ASU became one of the first U.S. universities to join a coalition supporting education and fighting misinformation about Ukraine in late September. Ukrainian students said they are grateful for the new commitment to their culture but stressed the ways the University could continue to support them.
The Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, launched by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, began in 2024 and serves to expand the public and academic understanding of Ukrainian society and the country's ongoing war with Russia, according to ASU News.
In a written statement, a University spokesperson said the University was proud to join the coalition.
"This partnership reflects ASU's ongoing commitment to global engagement and the power of academic collaboration to strengthen international understanding," the spokesperson said.
That commitment to exploring Ukrainian culture was appreciated by students with ties to the country. At its first meeting on Oct. 10 for Fall 2025, the Ukrainian Student Association gathered to celebrate the nation's culture.
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Daria Sokolova, the association's international relationship coordinator and a sophomore studying sustainability and international relations, said the organization inspired her to share Ukrainian culture with the campus community.
Sokolova said Ukrainians face a number of misconceptions.
"A lot of people would assume that our country is really poor, and we don't have internet connection or McDonald's, which is hilarious, because our country is the second largest country in Europe," Sokolova said.
Sokolova also said she and others have had their accent mistaken for a Russian one, which can lead to confusion.
"I was accused of being Russian," Sokolova said. "For me, it was really uncomfortable, because some people didn't know the difference between them."
Darii Sokolov, the association's operational officer and a junior studying aerospace engineering, emphasized Ukraine's welcoming and hospitable culture.
"We have an open heart," Sokolov said. "We have an open mind."
Countering misinformation, one of the goals of the coalition, is an important effort, Sokolov said.
While students have appreciated the steps the University has taken to uplift Ukrainian culture, some also said there were opportunities to increase Ukrainian education in the community.
Leeza Ostapenko-Rogers, the secretary of the Ukrainian Student Association and a Ukrainian-American sophomore studying biological sciences, said there should be a focus by the University to offer more Ukrainian language classes for students. Ukrainian language courses are currently offered at the University in the summer only.
Ostapenko-Rogers said expanding the language learning program, which is offered via the Melikian Center, could allow Ukrainian-American students to reconnect with their heritage.
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However, Sokolova said the Melikian Center does do a good job of exposing the community to Ukrainian culture. A major focus of the center is research and education on Eastern Europe.
Sokolova and Ostapenko-Rogers also said a lack of information and concern about the war in Ukraine is a shortcoming at the University.
"A lot of people are disinformed, misinformed currently, or they are looking at other conflicts, like in Gaza, for instance," Sokolova said. "The focus is not on Ukraine currently, at least at ASU."
Ostapenko-Rogers said the length of the war has diminished how much people talk about Ukraine.
"When it started, people would always ask questions about it or ask me how your family is," Ostapenko-Rogers said. "Even now, years later, people don't respond the same way."
Edited by Carsten Oyer, George Headley, Tiya Talwar and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at mharr200@asu.edu.
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Megan Harris is a Public Service and Public Policy student in her debut semester with the State Press. Megan is also affiliated with the American Red Cross and ASU’s Children’s Equity Project.
