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Meet the Faculty

Sonja A. Wilhelm Stanis

Sonja A. Wilhelm Stanis, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Parks, Recreation and Tourism
  • Phone: 573-882-9524
  • E-mail: sonjaws@missouri.edu
  • Address: 105e Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building

Education

  • Ph.D., 2008, University of Minnesota

Research

  • Wilhelm Stanis’ research is in the human dimensions of natural resource management with an emphasis in the social psychological aspects of outdoor recreation. Specifically, her work examines motivations for and benefits of outdoor recreation, constraints to outdoor recreation, the role of parks and public lands in promoting physical activity and public health, and issues in outdoor recreation relating to diversity and youth.

Teaching

  • Research methods in parks, recreation and tourism.
  • Advanced recreation land management
  • Planning and evaluating leisure environments

Selected Publications

  • Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schneider, I.E., Shinew, K.J., Chavez, D.J., & Vogel, M.C. (in press). Physical activity and the recreation opportunity spectrum: Differences in important site attributes and perceived constraints. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.  
  • Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schneider, I.E., & Anderson, D.H. (in press). State park visitors’ leisure time physical activity, constraints and negotiation strategies. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.
  • Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schneider, I.E., Chavez, D.J., & Shinew, K.J. (in press). Visitor constraints to physical activity in park and recreation areas: Differences by race and ethnicity. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.  
  • Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schneider, I.E., & Pereira, M.A. (in press). Parks and health: Differences in constraints and negotiation strategies for leisure time physical activity by stage of change. Journal of Physical Activity and Health.
  • Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schneider, I.E., & Russell, K. (2009). Leisure time physical activity of park visitors: retesting constraint models in adoption and maintenance stages. Leisure Sciences, 31, 287-304.
  • Anderson, D.H., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schneider, I.E., & Leahy, J.E. (2008). Proximate and distant visitors: Differences in importance ratings of beneficial experiences. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 26(4), 47-65.
  • Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schneider, I., Shinew, K., Chavez, D., & Vogel, M. (2008). Physical activity among Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino White visitors on urban-proximate public lands. In D. J. Chavez, P. L. Winter, & J. D. Absher, (Eds). Recreation visitor research: Studies of diversity (General Technical Report PSW-GTR-210, pp 113-122). Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station.
  • Cronan, M.K., Shinew, K.J., Schneider, I., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Chavez, D. (2008). Physical activity patterns and preferences among Latinos in different types of public parks. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 5, 1-16.
  • Budruk, M., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schneider, I., & Heisey, J. (2008). Place attachment dimensions and crowding: An exploratory study among water-based recreationists. Environmental Management, 41, 528-537.
  • Schneider, I.E., & Wilhelm Stanis, S.A. (2007). Coping: An alternative conceptualization for constraint negotiation and accommodation. Leisure Sciences, 29(4), 391-401.
  • Schneider, I.E., & Wilhelm Stanis, S.A. (2007). Continuing the discussion on coping as a conceptualization for constraint negotiation and accommodation: Responses to Drs. Little, Samdahl and Walker. Leisure Sciences, 29(4), 419-423.
  • Wilhelm, S.A. & Schneider, I.E. (2005). The meaning of nature to diverse urban youth. Applied Environmental Education and Communication, 4,103-112.