Manor College Among Higher Education Institutions in Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies
The Coalition, an effort led by Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, brings together nearly 100 universities worldwide.
Manor College, along with several higher education institutions across the United States, joined the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies after signing a Memorandum of Cooperation during a formal ceremony on September 24, 2025.
Dr. Jonathan Peri, Manor College President, signed the official memorandum, with the institution represented by Board of Trustees member Eugene Luciw at the formal ceremony in New York City.
“We are doing our part to ensure that Ukraine’s culture is preserved globally,” Dr. Peri said. “We’re joining with some of the world’s most esteemed colleges and universities, so that no matter how desperately Russia attempts to squelch Ukraine’s culture, it will live on and grow, having the opposite effect from what Putin intends.”
The Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies was launched in 2024 with support from Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine. The coalition brought together nearly 100 universities worldwide, including institutions from South Africa, Canada, Korea, Japan and the United States. Its goal is to create joint educational courses, academic exchanges and opening Ukrainian studies centers.
“In times of fakes and disinformation, in a world flooded with informational ‘fast food,’ it is extremely important to learn facts not only from online clips, but from original sources and scholarly works – carefully, deeply and thoroughly,” Zelenska said. “Like any knowledge, this enriches all participants. Those who learn more about Ukraine’s path will better understand themselves, their country and the world.”
Luciw called the event a “high honor”, praising the work of First Lady Zelenska and Manor College.
“I felt proud to know that Manor College, a proven veteran of the war against Russian propaganda and disinformation, fully deserved to be in the company of other signatories on that day such as Columbia University, University of Notre Dame, Arizona State University and the Shevchenko Scientific Society in America,” Luciw said. “Manor Belongs Here, there’s no doubt about it. Manor College can readily be at the lead of this project for the United States.”
Manor College joined the Coalition because of its current and continuing legacy of promoting Ukrainian Heritage. The institution is the only college in the United States established by an order of Ukrainian Sisters, the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great.
In 1977, Manor College established the Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center on campus in 1988 to preserve, promote and perpetuate Ukrainian culture and traditions through educational and cultural programs. Two years ago, Manor College established Project Resilience, which acquires and digitizes materials of significant historic and cultural value to Ukrainian Diaspora studies for global access to preserve, enrich and inspire future generations.
Additionally, the institution holds two Ukraine Dialogues each year. The dialogue, sponsored by the Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, brings together speakers from across the world to discuss critical political, humanitarian and social issues that face Ukraine.
The next Ukraine Dialogue takes place on November 6 and is titled, “How Ukraine’s First Lady is Bringing Ukraine’s Culture to the World Through Education.” For more information on the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, click here.
Read More
The Power of Connection: A Presidential Ambassador Finds a Rare Community at Manor College
Finishing What You Started with Michelle Traverse ’99
‘Every Smile Has a Story’: Inside a Manor College Student’s Career Switch