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As of 1 April 2026, Professor Thomas Vaessens has been reappointed by the Executive Board as dean of the Faculty of Humanities. Vaessens has served as dean since April 2022 and will now continue in this role for a second term of four years, until April 2030.

President of the Executive Board Anton Pijpers welcomes the reappointment of Vaessens. “Thomas is an empathetic, decisive and visionary dean. The fundamental transition facing the Faculty of Humanities is a major undertaking, and Thomas is leading this process with determination and verve, ensuring the long-term quality of the faculty. We admire his efforts and look forward to continuing to work with him and all our Humanities colleagues in the years ahead. For in the coming decades as well, we aim to educate self-aware and proud humanities scholars: individuals who can collaborate across boundaries and play a role in addressing the complex societal challenges of today and tomorrow. This requires a faculty that is financially stable and intellectually agile.”

Openness, vision and a future-oriented approach

The reappointment process yielded a great deal of positive feedback from students and staff regarding Vaessens’ leadership style. His openness, vision and future-oriented approach were particularly appreciated.

Thomas Vaessens: “It’s a privilege to be reappointed as dean of this wonderful and dizzyingly broad faculty, which delivers quality across the full spectrum - in teaching, research, and in the support of these core activities. Here, conversations usually start with a question, and only rarely from a fixed standpoint, even when the issues are challenging. That is incredibly valuable and rewarding. The transition plan we are in the midst of is a long-term effort, but we are on track in every respect: both financially and in terms of content. I’m proud of that, and I look forward to continuing this work together with many colleagues in the years to come.”