Communication - Faculty

Katelyn currently serves as an instructor of communication at Lindsey Wilson University. She joined Lindsey Wilson in 2024 while completing her dissertation research at Purdue University. She brings with her extensive teaching experience which was recognized with the Bruce Kendall Excellence in Teaching Award in the Lamb School of Communication at Purdue. She is a member of the National Communication Association, Lambda Pi Eta (NCA Honor Society), Pi Kappa Delta (debate and forensics honor society).

Katelyn Brooks resides in Campbellsville with her husband, daughter Juniper, and their two cats. As a faculty member, she has taught courses including presentation design and delivery, critical thinking and communication, social media communication, and political communication.

Katelyn�s research focuses on how political actors including government agencies, elected officials, and the public use social media to talk about themselves, each other, and major political events. She uses a range of methods including interviews, content analyses, and thematic analyses.

When not teaching or writing, Katelyn chases Juniper around, constructs Lego sets, stitches embroidery and cross stitch patterns, and cooks new recipes.

Kaylie is a member of Sigma Tau Delta (International English Honors Society), Lambda Pi Eta (National Communication Association Honors Society), and the National Communication Association.

Kaylie Butler resides in Munfordville, KY with her two cats Annie and Auggie. As a faculty member, she has taught courses including public speaking, principles of communication, persuasion, and leadership. She also serves as a co-sponsor for Lambda Pi Eta (Communication Honors Society).

Kaylie�s research interests include intergroup, instructional, and persuasive communication. Throughout her studies, she focuses on Appalachian students and other marginalized groups that struggle with educational attainment. Specifically, she is interested in understanding the role of individual and group identities within the learning process and exploring the impact of such identities on classroom experiences and overall educational persistence. While this is her primary focus of study, Kaylie also enjoys media effects research and communication theory.

When she is not on campus, Kaylie enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading random books, hunting for new coffee shops, and binge-watching TV shows and movies.

Dr. Furkin served the college in a few capacities over her time here since 2003. She began her higher education career in the Registrar's Office before moving into her Freshman Advisor role in the First Year Experience Program, which she held for 8 years. She also taught as an Adjunct Instructor for Communication during that time. In her 9th year in FYE, she served as Co-Director of the program. She accepted a faculty position in Communication in 2016. These various roles she has held at the college have provided her with a well-rounded understanding of the inner-workings of the institution, as well as a strong foundation in intentional advising and cultivating positive interactions and relationships with students.

Dr. Jennifer Furkin resides in Columbia with her husband Josh (a special education teacher in Adair County and graduate of LWU), her son Bowen, and her dog Chance. She has taught a variety of classes for the Communication program at Lindsey Wilson. She also serves as co-sponsor for the Communication Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta. Aside from serving as a faculty member for Communication, she is the Program Coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Studies major.

Dr. Furkin's research interests are within interpersonal communication, specifically related to learning more about mothers and their communication with other mothers regarding parenting choices. She enjoys engaging with students on communication research trips where students get to critically analyze the communication processes happening all around them. In the classroom, she is motivated by thoughtful, engaging student discussions regarding communication concepts and topics.

Dr. Furkin enjoys attending various Lindsey Wilson events, spending time with family, and watching her son compete in swimming competitions.

Dr. Benson Sexton is a proud alumnus of Lindsey Wilson University and currently serves as Dean of the School of Business and Communication. He earned his bachelor�s degree from Lindsey Wilson College with a double major in Communication and Christian Ministries and was the recipient of the President�s Award. As an undergraduate, Dr. Sexton was deeply engaged in campus life through the LWU Singers, Student Ambassadors, and Students Interested in Government, and he received a competitive scholarship to study abroad at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Sexton earned his master�s degree from Western Kentucky University with a research focus in interpersonal and organizational communication. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky in 2017. His dissertation, Exploring the Influence of Students� Perceptions of Instructional Message Content Relevance and Experienced Cognitive Load on Students� Cognitive Learning, reflects his enduring scholarly commitment to understanding how communication practices shape student learning and success.

His research lies at the intersection of instructional communication, interpersonal communication, educational psychology, and leadership. Dr. Sexton has presented scholarly work at the local, regional, and national levels and has published in several well-respected academic journals.

Guided by Lindsey Wilson University�s mission as a faith-centered, rural-serving institution, Dr. Sexton�s teaching and leadership emphasize academic excellence, ethical leadership, and service to others. He is committed to preparing students, many from rural and first-generation backgrounds, for lives of purpose, meaningful work, and community impact. As dean, he focuses on advancing innovative, applied academic programs that align with workforce needs, strengthen regional economies, and extend Lindsey Wilson�s longstanding commitment to access, stewardship, and student-centered education.

Dr. Sexton was named Distinguished Alumnus of Lindsey Wilson University in 2025. He has also received the Exemplary Teacher of the Year award from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church and was twice honored as Teacher of the Year by the Lindsey Wilson Student Government Association. He is an active member of the National Communication Association, Eastern States Communication Association, National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation, Lambda Pi Eta, and Sigma Tau Delta.

Dr. Sexton's career in higher education is marked by the support and encouragement of his wife, Leah, and their four incredible children, Kate Elisabeth, Max Thomas, Hayes David, and Hattie James.