Following the swearing-in ceremony and the reading of the letter of appointment, Köller congratulated Gelhoet on his new position and emphasized that he was speaking on behalf of the entire organization when he said, “I am delighted that we were able to bring you on board at the University of Hildesheim!”

Gelhoet expressed his gratitude and shared a positive outlook for the coming years, which he had gained from initial discussions. “Exciting, challenging tasks lie ahead of us; some things are new, some are different, but that is exactly how it should be. I am looking forward to it… let’s tackle this together!”

Dr. Markus Gelhoet will assume his position for an initial term of six years, effective April 1, 2026. A detailed interview marking his inauguration will be published on the intranet on that date.  

About the Person: Dr. Markus Gelhoet

After completing his studies in business administration, Markus Gelhoet earned his Ph.D. in 2009 with a dissertation on “Simulation-based support in the design of decision-making algorithms (…)” at the University of Osnabrück. He then spent approximately 15 years in various administrative and leadership roles at Georg August University of Göttingen, most recently serving as Head of the Finance and Controlling Department since October 2017. There, he leads approximately 60 employees across four divisions, prepares the university’s budget and annual financial statements, and is responsible for the administration of third-party and special funds.

How the Process Worked

The procedure for electing a full-time Vice President is governed by the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act. According to this law, the appointment or nomination is made upon the recommendation of the Senate, which in turn is preceded by a recommendation from a selection committee - comprising members of the Senate and the Foundation Board, the Equal Opportunity Officer, and an advisory member from the Ministry of Science and Culture. This recommendation must be made in consultation with the President. At foundation universities - such as the University of Hildesheim - the Senate subsequently submits its proposed decision to the Foundation Board for a final decision.