Kuyper College Appoints New President

Patricia Harris, a former missionary for what is now called Resonate Global Mission, has been named to serve as the new president of Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“I’m grateful to the Board of Trustees for the confidence they’ve shown in me …. I count it a humble privilege to be able to serve in this new leadership role to help the Kuyper community fulfill its mission and vision,” said Harris, a Calvin Theological Seminary graduate who has been Kuyper’s provost since 2013.

Harris will replace Carl Zylstra, who has served as interim president since January 2017 upon the retirement of former president Nicholas V. Kroeze.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am honored to present Dr. Harris as the next president of Kuyper College,” said Matthew Nelson, chair of the Board of Trustees.

 “Dr. Harris has a passion for and strong commitment to Kuyper’s historical mission, an understanding of its current strengths, and a strong record of collaborative leadership; her leadership is characterized by vision, innovation and excellence.”

As provost for the past four years, Harris has provided leadership to the faculty and has administered an innovative redesign of the academic structure and programs of the college.

Prior to Kuyper, she spent 15 years in cross-cultural mission work in the Philippines with Christian Reformed World Missions (now Resonate Global Mission), in partnership with Asian Theological Seminary in Manila.

During that time, in addition to her responsibilities as a professor of biblical studies and Christian education, Harris served as deputy officer in charge and vice president of administration at the seminary.

Harris holds a Ph.D. in education from George Fox University, a Master of Theological Studies from Calvin Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Calvin College. Harris and her husband, Rev. Robert Harris, are the parents of one daughter and three sons.