--- title: Erik Hoekstra date: 2022-02-02T16:20:00-06:00 author: Click Rain Admin canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/people/erik-hoekstra" section: People --- ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a8159ea02dbf2c69e.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=25&h=25&f=webp&c=33e1f732&v=6b76e0c9b53090c34d5643e3ada3ca005071854f1deb580d3b60ed08e7a18208) # Dr. Erik Hoekstra President ![]() [712-722-6002](tel:712-722-6002) ![]() ![]() Dr. Hoekstra obtained an undergraduate degree in History & Philosophy from Trinity Christian College, a Masters of Business Administration from the Rotterdam School of Management (NL), and a Ph.D. in Education from Iowa State University. Dr. Hoekstra taught marketing & management at Dordt University from 1997 - 2000 after several managerial roles in wholesale distribution and retail management. From 2000 - 2008, he served on the leadership team of The Interstates Companies in industrial construction and engineering. He returned to Dordt University in 2008 as the college Provost and has served as President since 2012. Dr. Hoekstra is passionate about bringing joy and meaning to work. In his work life, he strives to create an environment where those who are being led are being served. Doing so, he believes, not only creates the conditions where people can thrive in fulfilling their calling, but also makes a stronger institution. Dr. Hoekstra is married to Dr. Barb Hoekstra, an education professor at Dordt University with a bachelors degree from Trinity, a masters from Western Michigan University, and an Ed.D. from the University of South Dakota. Their family includes sons--Arie, Max, Karl, and daughter--Zoe. --- ## Articles by Erik Hoekstra [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatrethinkingretirement.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=7f6b40cc&v=c5f5a15ba20203c1bea109b4de12cba3915e50d752f8205f00ff72b27900eb51) Essays Jul 15, 2025 ### Rethinking Retirement By Erik Hoekstra While the world offers retirement as escape, God calls us into enduring service. How might our perspective shift if we viewed every season as an opportunity to serve and worship God rather than a countdown to leisure? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/rethinking-retirement) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/2023-09-11_002720_2025-04-04-163146_pdla.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=3d3b4d8a&v=a6d48ddafa8c6876258dc0dcd85cd32bd0fcfa6cc6990f58923a6edb4b25ce06) President Erik Hoekstra Jun 09, 2025 ### Dordt University: An Aromatic Outpost By Erik Hoekstra "It’s fairly consistent in my travels to see Dordt graduates, whether from a recent class or from the earliest days of Dordt, being culture-shapers in the communities to which God has called them." Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-an-aromatic-outpost) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/2023-09-11_002720_2025-04-04-163146_pdla.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=3d3b4d8a&v=a6d48ddafa8c6876258dc0dcd85cd32bd0fcfa6cc6990f58923a6edb4b25ce06) President Erik Hoekstra Apr 04, 2025 ### “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand” By Erik Hoekstra "As our institution navigates these discussions, we stand firm in our faith, knowing that our ultimate hope is not in human institutions or ideologies, but in Christ alone." Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/on-christ-the-solid-rock-i-stand) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatchristmasemmanuel.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=0794f501&v=4e24010288e8a6eb4725cde257b9867b8f5ef4e30d6b2172e36429efb1504526) Dec 25, 2024 ### Christmas: Emmanuel By Erik Hoekstra Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/christmas-emmanuel) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-24/2023-09-11_002719.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=82002d2d&v=fbea0fce6785ecd14474d940b1727a21e8f0afd57d336178c72f24a0b8e60756) President Erik Hoekstra Voice Dec 02, 2024 ### Trusting God, Even When We Don't Have the Words By Erik Hoekstra "Exactly a year after beginning the application and interview process for the role of president at Dordt University, I was named president-elect." Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/news/trusting-god-even-when-we-dont-have-the-words) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatmorethanwork.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=54f85f8d&v=776b7f0e3cafea3c1bdc55a3e966733383fd91740e4ccb92407f498514aa9128) Essays Nov 01, 2024 ### More Than Work By Erik Hoekstra Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate the role of work in our lives. Explore the connection between work, faith, and fulfillment in the lives of Christians. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/more-than-work)