Hello, I’m Nicolette (Niki), currently standing as a candidate Student Trustee.
Originally from the Netherlands and now living in Germany, I am studying the combination Computing & IT with Business, alongside Finance and Accounting through ACCA. I’m building a path that combines technology, finance, and meaningful impact.
Returning to education after a long period of illness has been a significant step for me. Studying while living with a disability has shaped how I experience the OU and given me a very real understanding of how important access, flexibility, and support are in practice.
This connects closely to what I stand for. The Open University plays an important role in removing barriers that often make education inaccessible once life becomes more complex. What I value most is that it allows students to shape their own path and study in a way that fits around real life, not the other way around.
Why I’m standing
I believe strong governance, accountability, and thoughtful oversight are essential for an organisation that aims to genuinely serve its members. For me, this also means ensuring that access, support, and inclusion are not only principles, but work effectively in practice.
Education should be able to work around real life, not in conflict with it. Especially in a university like the Open University, where many students balance study with work, health, and family responsibilities.
In practice, this requires decisions to be carefully considered, clearly communicated, and aligned with the real experiences of students. It also means that students are not only expected to understand decisions, but are meaningfully heard and included in how they are shaped. Where that connection is missing, even well-intended decisions may not deliver their intended impact.
What I bring to the role
Because of my hybrid education in Computing, Business and Finance I understand the technical, financial, and organisational sides of how an organisation like Open SU operates.
In addition, my experience as a project leader and board member within an international foundation involved working within a charitable context, balancing governance responsibilities, limited resources, and long-term impact. This has given me a practical understanding of accountability and how decisions need to align with organisational purpose and responsibilities.
My approach
I don’t believe in quick answers or one-sided solutions. I believe in listening, asking the right questions, and ensuring that decisions are not only responsible and clearly communicated, but that student perspectives are meaningfully heard and considered in the decision-making process.
If you are looking for someone who combines a balanced mindset with real-world governance awareness and a strong sense of responsibility, I would be grateful for your support.
If this approach resonates with you, I would appreciate your vote!
Nicolette Langendam
—//——-
Access, support, and inclusion only matter when they work in practice. Not just in principle.
Great article!
Good Luck!