013. The winner will be announced in the following 4-6 weeks, and the award will be given at the SSCP Annual Meeting of Members (May if at APS or August if at APA). Alternatively, it may be given as part of the Opening Ceremonies of the larger meetings, as is currently done for the Distinguished Scientist Award at APS. Awardees will receive a plaque and a $1000 honorarium.

Please consider nominating yourself or your mentor for this important award.

Best regards,

Rick Heimberg, PhD

President, SSCP 2012