FSU's Ukraine Task Force

Florida State University’s (FSU) Ukraine Task Force (UTF) was established in 2022 as part of the institution’s broader internationalization strategy. Ukraine was deemed as a country of particular interest because it provides members of the university community with an excellent opportunity to research a unique environment not available anywhere else. FSU students and faculty can learn about and research new and evolving emergency management strategies, education under long-term crisis situations, entrepreneurship during times of war, new applications of cutting-edge drone technology, the spread of diseases during wartime, and recovery from war and trauma. Through partnerships with Ukrainian higher education institutions, FSU can also participate in grants and applied research related to urban reconstruction, mental health, military veterans’ reintegration, therapy interventions, workforce development, and the containment of disease.  As a highly educated country in Eastern Europe with a long and impressive history of producing top scientists, Ukraine also presents FSU with an excellent opportunity to strengthen its fundamental science research in fields related to quantum, nuclear energy, superconductivity, and rare earth minerals.   

Advancing the FSU Mission

  • Two people at FSU's Mag Lab looking at a wall-size display.

    RESEARCH

    Research: by developing new research partnerships and pursuing sponsored grants and projects related to Ukraine

  • Group photo with Ukraine civil rights activist and FSU students.

    TEACHING

    Teaching: by exposing FSU students to Ukraine, its current and historic relationship to Europe and Russia, and their relevance to American security and economic interests

  • DakhaBrakha performing in Tallahassee at The Moon

    CREATIVE ENDEAVORS

    Creative Endeavors: by hosting new visiting artists that educate the public about Ukrainian music, dance, and culture

  • Group photo following a Vyshivanka Day celebration at FSU.

    SERVICE

    Community Service: by organizing public-facing events related to Ukraine and Eastern Europe, a part of the world that has garnered significant interest among the American public

Ukraine Task Force Latest News

UTF Testimonials

We want to thank you for standing with Ukraine. Of course, we all know that the US is a strong supporter of Ukraine, but we feel it here at FSU as well.

Dr. Svitlana Kretovych, Office of the President of Ukraine

As a colonel, it was completely unexpected the full range and scope of possibilities offered by FSU.

Dr. Andrii Balendr, head of the language training and testing center at Bhodan Khmelnytskyy National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine 

It is amazing that this task force exists. I never expected one of the leading U.S. universities to form a Ukrainian Task Force.

Dr. Natalia Safonova, professor of English at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University

We all know that words are cheap. So let's do something. The Ukrainian Task Force is exactly about this.

Dr. Taras Panchenko, Head of the Computer Science Department at Taras Shevchenko National University

The (UTF) is not just about support between educators. It's support between our nations. 

Dr. Hanna Shchutska, Director of the Kyiv College of Light Industry

The Ukraine Task Force is a sign we are not alone. We have allies and friends. It is an inspiration for us to keep our enthusiasm, to keep going, to keep fighting.   

Roman Dadak, Director of the Technological College of the National Forestry University

FSU's Ukraine Task Force