Salisbury, MD — As Salisbury University students return for the new semester this fall, the institution continues to establish and maintain educational partnerships both at home and abroad.
During the summer, SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre and Vasyl Karpush, rector at Sumy State University in Ukraine, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to build institutional relationships between the schools.
Located in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, Sumy State is less than 30 miles from the border with the Russian Federation. The region was one of the first battlegrounds in the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2022 and continues to be impacted today.
In addition to paving the way for activities including virtual guest lectures and remote student exchanges, the MOU will allow SU to provide educational support for Sumy State both during and after the conflict.
“What inspires me most about this partnership is the resilience of students and faculty who remain committed to learning, even in the face of unimaginable challenges,” said SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre. “At Salisbury University, we are honored to stand alongside Sumy State University, creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and hope through education.”
“Salisbury University’s support comes at a moment when solidarity transforms into real opportunities for our students and faculty,” said Dr. Alla Krasulia, head of Sumy State’s international relations office. “This partnership will spark virtual classrooms, joint seminars, and collaborative projects that keep the flame of learning alive today — and help us rise, like a phoenix from the ashes, to rebuild a stronger university for tomorrow.”
SU was introduced to Sumy State by Dr. Yuriy Petrushenko, a professor of economics at the Ukrainian institution. SU hosted Petrushenko as a Fulbright Foreign Scholar during the 2024-25 academic year.
During his residency at SU, Petrushenko worked with his faculty hosts, Drs. Alexander Pope (Secondary and Physical Education) and Sarah Surak (Political Science and Environmental Studies, emerita), in the University’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE).
There, he undertook projects focusing on the eventual work that will need to be done to re-build civic life in Ukraine after the war. He also lectured at local public schools and civic events on the Eastern Shore, as well as at Fulbright-sponsored events throughout the U.S.
Upon returning to Ukraine in June, Petrushenko was appointed to a national position as the head of the Fund of the President of Ukraine to Support Education, Science and Sports.
“Hosting visiting global scholars on SU’s faculty has long been a critical strategy to SU’s comprehensive global engagement,” said Dr. Brian Stiegler, SU professor of international education and director of the master’s degree in higher education leadership. “Dr. Petrushenko is the latest in a line of visiting scholars who have brought global learning to the SU community.”
SU is seeking students, faculty and staff who would like to be engaged in virtual global collaborations with the Sumy State community. For more information, contact the Janet Dudley-Eshbach Center for International Education at sucie@salisbury.edu.
Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at www.salisbury.edu.
