Vita
Dr. Michael Ziemons is an Aachener through and through - born here, grown up here, at home here.
He lives in Aachen with his wife and two children and is firmly rooted in his homeland.
He grew up in Aachen-Brand and attended the Inda-Gymnasium in Kornelimünster after the KGS Marktschule. After graduating from high school, he did his community service at the "Maria im Tann" center for child, youth and family support. A time that left a lasting impression on him and determined his path into social work.
He studied educational science, psychology and Catholic theology in Münster and graduated in 2002 with a degree in education. Even during his studies, he worked on various research projects, always with an eye on how education, counseling and social responsibility can go hand in hand.
His professional career initially led him to the German Scout Association of St. George in Mainz and later to the Association of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) in Aachen, where he was involved in youth policy. He then taught at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences NRW in Aachen.
In 2009, he expanded his skills with a master's degree in supervision and coaching and founded the Institute for Applied Research in Education and Counseling (ifobib). In the same year, he completed his doctorate with a thesis on digitalization in consulting.
This was followed by years in science and management:
In 2010, he became Professor of Educational Sciences at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences NRW in Cologne, where he took over as Vice Dean in 2012 and became Dean in 2018.
From 2019 to October 2025, he was head of department at StädteRegion Aachen. His areas of responsibility included digitalization, social affairs, health, inclusion and integration. These are topics that are still particularly close to his heart today.
In addition to his professional activities, Michael Ziemons has been involved in voluntary work for many years, including as head of the Brander Library and in social projects at home and abroad. Several trips have taken him to the Middle East, particularly to Jordan, where he was involved in social aid projects and the establishment of scout structures.
On November 1, 2025, he took office as Lord Mayor of the City of Aachen.
Dr. Ziemons is committed to strengthening the administration as a reliable partner for citizens - human, digital, approachable and solution-oriented.
His aim is to develop Aachen together with the people of this city as a liveable, social and future-oriented city in which diversity, commitment and cohesion can be felt on a daily basis.
© Andreas Steindl
Tasks and functions
Head of administration
Dr. Michael Ziemons is the head of the city administration and the superior of around 6,600 employees who work in the city's departments and municipal enterprises. The Lord Mayor decides on the internal organization and distributes "the business" of the administration. He is supported in his management role by the administrative board, which consists of the six aldermen (including a city director).
As head of administration, he is responsible for ensuring that resolutions of the city council and district councils are prepared and implemented by employees.
Together with the specialist administration, Dr. Michael Ziemons develops ideas for the future of the city and introduces them into the political debate in the city council and district councils via proposals. He informs the public about the work of the administration and takes a position on important issues.
Chairman of the City Council
The Lord Mayor chairs the City Council and the main committee. He proposes an agenda, convenes the City Council and chairs the meetings. At the meeting, he answers questions and, together with the Administrative Board, takes a position on political motions put forward by members of the Council. Dr. Michael Ziemons has the right to vote at the council meeting and can take part in votes, unless the municipal code excludes this, for example when appointing council committees. The Lord Mayor is also responsible for ensuring that City Council resolutions are implemented.
First representative of Aachen
As Lord Mayor, he represents Aachen both internally and externally - in public, towards the federal and state governments and other institutions. He is the first point of contact for politics, business and culture and signs agreements and contracts that represent the city of Aachen to the outside world. Numerous appointments characterize his everyday life: he attends events in all parts of the city, opens exhibitions and festivals, gives speeches and greetings at receptions and is in close contact with the citizens. Dr. Ziemons is supported by the mayors, who also attend appointments.
Contact us
The Mayor's Office and the Department of Administrative Management, Policy and Dialogue support Dr. Michael Ziemons in his work, coordinate and organize events and receptions and maintain regional and international partnerships. The Administrative Management, Policy and Dialogue Department is the interface between the Lord Mayor's Office, the political bodies and the departments and specialist areas of the city administration. The clarification office and the office of the Citizens' Forum are also located here.
Requests and suggestions
To the service portal
Do you have ideas for the future of our city? Do you have questions about the activities of the City of Aachen? Would you like to talk directly to the people who are committed to Aachen at various levels? Then why not visit the Bürger*innentreff?
Dr. Michael Ziemons in the Council Information System
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