At its annual Circle of Leadership Celebration, held November 8 at Mill Race Center, Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) honored Kathy Compton with the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

The award recognizes a deserving alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding professional contributions and accomplishments, service to the community, and service to the university.

Recognized for her model of in-home service for at-risk families in 2005 during the National Conference for Rural Communities, Compton began her career at IUPUC as a lecturer in 2001. Since that time, she has been responsible for developing dozens of practicum and internship opportunities for IUPUC psychology students who want to gain professional experience by working with local agencies and community organizations.

Compton helped establish the university’s certificate programs in case management and substance abuse counseling and prevention. In addition, she received a RISE grant to develop experiential learning opportunities to enhance the professional development of students in the professional practice psychology course.

She received Indiana University’s 2007 trustees Teaching Award, an honor reserved for full-time faculty members who have had a positive impact on student learning and who have demonstrated a sustained level of teaching excellence. Compton led in the design and implementation of the university’s Bridge Program, an intensive two-week orientation for at-risk new students held each summer. A member of the university’s retention and graduation taskforce, which is focused on identifying strategies to help students complete their degree programs, Compton also serves as faculty advisor for IUPUC’s Psychology Club.

Now director of the psychology program at IUPUC, Compton was instrumental in launching the university’s new Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program in 2011. She provides clinical supervision for IUPUC graduates working toward MSW degrees and is a consultant at Centerstone, providing direct clinical services for some of its clients.

Nominations for the 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award may be submitted before May 1. To nominate an IUPUC graduate, please contact  Brenda Vogel, director of development and external affairs, at bvogel9@iupuc.edu or 812.348.7387.