Meet the Centuria Board
Welcome to our Centuria’s board members page! Meet the dedicated individuals who lead our association and work tirelessly to enhance the student experience.
Noa Blum
President
My name is Noa, and I am honored to serve as the president of Centuria this year. I am 26 years old and come from Luxembourg. When I’m not busy with classes or organising events, you’ll likely find me on campus, exploring The Hague, or spending time with friends.
Being president of Centuria is both a responsibility and a privilege. My goal is to continue building a community where SSMS students can grow academically, professionally, and socially. This includes organising inspiring academic visits, networking opportunities, and enjoyable social activities that help us connect.
What I enjoy most about Centuria is the people. I love bringing people together and creating experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Leadership is not just about organising events; it’s about listening, learning, and growing with those around you.
Every conversation and idea strengthens our association. So, if you see me around, please don’t hesitate to say hello, share your suggestions, or join me for a chat. Together, we can make this a memorable and successful year for Centuria.
Chris Boyarin
Vice President
My name is Chris, and I am 21 years old. I am originally from the United Kingdom, but before moving to the Netherlands for university, I was living in Switzerland. Outside of classes, you will probably find me somewhere around campus or in the SSMS lounge.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to take on the role of Vice-President of Centuria. I aim to help the association to the best of my ability by supporting the rest of the board with various tasks and, of course, helping out the Centuria committees where I can. My goal is to contribute to Centuria’s growth and help it reach its full potential within SSMS.
Before joining the board, I was part of the event committee in Centuria. It was a great experience. I really enjoy organising events and planning activities, whether they are academic or social. I will, of course, continue to help out with those tasks as well. In my view, activities are the best way to bring SSMS students together and help people connect. I aim to help expand opportunities for everyone in SSMS and bring us closer as an association and as a university course.
If you ever have any ideas for activities that can be planned, or just want to say hello and have a chat, please do not hesitate to talk to me or anyone else from the board, as that is a great way to bring in fresh ideas and make sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy within Centuria.
Anna Vlugt
Editor in Chief, Interim Public Relations Manager
My name is Anna, I am 21 years old, and I’m currently in year three of SSMS. I have lived in the Netherlands for nearly four years, but I am originally from San Diego, California, in the USA. I grew up in California, but my father is from the Netherlands, so I spent a lot of time in his hometown around 30 minutes north of Amsterdam as a child.
As Editor-in-Chief of the Centuria Journal: The Safety and Security Review, I manage the journal staff. This role mainly involves scheduling and planning for our publications as well as editing and writing articles for the Journal. Since joining the journal staff in my first year at SSMS, I have been able to write several research articles on topics spanning from freedom of the press and journalistic safety to the forensic sciences to organized crime and trafficking. I have also had the chance to conduct several interviews and expand my writing into student life articles as well. I am also serving as the Interim Public Relations Manager.
My main interests in SSMS are international relations, conflict/war studies, and peacebuilding. I aspire to work in research and/or analysis, hopefully focusing on conflict and weapons (of mass destruction) non-proliferation. I spend a lot of time working and studying in the SSMS lounge (or BRV), so if you want to learn more about the journal or just want to chat, I’m always ready to have a nice conversation over coffee!
Lauren van Genuchten
Treasurer
My name is Lauren van Genuchten. I’m 21 years old, was born in France, and lived in Switzerland for a few years. During my high school years, I lived in Eindhoven, in the South of the Netherlands. Two years ago, I moved to The Hague, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’m half Dutch and half French.
The SSMS program has been a great experience. I’ve learned a lot these past years, ranging from understanding the basics of sociology to exploring criminology. Beyond the lectures, I’ve also enjoyed meeting many great people in Centuria with different backgrounds and perspectives. It’s been great to hear about their experiences and cultures, and it has given me a broader understanding of the world around me.
This year, I am excited to take on the role of Treasurer. I oversee the association’s finances and manage the budget for planned activities and events. In addition, I manage Centuria’s merchandise, so if you’re curious or have any questions, feel free to contact me!
If you see me around, feel free to say hi! I’m always happy to chat or share a laugh.
Hans Propsma
Event Manager
“We are grateful for the commitment of our board members and their efforts to create a vibrant and inclusive community for all students. If you have any inquiries or ideas, feel free to reach out to any of our board members.”
– Noa Blum (Centuria President)