Ackermans was the son of Rie A.G. Schonk and Anton J.J.M. Ackermans, a high school teacher in Amsterdam. Ackermans became dean of the mathematics department in 1978; he remained as the dean until 1981, when he became conrector of the university. In 1982 he succeeded
Professor Hans Erkelens as
rector magnificus. This was also the year of the two-phase structural reformation of higher education in The Netherlands (Dutch:
Tweefasenstructuur wetenschappelijk onderwijs) and the financial cutback program
Division of labor and concentration (Dutch:
Taakverdeling en concentratie), which were mandated by the
Ministry of Education. Ackermans completed one term as rector. In 1986 he took the initiative in founding the
Institute for Continuing Education (Dutch:
Instituut Vervolgopleidingen), of which he became the scientific director. This institute offers two-year, post-graduate technical designer education to graduates of the two-phase programs; the institute was renamed the
Stan Ackermans Institute after Ackerman's death in 1995. ==Notable publications==