Born: November 27, 1902;    Died: April 14, 1991

  • Earned an MA and PhD in educational psychology – University of Chicago
  • Taught math, was a school psychologist, school principal, Director of Bureau of Retarded, Assistant Superintendent of Schools in charge of Special Education
  • Was a Diplomate in clinical psychology
  • President – APA Division of School Psychology
  • International consultant and served on many organizational boards and commissions

In 1972, Dr. Frances Mullen met Dr. Catterall when they learned that each had been visiting school psychologists in various countries and that both had an idea for developing an ongoing communication system with professionals throughout the world. Dr. Mullen was 70 years old at the time but seemed to have the stamina of a person much younger. She and Dr. Catterall carried their ideas to an American Psychological Association( APA) Conference in Montreal, Canada. A symposium called “Psychological Services in Schools Around the World” was chaired by Dr. Mullen. Voiced was the need for international communication among professionals. This was intensified during a meeting of school psychologists with the Joint Committee on International School Psychology. Dr. Calvin Catterall provided the spark that resulted in the establishment of and financial support for an International School Psychology Committee(ISPC). Dr. Mullen was sensitive to the support that Dr. Catterall needed to see his vision come to fruition and she gave that support wholeheartedly.

Between her myriad of professional responsibilities, international consisting jobs, lectures and papers read at international conferences, and her private practice, she worked with great fervor to help Dr. Catterall bring to reality the plan and goals of the ISPC. In 1977 Dr. Mullen became President of the International Council of Psychologists, at which time she found it necessary to resign from ISPC. At that same time she became Secretary General of the Division of School Psychology of APA. She was 75 years old when she took on those professional duties. Her four children were protective of her and often advised her to curtail some of her organizational activities so as to enjoy the camping, hiking and photography that were her hobbies. But true to her inner desires and sincere loyalty to her profession, she juggled her private and public life with ease and strength of purpose, which made her life so productive. At her death at almost 90 years of age, ISPA was thriving and strong – a fine tribute to Dr. Mullen who contributed tirelessly to promote school psychology around the world.