Menzel-Riedl: Osnabrück University on the road to success under a new president!

Menzel-Riedl: Osnabrück University on the road to success under a new president!

On September 17, 2025, Prof. Dr. Susanne Menzel-Riedl was officially appointed for her second term as President of the University of Osnabrück. Science Minister Falko Mohrs presented the certificate of appointment and praised the successes that Menzel-Riedl achieved in her first term in office. This new term of office begins on October 1, 2025, after the Senate and University Council unanimously decided not to advertise and proposed their re-election to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture. Menzel-Riedl was pleased with the trust shown and the opportunity to continue to actively shape the university.

During her presidency so far, Menzel-Riedl has made a significant contribution to sharpening the university's profile, expanding its research strength and increasing its visibility. Her desired goals in the new term of office include the continuation of these developments and the targeted integration of newly appointed professors into the university. She also plans to set new priorities, particularly through the “Developing potential strategically” funding program, which is supported by the Volkswagen Foundation with 16.25 million euros. The aim of this program is to increase visibility in research and to further develop research-oriented teaching and learning.

A look at the successes

Significant projects were realized during Menzel-Riedl's first term in office. Under her leadership, two special research areas were set up: one on cellular membrane networks and another on migration research. In addition, the AI ​​real laboratory for agriculture was founded with 18.9 million euros from the Volkswagen Foundation. These initiatives illustrate Menzel-Riedl's commitment to promoting the internationalization of the university and the development of a profile in research.

Susanne Menzel-Riedl, born on June 8, 1976 in Siegen, has made a name for herself as an expert in biology didactics. After graduating from high school at Stift Keppel High School in Hilchenbach, she studied biology, education and English at renowned universities from 1996 to 2002, including a research stay in Dakar (Senegal) and Virginia, USA. Her doctorate, which she completed in 2007, deals with the requirements for biodiversity education.

Leadership from a gender perspective

The political and academic landscape in Germany is slowly changing, especially when it comes to gender distribution in leadership positions. According to the most recent evaluation by the CHE Center for University Development, the quota of women at German universities is 42 percent, and around a third of state universities are now led by women. Menzel-Riedl's re-election is a positive sign for female representation in university management. This development is particularly noteworthy because women have historically often been underrepresented and often had to fight for their position in academic leadership roles.

Menzel-Riedl has taken on a pioneering role professionally since 2019. She took second place in the election for “Rector of the Year” in 2025 and had previously been in first place among the university management in Lower Saxony since 2021. This highlights her influence and the recognition she enjoys in the academic community.

With the upcoming second term of office, Susanne Menzel-Riedl has the opportunity to continue pursuing her visions for the University of Osnabrück and to help shape institutional development at a time when the gender aspect in leadership positions is becoming increasingly noticeable. The challenges and opportunities that lie ahead could be groundbreaking for future generations of leaders at German universities.