8 minute read
Achievement Over Adversity
BY TRISH WIELAND
Graduating from college is certainly a significant accomplishment for anyone, but it’s even more significant if you’ve been displaced by war from your native country while trying to earn that degree.
Two young Ukrainian students, Yuliia Balan and Yana Verbova, were among May's Stetson graduates and, with brave smiles, they stand proud of what they’ve accomplished. At the same time, they wrestle — as they have throughout their time on campus — with nonstop worry about their loved ones back home.
The original goal of the Stetson Ukraine Initiative was to bring four Ukrainian undergraduate students and one Ukrainian professor to Stetson for the 2022-2023 academic year. Joining Yana and Yuliia was Genevia Gayden, the third student, and a fourth student transferred for family reasons to a college in another state for the 20232024 academic year.
The faculty member is Olena Kolupayeva, PhD, who before coming to Stetson was an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism at Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohiienko National University. Kolupayeva joined Stetson as a Visiting Teacher-Scholar through the university’s Brown Center for Faculty Innovation and Excellence, with support for the program continuing into the recently completed academic year. Kolupayeva has accepted a continuing position at Stetson in the Department of Communication and Media Studies as an assistant professor of practice in Journalism (effective August 2024).
'Make Them Feel Welcome'
Mayhill Fowler, PhD, as the only Ukrainian-speaking faculty member on campus and an expert on Ukraine, served as the students’ initial faculty adviser. Those first experiences are something she won’t soon forget.
“We met frequently, talking about academics, their families, the war, in a mix of Ukrainian and English,” remembers Fowler, associate professor of History and director of Stetson’s Program in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (SPREES). “I hope I was able to make them feel welcome and acclimated to Stetson, and I so enjoyed getting to know them.”
The students, in turn, got to know a welcoming Stetson.
“Before coming to Stetson, I was nervous about how I would feel in a new environment because I had never been to the United States,” said Balan, who received a Political Science degree at May’s Commencement ceremony.
“However, thanks to the enormous support of the organizers of the Ukrainian Initiative, including Dr. [Mayhill] Fowler, Dr. [Elizabeth] Plantan and Dr. [Martin] Blackwell, as well as international friends, faculty members and donors, I felt that I was in the right place and at the right time.”
Balan excelled while at Stetson, receiving the 2024 T. Wayne Bailey Award for Outstanding Senior Research in Political Science and being honored as an Outstanding Senior in the department. This summer, she also received a degree in International Information from the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine.
This fall, Balan will pursue a master’s degree in International Relations jointly administered by the Central European University in Vienna and Bard College in New York. “After this, I would like to apply for a PhD in political science or work at intergovernmental organizations,” Balan says.
Upon arrival, Verbova had similar mixed emotions.
“Stetson was definitely a perfect place to be, but it seemed like I was split into two worlds: leaving my fabulous country with my bosom friends and family, who undergo a lot of difficulties every single day fighting for their own life, or building my own bright future in the USA,” she says. “No matter how tough of a decision it was to me, I consciously decided to give Stetson ‘a go,’ since studying in Ukraine was barely possible at that time.
“The first week of my transition was rough because I was in a complete shock and frustration, as I worried about the safety of my loved ones left behind in Ukraine. Step by step, I was starting to get used to my independent life in the USA. Yet, I cannot be fully calm when my country is suffering. That is why I have daily FaceTime calls with my parents at least to ask them how they are doing.”
“In these times of horrific war events, there should be light at the end of the dark tunnel,” Verbova continues. “Studying at Stetson was truly my lifelong dream that came true! If fate decides that this is your turn, you should grab this chance in a heartbeat. Stetson has been the love of my heart since my first day. This small community made me feel at home, made my heart warmer and renewed my long-lost belief in a fulfilled life.”
Verbova now plans to obtain her master’s degree in Public Health, likely with a health services concentration at Brown University, thanks to a generous fellowship and internship offer.
As for post-master’s plans, she isn’t quite sure, noting, “There is a possibility I will proceed with my educational career in the PhD field, or I will be lucky enough to find a job of my dreams in the long run.”
Elizabeth Plantan, PhD, faculty co-director of the Initiative and assistant professor of Political Science, is “immensely proud” of both graduates.
“It has been an honor to be a part of their undergraduate journey,” Plantan comments. “In interacting with both students, whether in class or at community-oriented events on Ukraine, I am consistently impressed with their high level of professionalism, poise and passion for their country. I have no doubt that they have bright futures ahead of them, and that they will continue to raise awareness of the war in Ukraine and eventually play a key role in rebuilding Ukraine.”
Gayden, who plans to stay at Stetson as a junior majoring in Political Science and Global Development, must reluctantly wave goodbye to them. Each arrived on campus separately but formed close bonds as roommates, classmates and compatriots.
“I’m going to miss Yana and Yuliia,” Gayden says. “[But] I am happy to know that they are going to do well in their future academic endeavors.”
Gayden also is grateful, citing Stetson’s continued support of Ukraine, Ukrainian community members, and the Ukrainian students and professor.
“While the support of Ukraine is crucial in this time,” Gayden says, “Stetson expanded its support to directly and fully funding undergraduate students in the U.S. We hope to do everything in our power to not let that assistance go to waste.”
Stetson hopes to continue that assistance.
“In the future, we would be open to and interested in finding a way to continue or expand the Initiative,” Plantan says. “Russia’s war against Ukraine has not ended, and there continues to be a need to support Ukraine and Ukrainians. Stetson’s particular strengths, such as its SPREES Program and faculty, helped to make this Initiative a reality alongside support from the administration, staff and generous funders.”
Indeed, the Stetson Ukraine Initiative has made an impact, both on the students and their professors.
Martin Blackwell, PhD, faculty co-director and Visiting Professor of History, calls his involvement in the Initiative his “most important work as a professional over these past two years.”
“Two of our students are now graduating,” Blackwell says. “They are going to be successful professionals in the future, true, too. But knowing that they have been out there on campus and in DeLand meeting people and making friends is really what’s most important to me. They are just bright lights in difficult cloudy times for the world as a whole.”
“I adore Yuliia and Yana and have the highest hopes for them!” concludes Fowler. “I wish they could go home right away to Ukraine, but war has changed so many life paths. I hope that in 10 years, Yana is working in public health and Yuliia is crafting security policy, and they both feel like their lives are meaningful. I hope they are safe and happy.
“They have taken everything possible from these two years, and they show us how transformative Stetson can be. They showed me how great Stetson can be. I could not be prouder of them.”
