Gail Leedy

BA, Psychology, 1976, Ohio Wesleyan University
MS, 1979, Physiological Psychology, Tulane University
Ph.D., 1980, Physiological Psychology, Tulane University 

MSW, 1993, The Ohio State University

Director, Division of Social Work

Associate Professor
307-766-2562
Email:  zzleedy@uwyo.edu

Curriculum Vitae

My background is only slightly atypical for a social work professor. I received my bachelor's degree in psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University and my PhD in physiological psychology from Tulane University. I continued my research into the neural control of behavior at the University of California at Davis, and at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.

In 1993, I decided to expand my education by entering the MSW program at the Ohio State University. Following completion of the mental health concentration, I spent the next few years as a medical social worker. The call of academe was strong, though, so I accepted a position with Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas. I served as the MSW Program Coordinator there for 2 years, and in 2000, I chaired the department.

I have several different research interests. I am completing a series of studies examining the role of distance running as a coping mechanism. I hope to expand this interest to look at barriers to fitness and health, paying particular attention to rural areas and sexual orientation. I also have an active research agenda examining health care for lesbians in rural areas of Wyoming.

Health Promotion; Lesbian Health Care; Biological Basis of Behavior

Lesbian Health Issues; Use of Distance Running as a Coping Mechanisms; Women's Sports Participation

Research; Human Behavior; Social Justice

• Leedy, M. G., & Smith, J. E. (in press). Felony Convictions and Program Admissions: Theoretical Perspectives to Guide Decision-Making.  The Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics.
• Leedy, M. G., LaLonde, D., & Runk, K. (2003). Gender Equity in Mathematics: Beliefs of Students, Parents and Teachers.  School Science and Mathematics, 103(6),285-292.
• Leedy, M. G. (2000).  Commitment to distance running: Coping mechanism or addiction? Journal of Sport Behavior, 23, 255-270.
• Leedy, M. G. (1997) Effects of client gender and diagnostic label on clinical social workers’ assessments.  Arete, 21(2), 1-17.
• Beattie, M.S., Bresnahan, J.C., & Leedy, M.G. (1993) Evidence for alterations of synaptic inputs to sacral spinal reflex circuits after spinal cord transection in the cat.  Experimental Neurology, 123, 35-50.

Board Member: SAFE Project of Albany County; Needs Assessment provider: Southeast Wyoming Mental Health Center

 NASW, CSWE, NADD