Judi Ravenhorst-Meerman

Associate Professor of Social Work, Director of Social Work Field Practicum, Chair of Professional Ed. Dept.

B.R.E. (Reformed Bible College, 1991), L.M.S.W. (Western Michigan University, 1999), Ph.D. (Michigan State University, 2008).

JMeerman@kuyper.edu • 616.988.3706

Professor Meerman came to Kuyper College in 2001 as faculty member in the social work program.  Within the social work program, Professor Meerman teaches Human Diversity, Human Behavior in the Social Environment I, Generalist Practice III: Communities and Organizations, Social Work Research and Faces of Addiction. She is also the director of field practicum.  Prior to coming to Kuyper, Professor Meerman worked as an administrator in a variety of social service agencies in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializing in substance abuse treatment and women's services in community corrections.  Professor Meerman is a licensed clinical and macro social worker.

"My task as a professor of social work at Kuyper College is to provide social work education from a biblical, Reformed world and life view.  As a Reformed Christian within social work education, I educate from the premise that all Christians are called to establish harmony, justice and healing within the brokenness of this world.  Teaching within the guidelines of the Council of Social Work Education, I teach students on the knowledge, values and skills within the profession and how service delivery promotes 'shalom' by restoring broken relationships, promoting social justice, redressing discrimination and caring for humanity.  My teaching involves bridging the knowledge learned in the classroom to the community involvement by incorporating agency visits and client contact."

Professor Meerman is married to Barry Meerman and together they have eight children and five grandchildren.  She enjoys knitting, reading for fun and walking with her husband.  Her place of worship is Madison Square CRC where she enjoys music and worship within a multi-cultural body of Christ.