Three Years Later: Isenberg Reflects on UMass Amherst Partnership with Ukrainian Institution

Spring 2025 Events Feature Kyiv School of Economics President, Exchange Students

In the three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, a multi-year partnership between the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) has created robust academic collaboration, friendship—and a world of opportunity for a group of exchange students.

The schools launched their partnership in July 2022, several months after the invasion. It includes a Virtual Scholar in Residence (VSR) program and academic exchange programs that support Ukrainian scholars and students. In July 2024, KSE and UMass launched their second round of the VSR program. To date, it has sponsored 25 virtual scholars in residence, with 15 Ukrainian scholars working together on research with UMass Amherst peers in 2023-2024 and 10 new scholars in 2024-2025.

Through this initiative, students from KSE immerse themselves in Isenberg’s academic environment, gaining exposure to world-class faculty, innovative business practices, and an expansive professional network. The program also allows Isenberg students and faculty to engage with KSE, promoting cross-cultural learning and strengthening academic ties between the two institutions.

“I’m very proud of the UMass-KSE partnership. I don’t think I’ve seen any university move as fast as UMass did after the invasion to make this remarkable partnership possible,” said Operations and Information Management Professor Anna Nagurney, PhD, the Eugene M. Isenberg Chair in Integrative Studies, and co-chair of the KSE Board of Directors. “Since its inception, the exchange between UMass and KSE has provided Ukrainian students with invaluable educational experiences, helping them navigate the challenges of pursuing higher education during wartime, while enriching the Isenberg community with their perspectives and resilience.” 

A private school, KSE was established in 1996. It has tripled the student body during wartime, instituting new programs in mathematics and engineering in addition to business programs, and hosting numerous speakers—sometimes in bomb shelters.

With support from Isenberg and the UMass Amherst Office of Global Affairs, the VSR program provides a mechanism for Ukrainian scholars to continue their research despite the ongoing conflict by collaborating with research centers and faculty at UMass Amherst on scholarly topics of mutual interest.

“We are incredibly proud of our strong partnership with KSE, which not only reflects the commitment of UMass Amherst to building academic bridges with scholarly community in areas of conflict but is also one of the most productive collaborations we have undertaken,” said UMass Amherst Vice Provost for Global Affairs Kalpen Trivedi, PhD, director of the Office of Global Affairs. “The Non-Resident Scholars Program has yielded multiple publications and conference presentations in the three years we have been working with KSE and their network of academics throughout Ukraine.”

Awardees are affiliated with KSE for the duration of the program and live in Ukraine. Scholars have collaborated with the support of Isenberg school centers such as the Virtual Center for Supernetworks and the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship, along with the departments of Finance, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Management, Marketing, and Operations and Information Management. They participate in the academic life of KSE and UMass Amherst, including presenting at seminars and engaging with faculty and students. Their projects last for five months and are awarded research grants of $5,000.

“The partnership provides not only financial support and library access and resources, but also intellectual support and recognition, to show the scholars we care about them and that we know that the research they are conducting is important,” said Nagurney, director of the Virtual Center for Supernetworks, who has played a key role in establishing and fostering the UMass-KSE relationship. She also has a personal connection: Her parents fled Ukraine during World War II.

This spring, Isenberg has held events that showcase the experiences and insights of exchange students from KSE as well as a lecture by KSE President Tymofiy Mylovanov, PhD. 

Ukrainian Students Share Their Experiences

A Feb. 27, 2025, panel discussion hosted by the INFORMS Student Chapter (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences) featured KSE exchange students Asta Motrenko, Marharyta Nechytailo, Oleksandra Horusieva, and Karyna Lutsenko—all of whom achieved UMass Amherst Dean’s List honors last semester. The students shared their academic and personal experiences, shedding light on the challenges of studying during wartime and the differences between education in Ukraine and the United States. Their stories emphasized the resilience, adaptability, and ambition of Ukrainian students pursuing excellence despite adversity. 

From air raids, day-and-night bombings, disruptions to electricity and water due to missile attacks, college life in Ukraine proved difficult for the exchange students.

Horusieva, a sophomore economics major, shared her personal journey. She described the stark contrast between studying at KSE—where classes are often held in bomb shelters due to rocket attacks—and the peaceful academic environment at UMass Amherst.

“The full-scale invasion made studying difficult,” recalled Horusieva. “With constant rocket attacks, we often had blackouts, which meant no electricity, no mobile service, and barely any internet. Contacting friends or family was almost impossible unless we were in the same place. At school, we had to take lessons and tests in shelters—just basic rooms with desks, chairs, and restrooms. There were no separate rooms for different classes, so we had to deal with a lot of background noise. Air-raid alerts would sometimes wake me up at night, but after a while, I just got used to it.”

