June 2026
Leading Education for Ukraine's Victory
Dear Friends,
Education is not a secondary concern during wartime. It is one of the most important tools for securing the future.
As Ukraine advances toward European Union membership, the role of higher education in shaping that future cannot be overstated. Kyiv-Mohyla Academy is preparing the next generation of leaders, professionals, and citizens who will guide Ukraine's reform, recovery, and transformation.
European integration requires strong institutions, effective governance, respect for human rights, innovation, and economic growth. Education is the foundation of these efforts. In this newsletter, we highlight just a few examples of the university's contributions to nation-building, from legal reform and international cooperation to veteran support, leadership development, and global engagement.
Ukraine's future depends not only on victory on the battlefield, but also on the strength of its institutions and the quality of its leaders. Every scholarship awarded, program supported, and student empowered is an investment in a free, democratic, and prosperous European Ukraine.
Marta Farion
President
Kyiv-Mohyla Defenders Leadership Center Leads National University Network to Support Veteran Reintegration
Inspired by veterans across Ukraine and the urgent need for national recovery and rebuilding, the Kyiv-Mohyla Defenders Leadership Center has launched a nationwide university partnership dedicated to supporting veterans and service members as they transition to civilian life. The initiative is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation and brings together leading Ukrainian universities to create a comprehensive ecosystem of support for defenders.
The project is being implemented by the Kyiv-Mohyla Defenders Leadership Center in partnership with Zaporizhzhia National University, Poltava University of Economics and Trade, and Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University.
During a recent press conference, project partners highlighted the critical role universities can play in veteran reintegration. Discussions focused on creating veteran-friendly educational environments, expanding veteran support centers, and helping veterans translate military leadership experience into successful civilian careers through education and professional development.
Among the project's first achievements are the establishment of a network of Ukrainian universities committed to veteran support, a comprehensive analysis of existing educational practices serving veterans, the initial development of a university-based reintegration ecosystem model, and the creation of a specialized educational program designed to strengthen veterans' leadership and management skills.
The initiative is built on the belief that universities should serve as key partners for veterans and defenders by providing access to education, professional development opportunities, and meaningful engagement with local communities, businesses, and public institutions. As Ukraine continues to rebuild, higher education institutions can play a vital role in helping veterans successfully transition to civilian life while continuing to contribute their leadership and experience to the country's future.
Dr. Serhiy Kvit, President of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, emphasized the unique role universities can play in supporting veterans:
"From the very beginning, we viewed universities as the best and most welcoming place for veterans within their communities. A university helps a person answer one of life's most important questions: Who am I?"
Yana Chapailo, Director of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center, noted that returning to education enables veterans to discover a renewed sense of purpose, develop a new professional identity, and focus on future opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Through this partnership, Ukrainian universities are demonstrating how higher education can become a powerful force for veteran reintegration, leadership development, and national renewal.
You can support Ukrainian Veterans through education
The Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America invites readers to support programs that help Ukrainian veterans build new lives through education, leadership development, and professional training.
Donations can be made online at www.kmfoundation.org
Zelle: mail@kmfoundation.org
Checks payable to:
Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America
P.O. Box 46009
Chicago, IL 60646
Your support helps Ukrainian veterans transform their wartime leadership and resilience into the skills needed to rebuild Ukraine's future.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces Sign Cooperation Agreement
The National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Command of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The agreement was officially signed by Serhiy Kvit, President of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and Major General Oleh Apostol, Commander of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces.
The partnership aims to strengthen the humanitarian and educational development of military personnel, advance military leadership, and foster intellectual resilience in the context of Ukraine’s ongoing fight for freedom and independence. One of the key initiatives under the agreement will be the launch of a Certificate Program in Humanities and Leadership Studies designed specifically for service members of the Air Assault Forces.
The program will provide opportunities for professional growth, critical thinking, and leadership development while helping participants deepen their understanding of Ukrainian history, culture, democratic values, and civic responsibility.
During the signing ceremony, both parties emphasized that today’s Ukrainian soldiers are not only defenders of the nation’s borders but also guardians of Ukrainian identity, culture, and historical memory. Their service extends beyond the battlefield as they help preserve the values and traditions that define Ukraine as a free and democratic nation.
By combining the strengths of higher education and military service, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the Air Assault Forces seek to prepare leaders capable of both defending and rebuilding Ukraine. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in people whose leadership, knowledge, and resilience will shape the country’s future.
