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.
Nancy Brule
Department Chair, Professor of Communication Studies | n-brule@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004
Areas of expertise
Brule's research interests include family communication, adolescent/parent communication, high-risk adolescents, conflict, and abusive relationships.
Michael Dreher
Professor of Communication Studies, Director of Forensics | mdreher@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Areas of expertise
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.
Leta Frazier
Professor of Communication Studies | fralet@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1982
Areas of expertise
Frazier conducts research in the areas of family communication, interpersonal communication, gender communication, and higher education.
Phil Frazier
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Communication Studies | fraphi@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988
Areas of expertise
Frazier's research interests include interpersonal communication and family communication, areas in which he also teaches.
Andrew Gess
Associate Professor of Communication Studies | a-gess@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
Areas of expertise
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 | kenpeg@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Areas of expertise
Kendall has focused her research and writing on how adolescents use social media, how youth pastors are deploying these tools in ministry, and how parents can help teens use online communication in a safe and satisfying manner.
Jessica Samens
Instructor in Communication Studies | j-samens@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Areas of expertise
Samens’ research interests include disability and communication; teaching public speaking to international students; and gender communication. She is assistant director of the forensics program.
Ripley Smith
Professor of Media Communication | r-smith@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Areas of expertise
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.
Scott Sochay
Associate Professor of Communication Studies | socsco@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Areas of expertise
Sochay's research and teaching interests include media law, media technology, and Native Americans and the media.
Artie Terry
Associate Professor of Communication Studies | a-terry@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
Areas of expertise
Terry's research interests include screenwriting, film, the history of film, and the films of African American filmmakers.
More from Communication Studies
Bethel Forensics Team
Read about Bethel's accomplished speech and debate Forensics Team, see the upcoming meet schedule, and learn about why Forensics could be the place for you.
ComConnect Blog
Stay connected to our department through internship postings, alumni updates, department news, career advice, and more.