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Daniel Zekveld received his bachelor’s degree in international relations from Redeemer University. He quickly realized a master’s degree might equip him for a career in the Canadian political sphere.

“I’ve always been interested in public policy, theology, and the relationship between faith and public life,” says Zekveld. “I decided to pursue a Master of Public Administration (MPA) to build my knowledge and understanding of public administration and to further my career within the field.”

Zekveld currently serves as a policy analyst at the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) in Canada. The Christian non-profit organization aims to “help Christians get engaged in politics and also bring a biblical perspective to elected officials in Canada,” says Zekveld.

“Public policy has implications on the lives of individuals, whether good or bad,” adds Zekveld. “By seeking to influence public policy in a positive direction, I want to serve my neighbors and help them flourish.”

That’s something he believes Dordt’s MPA program helped prepare him to do effectively. “The program pushed me to think of broader theories and how to apply them to my current workplace,” he says.

Not only did the program challenge him to think critically about public policy, but it also gave him practical experience to bring into his current role. “Many of the assignments were very practical and focused directly on my work or organization,” says Zekveld. “For example, one assignment required creating a plan within my organization. I decided to focus on implementing an internship program. That assignment formed the basis for a plan that the organization ended up using to start an internship program shortly thereafter.”

Even after completing the program, Zekveld finds himself utilizing resources acquired through his time in the program. “There are a couple books that I still refer to or have used in other contexts. I've also used and adapted some of the assignments from the Dordt MPA to my work,” he says.

Dordt’s MPA program gave Zekveld the tools to integrate his faith with his professional life, equipping him to positively impact public policy and serve his community in a meaningful way.