Following successful and varied careers in broadcasting, marketing, public relations, and pastoral ministry, Karl Payton seems to have found his niche in Christian higher education. "God doesn't waste any of our past experiences. I believe He is letting me draw upon my background to make my classroom a more interesting place."

Dr. Payton believes "Introduction to Speech Communication" is the most important class any college student can take. "The skills learned are immediately useful. Our ability to share ideas is the essence of teaching, learning, and ministering, and thus one of God's greatest gifts. We live in a society that is accustomed to well-packaged messages. We in the Church owe it to our Lord to tell His story and represent His cause in as professional a manner as is possible."

EDUCATION

• Ed.D. - Texas A&M University-Commerce (2011); Supervision, Curriculum, and Instruction in Higher Education; Dissertation research in predictors of communication apprehension among college freshmen.
• M.A. - Western Kentucky University (1994); Organizational Communication; Thesis: "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Corporate Soft Skills Training: An Exploratory Study"
• B.A. - Trevecca Nazarene University (1976); Religion and Speech Communications.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

• LeTourneau University, 2002 to present
• Tyler First Church of the Nazarene, Tyler, Texas, 2011-2017 – Senior Pastor
• Trevecca Nazarene University, 1998-2002 – Adjunct Instructor of Communication Studies
• Austin Peay State University, 2000-2001 – Adjunct Instructor of Speech Communication
• Volunteer State Community College, 1995-1996 – Adjunct Instructor of Communication
• First Church of the Nazarene, Dickson, TN, 1996-2001 – Senior Pastor
• Western Kentucky University, 1994-1996 – Adjunct Instructor of Speech Communication
• BellSouth Telecommunication, 1988-1996 – Employee Communication Mgr. & Executive Speechwriter
• South Central Bell Telephone Company, 1976-1988 – Business Marketing Specialist / Media Producer
• WMAK, Nashville, Tennessee, 1976 – Broadcast Journalist
• WNAZ-FM, Nashville, Tennessee, 1972-1976 – Radio Announcer and Station Manager

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

• Texas Association for Higher Education Assessment
• Texas Speech Communication Association
• Religious Communication Association
• American Communication Association

Special Achievements/Community Involvement

• Board of Trustees, Southern Nazarene University, 2018-2021
• Dallas District Advisory Board, Church of the Nazarene, 2015-2018
• Convention Delegate, Republican Party of Gregg County – 2008; 2012
• Longview World of Wonders PR Team, 2009
• Ordained Minister, Church of the Nazarene, 1998  
• Named "Outstanding Graduate Student" - Department of Speech Communication and Broadcasting, Western Kentucky University, 1993
• Long Rifle Award for volunteer service, Middle Tennessee Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1991
• A founding member and charter vice president of Intercollegiate Religious Broadcasters - the collegiate division of National Religious Broadcasters - while serving as manager of WNAZ-FM, Trevecca Nazarene College, 1974-1975
• Commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Wendell Ford, 1974