Tetiana (Tanya) Kotelnykova, a dedicated human rights student at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS ’23), had to leave her home in Ukraine due to the 2022 Russian military invasion.Fueled by her passion for education and her personal experiences, Tanya established Mentor Ukraine in September 2022 shortly after she matriculated. This initiative aims to assist fellow Ukrainians in continuing their educational journey amidst the war. The project serves as a bridge, connecting aspirant students with global mentors who provide guidance on application processes, English proficiency, career pathways, and choices of majors. Tanya believes that education offers solace, stating, “Most of us wouldn't think of applying to college as a break, but I think for people it is, the other reality is the war.”
In addition to the academic support, the program also addresses the mental and emotional challenges young Ukrainians face. Living amidst conflict often results in psychological issues such as depression and PTSD, which can hinder their academic pursuits. Beyond Mentor Ukraine, Tanya is also deeply involved in research, focusing on the impact of Russian educational policies in occupied Eastern Ukraine since 2014. Having witnessed the ramifications of curricular changes, she advocates understanding and countering propaganda through education.
After graduating from Columbia University, Tanya entered Yale University as a student in the Fall of 2024