Ryan White began working at Hope in 2013. He currently oversees leadership development for external clients through Hope’s Center for Leadership. He also directs Hope’s First-Year Seminar Program, and helps oversee a variety of experiential learning initiatives. Whether with students or clients, he works to help people discern their strengths and align their learning and development with a sense of purpose and life direction.

Ryan teaches courses in Leadership and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Education

• Ed.D., educational psychology, University of Southern California, 2009
• Graduate Certificate in coaching, Michigan State University, 2007
• M.Div., theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 2004
• B.A., religious studies, psychology, music, Grace Christian University, 2001

Additional Training

• Gallup Strengths Facilitator Training, December 2022
• Conant Leadership Training, with Doug Conant, November 2022
• Life Design Studio, Stanford University, June 2021
• Academic Leadership and Innovation (GALI) Institute, Great Lakes Colleges Association, October 2017

Areas of Expertise

• Leadership development
• Calling and vocational discernment
• Undergraduate identity processing, identity development and career decision self-efficacy
• Integrating applied learning practices into the curriculum

Professional experience

Prior to Hope, Ryan was the director of the Center for Vocational Reflection at Augustana College (Ill.), served as the Burke, Hofman, Kolman Post-Doctoral Teaching Scholar at the University of Notre Dame’s College of the First Year of Studies, and was the academic program manager for the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Awards and Recognition

• “Best of Region Presentation,” National Academic Advising Association Conference, Atlanta, GA, October 2016
• Burke, Hofman, Kolman Post-Doctoral Teaching Scholar Fellowship, First Year of Studies, University of Notre Dame, 2009
• Dissertation of the Year Nominee, Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California, 2009
• Graduate student representative to global Muslim scholars, The American Studies Institute on Religion in Contemporary America: Church, State and Society Project, 2002

Grant Awards

• 2025 – Received $20,000 Council of Independent Colleges NetVUE “Regional Conference Host” grant
• 2023–2025 – Received $30,000 Council of Independent Colleges NetVUE “Program Development” grant
• 2019–2022 – Received $120,00 Council of Independent Colleges NetVUE “Vocation Across the Academy” grant
• 2013 – Received $60,000 Amy Helpenstell Foundation grant
• 2011–2013 – Managed $1+ million Lilly Foundation “Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation” grant

Professional Presentations

• “Beyond the Career Center: Integrating Vocational Discernment and Career Readiness Across the Liberal Arts Curriculum,” American Association of Colleges and Universities, April 2025.
• “FYE Pedagogy,” Guest presenter for Swarthmore College, December 2024
• “Promoting First-Year Vocational Development,” consultant for Loyola University Maryland, July 2021
• “Civic Engagement: Connecting the Gifts and Needs of Students and the Community,” Great Lakes Colleges Association Teaching and Learning Series essay, October 2017
• “Pros and 'Profs: Building Advising Partnerships at Liberal Arts Colleges,” National Academic Advising Conference, Atlanta, Ga., October 2016
• “Thriving in Transition: Summer Initiatives Supporting First-Year Retention and Success,” National First-Year Experience Conference, Orlando, Florida, February 2016
• “Sustaining Vocation Through Curricular Strategies,” Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education National Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, March 2015
• “Paralyzed by Talents? Helping High-Achieving Students Find Themselves,” National Academic Advising conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 2013
• “Augie Choice: Moving High Impact Learning from the Margins to the Center,” Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education National Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 2013
• “Vocation for Life,” Evangelical Lutheran Church in America regional conference, Rockford, Illinois, March 2012
• “The Role of Parenting Style, Ethnicity, and Identity Style on Identity Commitment and Career Decision Self-Efficacy,”American Psychological Association Annual Convention, San Diego, California, August 2010

Why do you love Hope?

Ryan loves working in an environment that combines a rich intellectual and research culture, incredible athletic spirit and vibrant creative arts. Ryan also enjoys Hope’s proximity to downtown Holland and Lake Michigan, the rich school traditions and being part of a community that educates with such purpose.

Outside the college

Ryan is married to his wonderful wife Heidi, and they have four awesome children — James, Willem, Edie and Wesley. Ryan loves going with the family on outdoor adventures throughout the lakeshore, and you can often find them hiking the sand dunes, playing board games, camping, playing in Lake Michigan, and cross-country skiing in the winter. 

Ryan also loves all things soccer. He was a collegiate All-Region player and an Academic All-American. He still loves the game and has been coaching for many years following his playing days.