DR. JOEL KAILING

Chair, Department of Communication Arts
Professor of Communication

Dr. Joel Kailing has been a member of Lee's communication faculty since 1994 and currently serves as chair of the Department of Communication Arts. Among the courses he teaches are Research Methods, Desktop Publishing, Media Law and the religion capstone courses for communication and telecommunications. He also sponsors student media at Lee, serving as an advisor to the Vindagua and Clarion.

Before coming to Lee, Kailing traveled internationally as a missionary educator and was a visiting lecturer in Nigeria for three years, where he developed his interest in intercultural communication. He completed his dissertation research in Africa and has published several articles based on this study. His varied career also includes several years in the pastorate; he is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, under appointment to Lee University from the North Georgia Conference. His spiritual and academic interests come together in his current research of the application of communication theory to the Christian faith.

Originally from Atlanta, Ga., Kailing and his wife, Kim, raised four children in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Africa. They are now empty nesters whose house has more cats and guitars than human occupants. Whenever possible, though, they enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren.