2025 APA Presidential Citations

The APA president awards Presidential Citations to outstanding psychologists. 

Norman Abeles, PhD
For his lifetime of service to the field of psychology and his decades of leadership in advancing public awareness, aging research, and ethical practice, Norman Abeles, PhD, made lasting contributions to the American Psychological Association and the broader psychological community.

Clinton W. Anderson, PhD
For his work supporting lesbian and gay parents, opposing military discrimination, ending the criminalization of same-sex relationships, and obtaining marriage equality. His legacy embodies compassion, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to social justice.

Kathryn B. Anderson, PhD
For her exceptional leadership and unwavering service to the psychology profession.

Jennifer Crocker, PhD
For her lifetime contributions to the field of social psychology, particularly in deepening our understanding of social stigma, contingencies of self-worth, and self-esteem, Dr. Crocker’s work is an inspiration to us all.

Angela Y. Davis, PhD
For her lifelong commitment to justice, her fearless advocacy for the oppressed, and her revolutionary contributions to the global understanding of liberation, identity, and collective healing. 

Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, PhD
For her dedication to using psychological knowledge to improve lives.

Division 18, Psychologists in Public Service
For demonstrating extraordinary resilience, profound commitment to psychology, and deep understanding and utilization of advocacy for the profession and the many populations it serves.

Elena Eisman, EdD, ABPP
For her lifelong dedication to the advancement of psychology and her leadership in association management, board functioning, advocacy, and professional training, Eisman has strengthened the work of the American Psychological Association and State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Associations.

Diane M. Hall, PhD, MSEd
For her dedication to improving access to care for all Americans who have made rural and frontier communities their home.

Shirley Ann Higuchi, JD
For her decades of dedication to advancing professional psychology, championing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and preserving the history of Japanese American incarceration, Shirley Ann Higuchi, JD, has provided exceptional leadership in legal and regulatory advocacy, professional practice, and civil liberties education.

Djavila Ho, MSc
For her exceptional leadership of organized psychology in Jamaica and her many contributions to the Global Psychology Alliance (GPA).

Robin Holmes-Sullivan, PsyD
For her exceptional leadership as a university administrator in improving the lives of college students. 

Larke Nahme Huang, PhD
For her continued commitment and leadership in benefiting society and improving the lives of others.

Joseph Keawe'aimoku Kaholokula, PhD
For his dedication to advancing health equity for Indigenous communities, his leadership in translational behavioral research, and his commitment to mentoring underrepresented scientists, Kaholokula has strengthened medical education, clinical research, and public health policies both nationally and internationally.

Jeanne Manese, PhD
For her distinguished leadership and service, unwavering advocacy, extraordinary mentorship of hundreds of students and psychologists, and lifelong dedication to advancing equity and inclusion in mental health. 

Alfonso Mercado, PhD
For his exemplary leadership, scholarship, and unwavering dedication to advancing psychological science and service to multicultural, Latiné, and immigrant communities. 

Michael Nawfal, MD, MA
For his stewardship of psychology in Lebanon and the Middle East region, as well as his ongoing leadership within the Global Psychology Alliance (GPA). 

Mayra Zoe Ortiz, PsyD
For her transformative leadership and unwavering dedication to the advancement of psychology at the state, provincial, and territorial levels. 

Julie Takashima-Lacasa, PhD
For her dedication to increasing access to quality mental health care for diverse and underserved communities and her leadership in advocacy, disaster response, and inclusion efforts, Julie Takashima-Lacasa, PhD, has advanced the work of the American Psychological Association and State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Associations.

Terri Tanielian, MA
For her dedicated public service, extraordinary research contributions, and unwavering leadership focused on the advancement of mental and behavioral health policy, particularly on behalf of veterans, servicemembers, their families, and caregivers.