Beth Lewis

Beth Lewis is a professor in the School of Kinesiology within Health Science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Since July 2023, she has served as Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, where she provides leadership in policies and practices affecting academic and faculty life, implements faculty-related processes under MPact 2025, oversees initiatives for faculty excellence and diversity, manages promotion and review processes, and improves data on faculty activities. Previously, she was Director and Chair of the School of Kinesiology from 2017 to 2023, Faculty Affairs Associate from 2022 to 2023, and Director of Undergraduate Studies from 2016 to 2017. She joined the University of Minnesota as Assistant Professor in 2007, advanced to Associate Professor in 2011, and became Professor in 2017. Earlier positions include Research Investigator at HealthPartners Research Foundation from 2004 to 2007 and Assistant Professor at Brown Medical School from 2003 to 2004.

Lewis earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2001 and MA in Psychology in 1998 from the University of North Dakota, and her BA in Psychology in 1996 from North Dakota State University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship and predoctoral internship at Brown University in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. Her research focuses on the efficacy of behavioral interventions for increasing physical activity among sedentary adults, mediating variables in physical activity behavior change such as social support and enjoyment, effects of exercise on mental health including depression during pregnancy and postpartum periods, and interventions emphasizing high-intensity interval training and strength training for women. Key publications include "Acute affective response to a moderate-intensity exercise stimulus predicts physical activity participation 6 and 12 months later" (Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2008), "Psychosocial mediators of physical activity behavior among adults and children" (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2002), "Self-efficacy versus perceived enjoyment as predictors of physical activity behaviour" (Psychology & Health, 2016), and "A comparison of Internet and print-based physical activity interventions" (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007).

Professional Email: blewis@umn.edu