Diversity at Dordt

Vision for Racial and Ethnic Diversity

“Dordt University aspires to be a diverse, covenant community created by the Father, identified in Jesus Christ, united by the Holy Spirit, and equipped for kingdom service.”

Genesis 1:24-28; Acts 17:24-28; Colossians 1:15-19

We affirm that from the beginning, God ordered diversity within his creational structure, which He declared as very good. God creates all people, male and female, in his image and by his design; therefore, every person possesses inherent value. For this reason, we acknowledge and celebrate the diversity we witness in all that God has made.

Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 10:12; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:15

We profess that our identity is found first and foremost in Jesus Christ. While we also belong to various culture-sharing groups, all other affiliations are secondary to our identity under the Lordship of Christ, which brings us into covenant unity with him and his people. Tragically, God’s divinely ordained diversity is all too frequently and sinfully used to devalue people based upon racial and ethnic differences, rather than being used biblically to celebrate the value of the created diversity and common unity that is found in image bearers of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14-18; John 16:1-15; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:22-27

We desire to live in the unity, peace, and reconciliation obtained by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and applied by the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit’s leading and empowering we lament and stand against discrimination, segregation, bigotry, and oppression. By the transformative and healing work of the Spirit, we instead strive to live in peace, unity, understanding, humility, and harmony with all people.

Micah 6:8; Revelation 7:9-10; Mark 12:30-31; Acts 2:17-18; Philippians 2:1-4; Galatians 3:26-29

We yearn for the final fulfillment of the kingdom of God where people of every tongue, tribe, and nation will gather united in worship to our triune God. This vision of the new heaven and new earth compels us to seek the same unity in the here and now. Therefore, we strive to develop the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to love our neighbors as ourselves, manifesting the love of Christ to those around us. We will equip students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.

Learn more about the Vision for Ethnic and Racial Diversity

Read more about Dordt's vision for diversity published in an issue of the Voice of Dordt University, our alumni and friends magazine.

A distinctly Dordt vision

Faculty, staff, and students craft a biblically based vision for what racial and ethnic diversity might look like on Dordt's campus.

Learn More

Multicultural Leadership Program

The Multicultural Leadership Program (MLP) invites students into a two-year cohort experience to offer participants community, support, personal and spiritual formation, and leadership skills.

The goal of the MLP is to cultivate healthy leaders who walk with Christ, practice self-awareness, can relate to different people groups, work with excellence, and whose leadership will result in a harvest of transformative kingdom impact in the world.

57 Countries represented at Dordt

17% U.S. Ethnic Minorities

13% International students

The MLP meets once a week during the school year. In addition, the members of the program participate in planning and hosting on and off-campus events to help students experience a variety of diverse cultures such as Christmas around the World - a space for students to enjoy each others traditional holiday activities and foods.

Members of the Multicultural Leadership Program are eligible to receive program-specific scholarships through their participation.

"With MLP, I feel like I truly belong. The structure of the program has helped me reflect deeply on who I am, what I am called to do, and who I am called to serve. This has allowed me to better understand and embrace my true mission in the kingdom of God.”

- Bitanyia Wolde ('25), former Multicultural Leadership Program member

Student Stories

Nia Boentoro

Abigail Maldonado

“I am so grateful God sent me to a Christian college. I have grown in my faith immensely and had more opportunities than I would have imagined.”

Enock Rop

Sharon Ige

Anthony Rodriguez Klinzing's time at Dordt has helped him to grow as a baseball player, as a budding academic, and as a Christian.

Anthony Rodriguez Klinzing

Gabriel Garcia, a senior actuarial science major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, would never have guessed that an email he received two years ago would have such a huge impact on his career trajectory.

Gabriel Garcia

Alethia works as the assistant curator for Dordt’s art collection. Associate Professor of Art & Design David Platter calls Alethia his “right hand in helping manage student workers, install exhibits, and pack art for shipping.”

Yovica Alethia

A picture of a baseball player pitching the ball — Striking Out a 50-Year Baseball Record
Gyeongju Kim

Almost 50 years to the day when it was set, one of the oldest records on the books in Dordt athletics fell when business major Gyeongju Kim struck out 21 batters in a win over Hastings College in late March.

Gyeongju Kim

A picture of Kyle — Creation and Collaboration
Kyle Fosse

With Kyle's first time at Dordt also being his first time out of Africa, he took the opportunity to grow and ran with it, becoming heavily involved in extracurriculars and the community that Dordt had to offer.

Kyle Fosse

A picture of a women holding a clapperboard — Community, Opportunity, and Confidence
Ellen Inggrid Dengah

During her time at Dordt, Ellen was able to overcome her language barrier and prominent Indonesian accent and become heavily involved in theatre, digital content, and the international community.

Ellen Inggrid Dengah

Jose was able to connect not only with other international students but also with the off-campus community at Dordt, where he was able to grow his confidence and experience before entering the workforce.

Jose Benitez

A picture of Calvin — Tools to Teach
Calvin Wunderink

Dordt provided Calvin with the tools and experiences he needed to become a competent teacher and prepared him to take a chance, allowing him to teach in the Czech Republic.

Calvin Wunderink

A man in a black hoodie and green jacket stands in the snow holding up a picture — Seek God and Serve Others
Youbin Lee

Youbin was able to overcome his fear of not fitting in as an international student by participating in multiple activities at Dordt that provided him with the invaluable experiences and relationships that helped him flourish.

Youbin Lee

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Multicultural Leadership Program or other diversity programs at Dordt University, please contact our Director of Diversity Initiatives and Admissions Specialist, Evin Dickerson.

Evin Dickerson

Director of Diversity Initiatives & Admissions Specialist

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Vision for Racial and Ethnic Diversity