June 2025, Issue #1
Resilience and Renewal Shaping Ukraine’s Future
A message from Marta Farion, KMF President
As I write this greeting, Kyiv has been deluged by missiles. The air is filled with smoke. But our KMA is standing proudly just a block from the Dnipro River, and our people at the university are proudly returning to their campus and continuiing their work. We salute them for their courage, perseverance, patriotism and human values.
We present to you just a few of the events that took place at the university and in the U.S. in the last few weeks - student engagement, academic international programs, refugee support veterans’ leadership, youth inclusion, war preparedness, Crimean participation, and so much more. It is because of your support that the KMFoundation in the US can contribute to such programs. Thank you! Ukraine deserves victory. May Peace prevail for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
We honor our supporters - Motria Melnyk
On behalf of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy(NaUKMA) and the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America (KMFA), Dr. Serhiy Kvit presented an Award of Recognition to Motria Melnyk, president of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and KMFA board member, for her outstanding dedication to Ukrainian education, culture, and civic engagement in the diaspora.
A powerful force in the community, Motria has championed countless educational and cultural initiatives, supporting Ukrainian students, veterans, and institutions in both the U.S. and Ukraine.
Her tireless volunteerism — from coordinating scholarships to advocating for Ukraine — is felt across borders and time zones.
“Motria Melnyk embodies the spirit and vision that drive our mission,” said Marta Farion, president of KMFA. “Her heart shines on both sides of the ocean, and we are proud to work alongside her for Ukraine.”
Public Official Salutes NaUKMA on its 410th Anniversary
Former State Senator Walter Dudycz & Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
Run For Ukraine: A Symbol of Gratitude and Solidarity
On May 24, the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America welcomed a group of Ukrainian veterans to Chicago for the Soldier Field Run, held annually in honor of Memorial Day and U.S. fallen soldiers.
Each year the participation of Ukrainian soldiers is managed by the Kyiv Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program. Vera Eliashevsky, chairperson of the Chicago-Kyiv Committee, is a continuous supporter of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
The veterans’ participation—organized by the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International—was a heartfelt gesture of gratitude to the American people and solidarity with U.S. veterans. The visit, part of a rehabilitation program, fostered healing and connection through shared experiences and support.
Key partners included Veterans Dozen Foundation, Vesna CharitableFoundation, Revived Soldiers Ukraine, Ukrainian Runners Chicago, and Soldier Field 10. Infozahyst generously served as the general sponsor.
We proudly stand with Ukraine’s defenders.
Please help Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, USA continue its mission
KMFA Supports Higher Education of Ukrainian Refugees Ukrainian National Multi-Subject Test Held in Chicago
On June 3, Ukrainian high school graduates residing in the United States were able to take the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT) —Ukraine’s standardized university entrance exam — in Chicago, the only designated testing center in the U.S.
This milestone was made possible through the tireless efforts of Nataliya Ponomaryova, principal of Ridna Shkola Chicagoand, member of the Ukrainian World Congress Education Committee, with the collaboration with Refugee One, Chicago’s largest refugee resettlement agency established in 1982, and Oleh Malskyi, founder and Chief Executive Officer of KonektMe. The initiative received support from the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago, the UCCA Illinois Division, and the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America.
Conducted under the same protocols as in Ukraine, the NMT included mandatory tests in Ukrainian language and mathematics, with an elective subject (history, foreign language, biology, physics, or chemistry).Students and families traveled from across the U.S. to Chicago for the test.
Due to the large number of young Ukrainians who emigrated to the United States wish to pursue their university studies in Ukraine in person or online. It was important to support this initiative to enable them to complete their documentation. The project was made possible with the collaboration of Ukraine’s Ministry of Education.
Kyiv-Mohyla Veterans Center for Leadership of Ukraine’s Defenders: Supporting Veterans through Education, Partnerships, and Development
The Ukrainian Veterans - Defenders Leadership Center at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has officially launched last year. This unique program brings together the experience of veterans and active service members with the Kyiv-Mohyla tradition of independent thinking, responsible action, and serving the greater good.
