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English

Dr. Leah Zuidema

Vice President for Academic Affairs

712-722-6333

One of the things I enjoy most about my work is the opportunity to make a difference in many facets of life at Dordt. As someone who loves to lead change, I find it energizing to have an array of responsibilities:

  • shaping and growing our 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 ͹Ƶis 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.

Leadership through academic service & scholarship

  • Fulbright Scholar, 2018. U.S. - France International Education Administrators Program.
  • Vice President, National Council of Teachers of English. 2017-18. President Elect and convention chair; 2018-19; President, 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)
Academic Leadership Academy, Pennsylvania State UniversityCivil Rights Investigator Certification, Levels I & II, ATIXA

Research & scholarship focus: Teacher education & composition-rhetoric (especially faculty as teacher-writers and administrators as literacy sponsors)

Selected recent publications: (see to access full-text of publications completed while at Dordt)

Zuidema, Leah A.; Daichendt, G. James; and Kerry Fulcher. “Supporting Teaching Faculty as Scholars: A Developmental Model.” Christian Higher Education. Forthcoming Spring 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. - Ranked as the most read In All Things post for 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.

Zuidema, Leah A. “How (and Why) to Give the Gift of Rest.” In All Things invited article. July 9, 2015.

Articles by Leah Zuidema