The Leiden United Board of 2023 – 2024
Meet The Team
Shanté Neese
President
The president oversees everything in the association, takes care of the paperwork, and is usually the contact person for official meetings with third parties. Besides that, the president also facilitates communication between the board members.
My name is Shanté and I am a fourth year student of the South and Southeast Asian studies bachelor’s program. I am half Dutch and half Indonesian, so I grew up with two cultures. I love learning about new cultures, trying new food and meeting people from all over the world. That is also why I became part of Leiden United three years ago. Leiden United is such a vibrant and dynamic association, with people from all parts of the world. This year I am going to commit myself to offering you a wonderful time in the Netherlands. I can’t wait to meet all of you!
Lukas Schültzke
Treasurer
The treasurer is responsible for all things connected to money. These includes things like confirming budgets, taking care of invoices, and keeping track of finances in general.
My name is Lukas and I study psychology in the clinical and medical research master. After only one year at Leiden United I decided to give back some of the hospitality that was given to me and be on this years board. I am excited to meet so many new faces that all have their own stories to share. Having spent my youth in both Turkey and my homecountry Germany I am familliar with the struggles of adapting to a new environment and talking to new people. I wish for Leiden United to be a lovely space for everyone in which new contacts are formed and internationals can bond more with the local dutchness.
Preston Hull
Assessor-External
The assessor external is in contact with the five big student associations in Leiden and is
responsible for scheduling the dinners for the foodie membership.
My name is Preston, and I study Computer Science and Engineering at the TU Delft. I completed a minor of Law, Culture, and Development in Leiden last semester. I joined Leiden United a semester ago to have an opportunity to meet new friends in Leiden, join fun activities, and try the dinners at Leiden’s well-known student associations. I became Assessor External of Leiden United to make these dinners happen for our members and to plan collaborations.
Beyza Celep
Head of committees
The Head of Committees oversees and is responsible for the Leiden United Activities
Committee (LUAC) and the Alumni Committee (ALUCO). The Head of Committees also is
the bridge between board and the LUAC as well as ALUCO.
My name is Beyza and I study Data science and AI. During my first year of my bachelor’s program, I became a member of Leiden United and have been a member since. I am truly honoured to be part of LU community that I’ve had the privilege of connecting with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspectives and stories to the table.
History and goals
The student association Leiden United started back in 2012 as an idea by Tessa Brüggeman, Merel Ruissen and Femke Kapteijn to connect international and Dutch students. After winning the 2012 Cultural Interaction Initiative Competition on Internationalization and Diversity at Leiden University, the program received funding from the Van Bergen scholarship to reach its integrative goals. The first program ran in February 2013 with a hundred participants: split equally between Dutch and international members.
Currently, Leiden United has flourished into one of the biggest international student association in Leiden with a focus on integration at Leiden University. In fact we surpassed the benchmark of 1000 members and a total of 60 different nationalities. The founders’ original encouragement for adaptation and flexibility has undoubtedly aided the success of the association. Recently, Leiden United has expanded the reach of recruitment to The Hague’s HOP week, EL CID, and OWL. We provide venues, activities, and an opportunity for those internationals wishing to connect with local students and those Dutch wishing to make friends with peers from all over the world.
Previous Boards
Leiden United wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication of the boards that have preceded us. Our association is therefore heavily indebted to all the people below, who have poured their enthusiasm and energy into letting Leiden United grow into the welcoming and diverse community it is now.
Nasmina Aksoy – President
Vinutha Venkatesh – Treasurer
Shanté Neese – Secretary
Dana Pokojna – Assessor External
Sacha van Gerwen – Head of Committees
Maxine Gerlach – President
Federica Mauro – Treasurer
Deniz Gökkaya – Secretary
Rick van Beek – Assessor External
Elina Böhm – Head of Committees
Irina Gurewitsch – President
Lena Hering – Secretary
Eric Li – Treasurer
Linde Meijerink – Assessor Extern/Head of Committees
Steven van der Plas – President
Elena Heinz – Secretary
Eva Sweep – Treasurer
Anna Wickenkamp – Assessor Intern
Amna Selimovic – Assessor Extern
Jade Szegedi – Assessor Activities
Bob van Eijk – President
Samoa Greeve – Secretary
Felix Alkema – Treasurer
Pereni Konatala – Assessor Internal
Laura Schippers – Assessor Externa
Annick van Beek – President
Giovanni Bottacini – Secretary
Pepijn Roos – Treasurer
Soumya Deep (Avik) Chatterjee – Assessor Internal
Chris van Seeters – Assessor External
Abderrahman Mouktassi – President
Nathalie Hoage – Secretary
Judith Leeuwen – Assessor Internal
Maxine Rigot – Assessor External
Thijs van Mourik – Acitivies Commissioner
Wouter Glastra van Loon – President
Rosa Poell – Secretary
Priya Nandram – Treasurer
Thomas den Man – Assessor Internal
Justine Filippo – Assessor External
Wouter Glastra van Loon – President
Rosa Poell – Secretary
Priya Nandram – Treasurer
Thomas den Man – Assessor Internal
Justine Filippo – Assessor External
Anouschka van Zaalen – President
Tim Vergoossen – Secretary
Jorinde Pels – Treasurer
Angelique Buijs – Assessor Internal
Laurent Smeets – Assessor External
(Melissa van den Berg – Pilot board member)