In the first days of April, 2024, the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures had the pleasure of receiving two of our Alumni Advisory Council members - Kenneth Hensley and Natalie Mauser-Carter. 

During their visit, Natalie and Kenneth were able to meet with their former professors and introduce themselves to our graduate students. Their time here included lunch and coffee with former professors, meeting and learning about students and faculty who have arrived since they were students, as well as an evening together with the Department at the Twenty-Sixth Annual Kenneth E. Naylor Memorial Lecture. Kenneth and Natalie's visit demonstrate our commitment to fostering lifelong learning, professional, and scholarly relationships.

Kenneth  received his B.A. in Linguistics and in Russian with us in 2012, and is continuing his involvement with the Department as co-instructor with Dr. Cretu of Russian 5260 Open Source Research in the fall! 

Natalie received her B.A. in Linguistics and in Russian with us at OSU in 2009.

We love when alumni visit, not only because the experience is beneficial for those visiting in getting to meet with mentors and colleagues, but also because their insight on where the Department is and where it is going is crucial for us in continually improving our program and outreach. When alumni share how degrees at the Slavic Department impacted their careers, we are able to learn where the Department is strongest and where we can continue to develop.

We at the Slavic Department hope to continue to foster close relationships with both our undergraduate and graduate alumni. We feel that their experiences as students and as professionals demonstrate to current students what pathways are available to them in their careers. Alumni who get involved offer a unique opportunity for mentorship of our students. 

Our current alumni-related efforts include partnering with the Imagined Futures project, featuring snapshot biographies of alumni on the monitors in Hagerty Hall, on our social media, and on our website.

If you are an alumni - we would love for you to reach out! Contact Joseph Ernst.150@osu.edu to have your experience featured at the Department, or if you want to get involved in the Alumni Advisory Council.

We appreciate all the hard work done in scholarship with us, and as professionals carrying on the great legacy of the Slavic Department at OSU!