Previous boards

2020–2021

Julien Vandermosten | Chair

Hi everyone!
My name is Julien Vandermosten and I am a third-year student focussing on economics at Amsterdam University College. Two years ago I came from the south of Belgium to make Amsterdam my new home. From that moment on I dove straight into everything the university college community as to offer. As the Chair of the UCSRN, my aim will be to create a framework for my board members as well as the University Colleges to grow and thrive. Another one of my objectives is to put the UCSRN name on the map. Other than that, I enjoy playing music on the guitar or piano and taking on new challenges.

Kayna Duport-Govindin | Secretary
and Vice Chair
Hi! My name is Kayna Duport-Govindin, I’m a second year science student at Amsterdam University College following the pre-med and psychology track. I come from France and the French Caribbeans but I have lived in the Netherlands for almost half of my life now. As secretary, my main goals will be to increase the visibility and awareness of the UCSRN, as well as the interconnectivity of the University Colleges. A fun fact about me is that my favorite object is my blanket.


Renzo Besseling | Treasurer

Hello everyone!
I am Renzo Besseling the treasurer of the executive board ‘20 – ‘21. Currently, I am studying at the University College Twente where I am in my third year. The focus of my studies is on Business and Educational/Motivational Psychology. Two years ago I moved away from a small town in the middle of the Netherlands, Leusden, to a somewhat bigger city in the far east, Enschede. At the University College Twente I soon came into contact with our Study Association Atlantis, where I became actively involved in committees, which soon resulted in a board year where I was the commissioner of External Affairs. Upcoming year I want to share my past experiences with the UCSRN to help the UCSRN grow, furthermore, I want to provide the UCSRN with financial stability and transparency. Another small fun fact about me is that I have an obsession with the colour pink!

Tiffanie Septier  | External Affairs Officer
My name is Tiffanie and I am really excited to be the UCSRN External 2020-2021. I am currently a second year International Justice major at Leiden University College. This year as an external I want to focus on improving, developing and creating partnerships with external partners. Furthermore, I want to increase University College awareness and work towards making more opportunities available for both undergraduates and graduates!

Eshwari Ramsali | Chair of the
Academic Committee

Hey there! I’m Eshwari but you can call me Esh. I am the Academic Committee (AC) Chair for the year 2020-2021. Apart from that, I am also a second-year student from India and I study Politics, Law and Sustainability at UCU. I tend to care too much and that’s why governance is the love and also the bane of my existence. Educational policy and leadership has always deeply interested me and I’m really grateful for your trust and support. I believe that the AC is uniquely positioned to allow representatives of different UCs to come together and communicate openly and constructively to create an effective and hopefully, one day influential network of students from all over the Netherlands and I can’t wait to get started with this year! When I am not going on about the news, I am usually curled up in bed watching reruns of Insecure or talking to my goldfish.

Alexandra Deffner | Chair of the
Social Committee
My name is Alexandra Deffner, and usually go by Alex. I am a second-year ATLAS student at the University College Twente. At UCTwente I am currently building my academic profile in the direction of industrial design and civil engineering and am interested in urban planning, architecture, and sustainability. In my free time, I enjoy playing the cello, playing for my study association’s football team, and ballroom dancing. As part of the UCSRN Executive Board and Chair of the Social Committee 2020/2021, I would like to connect all the University Colleges by increasing the frequency and accessibility of events. I do believe that this would allow all the UCs and students to feel integrated and want to be part of the UCSRN, thus building an overarching community. I believe in a strong and connected community, and the UCSRN will be this platform for the University Colleges.

2019–2020

Mai Thai de Rijk | Chair
Mai Thai de Rijk is a half-Thai and half-Dutch third year student at University College Utrecht with a focus on Chinese Language and Culture, and Psychology with a minor in Business and Entrepreneurship. As the Chair of the UCSRN, Mai Thai aims to connect different board members as well as University Colleges on a more personal level as well as grow the UCSRN name to become more professionally recognised in both the Netherlands and in Europe. Aside from the board, Mai Thai enjoys working on videography, photography and her Gastronomy Committee at UCU.

