Biography

Dr. Rodney Palmer is the Chair of the Department of Religion and Biblical Languages and Associate Professor of Religion, specializing in Homiletics and Practical Theology at Andrews University (AU). He is an ordained minister, a Formative Dialogue on Teaching Faculty Colleague, a Certified Trauma Support Specialist, an AU Advisory Board member for the International Center for Trauma Education and Care, and president-elect of the Adventist Society of Religious Studies.

Dr. Palmer was born in Jamaica and pastored in the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for nine years. Before coming to Andrews University, he served three years as a Senior Pastor in the Wisconsin Conference and as a Lake Union Conference Executive Committee member.

Dr. Palmer is married to Alyssa (J.D., UW-Madison), the Dean for Student Life and Senior Deputy Title IX Coordinator at AU. The Palmers are the proud parents of Luke and Emerson. 

Current Research or Professional Activities

Dr. Palmer is the lead faculty for the teaching vocational exploration initiative at AU. He is also on the team awarded a grant focused on infusing innovative pedagogical methods and trauma-informed practices into AU’s curricular offerings. His research agenda and published peer-reviewed articles focus on trauma-informed approaches to preaching and higher education, multigenerational preaching, and the development of calling in first-generation college students.