KMA School of Law Congratulates its team for winning the European Moot Court Competition
The KMA Students Moot Court Team achieved one the highest distinctions in the field of law, winning the 2026 Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition, one of Europe's most prestigious competitions for law students.
In the final round held in Strasbourg, France, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy team defeated the team from Maastricht University in the Netherlands to claim the championship title.
The 14th edition of the competition took place from June 1–5, 2026, and was jointly organized by the Council of Europe and the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA). The competition simulates proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights and brings together top law students from across Europe.
This year, 18 university teams from 13 countries competed in a fictional case addressing some of the most important legal issues of our time, including cybercrime, the use of artificial intelligence in judicial systems, and the fundamental right to a fair trial.
The victory represents a major achievement for Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Ukrainian legal education, and the next generation of human rights advocates. It also highlights the growing international reputation of the university’s law program, considered the best in Ukraine, and the exceptional talent of Ukrainian students competing on the European stage.
Congratulations to the students, their coaches, and the entire Kyiv-Mohyla Academy community on this remarkable accomplishment.
Kyiv-Mohyla Law School Contributes to National Legal Reform Discussions
Distinguished faculty members from the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Law recently took part in the 23rd International Scientific and Practical Conference on Legal System Reform in Ukraine, contributing their expertise to discussions on the country’s ongoing legal transformation.
Dean Volodymyr Venher, Professors Anatolii Zaiets and Yuriy Kliuchkovskyi, and Associate Professor Oleksiy Tseliev joined leading legal scholars, attorneys, judges, and practitioners from across Ukraine to examine pressing issues facing the nation’s justice system.
The conference focused on strengthening Ukraine’s judicial enforcement system, protecting property rights, advancing the rule of law, and incorporating European best practices into legal reform. Participants also explored the evolving role of private enforcement officers and discussed strategies for modernizing Ukraine’s legal institutions.
The Kyiv-Mohyla School of Law remains actively engaged in shaping Ukraine’s legal future, bringing academic expertise to national reform efforts and helping build a more effective, transparent, and European-oriented justice system.
School of Professional and Continuing Education Concludes This Year’s Global Negotiation Club Program
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (kma.pro) has completed the short-term professional development program Global Negotiation Club program, bringing to a close another dynamic season of learning, collaboration, and leadership development for those who are already negotiating in the fields of defense and security, business and investment.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in realistic simulations of diplomatic and intergovernmental negotiations, tackling issues ranging from Ukraine’s role in emerging global markets to contemporary international affairs. The program culminated with presentations of negotiation strategies developed and refined during the course. This is a wonderful example of adult education helping Ukraine to win the war against Russia.
Led by Professor Tetyana Nagornyak, Dean of kma.pro and Director of the Global Negotiation Club, the program offered participants a unique opportunity to learn from and interact with distinguished diplomats, ambassadors, and international experts who served as mentors and evaluators. Among them - Volodymyr Khomanets , Dmytro Ponomarenko, Andriy Pravednyk, Oleksandr Motsyk, Volodymyr Ogryzko, Oleksandr Scherba, Maxim Subh, Sergiy Korsunsky, Vsevolod Chentsov, Yuriy Polyukhovych.
The Global Negotiation Club reflects Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s ongoing commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders, diplomats, and policy professionals capable of navigating complex global challenges and shaping the future of international cooperation to enhance Ukraine’s position in the world.
Historian Marci Shore Discusses Democracy, Memory, and Ukraine at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy recently hosted a public lecture by Marci Shore, Professor of Intellectual History at the University of Toronto and a leading scholar of Eastern Europe, totalitarianism, historical memory, and contemporary Ukraine.
Ms. Shore is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Ukrainian Night: An Intimate History of Revolution, a study of Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity that was published in Ukrainian in 2018.
During her lecture, Ms. Shore reflected on the challenges facing democracies around the world, including the growing popularity of far-right political movements in Europe and the United States. She discussed the causes of these trends and examined whether contemporary political developments can be understood through the historical experiences of fascism and other authoritarian regimes of the twentieth century.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on Russia’s war against Ukraine, the resilience of Ukrainian society, the importance of historical memory, and the responsibility of intellectuals during times of political and social upheaval.
The event was moderated by Kyiv-Mohyla Academy President Serhiy Kvit.
Before moving to Canada in 2025, Marci Shore taught history at Yale University. Together with her husband, historian Timothy Snyder, she left the United States in response to political developments in the country. She currently also serves as a permanent visiting fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna.
