September 2025
Celebrating the 34th Academic Year at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
Greetings from Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America
In 1992, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy reopened its doors, reviving the traditions of a free and independent university. For 34 years since, it has remained a place of knowledge, critical thought, and community - where ideas for Ukraine’s future are born.
This academic year begins in times of great challenge. Ukraine is fighting for its very survival, and among those on the frontlines are our alumni, students, and faculty. They give their knowledge, strength, and even their lives for freedom and dignity. Their courage is the truest embodiment of Academy values - responsibility, service, and love for the homeland.
With faith in victory and hope for a brighter tomorrow, we begin this journey together.
For first-year students, this marks the beginning of a transformative path - one of academic freedom, responsibility, and new opportunities. For returning students, it is a new chapter where each day brings you closer to your goals. The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has always been - and will remain - a space of freedom, dignity, and service. Hold fast to these values, grow as individuals, and join us in building a strong and free Ukraine.
Marta Farion, President
Maria Klimchak, Executive Director
William Taylor - America’s Voice for Ukraine
At the start of the new academic year, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy welcomed William Taylor as an Honorary Professor. In keeping with Mohyla tradition, he delivered his inaugural lecture, “A Message to Ukrainians,” offering guidance to first-year students and inspiration to the entire community. With deep respect for Ukraine and its people, he affirmed: “You have earned the admiration of my country and other Western nations. You have earned your place in the European Union and NATO… I am convinced that you will prevail.”
A seasoned diplomat, military veteran, and statesman, Taylor has long been a steadfast friend of Ukraine. From 2006 to 2009, he served as U.S. Ambassador, supporting democratic reforms after the Orange Revolution and recognizing the critical role of civil society and institutions like Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. In 2019, during a turbulent political moment, he returned as Chargé affairs, standing firmly against any attempts to weaken U.S. support for Ukraine.
Respected both in Ukraine and abroad, Taylor’s career spans service in Vietnam, studies at West Point and Harvard, and diplomatic missions across the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Yet Ukraine holds a special place in his heart. His lifelong dedication reminds us that in our struggle for freedom and dignity, we are not alone - Ukraine has loyal friends who speak the truth and stand with us.
Introducing Ukraine’s First University-Based Veterans Leadership Center
We are proud to present the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center, the first university-based educational center for veterans in Ukraine, led by Yana Chapailo (BA & MA in Philology, 2013, 2015) and Maria Savrun (BA & MA in History, 2013, 2015).
The Center blends the experience of veterans and active service members with Kyiv-Mohyla Academy traditions: independent thinking, responsible action, and service to the greater good. It engages:
· Veterans and active-duty defenders
· Mohyla faculty with expertise in public policy, governance, law, and the humanities
· Specialists from government, civil society, and business
Together, they develop innovative approaches to adaptation, education, governance, and collaboration.
A recent Forbes article by Tamar Jacoby (September 2, 2025) highlights the initiative. The program equips Ukraine’s reform-minded veterans with the skills needed to lead the country in the postwar era. Focusing on governance, policy-making, and civic engagement, it prepares veterans to play pivotal roles in Ukraine’s reconstruction and democratic development.
Investing in the leadership capabilities of this generation promises a transformative era of reform, resilience, and progress for Ukraine.
Read the full Forbes article : Ukrainian Veterans Prepare for Postwar Leadership
Please help Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, USA continue its mission
Thank You to The Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank
Thank You to Selfreliance Federal Credit Union
Quality education requires dedication and resources, and we are deeply grateful to our partners for supporting the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center at NaUKMA.
A special thanks goes to The Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank. Since its founding in 1996, the Foundation has devoted over 30 years to supporting projects that: promote Ukrainian culture, increase the visibility of the Ukrainian community in the U.S., advance the international development of Ukrainian educational institutions, organizations, and centers.
With their support, the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center launched its flagship “Leadership and Resilience” certificate program, bringing together top experts, scholars, and practitioners in public administration, philosophy, history, social sciences, and personal development. Thanks to The Heritage Foundation, ten veterans attended the program free of charge, ensuring that professional education is accessible to Ukraine’s Defenders. We sincerely thank The Heritage Foundation for their invaluable contribution to Ukraine’s growth! We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners at the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America, whose support fosters strong collaboration and makes initiatives like this possible.
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The Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center at NaUKMA provides high-quality, values-based education for veterans, and we are deeply grateful to our partners at Selfreliance Federal Credit Union (USA) for their generous support.
For over 70 years, Selfreliance has supported Ukrainians and Americans of Ukrainian descent, contributing significantly to humanitarian aid for those affected by the invasion. Their support enabled three veterans to attend our flagship “Leadership and Resilience” certificate program at no cost.
“The Leadership Center is pure joy when it comes to learning. The course felt like a dream: outstanding speakers, the unique Kyiv-Mohyla atmosphere, active like-minded peers, and incredible moderators,” shares Denys Chechel, a graduate of the first cohort.
We also thank our partners at the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America for their ongoing support in advancing our shared mission.
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KMA Alumni Reunion 2025
At the 2025 KMA Alumni Reunion, graduates reflected on what shapes Mohyla alumni today, what distinguishes the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy alumni community, and how Mohyla contributes to a stronger Ukraine. Speakers—including Oksana Markarova, Kateryna Chernogorenko, Vladyslav Grezev, Svitlana Matviienko, Yuliia Kirillova, and Vladyslav Hazda—shared insights from their experiences, highlighting the enduring value of Mohyla principles in times of challenge.
Beyond the discussions, attendees explored initiatives from the Center for Ukrainian Defenders Leadership, KMA Alumni Association, Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, MA Gift Shop, and UA First Aid, discovering new opportunities for collaboration. Alumni also advanced the Scholarship Fund in Memory of Mohyla Alumni Fallen in the Russian-Ukrainian War, launching its second phase. The fund aims to become sustainable through an endowment, providing annual support for the university community. Together, participants raised over ₴140,000 to support this mission.
You can help support the endowment of the Fund here:
We are pleased to welcome Michael Workman as the newest member of our team. His experience and dedication will be a valuable asset to our Foundation, and we look forward to working together on future initiatives.
Michael Workman is Development Officer of the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation and the Development Coordinator of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA). His grant writing work has won several prestigious awards, including the Wynn-Kramarsky Freedom of Artistic Expression award from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and, in 2024, he wrote the proposal that resulted in the recognition of Ukrainian Village as a state-designated cultural district.
Photo credit is Joerg Metzner
The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago and the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America invite you to the presentation of selected works by Vasyl Makhno
Please help Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, USA continue its mission
Thank you for helping Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, USA continue its mission
The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago and the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America invite you to the presentation of selected works by Vasyl Makhno in two volumes: Schima. Vol. 1 and Chickens Don’t Fly. Vol. 2
published by The Old Lion Publishing House, 2024.
📅 Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 🕖 7:00 PM
📍 2320 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Vasyl Makhno is recognized as one of the leading contemporary Ukrainian poetic voices in the world. His works have been translated into more than twenty languages. Schima is the most comprehensive collection of Vasyl Makhno’s selected poetry, spanning the years 1993–2023.
His essays open another dimension of his artistic and personal world. Chickens Don’t Fly brings together essays written between 2002 and 2023 — memoirs layered upon one another, journeys into the past, autobiographical stories, and portraits of others. Some essays resemble novellas woven into a larger canvas, while others unfold like journeys through various spaces — and ultimately, through life itself.