Robert Hilliard

Robert Hilliard serves as an Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Shenandoah University. His research focuses on mental health stigma in student-athletes, psychological aspects of sports injury, and positive youth development through sport. He holds a B.A. from Kalamazoo College, M.S. from Ball State University, and M.A./PhD from West Virginia University.

Professional highlights include work as a mental skills coach for the New York Mets farm system (2017), National Certified Counselor (2019–2021), and certification as a Mental Performance Consultant. He contributed to the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee's sport psychology registry during the Tokyo 2020 cycle.

Research emphasizes mental health access barriers in athletic populations, resilience during crises like the pandemic, and ethical considerations in sport psychology consulting. Recent publications explore team efficacy dynamics and global youth sport development programs in Southern Africa.

Personal interests include hiking, writing scary children's books, and family time with his wife, son, and dog.