On June 1, 2026, Prof. Karl H. Mühling officially took office as the new president of Hochschule Geisenheim University. The internationally renowned scientist and plant nutrition expert succeeds Prof. Hans Reiner Schultz, who has significantly shaped the university over the past 13 years. Prof. Mühling was already elected at the end of January in the first round of voting by the university’s extended senate.
Prof. Mühling has a strong background in research, teaching and academic management. Since 2007, he was Professor of Plant Nutrition at Christian Albrechts University, Kiel. Prior to this, he taught and researched at Justus Liebig University, Giessen. He also has extensive international research experience including a DFG fellowship at the University of California, Davis (USA). In addition, he is highly engaged in numerous scientific associations and currently serves as president of Dachverband Agrarforschung – the German umbrella organization for agricultural research (DAF).
“Hochschule Geisenheim University uniquely merges basic and applied research. This distinctive blend of academia, professional practice, and knowledge transfer has made the university renowned and attractive far beyond Germany”, says Prof. Mühling at his inauguration. “I’m very much looking forward to working with the university community to continue the successful development of the institution and to provide new impetus for research, teaching, and internationalization.”
Prof. Mühling has been associated with the university for many decades. He already made his first connections with Geisenheim while studying agricultural science. Later on, he closely cooperated with the university in research and teaching. According to him, the university’s unique, specialized focus on viticulture, horticulture, landscape architecture, and food sciences truly sets it apart and offers great potential.
For the first weeks in office, his priority is to get to know the staff and the numerous departments and institutions. At the same time, he wants to help enhance the university’s visibility at a national and international level, and provide new input to boost student numbers. According to him, the international master’s programs hold great promise to achieve this goal.
Meet the new president
Prof. Mühling already received his official certificate from State Minister Timon Gremmels during a ceremony in the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture on Friday. Read more.
On June 1, staff and students had the chance to meet the new president in person during an informal get-together and the university’s “Alte Weinfass” where he was warmly welcomed by the university community.
In a first interview available on the university website, Prof. Mühling shares his vision for the university and talks about his background and his personal motivation. Read more
University Council warmly welcomes and thanks Prof Mühling
Dr. Hermann Kolesch, Chair of the University Council, extends a warm welcome to the new president: “With Prof. Karl H. Mühling, the university gains a scientific expert with a broad network, extensive leadership experience and a strong international vision. We are very much looking forward to working with him and continuing the university's successful development.”
At the same time, Kolesch thanked the outgoing president, Prof. Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz for his outstanding achievements: Prof. Schultz has had a special influence on and promoted the development of Hochschule Geisenheim University. During his 13-year term as president of the university, the former Research Institute with an affiliated faculty at Hochschule Rhein-Main developed into an independent, new type of university. We thank Mr. Schultz for his outstanding contribution to the development of the university."
Prof. Schultz’ official farewell ceremony will be held at the end of June to celebrate his end of term with the university community and official guests.
More information
- Prof. Mühling's CV: profile of the president on www.hs-geisenheim.de, Wikipedia article about Prof. Karl H. Mühling
- Press release of Hochschule Geisenheim University on the election of Prof. Mühling, February 6, 2026. More
- Press release of the Hessian Ministry of Science and research, Arts and Culture on the elction of Prof. Mühling, February 6, 2026 (in German only) More
