Kimberly Tobey has served as the Executive Director for the National Association of
Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP) since 2012; an organization
dedicated to advocating for community colleges in national discussions about teacher
education and facilitating connections between community college teacher education
programs, four year institutions, and numerous educational partners.
Simultaneously,
Mrs. Tobey serves as the Director for Community Partnerships and Programs in the
Educator Preparation Program at Rio Salado College; one of the ten Maricopa Community
Colleges in Arizona. During her nineteen year tenor with Rio Salado College she has
partnered in the development of a state approved community college post-baccalaureate
teacher preparation program, an alternative path program for certification, and an
undergraduate 3 + 1 Bachelor of Education program/partnership.
Kim earned her M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership in 1999 and her Bachelor of Science
in Criminal Justice in 1989 from Grand Canyon University. In 2017 Mrs. Tobey was
recognized as the Alumni of the Year from GCU’s College of Education. As a first generation
college student herself, Kimberly Tobey has a passion for helping all college students
navigate higher education but holds a special place in her work for the non-traditional
student. Mrs. Tobey seeks to build teacher education pathways that support the needs of
the non-traditional student, increase the diversity of the teacher pipeline, and that keep
students in their communities where they can have the most impact.
While she enjoys advocacy, reading regulations, and developing policy her most important
and fulfilling role has been as the wife of her wonderful husband Tim Tobey for 30 years
and the mother of two handsome young men; all who fear the Lord, lead as Christ led, and
love her, and others unconditionally; her youngest son is also a GCU alum in the College of
Business. The Tobey home has been a refuge for hundreds of kids from across the valley as
they have dedicated their home and their finances to serving those in needs and living life
alongside of others so that they get to “hopefully” see Christ’s love lived out in the flesh.
Kim has been a volunteer youth leader for her churches, served as an Area Director for
Glendale Urban YoungLife for almost ten years, and currently hosts college-age students in
her home for weekly bible studies and community building. Kim will tell you that her true
passion is mentoring young ladies and helping them recognize their worth.