Skip to main content

About Wycliffe Njororai Simiyu

Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu was born, raised and educated in Kenya. Kenya is on the Eastern side of the African Continent. He graduated with a Ph.D. from Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya in 2001 specializing in Physical Education and Sport.  Prior to the Ph.D., he had graduated with a Bachelors and Masters in the same fields in 1985 and 1992 respectively from the same Institution. He taught at high school, community college and university levels in Kenya from 1985 to 2007, before transitioning to Wiley College, Texas, USA (2007-2012) and later at the University of Texas at Tyler since 2012.

He also served as Athletics Director (2001 to 2004) and Chair of the Department of Exercise, Recreation and Sport Science (2004 to 2007) at Kenyatta University. He served as the Lead Professor of Physical Education at Wiley College (2007 to 2012) and Interim Chair of the Department of Health and Kinesiology at UT at Tyler in spring 2013. He is an exemplary teacher. He has earned exemplary teaching and service awards in Kenya and in the US. He has published in peer review journals and presented at conferences widely on various aspects of the discipline of Kinesiology. Most importantly, he has mentored many students, both in East Africa and USA that have progressed to become outstanding scholars around the globe.
In his spare time, he enjoys running, watching competitive Athletics, writing and reading especially sports literature, leadership, motivation and Christian inspirational writings. He is married to Dr. Fletcher Njororai of UT at Tyler for the past 31 years. They have two daughters and a son, and three grandsons.  Interestingly, the first and last-born children are all Kinesiology majors!
He considers himself a dynamic, sensitive, experienced professional leader and student-centered educator. His ultimate goal is to facilitate students to discover their ultimate mission in life and to inspire them to aspire towards successful professional careers.

Positions

Present Professor, University of Texas at Tyler Department of Health and Kinesiology
to

Curriculum Vitae




Grants

2014 - 2015 College Students’ rating of their physical activity involvement over a 7 day period
Office of Sponsored Research
Role: PI
Colleague(s): Fletcher Njororai
$3,800
2014 - 2014 Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program project
CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK (CCNY)
Role: PI
$20,062.70
2013 - 2014 Community Transformation Grant
Funded by Northeast Texas Public health District
Role: PI
Colleague(s): Torey Nalbone
$22,669.00
2013 - 2014 Community Transformation Grant
Northeast Texas Public Health District
Role: CoPI
Colleague(s): Jenifer Chilton
$21,600.00
2006 - 2006 Analysis of factors influencing the development of Soccer in East Africa
FIFA
Role: PI
Colleague(s): Mwisukha Andanje, Vincent Onywera, Elijah Gitonga
$17,000.00
2006 - 2006 National Council Of Churches Of Kenya Royal Netherlands Embassy
National Peace Program 2003-2006: External Assessment
Role: PI
Colleague(s): Pyt Van Ostadestraat
$55,000.00
2005 - 2006 Towards Gender Equity in Sports: Insights into the under-representation of Women in Sports Leadership in Kenya
Organization of Social Sciences Research in Eastern and Southern Africa
Role: CoPI
Colleague(s): Mwisukha Andanje, Elijah Rintaugu.
$
to
Enter a valid date range.

Professional Service and Affiliations

2014 - Present Member, African Studies Association
2013 - Present Reviewer, British Journal of Education, Society and Behaviour
2013 - Present Reviewer, Soccer and Society
2001 - Present Reviewer, African Journal For Physical, Health Education, Recreation and dance Soccer and Society
1996 - Present Member, Kenya Association of Health, PE, Recreation, Sport and Dance
1994 - Present Member, African Association for Health, PE, Recreation, Sport and Dance
2018 - 2019 President, Kessa.org
2017 - 2019 KESSA Awards Committee, Kenya Scholars and Studies Association
2017 - 2019 Student Presentation Competition Committee, Kenya Scholars and Studies Association
2017 - 2018 President - Elect, Kenya Scholars and Studies Association
2017 - 2017 Chairman of the KESSA 10th Anniversary Programming Committee, Kenya Scholars and Studies Association
2010 - 2015 Member, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
2012 - 2012 Transforming Texas: Community Transformation Grant, Northeast Texas Public Health District and University of Texas at Tyler
2009 - 2012 Compliance Certification Audit Team, Wiley College
2009 - 2012 SACS-COC Compliance Certification Review Committee, Wiley College
2003 - 2007 Editorial Committee, African Journal of Education Studies
2001 - 2007 Editorial Board member, East African Journal of Physical Education, Sports Science, Leisure and Recreation Management
2001 - 2007 Member, East African Universities' Sports Federation
1991 - 2007 Member, Kenya Football Coaches Association
1986 - 2007 Member, Athletics Kenya
to
Enter a valid date range.

Honors and Awards

  • 2019 Leadership Award, University of Texas at Tyler
  • 2016/2017 Piper Award Professor Nominee, University of Texas at Tyler
  • 2015/2016 White Fellowship for Teaching Excellence, University of Texas at Tyler
  • 2016 Appreciation Award, Kenyans in San Antonio
  • 2014 Carnegie African in the Diaspora Fellow and Visiting Professor, Carnegie Foundation and Kyambogo University
  • 2012 Purple Flame Award, Wiley College
  • 2012 Appreciation Award, Wiley International Student Club
  • 2011 Exemplary Faculty of the Year 2010/2011, United Methodist Church and Wiley College
  • 2011 Athletic Appreciation Award, Wiley College
  • 2007 Oklahoma State University Appreciation Award, OSU, The Center of Africana Studies and development and The African Students Organization
  • 2003 AFAHPER-S.D. SCHOLARS AWARD , African Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance
  • 1988 Graduate Scholarship, Kenyatta University

Education

to
2001 Ph.D., Physical Education and Sports, Kenyatta University
to
1992 M. Ed., Physical Education and Sports, Kenyatta University
to
1985 B. E. Physical Education and Geography, University of Nairobi
to

Contact Information

2200A HPC
3900 University BLVD
Tyler, Texas 75799
 
wnjororai@uttyler.edu
(903)565-5530


Research Works (90)