30 Years of Service: Jimmy Kijai

Professor of Research and Statistical Methodology, Department of Graduate Psychology & Counseling

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Jimmy Kijai began working at the Andrews University School of Education in 1991. As one of a select few full-time statisticians and methodologists, Jimmy has worked with hundreds of graduate students over the last 30 years, becoming an SED/CEIS “research institution.” His easygoing, kind and engaging personality has had a defining impact in the Department of Graduate Psychology & Counseling (GPC). As the co-coordinator of GPC research and statistics programming, Jimmy plays an essential and significant role in the department. He is always willing to help, resulting in him holding the all-time record for serving on the greatest number of dissertations as methodologist concurrently!

As the longest-serving faculty in GPC, Jimmy is a willing supporter of department activities, serving as unofficial photographer and tech support guy. His unassuming persona often deflects attention away from the fact that he is also a gifted statistician and researcher, with numerous publications and presentations to his credit. His primary research interest includes the area of non-cognitive effects of schools particularly in values and beliefs development. His contribution to Andrews University was honored in 2019 when he was presented with the prestigious J.N. Andrews Medallion.

His colleagues contributed the following tributes:

• Dr. Kijai is a great team player! Always willing to help students, faculty and administrators.
• He has a deep commitment and dedication to his roles and functions as professor, mentor, researcher and advisor.
• He remains current in his field through consultation, research, facilitating seminars/workshops, publications and professional presentations.
• He integrates his faith with learning and instruction.
• He is an outstanding ping-pong player and enthusiastic racquetball player.
• I love the food he brings for faculty and students from time to time.
• I appreciate Dr. Kijai for his tireless work in helping students & faculty with stats. He is amazing at understanding and relating that information.
• He is a blessing to the GPC department and to the University and we would love to see him stick around for another 30 years!  

While many statisticians and researchers spend a lifetime striving for “significance” … we suggest that Jimmy has not only been found to be significant to all his students, faculty and friends but has done so with confidence, frequency and little variability over 30 years! Congratulations, Jimmy!