UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is hosting two visiting scholars from Ukraine during the spring semester, through efforts of a University-wide task force.
Chaired by Rick Roush, dean of the college, and Roger Brindley, vice provost for Penn State Global, the task force was organized after the Russian invasion of Ukraine to organize the Penn State response to support academic partners and scientists in Ukraine.
For 30 years, the college has had a strong and productive working relationship with agriculture and universities in Ukraine. “Agriculture and rural development are important research areas and are foundational to economic growth and healthy, open and democratic societies,” said Deanna Behring, the college’s assistant dean for international programs and director of Ag Sciences Global. “That’s the philosophy behind our partnership and this visiting scholar program.”
The task force encouraged each college at Penn State to offer visiting scholar opportunities to Ukrainians who were able to leave the country. The College of Agricultural Sciences was able to select two scholars, thanks to the Woskob New Century Fund, a large, private endowment from the Woskob family of State College. The Woskob endowment covers visiting scholars’ travel and living expenses.
Lyudmyla Kuzmych is working with Andy Warner, director of the Penn State Water Consortium, and Olga Buchko is collaborating with Suzanna Windon, assistant professor of youth and adult leadership and Penn State Extension specialist.