Faculty

Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Department chair

Peggy Kendall

Professor of Communication Studies | p-kendall@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999

Kendall is a recent Fulbright Scholar who conducted research in Poland on issues related to eldercare. Her current work explores how TRUST is built in remote workplaces. Drawing on her expertise in communication and technology, she is a sought after keynote speaker, trainer, consultant, and executive coach. She has written 4 books examining the impact of technology, including Trust at a Distance, co-authored with David Horsager and published by Berrett-Koehler.. . . read more.

Ripley Smith

Professor of Media Communication | r-smith@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008

Smith has research interests in social networks and socio-cultural adjustment, trust development in partnerships across cultures and organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international crisis intervention processes, and prophetic rhetoric.

Faculty

Betsy Anderson

Associate Professor of Communication Studies | bda92679@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Associate Professor of Communication Studies

Nancy Brule

Professor of Communication Studies | n-brule@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004

Brule's research interests include family communication, adolescent/parent communication, high-risk adolescents, conflict, and abusive relationships.

Christopher Shofner

Associate Professor of Communication Studies | cks75966@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Associate Professor of Communication Studies

Scott Sochay

Associate Professor of Communication Studies | socsco@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999

Sochay's research and teaching interests include media law, media technology, and Native Americans and the media.

Adjunct faculty

Jentine Arkema

Teaching Partner in Communication Studies | j-arkema@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Leadership communication; women in leadership; interpersonal skills/communication; public speaking skills and methods; gender communication; conflict resolution methods, and family communication.

Jessica Samens

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Communication Studies | j-samens@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009

Samens' research interests include health communication, focusing on identity after an illness, disclosure of health status, and health disparity.

Emeritus/emerita faculty

Michael Dreher

Professor of Communication Emeritus | mdreher@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997

Dreher's research and publishing have focused on political and religious rhetoric, the rhetoric of mathematics and science, and forensic pedagogy. He is also interested in issues of web accessibility and standards.

Arthur Terry

Associate Professor of Communication Studies Emeritus | a-terry@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006

Terry's research interests include screenwriting, film, the history of film, and the films of African American filmmakers.