Biography

Dr. Weiss is an Assistant Professor in the Physical Education Division and specializes in Sport Psychology. She currently teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses including: Sociology & Psychology of Sport, Psychological Skills for Sport Participants, Psychology of Injury, and Motivation in Sport & Exercise. Dr. Weiss has been the faculty mentor for several undergraduate research teams. Her research interests include: sport commitment, social influence, motivation, and psychology of injury. Dr. Weiss is a former National Team member for gymnastics and has several years of coaching experience in gymnastics.

Professional Experience

• 2003-present Assistant Professor, University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls , IA
• 2000-2002 Adjunct Professor, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg , VA
• 2000 Instructor, Continuing Education Center , Abingdon , VA
• 1999-2003 Graduate Research Assistant, Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Virginia , Charlottesville
• 1999-2002 Teaching Assistant, Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Virginia , Charlottesville
• 1999-2003 Assistant Women's Gymnastics Coach Classics Gymnastics Center ; Charlottesville , VA
• Graduate Research Assistant, Social Psychological Aspects of Sport, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
• Assistant Women's Gymnastics Coach Southern Illinois Gymnastics Academy , Marion , IL

Theses

• Weiss, W. M. (2003). Sport commitment: Social support, psychological climate and developmental considerations. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Virginia , Charlottesville .
• Weiss, W. M. (1999). The gymnastics subculture: The experiences of adolescent, competitive, female gymnasts. Unpublished master's thesis, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Research Publications

• Weiss, W. M., & Weiss, M. R. (in press). Sport commitment among competitive female gymnasts: A developmental perspective. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport .
• Weiss, W. M., & Weiss, M. R. (2006). A longitudinal analysis of commitment among competitive female gymnasts. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 7, 309-323 .
• Weiss, W. M. , & Weiss, M. R. (2003). Attraction- and entrapment-based commitment among competitive female gymnasts. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology , 25 , 229-247.
• McCallister, S. G., Blinde, E. M., & Weiss, W. M. (2000). Teaching values and implementing philosophies: Dilemmas of the youth sport coach. The Physical Educator, 57 (Winter), 35-45.

Reviewed Publications

• Weiss, W. M.(2006). I'm scared to go backwards: Helpful strategies for coaches to stop this strange phenomenon. Technique- Official Publication for USA Gymnastics, 26 (7), 6-7. 
• Weiss, W. M. (2006). Motivational strategies for every stage of exercise. Technique- Official Publication for USA Gymnastics , 26 (4), 10-12.
• Weiss, W. M. (2004). Commitment among competitive gymnasts: What does it look like and how can we enhance it? Technique- Official Publication for USA Gymnastics, 24 (10), 6-8.

National / Regional Presentations

• Williams, S. M., & Weiss, W. M. (2006, November). The influence of significant others on high school students expectancies, task value, and motivation in physical education . Paper presented at the Utah Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (UAHPERD) State Conference, Orem , UT.
• Weiss, W. M. (2003, June). Determinants of sport commitment: Applications to effective coaching . Paper presented at the University of Virginia Sport Psychology Conference , Charlottesville , VA.
• Weiss, W. M. (2002, July). Determinants of commitment to physical activity. Paper presented at the University of Virginia Off-Grounds Master 's degree program, Arlington , VA.
• Weiss, W. M. (2002, June). Wanting to play versus having to play: Enhancing athletes' commitment to sport. Paper presented at the University of Virginia Sport Psychology Conference , Charlottesville , VA.
• Weiss, W. M. (2001, June). Wanting to versus having to play: Enhancing athletes' commitment to sport. Paper presented at the University of Virginia Sport Psychology Conference , Charlottesville , VA.
• Weiss, W. M. (2001, March). Attraction- and entrapment-based commitment among competitive female gymnasts . Paper presented at the Southeast Sport Psychology Conference, Morgantown , WV .
• Weiss, W. M. (2000, June). Enhancing athletes' commitment to sport participation: The essential ingredients. Paper presented at the University of Virginia Sport Psychology Conference , Charlottesville , VA.
• Weiss, W. M. (2000, February). The gymnastics subculture. Paper presented at the Southeast Sport Psychology Conference, Charlottesville , VA.

