Faculty & Staff / Alumni Story

At Catawba we share our stories. Stories about who we are and where we come from. There is a campus desire to share our stories and walk through this life together.”

Reverend Kendra Joyner-Miller is Catawba’s Chaplain. As Chaplain, Kendra provides strategic leadership and a comprehensive vision to support Catawba’s religious and spiritual life. In addition to being Chaplain, she is also the Director of the Lilly Center of Vocation and Values. As Director of the Lilly Center, she helps students by planning and organizing retreats, monthly dinners, and volunteer opportunities that all help them to discover and use their gifts in ways that serve others and improve the world around them. She is also on the Board of Trustees and is a Catawba alumna.

As a student, Kendra chose Catawba after visiting campus and experiencing a sense of belonging. She said, “Catawba is centered around service and community building. You know you are cared for here.”

As an employee, Kendra chose Catawba after the former Chaplain Dr. Kenneth Clapp called and asked her to apply for the job. She said she was hesitant because the timing wasn’t the best. It was her husband who reminded her that it was a dream of hers to be the Chaplain of Catawba. She felt convicted and committed to come back and be a part of the transformation for students that she once experienced.

Kendra loves Catawba for two main reasons. She said the first reason is that “Catawba loves you to your best self. It is able to do this because of the people. It is a place where people care deeply and take seriously the stewardship of its students and community.” The second reason she said was interdependence. “We thrive when we celebrate and encourage each other. At Catawba, we value care over other things.”

When asked what she considers to be some of her most outstanding achievements at Catawba, she said, “Being a part of Lessons and Carols because it involved Catawba singers, an orchestra, and the love of our community.”

She added, “I also feel grateful to have been a part of honoring Chase Tripp during his memorial. I’m proud of our community and the way we came together to honor such an amazing person.”