A Passion for Exercise Science
I have always been involved in athletics and love science, so this seemed like the perfect fit for me! My most recent research has centered around best pedagogical practices for exercise science curricula, so I'm always looking for ways to ensure I'm offering students the best academic experience possible.
I graduated from Mount Union and look back fondly on my undergraduate years. The faculty, both in exercise science and in other courses, facilitated my learning but were very approachable, making the process of learning enjoyable. Subsequently, when a position became available, I quickly applied hoping that I would be able to provide the same great experience for current and future students. The small class sizes and immersive lab curricula were appealing as I felt it would allow me to develop a good rapport with the students while mentoring them to become successful.
Why Mount Union?
I believe a Mount Union education is unique from other institutions in a lot of ways. The undergraduate curriculum is designed in a way that encourages students to immerse themselves in their major(s), while exploring other areas of interest. This flexibility is especially important for our students involved in extracurriculars and even permits busy students with the opportunity to pursue multiple majors and/or minors. I also think that the role of the faculty on campus is unique in that so many of us are advocates for our students in and out of the classroom. It's not uncommon to see faculty conducting research with students, attending athletic events, or visual/performing arts events to support their students. These relationships are especially important in fostering student engagement and can leaving a lasting impression. The exercise science program is extremely fortunate to have access to a lot of high-quality resources in our labs, which enables us to better prepare students for careers and graduate studies. Our faculty are also top-notch, offering students opportunities to conduct research, present at conferences, assist the community through service-learning, and study abroad, among others.
Teaching at Mount Union
My favorite part of my job is the students! I primarily get to work with students during their junior year, which consists of two very large projects - one with freshmen students and one with community volunteers. It's a lot of fun and so rewarding to see their personal and professional growth over the course of the year. They are also really inquisitive in these two courses, so they definitely keep me on my toes and encourage me to learn new information too.