McBride recognized for outstanding mentoring by Association for Psychological Science

Written by: Denise Buhrmester, dmbuhrmester@purdue.edu

Catherine (Cammie) McBride

For nearly 30 years, Catherine (Cammie) McBride, professor of human development and family science at Purdue University, has fostered career paths and influenced groups of scientists through exceptional mentoring. Now, the steadfast mentor is being recognized by the Association for Psychological Science (APS) with the 2024 APS Mentor Award. The award honors the dedication and impact of psychology researchers and educators with a distinguished record of teaching, advising, and encouraging students and colleagues.

McBride studies literacy development and impairment across cultures, scripts and languages; mathematics development and impairment; and parenting. Her mentees, who come from diverse backgrounds and study a wide range of topics, give her significant credit for improving their research, teaching and communication skills and for supporting their appointments to prestigious positions around the world.

She is described as a warm and consistent support to her students both academically and morally.

“I am impressed by her diligence, intelligence and creativity,” noted one former student.

Another wrote, “Professor McBride’s mentoring not only cultivates first-class scientific talents but also passes the mentoring style of all-round support and unconditional encouragement from generation to generation.”

McBride also serves as associate dean for research in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Previously, she was the Choh-Ming Li Professor of Psychology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. APS Mentor Awards are presented each year at the APS Annual Convention.