Change at the Top of the WHU Career Center in Vallendar

The WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management Career Center in Vallendar maintains strong ties with the corporate world, connects WHU students with leading companies, and creates lasting value for both sides by matching talented young managers with the right organizations. This success is closely linked to the long-standing commitment of Heike Hülpüsch, who led the Career Center for 25 years. The 64-year-old has now passed the role on to her colleague Katharina Haxel.

For many students, Hülpüsch was one of the first and most important points of contact when it came to shaping their careers. “From the very beginning, I listened carefully to companies with one ear and to students with the other. Serving as that bridge has motivated me throughout all these years. Since 2000, an incredible amount has changed – from presentations using overhead projectors or even videotapes to highly professional recruiting formats,” she reflects. Hülpüsch will remain at WHU, taking on a new role as Senior Engagement Specialist. One of her greatest passions has always been on campus recruiting, where company representatives conduct interviews with students at WHU and in some cases extend job offers the very same day. Witnessing students grow into management consultants, investment bankers, entrepreneurs, or leaders in industrial companies, she says, “is something truly special.”

Since January 2026, Katharina Haxel has taken over the Career Center on WHU’s Vallendar campus. “Our goal is to cultivate a strong, vibrant network that fosters a genuine sense of belonging and continually encourages alumni and corporate partners to return,” she explains. “At the same time, our programs are expanding, and expectations from students and companies are evolving. This makes it all the more important to shape how personal interaction can be experienced even within larger structures. We provide in-depth insights into industries, career paths, and application processes, and we support students in developing relevant skills. What matters most to me, however, is that this leads to clear orientation and sustainable relationships – between us and our partners, and within the network itself.”

“With her tireless dedication, her distinctive and warm personality, and her exceptional commitment, Heike Hülpüsch has built the Career Center into what it is today. We are deeply grateful for her contribution,” says Professor Christian Andres, Dean of WHU. “We are delighted that she is shaping this generational transition and will remain closely connected to WHU with her extensive experience and outstanding relations with alumni and companies. At the same time, we look forward to working with Katharina Haxel as the new Director of the Career Center in Vallendar and wish her every success in her new role.”

Looking ahead, WHU in general, and the Career Center in particular, will continue to strengthen the connection between academia and industry and to support students in finding the career paths that suit them best – a mission that is becoming increasingly important. Career trajectories are expected to grow more complex in the future. “Students will have to pay even more attention to making conscious decisions about their profile—for example, when planning their practical experience. At the same time, AI is significantly changing the application process. In this environment, it makes a decisive difference if candidates can clearly articulate their own career history beyond platitudes and communicate it convincingly. We want to support our students in meeting these challenges,” says Katharina Haxel. One of her concerns is that everyone involved works together: “I am convinced that we can best support our students and corporate partners when we work hand in hand – especially in the collaboration between our teams in Vallendar and Düsseldorf.”

In her new role as Senior Engagement Specialist, Heike Hülpüsch will continue to support WHU’s numerous student initiatives and increase the visibility of their engagement. “My greatest passion remains connecting people – alumni and students with each other, and with faculty members. For me, that is true people business. I love the WHU spirit in all its facets,” she says, looking forward to her new role.