UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has a long history of international research and collaboration, especially with partner institutes in Ukraine. Since the 1990s, the Woskob family of State College has supported the college’s engagement with Ukraine, most recently through the Woskob New Century Fund. Over the last 12 years, the fund has brought 25 faculty members from Ukraine to University Park.
Managed by Ag Sciences Global in the college, the Woskob International Research in Agriculture Scholar Program (WIRA) is the Woskob New Century Fund’s flagship educational exchange program. It covers visiting scholars’ travel and living expenses. The program gives Ukrainian instructors a semester-long opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise in their field by attending classes and working with the college’s faculty.
This year’s WIRA scholars are Iryna Abramova and Viktoriia Skyba.
Abramova is working with Tim Kelsey, professor of agricultural economics and associate head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, and Doug Wrenn, associate professor of environmental economics. Skyba is collaborating with Heather Karsten, associate professor of crop production, and Heather Preisendanz, professor of agricultural and biological engineering, and director of the Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science.
In Ukraine, Abramova teaches at Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, where her research focuses on international economic relations, agribusiness and sustainable rural development. She said she places great importance on topics with practical value that can support communities, entrepreneurs, students and other professionals.
During her time at Penn State, Abramova said her main goal is to expand her research. She plans to compare Ukrainian and American approaches, then identify tools that could improve agribusiness competitiveness, diversify rural economies and promote sustainable development in Ukrainian communities. Abramova said she is particularly interested in studying cooperation among universities, businesses, government institutions and communities.
Abramova said she hopes her participation in WIRA will begin long-term cooperation and support future joint educational and research projects.
“This is not only an opportunity for professional development but also a chance to gain knowledge and experience that can support Ukrainian agribusiness and rural communities,” Abramova added. “I was attracted by Penn State’s interdisciplinary approach and the opportunity to work with specialists who connect academic research with the practical challenges facing similar communities.”
Wrenn said he looks forward to working with Abramova and serving as a faculty mentor. Before Penn State, Wrenn worked for a nonprofit and lived in Ukraine and Russia. “I spent time in rural villages and farms, and I’ve been thinking a lot about my colleagues and friends in those areas,” he said. “When I had the chance to work with someone from Ukraine who is teaching and researching rural development issues, I was happy for the opportunity to serve as a mentor.”
Skyba is an associate professor at the Dmytro Motorniy Tavria State Agrotechnological University in Ukraine. Her research focuses on agroecology, water resources management and the analysis and assessment of environmental risks. She also is interested in exploring practical case studies or “science in action” to see how scientific solutions are integrated into real-world agrotechnological processes.
“I always tell my students that while people often limit their perspective to the walls of their homes or the borders of their region or country, environmental processes operate quite differently,” Skyba said. “Human activity has such a profound impact on the environment that we must respond to changes quickly and decisively today. Implementing the best practices requires gaining hands-on experience and actively exchanging information.”
Cultural exchange is deeply important to Skyba, and she said she is looking forward to getting a behind-the-scenes look at the college’s educational process. She added, “We have heard so much about interactive learning environments and innovative pedagogical practices, so this is an incredible opportunity to see this process in action while immersing myself in student life at one of America’s leading universities. It will serve as a great catalyst for updating my own academic courses, too.”
Both Skyba and Abramova said they are looking forward to improving their English proficiency and building new professional and personal connections during their stay at University Park.
Karsten and Preisendanz are enthusiastic about co-mentoring Skyba this semester and supporting her research.
“I look forward to sharing my research, mentoring and engaged scholarship approaches with Dr. Skyba while learning from her experience in Ukraine’s water resources sector,” Preisendanz said. “I hope this experience strengthens her professional network and provides new tools and collaborations she can bring home to support Ukraine’s recovery.”
Deanna Behring, the college’s assistant dean for international programs and director of Ag Science Global, emphasized the college’s long-standing partnership with Ukraine.
“We’re grateful for the generous support of the Woskob family,” she said. “WIRA has grown and changed over the years so we can continue to provide support to our colleagues in Ukraine during the war and build an alumni network to take Ukraine into the future after the war.”