This team is here to support students and staff as they study or work with us.
Sabine Gerlach is an experienced higher education professional and Chartered Marketer who brings about change by building trusting relationships with partners, stakeholders and students to deliver the best student experience.
Her expertise is in International Student Mobility, Strategic Development and Pedagogy, underpinned by academic qualifications in management, marketing and education. Before joining Lancaster University Leipzig, she was Assistant Professor in Marketing at Lincoln University, where she currently commences her doctoral studies.
Natalia Ruiz Morato is a higher education expert with broad international experience in academic and research coordination, student services, and university operations. She has collaborated with institutions across China, Colombia, Germany, the United States, and within the United Nations system, consistently fostering inclusive, high-performing academic and research environments that promote student success and institutional excellence.
Holding a PhD in Law with a research focus on environmental governance, Natalia brings an interdisciplinary perspective and knowledge of global academic systems to her work. She is dedicated to providing clear, strategic support for students and staff navigating institutional and educational landscapes.
Marie-Christine Borowiak joined Lancaster University Leipzig as Academic Office Manager in July 2022. She has previously worked and studied in France, Germany and Scotland. She is particularly interested in the continuous improvement and promotion of international studies, research and teaching.
Josefine Fitchett joined Lancaster University Leipzig in April 2022 as a Career and Engagement Manager. Her role is to prepare students for their entry into the labour market by training them in CV and cover letter writing and supporting them in defining their career goals and what it takes to reach them. To support students in their pursuit of having a successful career, Josefine also works to establish a network of regional partners from Leipzig’s varied company landscape. Her goal is to match students and graduates with regional companies in need for well-educated, motivated people that contribute to companies’ success and ultimately add to the success of Leipzig and Saxony.
Being originally from Leipzig and holding a Master’s degree from the University of Bristol in Gender and International Relations, Josefine has a deep first-hand understanding of both, German and British work and study cultures. Josefine is an expert building strong professional and interpersonal relationships to attain business goals. She previously worked as operations manager for BaseCamp Student where she established strong partnerships with local universities and corporations like Porsche, Helios Clinic, Deutsche Bahn and Amazon. Before that she was manager student affairs for MSc students at HHL. Beyond that she is trained as a life coach and a freelance writer for local and regional magazines.
Elena Rotaru works as the Academic & Student Services Officer with a focus on retention and compliance at Lancaster University Leipzig, where she plays a key role in supporting students through the visa application process, settlement in Germany, and administrative dealings with German authorities. With a background in Business Economics and Marketing from the University of Strathclyde, UK, she brings valuable expertise in customer service, marketing, and compliance to her role. Fluent in English, Romanian, Russian, and German, Elena is determined to make the transition of students into German life as smooth as possible.
Iryna Kalmykova is delighted to serve as your Academic and Student Services Officer. With her diverse language skills – English, German, Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish – she is well-equipped to support international students with a wealth of knowledge and understanding to assist them in navigating their university journey. In addition to her role, she is also pursuing her own studies at the university Leipzig, giving herself invaluable insight into the student experience.
As an Academic and Student Support Officer at Lancaster University Leipzig, Thalia focuses on enhancing the student experience through effective administrative management and support for student social events. With experience working with international students both in Germany and abroad, she is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and engaging campus environment.
Thalia is committed to building a vibrant community that encourages personal growth and intercultural understanding among all students. Her background in education and cultural studies, combined with a strong foundation in customer service, allows her to effectively support students in their academic journeys.
Rana Shihabi joined Lancaster University Leipzig as the Departmental Officer for the Management School. With expertise in program coordination and international education management, she is committed to fostering a supportive academic environment that enhances student success and engagement.
Before joining Lancaster University Leipzig, Rana cultivated a strong international and educational outlook through both her academic pursuits and professional experiences. Her work with global institutions allowed her to manage and implement programs aimed at enhancing students’ academic and cultural experiences. Her background also includes studying and collaborating with international academic programs, such as her DAAD-funded Master’s in European Studies from Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf and an Erasmus+ exchange at the University of Cologne.
These experiences have equipped her with a deep understanding of intercultural exchange and student development, which she brings to her role at Lancaster University Leipzig
Steph joined Lancaster University Leipzig in June 2025. With an academic background in History and German Studies from the University of Manchester, Steph has gained valuable professional experience through involvement in international projects and institutional collaboration at the Universität Leipzig. Their work has focused on supporting globally minded academic initiatives and fostering intercultural exchange.
Currently part of the Academic and Student Services team at Lancaster University Leipzig, drawing on their understanding of both local and international academic environments, they assist students with administrative processes and integrating into university life, and the organisation of all things SCC.
