My Why: Kay Llovio

Throughout four remarkable decades, Vice President for Educational Effectiveness and Dean of the School of Business, Arts & Humanities, Kay Llovio has proven to be a cornerstone here at Jessup University. Her wisdom, steady focus and biblical foundation makes her one of the most versatile leaders this campus has ever known. Her deep commitment to serve where she’s needed most led her to positions where her impact ranged from shaping young minds in the classroom to steering the University through major institutional milestones. Through it all, her expertise, faith, integrity and unmistakable laugh have remained constant reminders of what it means to lead with purpose, perspective and promise.

“In so many ways, these three words encapsulate my Why Jessup?,” Llovio said. “I share this message all the time.” The first and third of these three P’s are grounded in 2 Corinthians 4, verses 1 and 17, respectively. Perspective is girded in Romans 12:3 and Hebrews 4:12. 

When it comes to purpose, Llovio put it this way. “We need an unshakable sense of purpose and that our work here at Jessup is a gift from God through which we minister to Him and others.”  Her purpose is found in 2 Corinthians 3:18 – to help others ‘behold as in a mirror the face of the Lord and be transformed into His image.”

Relocating to San Jose from Southern California, Llovio enrolled at San Jose Bible College (SJBC) as a transfer student from UCLA, and a new Christian. “I made the move to San Jose specifically to attend SJBC,” she said. After graduation she became the library director for the college. During her time in that role she earned her master’s degree in library science education right across the street at San Jose State, one of three institutions in California offering the degree program at the time. “I absolutely loved that position,” she said. “In fact, the only thing that could have taken me away from it was teaching.” 

Aside from her childhood desire to be a detective akin to Nancy Drew, her love for academia has been lifelong. “I always liked school and wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember.” She also holds an Ed.D. in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco. 

Her passion to teach led to her next role and in 1990, she served  as professor of practical theology and education and chair of Christian education, the largest program at the college. As time marched on and state accreditation requirements changed, Llovio shifted gears again and is credited with leading the charge for San Jose Christian College to earn WASC accreditation. Serving as vice president for academic affairs from 1999-2006, she oversaw both initial accreditation and major campus relocation projects. 

Making the move from San Jose to Rocklin meant rewriting all the curriculum. “It was a big job,” Llovio said.  “Our courses were based on the quarter system and needed to be rewritten to accommodate semester requirements.” Since then, she has also served as associate vice provost for student development for seven years and the accreditation liaison officer for more than 25 years.

Her work for six years on the WASC Senior College and University Commission resulted in visiting nearly 70 colleges and universities allowing her to gather irreplaceable knowledge regarding what makes Christian higher education successful. Llovio emphasizes that Jessup defines success as more than producing graduates who are well-educated in the liberal arts and their chosen profession – it is seeing  graduates who articulate the relevance of Jesus Christ and a biblical worldview to their lives, while also engaging in a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, character formation, and service to their communities both locally and globally. 

“The integration of faith and learning is key to making that happen,” she said. “It boils down to looking through the lens of the gospel into whatever is being discussed in the classroom. Our faculty don’t just discuss their material — they live it, and know how to articulate why they believe what they believe. I’m so proud of them because they’re committed to their subjects and devoted to student success. Not only do they work hard to engage students, they’re also concerned for our student’s spiritual growth.”

Besides that, Llovio loves the sense of community experienced on Jessup’s campus. “I think we genuinely like and care for one another. You can see it in tangible ways all throughout our campus community.” 

For 40 years, Llovio has stood firmly for purpose, never losing sight of her “why”; for perspective, guiding students to understand the word of God is alive and active in their lives; and for promise — holding firm to God’s truth knowing that He is working to shape something better each day here at Jessup, all for His glory. 

---