By Grace Kanipe '26

This fall, the University of Mount Union welcomes a group of new faculty members whose journeys into the classroom are as inspiring as the lessons they’ll teach. From military service to radio broadcasting, their diverse backgrounds share a common thread: a deep commitment to students and to the Mount Union community. 

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was in kindergarten,” said Dr. Nicci Lambright, assistant professor of education and one of Mount Union’s newest faculty members. “I’m most excited about being able to teach classes that focus on special education at Mount Union.” That lifelong calling to teach mirrors the journeys of several new faculty members joining the campus this year, each bringing a blend of professional expertise and personal passion to their work.

Lambright

For Dr. Ryan Gant, assistant professor of exercise science, the path to exercise science started with his own healing. After sustaining multiple injuries during military service, he dove into learning how the body recovers and performs.

“I experienced numerous injuries in the military, and I had the initial desire to learn for myself, which has since expanded into wanting to teach others,” Gant said. Now, he’s eager to pass on that knowledge to students. “The combination of having an opportunity to have a positive impact on our students and helping them develop their own interests is what excites me most about being at Mount Union.”

Gant

Dr. Jennifer Moore, visiting assistant professor of chemistry, was drawn to chemistry not only for its complexity but for its universality. 

“For me, chemistry has always been exciting because it is at the heart of everything,” Moore said. “I am most excited to share with Mount students how chemistry underpins their future careers.” Moore also hopes to shift students’ perceptions of science from intimidating to empowering. “Chemistry can seem daunting at times,” she said, “but I hope to show my students its profound relevance and that they can master (and enjoy) it.”

Moore

Dr. Rikki Price, visiting assistant professor of business, first found her voice in communication behind a high school microphone during a broadcasting course. “It wasn’t until my master’s program, when I had the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant, that I realized how much I enjoyed teaching and mentoring students,” she said. That moment led her to a doctorate and a career helping students develop their own voices.

Price

“I’m inspired by Mount Union’s strong commitment to community engagement and its focus on helping students build a portfolio of meaningful, real-world experiences,” Price said. “I wish I’d had a resource like that when I was in college, and I’m eager to support students as they strengthen their communication and professional skills.”

While each new faculty member has a different story, they all describe Mount Union as a place where they can connect closely with students. Moore calls it “wonderful to be able to work closely with my students and provide them with personalized academic support.” Gant had a similar sentiment, saying, “More than anything else it was the student population. Students here are engaged and ask, or interact, to advance their own knowledge.” 

Beyond the classroom, these educators bring rich lives and hobbies that make them relatable role models. Lambright is a night owl with a big heart. “I don’t like morning classes any more than they do,” she said. “I also rescue special needs cats and hope to have a rescue farm for all animals when I retire.” 

Price’s passion for stories extends beyond the lecture hall. “Outside of the classroom, I really enjoy getting lost in a good story,” she said. “I’ll admit I might have a small obsession with book subscription clubs and collecting new titles. I love the excitement of opening a new box, and I’m guilty of loving the smell of new books.”

Together, these new faculty members embody the spirit of Mount Union — committed teachers, active mentors, and vibrant individuals whose passions infuse both their work and their lives. 

Learn more about the programs in which these engaging professors teach at moununion.edu/academics.