The event was co-organized by the Kyiv Art Arsenal and the Book Arsenal Festival in cooperation with the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
KMA Launches New Certificate Program in Gender Studies
National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has launched its first interdisciplinary Certificate Program in Gender Studies for undergraduate students, named in honor of renowned scholar Solomiya Pavlychko.
The program will explore issues of gender equality, non-discrimination, and the roles of women and men in contemporary society through courses in sociology, history, law, social work, economics, and governance.
The program is named after Solomiya Pavlychko, a professor at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and one of the pioneers of feminist and gender studies in independent
Ukraine. Following Ukraine’s independence, she played a key role in introducing feminist scholarship into the country’s academic landscape.
The program was developed and is led by Dr. Tamara Martsenyuk, Associate Professor of Sociology and Chair of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s Committee on the Prevention of Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Bullying.
The initiative continues Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s long-standing tradition of advancing gender studies and promoting equal rights, human dignity and opportunities within higher education and society.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy representatives participate in Ukrainian World Congress Global Leadership Gathering in Switzerland
More than 350 delegates from 50 countries gathered in Bern, Switzerland, from June 4–7 for the Ukrainian World Congress Global Leadership Conference, an international forum focused on the role of the global Ukrainian community in securing Ukraine’s victory and shaping the country’s future.
Among the delegates were Maria Klimchak, executive director, and Motria Melnyk, member of the Board of Directors of the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America. They participated in conference sessions examining global Ukrainian leadership, with particular attention to the role of education, culture, international partnerships, and diaspora engagement in helping Ukraine prevail in its war against Russia and prepare for reconstruction. Ms. Melnyk serves as president of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago.
Throughout the conference, delegates emphasized that Ukraine’s success depends not only on military strength but also on preserving and advancing Ukrainian education, culture, and democratic values. Education within Ukrainian communities around the world was recognized as essential for maintaining national identity, engaging future generations, and building international understanding and support for Ukraine’s cause.
Participants noted that universities play a critical role in preparing the leaders Ukraine needs both to win the war and to rebuild the nation afterward. Future diplomats, public servants, entrepreneurs, educators, and civic leaders are being educated today and will help guide Ukraine’s economic development, governance, international partnerships, and recovery.
Representing Kyiv-Mohyla Academy at this major gathering of Ukrainian world leadership, Ms. Klimchak and Ms. Melnyk highlighted the university’s role as a symbol of intellectual freedom, civic responsibility, and international engagement. They emphasized support for educational initiatives, leadership programs for veterans, academic partnerships, and opportunities for young Ukrainians whose lives have been disrupted by war. These efforts strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to achieve victory, sustain democratic institutions, and foster long-term recovery and development.
A recurring theme throughout the gathering was that Ukraine’s future is being secured not only on the battlefield but also in classrooms, cultural institutions, research centers, and communities around the world. Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s role in Ukraine’s road to victory and reconstruction is essential on a national and international levels.
Kyiv-Mohyla Community Raises $13,000 in One Week to Restore Damaged Campus Buildings
Supporters of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy reacted immediately after the russian missile attacks on Kyiv that also destroyed parts of the university campus buildings, damaging roofs and ceilings, windows, doors, walls of historic buildings.
Within the first week of the bombing, the Foundation received $13,000 to support part of the restoration of the damaged buildings.
The campaign demonstrated the strength of the Kyiv-Mohyla community. Of the 60 donors who contributed during the first week, approximately 80 percent were Kyiv-Mohyla Academy alumni, reflecting their enduring commitment to the university and its future.
In Ukraine, nearly 1,500 supporters joined a parallel fundraising effort, helping raise more than 1.3 million hryvnias. The funds will be used to address the most critical damage and ensure the continuity of teaching, research, and university operations. Alumni have also stepped forward to assist with independent damage assessments and legal support related to the restoration process.
The immediate support received has been a powerful reminder that Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s greatest strength has always been its community. In a time of challenge, that community has once again come together to help preserve one of Ukraine’s most important educational institutions.
How to Support the Restoration Effort
Donations may be made through the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America. Please indicate "Reconstruction" or "Campus Restoration" in the memo line.
Online donations: kmfoundation.org/donate
Zelle: mail@kmfoundation.org
Please include "Reconstruction" in the payment note.
Checks payable to:
Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America
P.O. Box 46009
Chicago, IL 60646
Every contribution helps restore classrooms, libraries, and academic facilities damaged by Russian missile strikes and ensures that Kyiv-Mohyla Academy can continue educating the next generation of Ukrainian leaders.