Dordt University adds three new nursing faculty

As Dordt University's nursing program continues to grow, the university has welcomed three new faculty members whose combined experience in nursing education, clinical practice, and healthcare leadership will further strengthen one of Dordt's largest academic programs.

Joining Dordt this fall are Dianne Hoekstra, associate professor of nursing; Robin Van Zandbergen, instructor of nursing; and Olivia Chapman, program director for the Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP).

"As our nursing department continues growing, we're grateful to welcome faculty who bring a wonderful range of experiences and interests," says Dr. Leah Zuidema, vice president for academic affairs at Dordt. "Each of these individuals offers students a unique perspective while sharing a deep commitment to Christ-centered education and preparing graduates who will faithfully serve others through healthcare."

Chapman, who will lead Dordt's MSN-FNP program, brings more than two decades of experience at Orange City Area Health System, including the past 10 years as a family nurse practitioner. A graduate of Dordt's nursing program, Chapman returns to her alma mater to lead the graduate program that helped prepare many of the region's advanced practice nurses.

"Olivia has come full circle," says Zuidema. "As a Dordt nursing graduate, she's returning to lead a program that inspired her own career. She brings both a passion for shaping a distinctly Christ-centered curriculum and the practical experience needed to prepare future nurse practitioners to serve well."

Hoekstra joins Dordt after serving for 10 years at Purdue University Northwest as undergraduate nursing curriculum coordinator and clinical professor of nursing. Her background in university-level nursing education brings valuable experience in curriculum development and preparing future nurses.

Van Zandbergen, a Dordt nursing alumna, brings decades of professional experience spanning rural hospital nursing, public health, medical clinics, and primary care. She has served as a family nurse practitioner since 2014 in acute care as well as family practice. Before entering nursing, she also worked in business and elementary education, experiences that provide a unique perspective for students preparing to care for people from diverse backgrounds. 

"Robin came to nursing later in her career after working in several different fields," says Zuidema. "That breadth of experience gives her a unique understanding of people's day-to-day lives and the many ways God calls us to serve our neighbors. It enriches the perspective she'll bring to the classroom."

Zuidema says that each of Dordt's newest faculty members shares a commitment to academic excellence as well as to helping students understand their profession through a biblical worldview.

"Our faculty help students see how their discipline fits within God's story of creation, fall, redemption, and renewal," she says. "Whether they're teaching in the nursing major or in courses that serve students across campus, they help students discover how faith informs their work and how they're called to faithfully serve God's world through their profession."

The additions reflect Dordt's continued commitment to investing in faculty as enrollment grows while maintaining the university's emphasis on meaningful student-faculty relationships and Christ-centered education.

"We're thankful to be able to hire the people we need," says Zuidema. "It's a real blessing to welcome faculty who bring both deep expertise and a passion for Dordt's mission and kingdom service."

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.

Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt offers undergraduate and graduate programs that help students live their faith in every area of life. Through rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and whole-person formation, students gain the practical wisdom to serve God and neighbor through their work and in their communities. Dordt has been named among the nation's leading Christian universities by U.S. News & World Report, Niche, and other national publications.