Outstanding Advocate for Boys Award
This award recognizes exceptional contributions that enhance the well-being of boys or adolescent males.
Eligability
The award will consider research, service, or therapeutic contributions that have improved the lives of boys. Nominee does not need to be a member of SPSMM.
How to Apply
A cover letter detailing the award and the person being nominated
Two letters of support from individuals other than the nominator
The nominee's vita
A phone number where the nominated person can be reached (can be included in the cover letter)
Past Recipients
Chris Reigluth, Ph.D.
Hector Torres, Psy.D.
Ramel Smith, Ph.D.
William Seymour, Ph.D.
Warren Spielberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Erlanger(Earl) Turner
Matt Englar-Carlson, Ph.D.
2026 Winner: Dr. Brian P. Cole
Brian P. Cole, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Director of Training in the Counseling Psychology Program at the University of Kansas. His scholarship integrates positive psychology and the psychology of men and masculinities to advance strengths-based perspectives on boys and men through research on psychotherapy, fatherhood, hope, and men's mental health. Dr. Cole directs the Hope Through Strengths Clinic, a psychotherapy training clinic that has provided more than 3,500 hours of free mental health services to over 500 adults across Kansas while training the next generation of counseling psychologists. He recently completed his term as President of APA Division 51, following more than a decade of service in leadership and membership roles. He has also held numerous leadership positions within APA's Society of Counseling Psychology. Across his teaching, scholarship, mentoring, and professional service, Dr. Cole has pressed the field to ask not only what goes wrong for boys and men, but what is right with them.