Despite the difficulties, she highlighted the strong educational foundation KSE provided and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to experience American university life. 

“I always dreamed of studying at an American university, and this exchange program gave me that chance,” said Horusieva. “At UMass, I’ve been able to explore new perspectives, meet incredible people, and experience a completely different way of learning.

“Looking ahead, I hope to maintain connections with the people I have met here, as these relationships could lead to future collaborations,” added Horusieva. “I also want to promote KSE as an institution that provides high-quality education and helps students realize their potential. In the long term, I believe KSE can play a key role in preparing future professionals—economists, engineers, and lawyers—who will contribute to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.”

Lutsenko, an economics major from Kharkiv—a front-line city that was heavily damaged by Russian missiles in the first days of the war—spoke about the devastating impact of the war on her hometown and the destruction of her family home. She reflected on the differences between KSE and UMass, particularly in terms of class sizes, student engagement, and campus life. She emphasized her appreciation for the diverse extracurricular opportunities at UMass and expressed a desire to foster similar initiatives in Ukraine. 

“Everyday life is very different here, and studying at UMass has given me invaluable experience,” Lutsenko said. “I am very grateful for this opportunity.”

Motrenko, a junior business economics major, is from Okhtyrka, in the Sumy region of Ukraine. On exchange since 2023, she explained that in her first year at KSE, she received an email offering her the chance to apply for one of the four spots in the UMass program.

“I was immediately motivated by the opportunity to share my experience of living in Ukraine—especially as someone from a city known as the ‘City of Heroes,’” said Motrenko. “I wanted to talk about our culture, current realities, and what life is truly like for Ukrainians today. At the same time, I was eager to experience real American culture, build international connections, and explore the world. I also hoped to learn valuable skills and knowledge in the U.S. that I could later apply to help Ukraine in the future.”

Daily life for her at UMass is different.

“I feel much safer here, which helps me focus on personal development and exploring new interests,” she said.

She offered a few words of advice to her fellow students: “Enjoy your life and make the most of every opportunity. Be yourself, stay genuine, and don’t be afraid to explore new things—there’s so much more out there than you might think.”

Junior business economics major Nechytailo lives in Dnipro, Ukraine. This is her fourth semester at UMass. Her reason to study in Amherst is twofold.

“First, I saw tremendous potential in this program to equip me with the skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding of Ukraine,” she said. “Second, studying in the United States has long been a personal dream of mine.”

The partnership between UMass and KSE has provided Nechytailo an incredible opportunity for both personal and professional growth over the past two years.

“I’ve had the chance to develop a wide range of skills—not only through academic coursework, but also by engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds,” she said. “These interactions have been invaluable—not just for my own development, but also for raising awareness about Ukraine and building relationships that could benefit my country in the future.

“Additionally, I’ve always envisioned visiting the U.S. as a meaningful goal, and I remain deeply grateful to both UMass and KSE for making that dream a reality,” added Nechytailo. “The joy and excitement I felt upon receiving this opportunity are difficult to describe. Since then, I’ve had the chance to explore, learn, and grow in countless ways—experiences that continue to inspire and motivate me every day.”

Nagurney shared her appreciation for those who attended the presentation.

“Many thanks to all who came to support our four outstanding exchange students from Ukraine,” she said. “Their work ethic, dedication, courage, friendliness, love for their homeland, and appreciation for all that UMass Amherst has to offer are inspiring.”

• Read more about the exchange students’ Feb. 27, 2025, presentation.

Hearing from KSE’s President

On March 7, 2025, President Mylovanov gave a talk titled, “The Future of Europe if Ukraine Loses the War.” A renowned economist featured on CNN and BBC, and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Mylovanov addressed the future of Europe if Ukraine were to lose the war. His talk, which was attended by local students, faculty, and staff, provided an analysis of geopolitical dynamics, economic repercussions, and the role of international partnerships in supporting Ukraine’s future. He cited the support of the United States as a major reason for Ukraine’s resilience. This was his third visit to campus since the 2022 invasion.

Mylovanov commented on the importance of global academic exchanges, stating, “These partnerships are crucial not only for knowledge-sharing but also for fostering international solidarity. The resilience and determination of our students show that education remains a powerful tool for rebuilding Ukraine’s future.” 

The events underscored the importance of international academic exchanges in fostering cross-cultural understanding and resilience, according to Nagurney.

“Isenberg is committed to supporting global education initiatives and providing students with the knowledge and experiences necessary to become future leaders in a rapidly changing world,” she said.

• Read more about President Mylovanov’s March 7, 2025, visit.