Christian Educator Tom Aldrich Joins Kuyper College

A longtime educator in Christian K-12 and higher education has joined Kuyper College as the
Director of Program Development and Online Education.

Tom Aldrich has worked in education for the past two decades and prior to that served for almost a decade as an associate pastor at Grand Rapids First.

He comes to Kuyper with recent experiences at both Spring Arbor and Grace universities and said he believes the Lord led him to this new opportunity at Kuyper.

“Over the past 20 years, I have worked in education, serving as a leader in various contexts,” he said. “At Kuyper College, I will have the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with the exceptional staff and faculty to enhance current offerings and develop innovative pathways that meet student needs and align with the demands of the 21st century marketplace. As a Christian institution of higher education we have the amazing opportunity to do these things within the context of a rich, Christian history of successfully equipping students for meaningful and fruitful service for the Lord.”

Aldrich, who also has served as a principal locally at West Side Christian and Tri-unity Christian, added that he is well aware of the shifting trends that are impacting higher education in Michigan and nationally and is eager to help Kuyper students adjust to these changes.

“One dynamic is the shrinking numbers of students entering college,” he said. “College affordability, an area where Kuyper excels, means return on educational investment is weighing on students’ minds. This requires educational institutions of higher learning to re-evaluate the efficacy of their programs as well as develop new pathways that meet student and marketplace demand.”

Aldrich said he plans to hit the ground running in his new position. This summer he will begin working on a project to streamline the College’s student information system and learning management system into one platform.

He also will join the College’s effort to bring a Kuyper education to students in new and novel ways.

“Employers are increasingly looking for ways to be able to train their employees rapidly, to build or enhance skills sets,” he said. “Students of all ages are looking for ways to enhance their competencies and highlight their skills to potential employers.”

In response to this rapidly growing trend and opportunity, he added, Kuyper is researching what are called micro-credential programs and courses: short, stackable, skills-based but non-degree credentials.

“Micro-credential programs are a rapidly growing area that Kuyper College has the potential to capitalize on in both traditional and non-traditional settings,” he said. “We are in the very early stages of research and development but this area will fall under my scope of responsibilities as well.”

For Kuyper Academic Dean Tim Detwiler, the Aldrich hire positions the College well for a future that will see colleges and universities needing to be nimble and quick with their educational offerings.

“I am so pleased that Tom Adlrich is joining Kuyper College and helping us fulfill our mission as a Bible College,” Detwiler said. “He brings to our community experience in Christian higher education, Christian school experience and service to the church in pastoral ministry. We have served our students well for 85 years now, and Tom’s addition to our team will mean continued good service to all who access a Kuyper education, be that as traditional four-year undergraduate students, online students, micro-credential students and any other programs that we feel will make a Kuyper education more widely available.”

Aldrich earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Grand Valley State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and Communications from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri.