Dale led the Career Development Center at Hope for over 30 years, providing the center with vision, leadership and strategic planning. He led efforts to quadruple on-campus recruiting, initiated a highly effective peer education program, sparked experiential learning programming, while also establishing an alumni network program and later led a vetting effort in selecting a new alumni networking platform.

He has held leadership roles in several consortia, including the Liberal Arts Career NetWORK, Michigan Roundtable on Talent, West Michigan Collegiate Career Services and Job Pursuit while founding or co-founding a range of recruiting venues, including the Big Apple Recruiting Consortium, WorkChicago, Career Expo for Non-Profits, Gap Year Fair and West Michigan Teacher Search.

His professional development engagements include presenting at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) national conference, Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education and smaller, regional conferences, while actively contributing to the NACE Journal. Additionally, he planned and hosted trainings on both the MBTI and CliftonStrengths for Students at Hope College.

In addition to co-leading the development of the Intercultural Fluency Badging initiative at Hope, he has participated in the college’s Diversity Institute and Advanced Institute training and the Intercultural Fluency Program developed by Deirdre Johnston and Lorna Hernandez-Jarvis. His interest in micro-credentials began with co-leading and developing a critical thinking digital badge at Hope.

Education

• M.A., higher education administration, Michigan State University
• B.A., psychology, religion, history, Central Michigan University

Awards and Recognition

• Vanderbush-Weller Award (for distinctive service), Hope College, 2007
• Mortar Board Last Lecture Speaker, Hope College, 2019
• President (inaugural), Liberal Arts Career NetWORK (the leading consortium of selective liberal arts colleges addressing career preparation for students)
• Incorporated the Liberal Arts Career NetWORK as a 501©(3) organization
• Initiated, co-developed, branded and trademarked “Spotlight on Careers”, the signature product of the Liberal Arts Career NetWORK
• Meritorious Service Award, Liberal Arts Career NetWORK, 2022
• Provost’s Excellence in Academic Advising Award, Hope College, 2024

Outside the College

Dale enjoys spending time with his wife and grown children, as well as classical music, traveling, gardening and addressing environmental issues. He is active in his faith community, initiating the program “Gray Matters” for retirement-age persons discerning their transition to the next phase of life in the context of their faith community.