In keeping with the mission of Dordt University "to equip students, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life," the Kielstra Center for Research and Grants seeks to provide faculty with expanded resources for innovative scholarly activities rooted in a deeply reformed Christian context. These activities prepare faculty for opportunities of discovery, teaching, learning, application, and integrated research.
The Kielstra Center supports the Dordt University summer undergraduate student research program, working with faculty mentors to provide opportunities for students to conduct research and report on their work. Each year, faculty members propose projects that are appropriately scoped for an undergraduate research student with faculty mentorship.
During the spring semester, students apply for positions, faculty mentors select student researchers, and the Kielstra Center works to arrange student contracts and housing and begins planning summer seminars. Summer seminars are held weekly and are a way for faculty members and student researchers to share their work. Summer seminars help the entire campus community to learn more about the ways that Dordt faculty and students are engaged in scholarly work—a sampling of the work they love.
