Rate My Professor George Chitiyo

Dr. George Chitiyo is a Professor of Educational Research and Evaluation in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Tennessee Technological University, part of the Education faculty. He teaches graduate courses in research methods, applied statistics, and program evaluation. His research interests include economics of higher education, psychosocial aspects of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, quantitative research and evaluation methods, and PreK-12 evaluation. Chitiyo specializes in research methodology, statistical analysis, and program evaluation, having assessed projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Tennessee Department of Health, including NSF programs such as Advanced Technological Education (ATE), Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs), Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (S-STEM). His academic focus also encompasses assessment literacy, STEM education, chess in education, technology integration in teaching and learning, inclusive education, and teacher self-efficacy and attitudes.

Holding a Ph.D. in Program Planning and Evaluation, Dr. Chitiyo has authored or co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on topics including cognitive and academic impacts of chess-based instruction, economics of higher education, STEM education, psychosocial effects of HIV/AIDS on children and youth in sub-Saharan Africa, and inclusive education. Representative publications are "Examining the underlying structure of teachers’ perceptions regarding English language learners: differences by teacher characteristics" (2025), "Using Chess as an Instructional Tool: Teachers’ Experiences and Challenges" (2024), "Inclusive education in Zimbabwe: An assessment of teachers' self-efficacy and attitudes in Masvingo" (2024), and "Students’ perceived benefits of chess: Differences across age and gender" (2023). Cited over 660 times, his work influences teacher professional development, psychosocial interventions for vulnerable children, and innovative STEM pedagogies involving chess, drones, additive manufacturing, and maker spaces. In 2019, he earned Tennessee Technological University's Scholar-Mentor Award for mentoring, scholarship, research, and teaching, and the Outstanding Diversity Advocate Award for supporting minority students. He has presented internationally, led roles in the American Evaluation Association, and represented the university at the International Chess in Education Conference in India.