New Executive Board at the University of Vechta: A breath of fresh air for education!

New Executive Board at the University of Vechta: A breath of fresh air for education!

The University of Vechta has a new executive board, which was officially presented on July 10, 2025. The interim president is now Prof. Dr. Thomas Bals, who took over the position from the elected President Prof. Dr. Verena Pietzner took over. The Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture appointed Bals as the university's new representative on May 26, 2025, which was done in agreement with all university committees, as Minister Falko Mohrs confirmed at a press conference.

The new executive board consists of four members: In addition to Prof. Dr. These include Petra Brake, Prof. Dr. Martina Döhrmann and Prof. Dr. Christopher Osterhaus. While Bals will carry out his new tasks for an initial year from June 1, 2025, he will drive forward the university's strategic development and financial consolidation.

New members with diverse experience

Petra Brake will serve as Vice President of Human Resources and Finance. She has headed the internal audit department at the University of Vechta since October 2023 and, before working at the university, was deputy head of finance and accounting at the Quakenbrück Christian Hospital. Brake brings many years of experience in finance and controlling, which she has gained since 2001.

Prof. Dr. Martina Döhrmann, the Vice President for Teaching, Studies and Further Education, has been working at the University of Vechta since October 2010. Her research focuses on teacher professionalization, inclusive mathematics teaching and the use of digital media in mathematics teaching. She has taken on numerous leadership roles within the university.

Prof. Dr. Christopher Osterhaus will serve as Vice President for Research, Young Talent Development and Internationalization. He is a professor of developmental psychology in the field of schools and has previously conducted research at various respected institutions, including the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research is dedicated to the development of scientific thinking and social cognitive development.

University of Vechta: An overview

The University of Vechta, founded on August 2, 1830, has a long history in teacher training and Catholic theology. The current student population is approximately 3,500, and the university employs 519 people, including 74 professors. The institution offers a variety of study programs with a focus on educational and social sciences, natural and social sciences, and humanities and cultural studies.

The name was changed to the University of Vechta on June 8, 2010, and the university has developed continuously since then, including through the merger with the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Northern Germany in October 2005. Research focuses include rural areas, education, gender, gerontology and social work.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Bals and his executive board are faced with the challenge of leading the university in a new strategic direction. While the need for a sustainable overall strategy is seen as pressing by many members, the new team is well-equipped with remarkable expertise and experience to tackle the challenges ahead.

For further information about the University of Vechta and its executive board, you can read the reports on Mynewsdesk, Uni Today and Wikipedia: Mynewsdesk, University Today, Wikipedia.