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

Nancy Brule

Department Chair and 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.

Ripley Smith

Department Chair and 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

Michael Dreher

Professor of Communication Studies and Director of Forensics | mdreher@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997

In addition to teaching, Dreher is director of the forensics program. His 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.

Andrew Gess

Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Director of Internships | a-gess@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001

Gess conducts research in the areas of organizational and corporate communication, rhetorical theory, media ecology, and the study of social movements.

Peggy Kendall

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

Kendall has focused her research and writing on how technology impacts faith. Her current research explores how use of social media by the church impacts the message of the gospel and the role of church leaders.

Jessica Samens

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

Samens' research interests include disability and communication; teaching public speaking to international students; and gender communication.

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.

Nickolaus Swedlund

Associate Professor of Communication Studies | nis98838@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Mr. Swedlund received a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Biola University, and a Master of Fine Arts in Directing (the terminal degree in his field) from the American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles. Before serving most recently as Assistant Professor of Film Production at Crown College, Mr. Swedlund was a Directing Fellow at the AFI and then for several years a producer and director of development for Silvatar Media. He has written several screenplays and has directed bo. . . read more.

Artie Terry

Associate Professor of Communication Studies | 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.