2017 Hall of Fame
NAU graduates of Social and Behavioral Sciences share their successes
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northern Arizona University is proud to share stories of our graduates who have gone on to make a difference in the world.
Kim Alexander
1995 BA Psychology and 1997 MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Kim Alexander is a Licensed Professional Counselor and serves as the Clinical Manager for Behavioral Health Services at FMC. Kim is an NAU alumnus who graduated with a BA in Psychology and then a Master’s in Counseling Psychology. Kim’s husband of 21 years, Tom Alexander, is also an alumni and Kim’s daughter, Hannah Alexander currently attends NAU and is studying Biomedicine. Kim has had an interest in behavioral health since she was a child. Kim loved to hear her mother tell stories about her work as a counselor. Kim began her career providing a support group at Hospice for children who experienced the death of a parent. Kim worked as an in-home family counselor for many years providing intensive therapy for families involved with the DCS system. Kim had a private practice until she applied for a relief counselor position at FMC. This part-time position soon became full-time and Kim closed her private practice. It was at FMC, where she found her true calling providing inpatient therapy for patients in crisis.
After 6 years as a therapist, she moved into a management role and currently supervises the inpatient and outpatient counseling services and the inpatient nursing staff. Kim enjoys mentoring new staff and can often be found researching strategies for improving employee engagement. She works hard to collaborate with NAU providing internships for Mater level clinicians to provide them with educational and professional opportunities at FMC. Kim has historically dedicated her time to organizations such as Exchange Club of Flagstaff and the Assistance League of Flagstaff. Kim is the mother of two teenagers, Hannah and Amanda. She enjoys teaching Emotional Intelligence workshops and reading books on the management of people. Kim’s idea of relaxing is going to the lake with her family and water skiing.
James Jayne
1991 BA International Affairs
James Jayne recently joined the Coconino County team in August 2017. He is leading a robust Public Affairs Department which includes advancing strategic communications and intergovernmental relations. He also works with the Public Works Department Team to support its effort to improve infrastructure throughout the County. The department maintains over 938 miles of roadway through winter snowstorms and summer construction, oversees the Flood Control District, Solid Waste services, the County’s equipment and vehicle fleet and the Kachina Village Improvement District. He will also be taking on special projects as assigned by the County Manager, including economic development initiatives and other assignments to further the mission of Coconino County. Jayne encourages a dynamic workplace environment with diverse ideas and collaboration to ensure a positive working environment that strengthens partnerships in the County and across northern Arizona.
He has spent his career dedicated to public service. Jayne, a graduate of Northern Arizona University, served as the Navajo County Manager from 2003 to 2017 where he worked with a 600-member team of employees to deliver county services to citizens. He previously worked as a Chief of Staff in the AZ House of Representatives, the US Congress, and has worked for the State of Arizona at the AZ Water Banking Authority and the AZ Corporation Commission. Jayne volunteers in the community by serving on the United Way of Northern Arizona Board of Directors where he helps raise awareness for programs and partnerships to help strengthen the underserved in northern Arizona. Jayne also serves on the International City/County Management Association Executive Board, ASU School of Public Affairs Academic Advisory Council and several other national and state professional organizations. Recognized for his dedication to service, Jayne has been awarded the John J. DeBolske Award – the highest achievement for the public management profession in Arizona. In July 2013, Jayne received the Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Award for Innovation – a statewide award for non-elected public servants.
Tyrone Thompson
1989 BS Criminal Justice
Assemblyman Tyrone Thompson was first appointed to the Nevada State Legislature on April 16, 2013 and was later elected by his constituents to continue representing Assembly District 17 (NLV) in 2014 and 2016. During the 79th Legislative Session in 2017, he served as the Chairman of the Education Committee and was a member of the Judiciary and Health & Human Services Committees. He was also a member of the leadership team by serving as the Chief Deputy Majority Whip. As a proud graduate of Northern Arizona University in 1989, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. In 2000, he received his Master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. In 2015, he became a Certified Professional Life Coach through the Life Coach Institute of Orange County, CA. In the fall of 2017, he became a “Professor of Practice” (Adjunct Professor) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he teaches a graduate-level public administration class.
While attending NAU, Mr. Thompson served as a Resident Assistant in Tinsley Hall and The Ridge; a campus ambassador through the Northern Lights program in New Student Programs; a founding member of the Black Honor Society; and was honored by President Eugene Hughes with the President’s Prize at the Seniors Award Breakfast in 1989. Other accomplishments and proud moments for Mr. Thompson include volunteering as a C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for the past 20 years; Graduating from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Las Vegas Class in 2003; Serving as a past president of the local chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA); Receiving the President Obama Volunteer Service Award in 2011; Graduating from the Council of State Governments (CSG West) Western Legislative Academy designed for new legislators in 2014; Being acknowledged by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Nevada Chapter as the 2015 Elected Official of the Year; Graduating as a CSG Henry Toll Fellow in December 2016—the premiere, intensive leadership academy for public servants in the three branches of government; Serving as the keynote speaker at NAU’s 2017 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration: and most importantly, continuing to serve as a dedicated Senior Usher at Victory Missionary Baptist Church.
Assemblyman Thompson is proud of his new beginning as he recently retired from the Public Employees Retirement System where he served as a public servant for over 25 years in the Health, Human and Community Services fields. He is ecstatic about the new opportunities that have come his way through the creation of his business, Thompson Career Solutions—connecting your workforce needs to compete and succeed. Early retirement also affords him the opportunity to serve as a more accessible legislator for his constituents.