The Ukrainian Catholic University has held culminating presentations of the student leadership projects of Collegium #2 for the 2025–2026 academic year. For the second consecutive year, as part of the educational and formational program “Christian Spirituality in the Postmodern Age,” students have implemented social initiatives that serve as practical embodiments of the university’s motto: “Witness. Serve. Communicate.”
Culminating presentations for the 2025–2026 student leadership projects of Collegium #2
This year, student projects spanned several areas, including working with children, engaging with military servicemen and veterans, fostering a culture of remembrance during wartime, and providing animal shelter support.
The second year of formation at the Student Collegium is focused on action. While the first stage emphasizes building community through communications, the second stage encourages students to extend their efforts further by actively responding to societal challenges. Throughout the academic year, each wing of the Collegium implemented a unique project—resulting in six distinct initiatives, all united by a shared commitment to supporting those in need.
Sister Maria Radist, deputy director of the Collegium for the formation program, emphasizes, “These projects are not merely about providing assistance; they are, above all, about the formative experience. Students learn to interact, accept responsibility, and follow a project through from conception—developing an idea, securing resources, and establishing partnerships—to its final implementation.”
Project leads with Collegium #2 administrators and curators
These initiatives hold a significance that transcends traditional volunteering. According to Father Mykola Motruk, Director of the Collegium, the primary goal of these leadership projects is to demonstrate that service at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) is not an abstract concept:
“Through these projects, students learn to do more than simply identify a need or a problem. They enter into a relationship with specific individuals, communities, and realities—often complex or uncomfortable ones. It is within these relationships that their personal transformation begins.”
Father Motruk adds that the UCU Collegium is a place where service is not a one-time action, but a way of life:
“Our students embark on a journey: they learn to notice their neighbors, respond to their needs, and, over time, bear witness to this through their own lives. Consequently, our priority is not the number of initiatives implemented, but who the young person becomes throughout this process. We are not merely training project managers; we are forming individuals capable of dedicating their lives to serving those in need.”
A presentation to the student community during the project’s conclusion
What projects did the students implement?
In collaboration with the nonprofit organization “Shelter for Rescued Animals,” the students contributed nearly 300 hours of service, which included caring for the animals, walking them, and maintaining the facility’s living conditions.
Students walking dogs at the “Shelter for Rescued Animals”
Students also worked with children deprived of parental care or facing difficult life circumstances. One group held regular meetings with students from the “Prosvita” Lyceum, organizing 25 events, including interactive classes, educational excursions, and a visit to the Museum of Science.
Concurrently, another group of students collaborated with the “Spilnota-Ridni” (Community-Family) Small Halfway House and the Children’s Shelter of the Lviv Regional State Administration. As part of their leadership project, they organized meetings, workshops, and educational events that combined emotional support with child development initiatives.
“We are glad we undertook this journey, despite the complexity of the subject matter. It fundamentally changed our perception and worldview. In moments when we faced difficulty or when things did not go according to plan, we held fast to this idea: if we could help at least one child, our efforts were not in vain,” emphasizes Yegor Varlamov, a participant in the Collegium’s formation program and the project lead for the “Prosvita” Lyceum initiative.
Three separate projects this year addressed various dimensions of the war: interacting with veterans, overcoming social barriers, and fostering a culture of remembrance.
One such project, “Communication Without Barriers,” was implemented in collaboration with Ukraine’s first habilitation center, the Lviv Habilitation Center. Initially, the students underwent specialized training on how to communicate with veterans and provide assistance to wheelchair users—a first-time experience for most residents. Subsequently, the students organized a series of activities for veterans, ranging from communal cooking and art therapy to board games and conversation clubs. In addition, they taught classes to over 100 students in schools throughout the city and region, focusing on inclusivity, interacting with individuals managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and basic support skills.
A “Communication Without Barriers” meeting between students and veterans
The “Poruch” project (Closeby) aimed to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians through the exchange of experiences during informal meetings. Margarita Savchuk, the project leader and a participant in the Collegium Formation Program, admits that this initiative initially seemed the most daunting:
“Rehabilitation centers are in dire need of resources—not only financial, but, above all, human. They need people ready to work with veterans, build genuine connections, and sustain them. To be honest, when my group was discussing our options, the veteran project was the one I feared most and the one I least wanted us to choose. It is a highly sensitive and emotionally complex topic; one is never quite sure how to respond or how to avoid making a painful mistake. A psychologist at the rehabilitation center warned us of these challenges. Yet, looking back, I am really glad we chose this path. It is one of my greatest achievements during my time at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU).”
A training session on providing wheelchair assistance
Savchuk emphasizes that students should not hesitate to seek external support when implementing their projects: “For our informal meetings with veterans, we often sought to provide refreshments. A local pizzeria, ‘LA PIEC,’ and the snack company ‘Kabanosy’ assisted us. I encourage others to reach out to businesses for support, but you must be prepared for rejection in 90% of cases. However, that simply means you must try twice as hard to achieve your goal.”
The “Vichni” (Eternal) project team focused on honoring the memory of fallen defenders. The students organized three exhibitions in Lviv dedicated to Ukrainian artists Ihor Klymovych, Denys Kryvyi, and Nika Kozhushko, all of whom lost their lives due to Russian aggression. These events attracted at least 500 visitors. The project was implemented in collaboration with the nonprofit Foundation “Ukrainian Educational Platform,” which provided a grant for the printing and production of exhibition materials. The families of the deceased artists and the UCU Foundation in the USA also contributed to the project’s success.
An exhibition of photographs by Ihor Klymovych, part of the “Vichni” (Eternal) project
“It was deeply moving and valuable to see people attend the exhibition openings and engage with these works,” shares student Olga Shulga. “We sent photos of visitors contemplating the paintings to the families of the deceased artists, and they responded with tearful voice messages. We were even invited to speak in other cities. We intend to continue this project, as the war persists and people from all walks of life—including those in the arts—continue to make the ultimate sacrifice.”
During their project presentations, UCU students consistently emphasized that they did not view these initiatives as mere assignments. Rather, their primary goal was to ensure that children, veterans, military personnel, and their loved ones felt seen and supported, affirming that their experiences were shared and acknowledged. Moving forward, the current project coordinators are sharing their insights and advice with a group of students from Collegium #1, who will assume responsibility for these initiatives starting in September 2026.
