Thunderbird at ASU, AUK student appointed as Ukraine’s deputy minister of education and science
Nadiia Kuzmychova, newly appointed deputy minister of education and science of Ukraine and Master of Leadership and Management program student at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University and the American University Kyiv. Courtesy photo
Nadiia Kuzmychova, a student in the Master of Leadership and Management (MLM) program at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University and the American University Kyiv (AUK), has been appointed as the deputy minister of education and science of Ukraine. In her new role, Kuzmychova will oversee the strategic direction of school education within the ministry, focusing on transformative initiatives to enhance the country’s education system.
Kuzmychova’s appointment is a proud moment not only for her but also for Thunderbird and the broader AUK community.
“Nadiia’s achievement is an inspiration to all of us. At Thunderbird, we seek to develop global leaders who can drive transformative change, and Nadiia’s role as deputy minister exemplifies this mission,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird. “Her dedication to the future of Ukrainian education will undoubtedly have a lasting impact, and we couldn’t be prouder of her success.”
Reflecting on her appointment and entering a new stage of her professional life, Kuzmychova shared in a recent post on social media, “From now on, I am part of the team of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in the status of deputy minister. This is one of the most difficult decisions. It is not about the position but about the possibility of qualitative changes in that part of education, where the foundation of knowledge, competences and values are laid, which shape the personality and prepare it for a conscious choice of the future path of life. This is a decision about the possibility of qualitative changes in the Ukrainian school. There is a lot of work and many challenges ahead. But I believe in the power of the team, the effect of synergy and that only perseverance and systematicity give a permanent result.”
Built in collaboration with Arizona State University, the city of Kyiv and Cintana Education, AUK provides Ukrainian students access to higher education grounded in U.S. academic standards. AUK students enrolled in the MLM program benefit from Thunderbird’s globally recognized curriculum, exchange opportunities and dual degrees from both AUK and ASU, positioning them as future leaders in Ukraine and beyond.
Kuzmychova enrolled in August 2022, just six months after AUK first opened its doors in February 2022 — and three weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite the challenges that followed, the school and its students persevered and celebrated as the program’s inaugural cohort of 32 students graduated in May 2024.
“Nadiia’s leadership and commitment to educational excellence reflect the resilience and determination that define the students of AUK,” said Rick Shangraw, president of Cintana Education and founding president of AUK. “Her appointment is a testament to her vision for advancing Ukraine’s education system during such a pivotal time in the nation’s history. We are proud to be a part of her journey.”
Prior to her appointment as deputy minister, Kuzmychova headed the Center for Independent Sociological Research at Zaporizhzhia National University, where she dealt with issues of academic integrity and quality of education. She has over 10 years of teaching experience and, since 2023, worked as an advisor to Mykhailo Fedorov, the deputy prime minister for innovation, education, science and technology development and minister of digital transformation of Ukraine.
Kuzmychova is also the founder of Marketing and Legal Solutions, a sociopolitical research company that provides marketing, consulting and project evaluation as well as the organization and conducting of training for corporate and private clients at the regional, national and international levels.
In 2023, she co-founded UA-Teens/Education of the Future UA to develop and implement projects in the field of innovative alternative education. The initiative's mission is to create inclusive, barrier-free spaces that foster creativity, autonomy and professional growth for teenagers and young adults. By nurturing their individuality and equipping them with unique skills, the program aims to shape a new generation of competitive professionals ready to thrive in a dynamic job market.
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