Dr. Leigh Neier is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Educational, School & Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri. A three-time graduate of the University of Missouri, (B.S. ’03, M.Ed ’04, and PhD ’08), Dr. Neier’s coursework centers upon well-being, trauma-informed school/organization based practices, and human-centered design.

Dr. Neier’s campus leadership roles include co-Chair for the COACHE Committee on Faculty Satisfaction, Provost’s Enrollment Management Advisory Committee, and past Chair for the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee.

Dr. Neier has received numerous teaching and service distinctions including the William T. Kemper Teaching Excellence Fellowship, the Provost’s Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award, the Maxine Christopher Shutz Award and Lecture for Distinguished Teaching, an honor tap for QEBH, a four-time recipient of the College of Education’s Instructor of the Year award, the inaugural recipient of the College of Education’s Commitment to Diversity Award. In 2018, Como Magazine named Dr. Neier to its 20 Under 40 list. In 2021, Dr. Neier was recognized with the Provost’s Award for University Citizenship.

Areas of Expertise

• Athlete well-being, with an emphasis on emotional, social well-being, motivation, and Self Determination Theory;
• Positive Psychology interventions;
• Trauma-informed cultures and practices; social and emotional learning/engagement;
• Building/sustaining community and campus partnerships;
• Human-centered design as a process and mindset for individual- and system-level change; and
• Dialogue and reflection in pursuit of inclusive excellence.