Professional Service

• Conference Program Reviewer for the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology conference (2006).
• Guest Reviewer, Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology (2006 - present)
• Guest Reviewer, Sex Roles: A Journal of Research (2006 - present)
• Guest Reviewer, Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2005)
• Guest Reviewer, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (2005 - present).
• Conference Program Reviewer for the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology conference (2005).
• Guest Reviewer, Pediatric Exercise Science (2004-2005)
• Guest Reviewer, Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal (2004-2005).
• Guest Reviewer, International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (2004, 2006)
• Guest Reviewer, Journal of Sport Rehabilitation (2004).

University Service

• HPELS Senator, College of Education Senate Committee (2006)
• Development Committee Member- Human Performance Institute. School of Health , Physical Education, and Leisure Services (2005).
• Campus Advisory Council Task Force Sub-Committee Member- Leadership: Recognizing Employee Contributions. University of Northern Iowa (2005).
• HPELS Awards Committee Member, School of Health , Physical Education, and Leisure Services, Fall 2005-Spring 2006.
• Committee Member, Search Committee for the position of Clinical Instructor & Asst. Director of Strength and Conditioning Services, School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services, University of Northern Iowa, May 2005.
• Invited Guest Speaker, Personal Training Program. Helping Clients Set Goals . Wellness and Recreation Services, University of Northern Iowa , April 1, 2005 .
• Invited Guest Speaker, Personal Trainers' Professional Development Meeting. Goal-Setting with Your Clients. Wellness and Recreation Services, University of Northern Iowa , November 17, 2004 .
• Invited Guest Speaker, Personal Trainer Training Program. Goal-Setting and Behavior Modification. Wellness and Recreation Services, University of Northern Iowa , November 12, 2004 .
• Invited Guest Speaker, Athletic Training Staff Meeting. Psychology of Athletic Injury . Athletic Training, Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Northern Iowa , October 12, 2004 .
• Policies and Planning Committee Member, Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services University of Northern Iowa , Fall 2004-Spring 2005.
• Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program Mentor University of Northern Iowa , Fall 2003-Spring 2004.
• Curriculum Committee Member, Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services
• University of Northern Iowa , Fall 2003-Spring 2004.
• Committee Member, Search Committee for the Athletic Training Position, School of Health , Physical Education, and Leisure Services, University of Northern Iowa , Fall 2003.
• Co-organizer of the University of Virginia Sport and Exercise Psychology Conference, University of Virginia , Charlottesville , 2000-2003.

Professional Organizations

• 2001-present North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)
• 2000-present Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP)
• 1999-present Research Consortium, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)
• 1999-present American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)
• 1999-present National Association for Girls & Women in Sports (NAGWS)
• 1996-present National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)
• 1994-present National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges (NAWGJ)
• 1992-present USA Gymnastics (USAG)

Competitive Sport Experiences

• 2006 Selected to Judge the Region 4 Championships (April, 2006) in Lincoln , NE
• 2005 NCAA Big 10 Gymnastics Championships- Event Judge
• 2000 Coached National Team Qualifier and Event Champion U. S. Junior Olympic National Championships
• 1998-present Division I Collegiate Gymnastics Judge National Association for Women's Gymnastics Judges
• 1994-present USA Gymnastics Judge, Level 4 - 10, National Association for Women's Gymnastics Judges
• Collegiate Diving, Division I
• 1989 Junior Olympic National Team Member for Women's Gymnastics
• 1988; 1989 Junior Olympic National Qualifier for Women's Gymnastics
• 1986-1991 Class I/ Level 10 Competitive gymnast Omaha, NE