The Center’s mission is to support veterans in their adaptation to civilian life, foster leadership development, and build effective partnerships between government, business, and civil society. The team unites Ukrainian defenders with university faculty with expertise in public policy, law, governance, and the humanities, along with professionals from various sectors.
Key initiatives includes the flagship certificate program “Leadership and Resilience,” as well as a career navigation course developed by Kyiv-Mohyla Business School experts. The Center also provides training for professionals who work with veterans and facilitates cross-sector dialogue involving ministries, businesses, and veteran communities. A particular focus of the Center’s work is a human-centered approach, emphasizing trauma-informed care and psychological support.
“We aim not only to assist veterans in their professional reintegration but also to cultivate a culture of respect and understanding of their experiences within Ukrainian society,” the Center’s director Yana Chapailo emphasizes.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Introduces Mandatory Military Training
The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy is among the first institutions of higher learning in Ukraine to implement mandatory military training for its students. The program aims to develop a new generation of conscious and motivated volunteers ready to responsibly defend the country.
Military training at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy combines theoretical knowledge with practical exercises that foster leadership, endurance, teamwork, and psychological resilience. Experienced instructors —veterans and active military personnel — equip students with essential skills including weapon handling, tactical medicine, and countermeasures against modern threats.
“Our program goes beyond preparing students for military service but primarily it cultivates responsibility and readiness to defend Ukraine under any circumstances. A nation preparing for resistance cannot be defeated”, stated President Serhiy Kvit.
Scholarship Fund in Memory of Fallen Kyiv-Mohyla Heroes
The first recipients of the Scholarship Fund in memory of Kyiv-Mohyla Fallen Heroes in the Russo-Ukrainian War were two student projects: first, Пам’ять Академії Вічна, by the team led by Iryna Stratiienko, and second, the cultural-artistic Festival Могилянський Вивих, organized by the Kyiv-Mohyla Mutual Aid Volunteer Group.
The Scholarship Fund in memory of the Fallen Heroes in the Russo-Ukrainian War was established in 2024 by the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation in Ukraine as a student initiative.
The initiative “Memory of the Academy — Eternal” aims to preserve the memory of those
who died fighting for Ukraine. The project team plans a series of lectures, art exhibitions, educational and social events that will memorialize the the fallen soldiers. In addition, collections of essays about the Fallen Heroes will be compiled and updated in a Memory Book.
The charitable festival Могилянський Вивих will reinterpret the experience of the legendary 1990s Lviv festival of the same name, known for its innovative approach to culture and satire. “Our adapted concept is to convey the experience of the Russo-Ukrainian war through unconventional ideas with the help of the university’s student organizations”, said coordinator Yelyzaveta Stolberg.
Education in Turbulent Times – Building Academic Bridges with George Washington University and Georgetown Universities.
Two meaningful meetings/roundtables took place in Washington DC, as a delegation of Kyiv-Mohyla scholars visited two universities and concluded important collaborative programs.
George Washington University convened a round table titled “Higher Education in Turbulent Times: Challenges, Resilience, Community Response, and the Role of Universities (Experience of the USA and Ukraine)” to discuss challenges, student activism, and psychological dimensions of crisis management I higher education during russia’s full-scale invasion.
Georgetown University held an intensive academic writing seminar designed to enhance the international scholarly impact of Ukrainian researchers. The week-long seminar aimed to empower NaUKMA scholars to increase their English-language publications, - a key pillar of academic diplomacy and a vital tool for amplifying Ukraine’s scholarly voice worldwide.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy scholars who participated and initiated these programs included: Dmytro Mazin, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Volodymyr Venher, Dean of the Faculty of Law; OlhaPoliukhovych, Vice-president of Research; Nataliia Rudnytska, Head of the English Language Department; and Ivan Yatskevych, Deputy Dean Faculty of Law.
