Public elections were held at Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences on 7 January. Rector Prof Dr Katja Rade was re-elected for a further six-year term of office with an overwhelming majority. On the same day, the current Head of the International Office, Brigitte Heintz-Cuscianna, was also elected as the new Chancellor - also in the first round of voting. Katja Rade's second term of office will immediately follow her first and will begin on 1 September 2026. Brigitte Heintz-Cuscianna is scheduled to take office in the spring; her term of office will also be six years.
Prof Dr Katja Rade
During her time in office to date, Katja Rade has developed Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences in a strategic and forward-looking manner. Together with all relevant stakeholders, she initiated and managed a university-wide strategy process that sustainably positioned HFT Stuttgart as a climate-competent, resilient and networked "university of the future". Innovations in teaching, research and transfer were strengthened in a targeted manner and university-wide structures and processes were systematically developed and optimised. Close collaboration with committees, faculties and central institutions formed the basis for effective structural and development planning and contributed significantly to the university's profile and performance.
Dr Guido Bader, Chairman of the University Council of HFT Stuttgart, expresses his delight at the re-election of Katja Rade: "The fact that we have been able to win Professor Dr Katja Rade for a further six years as Rector is a great gain for the university. In her first term of office, she has developed the university in an impressive manner and moulded it into a strong, attractive and renowned institution. She will now continue on this successful path with her great commitment and energy." Bader continues: "In a collegial and participatory process, Katja Rade has also developed a new strategic direction for the university that tangibly serves the benefit of the university, its students and its employees. Further strategic profiling will be a central focus of her second term of office."
Prof Dr Katja Rade
"The central focal points of my second term of office are derived from the external transformation forces that are currently having a strong impact. They lie in establishing artificial intelligence as a university-wide cross-cutting topic and sharpening our profile in terms of climate expertise and sustainability. From an internal perspective, I see the digitalisation of our processes as a priority area for action. The aim is to work together to improve and digitalise processes, further strengthen collaboration between administration and academia and regain more time and energy for our core tasks. I hope that we will use the positive experiences from the strategy and change processes to date to strengthen our HFT as an attractive and reliable institution for all members of the university in the long term. In this way, we can remain a strong voice in the city, region and academic landscape, be a role model for living democracy and take joint responsibility for a successful transformation."
Brigitte Heintz-Cuscianna
Brigitte Heintz-Cuscianna has many years of experience in management positions at the university, currently in the management of the International Office. Based on the university's structure and development plan, she has successfully driven forward key topics of her previous work - digitalisation, sustainable resource management and modern leadership culture. As Chancellor, Heintz-Cuscianna would like to contribute her expertise in a targeted manner by further expanding and optimising digital administrative processes, further developing resource controlling, particularly in the areas of human resources and finance, and strengthening internal personnel development and communication. Her aim is to establish an impact-oriented, contemporary work and university culture in order to sustainably strengthen the university's administrative structures and create the basis for an efficient, future-proof university organisation.
Brigitte Heintz-Cuscianna
"The university is undergoing an important strategic reorganisation process. In this context, I see my role as Chancellor primarily as an enabler and organiser. I am responsible for legally compliant structures and processes that keep the university capable of acting and work together with all those involved to translate the university's strategic potential into concrete development steps."
Guido Bader is also very pleased with the election of Heintz-Cuscianna: "Brigitte Heintz-Cuscianna is a new chancellor from our own ranks - a clear sign of the strength and quality of HFT Stuttgart at all levels. She will consistently continue on the path of digitalisation and professionalisation of the university administration and, together with Rector Prof. Dr. Katja Rade, further develop the university into a highly attractive place for students and staff."