--- title: Leah Zuidema date: 2022-02-02T16:26:00-06:00 author: Click Rain Admin canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/people/leah-zuidema" section: People --- [ View Directory](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information) ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815e9eecd0355a1d.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=25&h=25&f=webp&c=b756b462&v=b8c921329eb61c2f405da99a388d98faf662871c446440f2be2b49a704f0c432) [English](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information?department=english) # Dr. Leah Zuidema Vice President for Academic Affairs ![]() [712-722-6333](tel:712-722-6333) ![]() ![]() 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:** - 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](https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/do/search/?q=leah%20zuidema&start=0&context=5728503&facet=) to access and download Zuidema's full body of publications during her time at Dordt. --- ## Articles by Leah Zuidema [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-new-year-celebrations.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=5c1f9aed&v=5e7086bc08ede171151cdafa42301f35b36b377a6b7fa980a51ed8cae3c6586e) Essays Jan 02, 2026 ### New Year’s Celebrations for Holiday Skeptics By Leah Zuidema How do our celebrations invite us to rightly order our loves, shaping our hope so that even moments like the New Year train our hearts to look forward to the day when Christ makes all things new? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/new-years-celebrations-for-holiday-skeptics) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatdeep-reading.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=93b732b8&v=d58ec3f542d87fe57f63be668639f6e813035013588bf841b6a74dcd8604bd27) Interviews Jul 22, 2025 ### Reading Deeply: Rethinking How and Why We Read By Luke Hawley and Rose Postma and Leah Zuidema In a world of distraction and fragmented attention, deep reading invites us to reclaim focus, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement. How can we move beyond simply consuming texts to fostering reflective, meaningful connection? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/reading-deeply-rethinking-how-and-why-we-read) [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatlivingchristianly.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=775eac94&v=2cdb97e7dd2fc9e19c29305ba4b07613b90951edd9f4f7a7d138b66e464dc4ea) Essays Nov 01, 2024 ### Living Christianly: Under the Lordship of Christ, Everything Matters By Leah Zuidema From the classroom to the workplace, how does the Lordship of Christ shape every aspect of life? This essay explores the intersection of faith and our work, relationships, and everyday decisions. Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/living-christianly-under-the-lordship-of-christ-everything-matters)