Christopher Stanley

Christopher Stanley is an Assistant Professor in the Sport & Performance Psychology (SPP) department at the University of Western States (UWS), teaching online. Previously, he held roles as Associate Research faculty at Florida State University and full-time Psychology faculty in North Carolina and Florida. His research focuses on human performance across athletic, health, psychosocial, and educational domains. He consults with organizations like USA Track and Field (USATF), served on Olympic teams, and is a lead mental skills consultant for the Atlanta Track Club’s elite program.

Education: BS (2001, University of Illinois-Chicago), MS (2004, Florida State University), PhD (2008, Loyola University-Chicago). Professional memberships include the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and USA Track and Field. He chairs the Psychology Services Sub-Committee for USATF and has led Sport & Performance Psychology initiatives (2020-2024).

Research emphasizes inclusive coaching for athletes with hidden disabilities, parental influence on youth athletes, and mental health screening programs. His book Reach Every Athlete (2023) addresses coaching strategies for athletes with disabilities. Recent articles explore service delivery models for elite athletes and campus wellness programs.

He actively contributes as a Track & Field coach at a local high school and maintains involvement with USATF since 2014. Collaborative projects span applied psychology, performance enhancement, and athlete development.