These programs were supported by the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund and the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation.Read more: https://bit.ly/3Hfga76
While in Washington, the Kyiv-Mohyla delegation met with Ambassador Oksana Markarova and Kateryna Smagliy, Counsellor for Public Engagement at the Embassy of Ukraine. Their meeting focused on advancing international academic cooperation and enhancing Ukraine’s global scholarly presence.
International Forum on European Standards of Good Governance for Public Administration Training Hosted at NaUKMA
On May 29,2025, the Kyiv-Mohyla Faculty of Law organized the international forum “European Standards of Good Governance for Training Specialists in Public Administration.” The event was held in partnership with the Center for Political and Legal Reforms, the OECD SIGMA Program in a hybrid format, both online and offline.
The forum brought together leaders and faculty from higher education institutions training specialists in public administration, representatives of think tanks, civil society organizations, government agencies, and students.
Speakers emphasized the importance of implementing European principles of good governance such as transparency, accountability, effectiveness, respect for human rights, and public engagement in public administration.
Distinguished participants included NaUKMA Faculty of Law Dean Volodymyr Venger, OECD SIGMA representatives, Member of Parliament Olena Shuliak, Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Oleksandr Yarema, and experts from the Center for Political and Legal Reforms ,among others.
International Conference
“Interdisciplinary Expertise for Ukraine’s Recovery and Development”
On June 5, the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy hosted an international conference titled “Interdisciplinary Expertise for Ukraine’s Recovery and Development.” The event was organized by the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Professional and Continuing Education, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, Jagiellonian University (Poland), University of Warsaw, and other partners.
The conference was held in a hybrid format and brought together scholars, experts, government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives from Ukraine and across Europe.
The main goal was to create a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue to develop effective solutions for Ukraine’s recovery and sustainable development amid today’s complex challenges. The program featured plenary sessions and keynote speeches.
Speakers included: Serhiy Kvit, President of NaUKMA; Piotr Bajor, Dean of the Institute of Political Science and International Relations, Jagiellonian University; Tetiana Nagorniak,Dean of the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Professional and Continuing Education; Ella Libanova, Director of the Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies,National Academyof Sciences of Ukraine; Hennadii Chyzhykov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The were four thematic panels including diplomacy, governance, education, and economy, and workshops on fundraising, inclusion, educational design, and youth leadership.
The intersectoral approach was a key value of the event — combining expertise from different fields helps generate quality, future-oriented solutions for Ukraine, as vital steps toward sustainable development, meaningful reform, and effective recovery.
Crimean Tatar Resource Center Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with NaUKMA
On June 4, representatives of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center (CTR) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA). NaUKMA President Serhii Kvit announced the partnership.
The CTR delegation included Eskender Bariiev, Chairperson of the Board of CTR and member of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People; CTR lawyer Liudmyla Korotkykh; communications managers Tetiana Savchuk and Valentyna Manzhula; as well as CTR expert and Dean of NaUKMA’s Faculty of Natural Sciences, Yevhen Khlobystov.
The focus of the collaboration is on the de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea, and faculty collaboration and student engagement.
Eskender Bariiev emphasized , “Together, we will produce higher quality analytical and research works concerning Crimea and Ukraine’s indigenous peoples.” He also introduced materials from the Strategic Forums “Future of Crimea,” which unite experts across law, ecology, politics, education, economics, social policy, governance, journalism, and security.
“Podilskyi ShUK” – KMA Campus Fair to support Soldiers at the UA Front
On June 8, the inner courtyard of the NaUKMA turned into a vibrant space for “Podilskyi ShUK,” (from the word Shukaty – to look for) - a large charity fair organized to support soldiers of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. To enter the fair, visitors made a donation of any amount — all funds raised were earmarked toward purchasing ATVs for the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura.”
The Fair offered a mix of cultural activities, fundraising initiatives, and information stands.
Visitors had a chance to support military aid efforts, including the popular pink UA First Aid kits, and learn more about educational opportunities for prospective students and veterans.
With its call to “ShUKay nas!” (“Seek us out!”), the event combined community, purpose, and action — a united spirit in support of Ukraine.
