Ukrainian Catholic University Leader Visits Seton Hall, Expands Global Partnership

Seton Hall University recently welcomed Halyna Protsyk, Ph.D., Deputy Vice Rector for Global Outreach at Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), for a campus visit that highlighted the growing collaboration between the two Catholic institutions and their shared commitment to global engagement.
Protsyk’s visit came as part of UCU’s participation in the National Model United Nations Conference (NMUN) in New York, where a delegation of UCU students earned the Outstanding Position Paper Award in the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) committee. While in the United States, Protsyk visited Seton Hall to strengthen academic ties and explore future opportunities for collaboration.

During her time on campus, Protsyk toured facilities including the Innovation Hub, University Libraries, the Office of International Programs offices, the Center for Securities Trading and Analysis, Immaculate Conception Chapel, Recreation Center and the University Center. In the Innovation Hub, she engaged with faculty and staff on the technological resources available for innovation and experiential learning. Protsyk also visited the Walsh Gallery exhibit, Ukraine’s People Revealed, curated by Nathaniel Knight, Ph.D., who also recently had students from UCU join his course on Kyivan Rus’ and Muscovy. The visit focused on discussions centered on advancing international partnerships and student engagement.

Faculty and administrators who have been actively engaged in developing student learning opportunities attended a working lunch in President’s Hall, underscoring the partnership's collaborative, institution-wide nature. The visit was organized through the Office of the Provost, with leadership from Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., associate provost for Partnerships and Global Initiatives, in coordination with Andrew Misura, director of Media and Marketing Strategy in the Division of University Relations. Participants discussed opportunities to expand and deepen collaborative learning experiences for students, including joint coursework, virtual exchanges and other experiential global initiatives.

A central component of the visit was meeting with Courtney Smith, Ph.D., dean of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations and with diplomacy and international relations students Allison Bennett and Raymond Clerihue. Their conversation focused on shared priorities in preparing students for careers in international affairs and expanding opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions, including through Model UN.

“Learning that we have similar goals in how we prepare our students for successful careers in international affairs was the highlight of our conversation,” said Smith. “I look forward to developing future opportunities for our students to interact with each other through Model United Nations and other active learning strategies.”

Diplomacy and international relations students Allison Bennett and Raymond Clerihue also participated in the visit and spoke with Protsyk about their involvement in Seton Hall’s Model United Nations team.

“As an international relations student, the opportunity to speak with Halyna Protsyk was especially meaningful,” said Allison Bennett. “I was invited as a member of Seton Hall’s Model United Nations team while she was in New York with the Ukrainian delegation. It was fascinating to hear about her students and to see firsthand how global the Model UN experience truly is.”

Protsyk also met with Shao Chen (Johanna) Pan-Carr, director of International Student Services in the Office of International Programs, to discuss broader approaches to internationalization in higher education and the role of cross-cultural collaboration in student success.

“It is essential for Seton Hall University to engage with fellow internationalization leaders to continue building meaningful partnerships and to foster cross-cultural understanding, dialogue and solidarity grounded in the shared values of Catholic teaching, thereby realizing its global vision,” said Pan-Carr.

The visit builds on an established and growing partnership between Seton Hall and UCU, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year. The partnership has included collaborative coursework, faculty engagement and student exchange initiatives. As both institutions continue to expand their global footprint, visits like this serve as a foundation for deeper academic cooperation and shared impact.

By strengthening ties with international partners such as Ukrainian Catholic University, Seton Hall continues to advance its mission of preparing students to lead with purpose.

Categories: Faith and Service, Nation and World