Meet Jean Kimmer, Registrar’s Office

Jean Kimmer, associate registrar, degree evaluation, spends her days assisting students and faculty with questions about degree requirements, new courses and academic rules. Kimmer, who was named the Employee of the Year in 2009, has worked at Wake Forest for 20 years, 18 of those years in the Registrar’s Office.

What do you do?

These days, I spend a lot of time with computers. I oversee all aspects of the degree evaluation system, including programming and maintenance of web-based degree evaluating/advising rules. I monitor and maintain the academic rules as stated in the University Bulletin, updating as necessary according to the changes made by faculty. I coordinate information about new and adjusted courses with other Registrar’s Office personnel. I consult with departmental chairs to clarify requirements as needed. I evaluate and monitor student’s academic progress using the degree evaluations, and meet with the students when their degree evaluations are not working correctly.

I also provide customer service to students and parents assisting with problem-solving when needed. I also assist with registration and graduation.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

Working with students and seeing them progress through Wake Forest has been the most enjoyable part of my job. I am also a lower division advisor. The opportunity to work as an academic advisor has always been one of the more rewarding aspects of my time at Wake Forest. I like working directly with the students and feel like my understanding of the degree requirements can really help them navigate their first two years here.

How did you end up at Wake Forest?

I think I was just really lucky. My older son graduated from Wake Forest and loved it. Fred and I got to know his friends while he was here, and always thought that it was a wonderful school. After he graduated, I made a career switch – I ran my own small business for many years – because I wanted to do something I enjoyed more. I started looking for a job and decided to try Wake Forest since he had such a great experience. Somehow or another, I must have made a good enough first impression on Mrs. Perry, who hired me in the Registrar’s Office.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I was the sole caregiver to my father for the past 31 years until he passed away in July of this year. I love music and serve as music director at Mineral Springs Baptist Church; I enjoy putting a song in the hearts of others. I knit and have recently taken up quilting. My favorite time is spent with my grandchildren. I just wish that I got to see them more often.

Family:

Fred and I have been married for 45 years; he is retired from RJ Reynolds. We have two sons, Garland and Chris (both Wake Forest graduates), and three grandchildren.