Ken E. Bussema

Vice President for Student Programs

Background

Dr. Ken Bussema serves the Council as the vice president for Student Programs. His responsibilities include oversight and leadership for the CCCU’s eleven semester-long/summer-long culture crossing and cultural shaping programs, as well as our two International Partner Programs. Ken brings thirty years of experience in Christian higher education and a decade of experience in study abroad to the challenges of program development and enhancement, assessment of student learning and cultural engagement. With a background in psychology and counseling, Ken is particularly interested in the impact of our student programs on students’ emerging sense of identity and calling.

Education

Doctor of Education in Counseling Psychology
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Masters of Arts in Education in Guidance and Counseling
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Experience

Vice-President for Student Programs
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
2005-present

Director of Off-Campus Programs and Service-Learning
Dordt College
Sioux Center, Iowa
2000-2005

Professor of Psychology
Dordt College
Sioux Center, Iowa
1974-2005

Research

In addition to Ken’s research interests in identity and faith development and the assessment of student learning, he and his wife Evelyn have been involved in examining the role of faith in recovery from severe and persistent psychiatric disabilities. Some of his recent presentations and publications include:

The Use of Essay Writing as an Assessment of Personal, Affective, and Cognitive Growth in College Students, (1999), Research on Christian Higher Education, Volume 9. (With P. Moes and R. Eigenbrood)

Is There a Balm in Gilead? The Implications of Faith in Coping with Mental Illness, (2000), Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Volume 24, Number 2. (With Evelyn Bussema)

Visiting Lecturer at Yanshan University, Qinhuangdoa, China, November 2001.

“A Developmental Model for Assessing Ineffable General Education Learning Outcomes”, Presented at the AAHE Assessment Conference: Assessment—A Shared Commitment, Boston, MA, June 2002. (Presented with Jasper Lesage)

Gilead Revisited: Understanding the Role of Faith in Coping with Mental Illness, in The Word of God for the Academy in Contemporary Culture. International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education and Ka’roli Ga’spar’ Reformed University. Budapest , Hungary 2003.

“Nurturing Children in the Lord: Reflections on the Nature of the Child and the Teaching-Learning Relationship”, and “The Craft of Christian Teaching”, Presented at the International Conference of Reformed Education, Lunteren, Netherlands, May 2004.

Gilead Revisited: Faith and Recovery, (2007), Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal Vol 30 (4). (with Ev Bussema)

“Study Abroad: Cultures, Worldviews and a Kingdom Vision”, Presented at the IAPCHE Congreso Internacional 2006, Granada, Nicargua, November 14-19, 2006.

Gilead Revisited: Faith and Recovery. (2007), Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Volume 30, Number 4. (With Evelyn Bussema)

Who Am I? Whose Am I? Identity and Faith in the College Years, (1999), Research on Christian Higher Education, Volume 9.

Personal

Married (38 years) to Evelyn Van Regenmorter Bussema, three daughters: Kerry Bussema Oolman (Scott), Rachel Bussema Westerveld (Dave) and Jessica Bussema Dykstra (Jon); and three grandchildren, Sean and Carissa and Julianna Oolman. Although the family now lives in four different states, they do try to get together as much as possible. Evelyn, a licensed social worker and rehabilitation counselor, worked for several years developing psychosocial rehabilitation services throughout the state of Iowa and now works at the national level with the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. As a couple, Ken and Ev enjoy biking, travel and family time. They are members of the Christian Reformed Church.

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