Education Professor Profiles

Ginger Ketting-Weller, PhD

• President
• Professor of Human Development, Administration

Dr. Ginger Ketting-Weller has been the president of AIIAS since 2019. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and grew up in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore until starting college in the United States. After graduating from Walla Walla University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she taught for a total of 8 years in the K-12 system, beginning in Oregon and ending in Southern California as the vice principal of Redlands Adventist Academy. “Dr. Ginger” earned her Masters degree from Loma Linda University in Educational Administration, and her PhD from the Claremont Graduate University in Education, with a specialization in Human Development. She has been a professor at Pacific Union College, and an administrator at Walla Walla University and La Sierra University. During her 40 years in education, she has received awards for excellence in teaching at both the K-12 and university levels. In 2024 she received the Weniger Award for Excellence in Loma Linda, California. She is a frequently sought-after speaker.

• Position:
  • President
  • Faculty in Education department
• Rank: Professor
• Academic Qualification: Ph.D. in Education
• Specializations: Human Development
• Current research interests: Leadership (Higher Education, Women, Development), Faith development

BOOK CHAPTERS:       

• “Administrators and Non-Teaching Staff’s Role in Nurturing Student Faith,” Chapter written
   with C.C. Nwosu for Integrating Faith and Learning, edited by Shawna Vyhmeister, Safary Wa-Mbaleka and Prema Gaikwad. Safeliz Press, 2025

ARTICLES PUBLISHED:

• “Secularism and the Disappearance of the Holy.” Citation: The Journal of Adventist Education 83:1 (2021): 22-25.  https://doi.org/10.55668/wttj4825
• PAPERS:           
• “Effie Jean Ketting: The Thailand Years, 1961-1967.” Paper presented at the Women in Adventist History Conference, Oct. 1, 2023, at Sligo Adventist Church.
• “Is It Necessary to Beat My Wife?:  Cultural Diversity, the Changing Face of Adventism, and the Impact of Culture on our Teaching of Religion” West Coast Religion Teachers’ Conference, April 2000
• “Personal Transparency in Women’s Leadership in Higher Education.” Joan L. Curcio International Women’s Leadership Conference, Oxford University, July 2005.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:

• “Learning from Our Own Mistakes.” General Conference Leadership Development Conference, September 2025.
• “Reinventing Our Legacy: Upskilling Adventist Educators for Tomorrow’s Challenges.” APEX Professional Development online conference, AIIAS, June 1, 2025.
• “Called to be Faithful.” Plenary session, SSD-Wide Teacher Convention, Pattaya, Thailand, May 26, 2025
• “Faith and Business: Balancing Professional and Spiritual Lives.” Plenary session, ASI-SSD Conference, Baguio, September 2024.
• “Mindsets and Interpersonal Professionalism in the Academic Community and Workplace:
  Affording the Luxury of Integrity” Plenary session, International Research Conference, AIIAS, November 2023
• “How to Avoid a Crisis in Preparing Leaders for the Church” Presentation at ASI-SSD Annual Conference “Scale, Transform, Commit,” Sept. 1 2023. Medan, Indonesia.
• “People, Process, Performance and Practice: HRMPs in the New Normal” Conference presentation to government HR professionals for 27th Annual Conference of the Regional Council of Human Resource Management Practitioners, Aug. 2, 2021.
• “Women Senior Administrators’ Management of Crisis in Higher Education Institutions: A Grounded Theory Study with Definitions and Strategies for Resolution.” 19^th AIIAS International Conference on Business, Education and Public Health, November 2019
• “Telepresence Robotics in the Higher Education Classroom for Small to Mid-size Classes” Adventist Online Learning Conference, October 2017.

Leni T. Casimiro, PhD

• Department Chair
• Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Online Learning

Leni Casimiro, PhD is an educator, researcher, and administrator, currently serving at the Education Department of the Graduate School, Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS). She has also served as the director of AIIAS Online and was instrumental in making AIIAS a key player in online education locally and internationally. Her expertise in curriculum and instruction, particularly in the field of online education, has led her to serve as an international academic consultant, accreditor, speaker at various academic conferences, and researcher for various refereed journals and books. 

• Position:
  • Faculty and Chair, Education Department
  • Associate Dean, Graduate School
• Rank: Professor
• Academic Qualification: PhD in Education, 2010 (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies)
• Specializations: Curriculum and Instruction, Online Education
• Current research interests:

Sample Research Publications / Presentations:

• Casimiro, L. & Boucaud, G. (2025). Integrating faith and learning in online teaching (Chapter 19). In S. Vyhmeister, S. Wa-Mbaleka, & P. Gaikwad (Eds), The handbook of integration of faith and learning. (Publisher)
• Bradfield, G.; Lim, J.; & Casimiro, L. (2025). Integrating faith and learning in online program development (Chapter 17). In S. Vyhmeister, S. Wa-Mbaleka, & P. Gaikwad (Eds), The handbook of integration of faith and learning. (Publisher).
• Casimiro, L. & Pondi, K. (2025). Adventist education in the Asian context: Challenges and prospects. Presented at the Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association   Annual Conference, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI, June 25-28, 2025.
• Wa-Mbaleka, S. Thompson, K., & Casimiro, L. (2024). The SAGE handbook of online higher education. London, UK: SAGE.   
• Ganu, D.; Penno, D.; & Casimiro, L. (2023). Data collection methods and processes (Chapter 12). In P. Cincala, D. Penno, P. Zubkov, & S. Wa-Mbaleka (Eds.), Quantitative research for practical theology (pp. 242-270). Berrien Springs, MI: Department of World Mission, Cooranbong, NSW: Avondale Press.

Prema Gaikwad, PhD

• Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Research

Prema Gaikwad has been a teacher for 50 years, beginning as a math and physics teacher at Spicer High School, India. Most of her teaching years has been in higher education at Spicer Memorial College (now Spicer Adventist University) in the Math and Education departments and at AIIAS in the Education Department. She is passionate about teaching and loves her students dearly. At Spicer, she has been the chair of the Education Department and the dean of the School of Education while at AIIAS, she has been the chair of the Education Department and the editor of the International Forum Journal.

• Position:
  • Faculty Education Department, Graduate School
• Rank: Professor
• Academic Qualification: PhD in Education 1992 (Andrews University, Michigan, USA)
• Specializations: Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Instruction, Integration of Faith & Learning, Mathematics & Physics Instruction, Inclusive Education, Research (Qualitative Research)

Current Research Interests:

• Integration of Faith and Learning
• Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
• Qualitative Research
• Inclusion
• Lifelong Learning

Sample Research Publications/Presentations:

Publications

• Vyhmeister, S., Wa-Mbaleka, S., & Gaikwad, P. (Eds.). (2025).  The Handbook of Integration of Faith and Learning
• (2 Volumes). Safelix.
• Gaikwad, P., & Petre, G. E. (2025).  Integration of Faith and Learning in the Curriculum. In S. Vyhmeister, S. Wa-
• Mabaleka, & P. Gaikwad, The Handbook of Integration of Faith and Learning (Vol. I, pp. 177-201). Safelix
• Gaikwad, P., & Gaikwad, S. (2025). Integration of Faith and Learning in Mathematics. In S. Vyhmeister, S. Wa-
• Mabaleka, & P. Gaikwad, The Handbook of Integration of Faith and Learning (Vol II, pp. 173-181). Safelix.
• Anito, H. D., & Gaikwad, P. (2025) Students’ Perception of ability Grouping in a Private International School.
• European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 6(1), 52-60. https://www.ej-edu.org/index.php/ejedu/article/view/900/861
• Kato, G., Sarempaa, IB., Siin Lay, N. E. P., & Gaikwad P. (2024). Acculturation of International Single Students of      
• Higher Education in the Philippines: A Phenomenological Study. Pan-African Journal of Education and Social Sciences. 5(2), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.56893/pajes2024v05i02.01
• Gaikwad P. (Ed.). (2023). Adventist International Institution of Advanced Studies Graduate School Writing and
• Research Manual. AIIAS.
• Gaikwad, P., & Gwizo, C. (2022). Case Study Research (chapter 7) In S. Wa-Mbaleka & A. Rosario, The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research in the Asian Context (pp. 99-112). Sage.
• Gaikwad, P., & Gaikwad, S. (2022). Safety in Qualitative Research. In S. Wa-Mbaleka & A. Rosario, The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research in the Asian Context (pp. 411-426). Sage.               
• Gaikwad, P. (2021). Balancing Research Productivity and Teaching by Faculty in Higher   Education: A Case Study in the Philippines. Journal of Higher Education Curriculum Theory and Practice, 21(7), 181-192. https://articlegateway.com/index.php/JHETP/article/view/4495/4274
• Gaikwad, P., & Gaikwad, S. (2021). Overview of Research. In S. Wa-Mbaleka, P.  Zubkov, P. Cincala, & D. Penno (EDs.), Qualitative Research for Practical Theology (pp.20-33 ). Andrews University. 
• Gaikwad, P., & Gaikwad, S. (2021). Overview of Qualitative Research In S. Wa-Mbaleka, P. Zubkov, P. Cincala, & D. Penno (EDs.), Qualitative Research for Practical Theology (pp. 73-90). Andrews University. 

Presentations

• Integrating Faith and Learning: Part I, Part II, Chinese Adventist Mission, Teacher Seminar, May 16, August 29, 29, 2025
• Integrating Lifelong Learning Skills into Teaching, Faculty Colloquium, Asia-Pacific International University, Thailand, July 31, 2025
• Classroom Management in the Adventist Context; Teaching Processes: Jesus Way, APEX, June 1, June 8, 2025
• Creating an Inclusive Classroom; Managing Classroom Behavior, Adventist University of the Philippines Elementary and Academy, Teacher Workshop, May 20, 21, 2025
• Exploring the Impact of Inclusivity in Education, De La Salle University, Dasmarinãs, Seminar for College of Education Faculty and Students, April 22, 2025
• A Journey with Case Study, AQRA, 9^th International Conference, Bali, March 5, 2025
• The Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools by Doctoral Students during the Writing Stage in a Faith-based Higher Education Institution in the Philippines (co-presenter), IRC, AIIAS, November 21, 2024
• Creating an Inclusive Classroom, CPD, AIIAS, November 18, 2024
• Innovative Approaches to Teacher Education, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), October 16, 2024
• Integration of Faith and Values in Learning, Mountain View College, Philippines, Faculty Colloquium, September 20, 2024