Carolyn Barcus

Carolyn Gay Barcus (born September 3, 1939) is a Native American psychologist and Native American Elder known for her work with Native American students, self-actualization education research, and for her work with the Society of Indian Psychologists conference held annually in Logan, Utah. Barcus' work in psychology has been recognized as significant. In 2006, the American Psychological Association awarded Barcus the Samuel M. Turner Mentor Award. Barcus's biological mother was a member of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Barcus attended Montana State University and completed her bachelor's degree in Physical Education. In 1968, she attended Utah State University to obtain a master's degree in physical education. In 1975, Barcus continued with her education by earning a Doctorate of Education degree in Counseling Psychology.

Research Barcus began her dissertation research in 1973 in self actualization education while at Utah State University. It was this experience that led Barcus to move into the field of psychology. After completing her doctorate degree, Barcus worked for the Utah Department of Corrections, doing private practice until 1978 when she began working as a mental health specialist for the Intermountain Tribal School in Brigham City, Utah. In this role, Barcus concentrated on recruiting and retaining American Indian students in the university's graduate psychology programs, and she later extended that support to all minority students in the department. By 2006, thirty-two Native American students had completed master's or doctoral programs in psychology at Utah State under the project's mentorship.

Barcus was recognized by the American Psychological Association in a postcard series entitled: Groundbreaking Women of Color Psychologists. Barcus was awarded the Samuel M. Turner Mentor Award in 2006 by the American Psychological Association. With Kenneth W. Merrell, she described the American Indian Support Project at Utah State University as a model for multicultural training in school psychology. Alongside her academic work, Barcus maintained a part-time private practice offering individual and group psychotherapy, with a clinical focus that included adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and supervised student therapists.

Recognition and legacy Barcus received Utah State University's President's Diversity Award in 1997 in recognition of her service to Native American communities. She helped establish and, for many years, hosted the annual national convention of American Indian psychologists and psychology graduate students at Utah State University, an event associated with the Society of Indian Psychologists. A 2023 volume on early research contributions by women of color profiled her under the title "Keeper of the Fire," characterizing her mentorship and her Self-Actualizing Education work as a cornerstone for affective education, cultural competence in education, and the guidance of American Indian psychology students.