Thanks to a generous gift in 2003 from Stefan "Steve" and Kateryna Dwojak, the “Stefan and Kateryna Dwojak ISU-Ukraine Exchange Program” in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was established. Both Steve and Kateryna Dwojak, both originally from Ukraine, moved to the United States in 1949. It was in the early 1990s that the Dwojaks first learned about Iowa State's work in Ukraine, and through their observed impacts of these activities, they began supporting the program with donations and fund-raising efforts. Throughout their lifetimes, the Dwojaks continued to be long-time supporters of Ukraine and developed this gift to support and facilitate a robust exchange program between Ukraine and Iowa State University.
Two students from Ukraine have been recipients of the Stefan and Kateryna Dwojak Scholarship.
Questions
All questions about this program should be directed to Shelley Taylor, at 515-294-5393.
Past Exchange Program Recipient:
Inna Doroshenko
Major: Animal Products Manufacturing and Processing Technology
Degree being pursued: Undergraduate
Anticipated Graduation Date: June 2025
Home City (and/or region) and Country: Krivoy Rog, Ukraine
Iowa State University Program Dates: August - December 2023
Inna Doroshenko is a third-year undergraduate student studying animal products manufacturing and processing technology at the Faculty of Livestock Raising and Water Bioresources at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences in Kyiv, Ukraine, with an expected graduation date of June 2025.
Inna is participating in a 4-month student internship at Iowa State University under the guidance of Matt Wenger, a program specialist in the Department of Animal Science. Inna’s interest in animal science started at a young age when she would visit her grandmother’s house and help with chores around her farm, caring for an array of livestock.
During her internship, Inna has participated in lab and coursework related to animal physiology, mainly in swine production. Inna has visited the Iowa State University Meats Laboratory, where she saw a sheep’s entire animal production and processing process. Inna also visited a local veterinary clinic where she had the opportunity to see the staff working with horses, dogs, sheep, and a small cat. It was a great experience for Inna as she was able to interact with the veterinary staff and see a local operation outside of Iowa State. Inna’s favorite Iowa State class has been the dog agility class organized by the Department of Animal Science. Having a dog of her own back in Ukraine, Inna has enjoyed working with the students in the class to train the dogs in various activities, including agility training, service dog training, and behavior modification. Inna has been grateful for all of the faculty, staff and students that she has been able to meet and interact with during her time at Iowa State.
Upon completing her program in December, Inna will return to Ukraine for her undergraduate degree. Inna looks forward to utilizing the skills and knowledge learned at Iowa State University to get a job on a farm at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP).
Past Exchange Program Recipient:
Mariia Shcherbakova
Major: Livestock and Water Bioresources (Animal Science)
Degree being pursued: Undergraduate
Anticipated graduation date: June 2025
Home City (and/or region) and Country: Chernihiv, Ukraine
Iowa State University Program Dates: January - May 2023
Mariia Shcherbakova is a second-year undergraduate student studying livestock and bioresources at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences in Kyiv, Ukraine with an expected graduation date of June 2025.
Mariia participated in a 5-month student internship at Iowa State University in the Department of Animal Science under the guidance of Dr. Gail Carpenter, assistant professor of extension and outreach, and Dr. Nikki Ferwerda, Associate Teaching Professor and Equine Farm Manager. During her internship, Mariia assisted with the day-to-day operations of the Iowa State University Horse Barn including broodmare management, foaling oversight, and neonatal care. Mariia learned about the different nutrition and feeding regimens used within the facility and studied the overall history and genetics of the horses at the facility. She was also introduced to dairy farm management and farm evaluation and gained hands-on experience in calf management and health. At the completion of her program, Mariia planned to implement the skills and techniques learned while at Iowa State University on her family’s farm in Ukraine.