--- title: Jeff Ploegstra date: 2022-02-02T16:23:00-06:00 author: Click Rain Admin canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/people/jeff-ploegstra" section: People --- [ View Directory](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information) ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815b8161c942e809.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=25&h=25&f=webp&c=e5cdb8ef&v=6c183d1879e9c32b715186ab02f7d446a3b9afba2fb06f383bf178e956d694db) [Biology](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information?department=biology) [Community Development](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information?department=community-development) [Environmental Studies](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information?department=environmental-studies) # Dr. Jeff Ploegstra Professor of Biology and Dean for Foundational and Health Sciences ![]() [712-722-6280](tel:712-722-6280) ![]() ![]() **Dr. Jeff Ploegstra** serves as Dean for Foundational and Health Sciences at Dordt University. He provides leadership for the people and programs in Foundational and Health Sciences, including: - Biology - Chemistry - Environmental Studies - Health and Human Performance - Mathematics and Statistics - Nursing Dr. Ploegstra guides the development and implementation of Dordt’s Core Program, including leading the Core Program Committee. In addition, he has worked as a professor of biology and environmental studies at Dordt since 2009. His research interests include population genetics of native prairies, perennial crop development, and probiotics. **Education** - Ph.D. in Biology / Science Education, University of Iowa, 2008. - MA in Science Teacher Education / General Science Teacher Education, University of Iowa, 2004. - MS in Biology, University of Iowa, 2002. - BS in Biology, Dordt University, 1999. [*LinkedIn profile*](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-ploegstra-5486a2b9) --- ## Articles by Jeff Ploegstra [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/prairie-2.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=53169a11&v=14c700f70e929cb8b28ac8d808d38bbeaaa708e872cc3e71616d2163ca627c6d) Essays Apr 14, 2026 ### Diversity, Complexity, and Beauty By Jeff Ploegstra How can we challenge the notion that beauty is merely in the eye of the beholder, seeing it instead as the harmony of diverse elements arranged with intention? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/diversity-complexity-and-beauty) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-sanctified-consumption.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=a7481684&v=4fa26d1be5b5aa2cd1e06ba0efe912dc49790bd1c6561102903916576299932d) Essays Mar 13, 2026 ### Sanctified Consumption By Jeff Ploegstra How can we ensure that our daily choices and patterns of consumption reflect faithfulness to God, concern for our neighbors, and stewardship of creation? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/sanctified-consumption) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-life-name-identity.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=748b9c69&v=5b366b803c547df77514bc434f732109d63a6fb8fa7db4017979f99b871de33a) Essays Sep 16, 2025 ### Life, Name, Identity By Jeff Ploegstra Naming is a recognition of the life of another being. It calls us into intimate knowledge and a relationship shaped by wonder. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/life-name-identity) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatsovanilla.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=b4123266&v=b111d764a711cd4a4e5671eb1a0387cd70e3851763fff93310e7d7b09ae2a339) Essays Aug 05, 2025 ### That’s So Vanilla: Recovering Wonder in a Culture of Discontent By Jeff Ploegstra The Lord's abundant goodness surrounds us in every corner of creation, but the world often tempts us to take these blessings for granted. How do we cultivate true contentment in a world that chases endless novelty? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/thats-so-vanilla-recovering-wonder-in-a-culture-of-discontent) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/beautiful-woman-looking-camera.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=1c3a1f0d&v=539d14f2b7be1b2b6be11a848b48f81455250e8f854f934492dc16fb54ab177f) Essays Nov 01, 2024 ### We Are All Math People By Mike Janssen and Jeff Ploegstra and Elisa Benthem A series on mathematics and Christianity Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/we-are-all-math-people) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatletter.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=7359844f&v=f6276c718825c2581d58e3604c330066eb70620e0a275461c1eb5695c16a75ca) Essays Nov 01, 2024 ### Math From Every Angle By Jeff Ploegstra In a father's heartfelt letter, he expresses concern about his daughter's aversion to math, emphasizing how a strong math foundation can enrich life. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/math-from-every-angle)