Christine Ziekman appointed head of the Social Sciences Unit
The Executive Board has appointed Christine Ziekman as Head of School at the new School of Social Sciences. She will start on 1 October, 2026 and will take over from Danielle Schwartz, who temporarily fulfilled the role of transition manager at the Social Sciences Unit in the new main structure (coming into effect on 1 January 2027) and was head of the current School of Social Work (AMM).
Karin Verschoor, member of the Executive Board: “We are very pleased with the arrival of Christine Ziekman at Saxion. With Christine, we are bringing in an experienced and unifying educational leader. She has extensive experience with organisational development, educational quality and co-operation with the professional field. These are qualities that are of great value for the development of the new Social Sciences Unit. We are confident that she, together with colleagues, will put these to good use in the further development of this unit.”
Christine is currently Head of Health & Well-being at ROC Rijn IJssel in Arnhem. There, she heads an educational organisation with around 2,400 students and 240 employees. She is also a member of the executive board at ROC Rijn IJssel and is responsible for, among other things, the strategic development of education, educational quality and links with social partners. Christine was previously Director of CIOS & Safety and has held various management positions in secondary vocational education (MBO). Christine studied European Studies at the University of Amsterdam and has taken various administrative and leadership programmes, including the Directors Programme in Public and Non-Profit Sectors at TIAS School for Business and Society.
Christine on her new position at Saxion: “I believe in the power of social connectedness. Bringing people and teams together with a common ambition creates energy. I look forward to using that energy at Saxion and, together with colleagues, students and partners, contributing to the development of the beautiful Eastern Netherlands region.”
The Executive Board would like to thank Danielle Schwartz for her valuable work as temporary transition manager of the Social Sciences Unit and wishes Christine Ziekman every success and pleasure in her new position at Saxion.
