Governing bodies and committees

Who leads the Faculty, who decides on academic matters, and how students have their say.

The Faculty is led by the Director and the Dean. The Senate decides on academic matters, while the Management Board decides on financial and material matters. Committees support the Senate’s work. Student representatives participate in all key governing bodies.

Faculty leadership

Senate

The highest academic body comprises seven higher education teachers and researchers, and two student representatives. The Dean is an ex officio member and chairs its work.

Management Board

The governing body responsible for financial and material matters has seven members. The Faculty’s founder is the public institution Regional Study Centre in Celje.

Katja Esih
Chair · founder’s representative
Tina Kramer
Vice-Chair · business representative
Franc Meža
founder’s representative
Alojz Razpet
founder’s representative
Milena Ževart
other staff representative
Daša Savič
student representative

Academic Assembly

The Assembly comprises all FVO higher education teachers, researchers and higher education associates. Student representatives make up at least one fifth of its members. The Academic Assembly elects Senate members from among the higher education teachers.

Senate

Committees of the Senate

There are six standing committees and a Committee for Equality, Equal Opportunities and Bioethics. For procedural questions, contact the relevant committee administrator.

Standing committee of the Senate

Student Affairs Committee

Decides on student requests, such as exceptional progression to a higher year or repeating a year.

Nika Kotnik
student representative
Milena Ževart
Committee Administrator · Student Affairs Office

Standing committee of the Senate

Academic Affairs Committee

Study programmes and delivery of teaching.

Standing committee of the Senate

Quality Assurance Committee

Self-evaluation and monitoring the quality of teaching, research and Faculty operations.

Anže Pirš
student representative
Saša Zagode Burič
Committee Administrator · Human Resources and Legal Services

Standing committee of the Senate

Academic Appointments Committee

Reviews applications for academic titles, proposes reviewers and makes appointment recommendations.

Saša Zagode Burič
Committee Administrator · Human Resources and Legal Services

Standing committee of the Senate

Scientific Research Committee

The Faculty’s research activities.

Saša Zagode Burič
Committee Administrator · Human Resources and Legal Services

Standing committee of the Senate

Publishing Committee

The Faculty’s publishing activities and two book series.

Other committee of the Senate

Committee for Equality, Equal Opportunities and Bioethics

Equal treatment, equal opportunities and bioethical issues.

Saša Zagode Burič
Committee Administrator · Human Resources and Legal Services

Student Council 2025/26

Representatives of full-time and part-time students, generally from all years of both study cycles. They elect representatives from among themselves to the Senate, Management Board and committees.

Maks Mastnak
Chair · Senate member
Nikola Mitrović
Vice-Chair · Senate member
Daša Savič
Management Board member
Nika Kotnik
Student Affairs Committee member
Anže Pirš
Quality Assurance Committee member
Živa Smolnikar
member
Nika Petričević
member
Nace Kac
member
Aljaž Lesjak
member

The Student Council was elected for the 2025/26 academic year and remains in office until the new council is constituted. The call for elections for 2026/27 will be published under announcements; learn more about the council’s work on the Student Council page.

Terms of office of the leadership and governing bodies

Terms of office of FVO’s leadership and governing bodies
BodyTerm of officeElection, appointment and notes
Dean15 April 2025 – 14 April 2029reappointed by the Management Board on 24 March 2025
Directoruntil 31 August 2028appointed by the board of the public institution Regional Study Centre on 7 May 2024
Senatefour years, from 26 February 2025teaching members elected by the Academic Assembly at its 24th session
Management Board30 June 2025 – 29 June 2029the student representative’s term is one year
Student Council2025/26 academic yearelections on 3 December 2025, inaugural meeting on 19 December 2025; the council remains in office until its successor is constituted

Source: FVO Annual Report for 2025 and FVO announcements.

Last updated: October 2026

Study at FVO

Study that sparks change

If you’re interested in the environment, nature, technology and the challenges ahead, FVO is your next step.

Explore study options, practical training and career paths in environmental protection.