Dr. Leah Zuidema serves as vice president for academic affairs at Dordt University.
Driven by a passion for leading change, Zuidema holds an array of responsibilities on campus:
- shaping and growing academic programs, including new graduate and online programs,
- co-leading Dordt's strategic planning,
- ensuring excellence in academic teaching and research,
- promoting the work of Dordt's faculty, and fueling faculty-led innovation, and
- serving on the Administrative Cabinet and as an administration liaison for the Board of Trustees.
"Serving at Dordt is a joy, as every day is 'the Lord's day' -- an opportunity to equip faculty, students, and staff to grow in faith, effectiveness, and influence," says Zuidema.
Recognized for her leadership in education and scholarship, Zuidema was selected as a Fulbright Scholar for the U.S.–France International Education Administrators Program in 2018 and held leadership roles in the National Council of Teachers of English, including presidency in 2019–20.
Education & Credentials:
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Ph.D., Michigan State University (Critical Studies in the Teaching of English)
- M.A., Michigan State University (Critical Studies in the Teaching of English)
- B.A., Calvin College (English)
- Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School, 2020–2024, including courses on financial leadership, fundraising, and board governance
- Academic Leadership Academy, Pennsylvania State University Civil Rights Investigator Certification, Levels I & II, ATIXA
Zuidema's research and scholarship interests focus on teacher education & composition-rhetoric (especially faculty as teacher-writers and administrators as literacy sponsors). She has explored these topics in the following publications:
- Zuidema, Leah. "Wholehearted and Finite: Teaching Effectively within a Theology of Limits and Calling." Integration: A Journal of Faith and Learning, International Alliance for Christian Education. September 5, 2025.
- Zuidema, Leah A.; Daichendt, G. James; and Kerry Fulcher. “Supporting Teaching Faculty as Scholars: A Developmental Model.” Christian Higher Education. January 2019.
- Zuidema, Leah A. “Policy, Practice, and Dialogue: A Framework for NCTE Action and Relational Strategy.” Invited article. English Education. 51.1 (2018): 94-100.
- Zuidema, Leah A. “The Toughest Question about Christian Education.” In All Things invited essay. September 10, 2018.
- Hicks, Troy; Whitney, Anne; Fredricksen, James E., and Leah A. Zuidema. Coaching Teacher-Writers: Practical Steps to Nurture Professional Writing. Teachers College Press, 2017.
- Zuidema, Leah A. and James E. Fredricksen. “Resources Teachers Use to Think about Student Writing.” Research in the Teaching of English. 51.1(2016): 12-36.
Additionally, Zuidema has delivered invited keynotes and workshops at the following conferences:
- Whole-Hearted and Finite: Teaching Effectively within a Theology of Limits and Calling. Invited plenary address for International Association for Christian Education: Faculty Development Conference. Fort Worth, TX, May 22, 2025.
- Strategic Success through Balanced Leadership: workshop planner and facilitator on Spiritual Rhythms for Leadership; workshop planner and presenter on Strategic Ideation, Visioning, and Planning. Chief Academic Officers of the CCCU (Council on Christian Colleges and Universities. Atlanta, GA, February 26, 2025.
- Growing a Learning Culture: Time, Talent, Treasure, Trust. Invited keynote for Flourishing Schools Institute –Invited by Association of Christian Schools International.
- Chicago, IL. June 22, 2022.
- Atlanta, GA. November 2, 2022.
- Kansas City, KS. Forthcoming March 15, 2023.
Visit Dordt's Digital Collections to access and download Zuidema's full body of publications during her time at Dordt.
