New faculty reinforce tradition of ‘teaching excellence’ at Transylvania

As the 2024-25 academic year gets underway, Transylvania University welcomes new faculty who have a wealth of teaching and research experience in a range of disciplines - from art to business.

These eight tenure-track and two visiting faculty are joining a supportive learning community with new initiatives like the Bingham Center for Teaching Excellence.

"I am delighted to welcome an exceptional group of new faculty to Transylvania University," said Rebecca Thomas, executive vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university. "They are joining a faculty known for teaching excellence and a university community that is committed to exceptional learning opportunities for our students."

New faculty for 2024-25

Mostafa Tanhayi Ahari, a one-year visiting assistant professor of physics, earned his Ph.D. and Master of Science in physics from Indiana University and a bachelor's in the subject from the University of Tabriz, Iran. He is a condensed matter theorist researching superconducting materials, topological matter and spintronics to uncover new quantum phenomena and develop next-generation quantum technologies and devices. Selected coursework includes Critical Phenomena and Phase Transitions, Quantum Information and Computation, and Topics in Condensed Matter Physics.

Hannah Alms, assistant professor of history, earned her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in U.S. history from Indiana University and a bachelor's in history from Wake Forest University. She has taught courses including The Rise of Modern America at Hollins University, History of Black Americans at Indiana University Southeast and Modern American Women's History at Indiana University Bloomington. Alms, whose other areas of expertise include women's and gender history and labor history, has research interests in paid domestic work.

Brantley Ballenger, assistant professor of health and exercise science, earned his Ph.D. in exercise science from Mississippi State University, a Master of Science in exercise physiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and bachelor's in strength and conditioning from the University of Montevallo (Alabama). Ballenger, whose research interests include physical activity and cardiovascular health of adults with Down syndrome, has taught courses such as Exercise Programs for Clinical Populations, Aging and Disability and Fundamentals of Kinesiology.

Rachel Butler, assistant professor of psychology, earned her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in clinical psychology from Temple University and bachelor's in psychology from UCLA. A clinical psychologist, Butler was a clinical supervisor for the University of Louisville Psychological Services Center and a postdoctoral research fellow at UofL's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Eating Anxiety Treatment Lab. Courses taught include Human Sexuality and a Clinical Psychology Practicum.

Celnisha L. Dangerfield, assistant professor of writing, rhetoric and communication, earned her Ph.D. from the University of Memphis in communication (rhetoric and media), a Master of Arts from Penn State in speech communication, a graduate certificate from Agnes Scott College and a bachelor's from Clark Atlanta University in speech communication. She was a visiting assistant professor of rhetoric and race at Colorado State University and has taught courses including Communication and Popular Culture and Co-Cultural Communication.

Marion Hambrick '95, associate professor of business administration, earned his PhD. in sport administration from UofL, an MBA in finance from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor's in finance from Transylvania. Has served as a UofL professor, executive director of the Grawemeyer Awards and Scholars program and director of the Grawemeyer Award in Education. Courses taught include Sport Marketing and Career Development. His research has focused on analyzing social networks in sports.

Trevor Moffitt, assistant professor of health and exercise science, earned his Ph.D. in health behavior and health promotion from The Ohio State University College of Public Health, a Master of Arts in counseling from the Dallas Theological Seminary and a bachelor's in psychology from Cedarville University. His academic interests include the foundations of public health and health behavior science; and substance use, the opioid crisis and harm reduction. He taught Introduction to Public Health as an adjunct faculty adviser at Transylvania and has served as a UK community engagement and recovery services administrator.

Grace Ramsey, assistant professor of art, earned her Master of Fine Arts in painting from Tulane University and bachelor's in religious studies from Stetson University. Her works have appeared in numerous galleries, including the Historic Arkansas Museum and Boswell Mourot in Little Rock. She was a professor at Florida Gulf Coast University's Bower School of Music and the Arts and William Paterson University and a visiting assistant professor at Stetson University. Ramsey, whose art is rooted in the human form, has taught a variety of drawing and painting courses.

Lawrence Spell, assistant professor of music, earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting from The University of Utah, a Master of Music in orchestral conducting and a bachelor's in music education from East Carolina University. He was a professor at Guilford Technical Community College and an adjunct professor at The University of Utah and has taught courses including Conducting, Music History and Survey of Jazz; directed instrumental chamber ensembles, symphony orchestras and bands; and coordinated concerto competitions. He is also a member of the conducting faculty for the International Institute for Conductors.

Oscar Trujillo, a one-year adjunct instructor of Spanish, earned his Master of Arts in education from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia) and bachelor's in philosophy from the Universidad Santo Tomás and Pontificia Universidad Urbaniana. He has taught Spanish, humanities and other subjects at numerous institutions - from the Universidad Santo Tomás to Fayette County Public Schools - and he was previously a Spanish instructor at Transylvania. Trujillo also has served as an ESL and GED Spanish instructor for Jessamine and Woodford County Adult Education.

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