Justin Ackert is Kuyper's New Senior Development Representative

For Justin Ackert, joining Kuyper College’s development team is more than just a career move. He sees it as a homecoming.

Ackert, a Kuyper alumnus who studied Sports Management with a minor in Youth Ministry, comes to his new role as Senior Development Representative after several years at Foremost Insurance, where he developed a deep appreciation for the people around him and a knack for solving complex problems.

But when the opportunity at Kuyper arose, Ackert recognized it as a chance to align his work more closely with what drives him.

“Coming to Kuyper was an opportunity to build and grow relationships and to transition to a career that better aligns my passion and purpose,” he said. “Coming back to a community I’ve thoroughly enjoyed was appealing.”

A Flushing, Mich., native, Ackert said he was drawn to Kuyper as a student by the sense of belonging the college offered, and he was not disappointed by his student experience.

“I enjoyed being part of a school where you’re truly known,” he recalled. He also appreciated the college’s location, close to everything Grand Rapids has to offer while still maintaining its own distinct sense of space and community.

Those student years left a lasting impression. Among his favorite memories are time spent with friends and classmates, Dr. Kroeze’s Old and New Testament courses, and gathering together for chapel, the kind of moments, he said, that reflect what makes Kuyper singular.

“The Kuyper community is truly distinctive, something I haven’t experienced anywhere else,” Ackert said. “From students to faculty, God’s calling on this school sets it apart.”

Now, as a new employee, he is eager to deepen those connections and help strengthen the college’s future.

“I look forward to partnering with those who support Kuyper and contributing to its continued growth,” he said. “I’m excited to build on the strong legacy already in place while helping create a foundation for future success.”

Ackert believes the experiences that have shaped him — in the workplace and in life — have prepared him well for the challenges and opportunities ahead. “They have instilled in me that hard work pays off, consistency matters, and having a strong mindset helps you push through tough challenges,” he said.

For Ackert, being part of a Christian college community — first as a student, now as a staff member — carries a meaning that goes beyond the professional.

“As a student, you have a unique opportunity to grow both academically and spiritually, engage deeply in community, and prepare for what lies ahead,” he said. “As an employee, you can build on those experiences, using them to serve, make a meaningful impact, and continue advancing God’s Kingdom.”

Outside of work, Ackert stays active in many of the same ways that have defined him throughout his life. He coaches and plays ultimate frisbee, and he and his wife Elizabeth — to whom he has been married for 17 years — are involved in student ministry at their church and raising their 14-year-old son, Gavin.