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Associate Professor

Hillary Wehe, PhD

Hillary Wehe is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at St. Ambrose University, where she also serves as the Online Program Coordinator. Dr. Wehe received her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Colorado State University, where she was awarded a fellowship for teaching.  Her research focuses on motivation, meaning, and learning. Specifically, she explores the constraints that external rewards place on students' personal interest in learning and she works to apply these research interests in the classroom to create a student-centered, active, and engaging environment. She also applies her work to members in the community to encourage meaningful leisure opportunities. Dr. Wehe’s research has been published in outlets including, Activities, Adaptation & Aging, Teaching of Psychology, The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, Neuropsychologia, and the Journal of Neuroscience. 

Contact Us

wehehillary@sau.edu

Education and Training

  • PhD, Colorado State University, Cognitive Psychology

Research Interests

Dr. Wehe’s research focuses on motivation, meaning, and learning. Her research examines the constraints that external rewards place on students’ personal interest in learning and explores how pursuing internal interests creates meaning and purpose across the lifespan.

Recent Publications

  • Heinz, M., Wehe, H.,S & Plagge, A. (2026). Final stop: navigating legacy & estate planning for older men who participate in model railroading. Mortality, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/00986283241268920
  • Heinz, M., & Wehe, H.S (2025). Serious engagement and railroad modeling: Benefits for older men. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/01924788.2025.2506950
  • Heinz, M., & Wehe, H.S (2025). Finding satisfaction with life through serious leisure: Older men and railroad modeling. Innovation in Aging, 9(Supplement_2), https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igaf122.3066
  • Rochon-Baker, C.*, & Wehe, H.S (2025). More Than an Athlete: Exploring Mental Health Concerns Among Student-Athletes. Modern Psychological Studies, 31(1), 1.  Wehe, H.S. (2024). Exploring the new addiction: An internet abstinence assignment for addictions education. Teaching of Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00986283241268920
  • Wehe, H.S. & Lorenz, M. (2024) Personality Psychology: Kendall Hunt Publishing  Barenholtz, E., Mavica, L., & Wehe, H.S. (2021). Cognitive Psychology. Toronto, Canada: Top Hat Monocle, Corp