Seton Hall and Ukrainian Catholic University Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Seton Hall University and Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a partnership aimed at expanding academic collaboration, joint research and cultural exchange between the two Catholic institutions.

"This partnership opens new opportunities for collaboration that benefit students and faculty at both universities," said Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., associate provost and dean of the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies at Seton Hall. "We are excited to work with UCU to create innovative learning experiences, from joint virtual classes to faculty exchanges, that advance our shared mission in Catholic higher education and deepen our global community."

Both institutions share a commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition and to promoting human dignity, justice and solidarity. UCU, located in Lviv, part of western Ukraine, is one of the country's most selective universities and integrates Catholic values into its educational framework.

"This partnership is rooted in our shared commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition, which seeks truth through faith and reason," said Halyna Protsyk, Ph.D., deputy vice rector for Outreach and Social Engagement at Ukrainian Catholic University. "It allows us to stand together as institutions that promote human dignity, justice and solidarity. In times of hardship, this spiritual and intellectual unity becomes even more meaningful. Our recent joint online classes were a great success, showing how such cooperation can flourish even in difficult times."

Finalized in September 2025, the new agreement follows a series of successful collaborations between Seton Hall and UCU over the past year, including shared history and language classes. Students and faculty from both universities described these exchanges as enriching and transformative, broadening their worldviews and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Faculty have also connected through professional exchanges, such as a virtual professional development workshop for colleagues at UCU. Both institutions had expressed interest in expanding such opportunities, from collaborative coursework to language practice.

This growing relationship has been strengthened by individual initiatives bridging the two campuses. Andrew Misura' 13/M.B.A. '23, Seton Hall's director of Media and Marketing Strategy in the Division of University Relations and a student in the Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy program, returned to UCU's campus in Lviv this summer to teach in an English Summer School program. Misura has played an important role in strengthening the ties between Seton Hall and UCU since his volunteer teaching experience.

University officials said the formal agreement will pave the way for new joint initiatives in the coming years, including exploring collaborative online international learning (COIL) programs, faculty and student exchanges, and joint research projects. Leaders at both Seton Hall and UCU view the partnership as an opportunity to serve the global common good by providing students with transformative international learning experiences.

Categories: Education, Faith and Service, Nation and World