Shelby Assmus, M.S.

Biography 

Shelby Assmus earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science from South Dakota State University and master's degree in kinesiology, focusing on strength & conditioning and human movement performance, from Western Illinois University. As well as serving the past decade in education and strength & conditioning, Assmus has obtained the following internationally, nationally and locally recognized certifications that have helped her impact thousands of students, athletes and organizations across the globe: American College of Sports Medicine-Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP); National Strength and Conditioning Association-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS); USA Weightlifting-Level 1 Sports Performance Coach (USAW L1); USA Weightlifting-Level 2 Weightlifting Coach (USAW L2); American Heart Association CPR and First Aid Certified; Eleiko Strength Coach Level 1 & 2 (ESC L1 & L2); Augustana University Certified Diversity Advocate.

Assmus served as the international education manager at a global strength training company, Eleiko, based in Halmstad, Sweden. During her time there, Eleiko provided education in more than eight countries with end-to-end business solutions, including strength training equipment and education to bring value to business owners and their customers/patrons/patients. These solutions were for gym, fitness, high-performance, college/university and U.S. military facilities. Additionally, Assmus has worked for Avera Sports, where she developed and implemented strength & conditioning programs for the Kairos Elite Volleyball Club, Central Lyon High School, O'Gorman High School Volleyball Team and hundreds of other athletes who participated in Avera's Athletic Republic Program. Assmus still actively trains high-performing and nationally-ranked high school and college athletes and teams in the South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota tri-state area.

Assmus previously worked at Augustana in the athletics department, overseeing the IMPACT internship program she developed over two years. During this time, she also taught Exercise Leadership & Organization and Administration of PE & Sport as an adjunct instructor for the exercise & sport sciences department. In addition to these courses, Assmus now teaches and has taught a variety of courses, including Introduction to Exercise Science, Biomechanics, Theories & Techniques of Strength & Conditioning I, Sport Psychology for Coaches and Personal Health & Wellbeing. She looks forward to being an instrumental educator and clinician in Augustana's strength & conditioning program.

Assmus' favorite part of teaching at Augustana is coaching phenomenal students and being surrounded by high-performing students who challenge intellect and raise the standard for everyone in the AU community. This impact keeps her elevating her students in the courses she teaches.

As a lifelong athlete, Assmus has competed in national and international competitions for powerlifting while setting national records within the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation. She has also competed in six national-level weightlifting competitions, with multiple top 10 and top 15 finishes. In her free time, she helps her family as a ranch hand, care giver, restaurant server and babysitter for her nieces.