Nia Alexieva | Secretary and Vice Chair

Nia is a Bulgarian first-year student in University College Utrecht with a focus on Media Studies with Earth and Environment and Economics. For this board year, Nia will be Secretary and will make sure that UCSRN dutifully reaches the set goals and upholds the professional image of the organization. In her free time, Nia pursues film photography and works on her other two committees in UCU.

Felipe Carvalho | Treasurer
Felipe studies Economics and the Environment as a second-year at Amsterdam University College. As UCSRN Treasurer, he hopes to increase exposure and understanding of the UCSRN (and in turn of University Colleges), while also making events bigger and better. In addition, he hopes to formalize an Inter-UC Football League. Raised in a Brazilian-Portuguese household, he enjoys both playing and watching football and volleyball in his free time.

Maxim Zewe  | External Affairs Officer
Maxim Zewe is a German and Dutch first-year student at University College Roosevelt with a focus on Mathematics, Physics, and Cognitive Science. Being responsible for External Relations, he aims at establishing cooperation of the UCSRN with other organisations to create more opportunities for Liberal Arts and Science students. In addition, enhancing the image of LAS education is an important goal for him.

Preksha Bepna | Chair of the Academic Committee
Preksha Bapna is a second year student at Amsterdam University College with a focus on biomedical sciences and international relations. She was born and raised in Thailand but is originally from India. Preksha is the Chair of the Academic Committee (AC). Besides her position in UCSRN, she is also involved in AIMUN, Diversity Commission, and AUC Ambassadors. As the Chair of the AC, she hopes to continue providing a strong platform for all UC students to share information and perspectives on relevant academic topics in discussion.

Mitchell van Dijk | Chair of the Social Committee
Mitchell is a 21 year old student at the University of Twente who likes to travel and plays the guitar. Within ATLAS (UCT), he pursues a career in Urban Planning and Water Management. The reason why he joined the UCSRN Executive Board is to get the smaller University Colleges more involved in the UCSRN. As Social Committee Chair, he aims to increase the amount of events hosted by the University Colleges that are “further away” and to improve the integration between the different University College students. Despite being in Prague for his studies during the first half of the year, he is very motivated and sure that the coming year will be a great lustrum year!

2018–2019

Stephen McCarthy | Chair
Stephen is a third-year University College Maastricht student concentrating on Cognitive Sciences (Artificial Intelligence), Business, and Philosophy. After a year on the Social Committee and being Universalis External, he was elected to chair the Executive Board.

Mai Thai de Rijk | Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair Social Committee

Mai Thai is a second year student at University College Utrecht with a focus in Chinese Language and Culture, Psychology and, Business and Entrepreneurship. As secretary, she hopes to increase and improve UCSRN’s visibility, image and growth. As Chair of the Social Committee, she hopes to motivate different UC’s to be more present and facilitate a transparent platform for UC discussions.

Justin Smael | Treasurer
Justin Smael is a second year student focusing on combining AUC’s legal track with a minor in Computer Science. Throughout this academic year he will fulfil the responsibilities of Treasurer for your UCSRN. He hopes to maximise your  benefits by managing the budget, attracting sponsors or organising large events.

Victoria Mai | External Affairs Officer
Victoria is a German/Luxembourgish second year student at Amsterdam University College, pursuing Economics and Law. Besides her position on the UCSRN Executive Board, she is also involved in AUCMUN and AUC Ambassadors. In her free time, she likes to go horseback riding, play volleyball and travel.

Bart Knibbe | Chair Academic Committee
Bart Knibbe is a second-year student at Amsterdam University College, with a focus on (political) philosophy, public policy and governance. This year, in addition to being the External Communications Officer of the AUC Student Council, he will zealously chair the UCSRN Academic Committee.