The Center for Slavic and East European Studies (CSEES) welcomed Senator Sherrod Brown as a keynote speaker to commemorate its 45^th anniversary. Brown received his BA in Russian Studies from Yale University in addition to an MA in Education and MPA from Ohio State. Yana Hashamova, Associate Professor of the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures, and Director of the CSEES, said, “We have reached a milestone. The support of the university and the United States government has helped us to deliver a top-ranking program that has amassed national and international recognition."

Founded in 1965 by Professor Leon Twarog, the CSEES is one of sixteen Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Title VI Programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education nationwide. With government support, the center offers extraordinary graduate programs that train the next generation of critical language speakers and regional experts. The Center has increased the pool of American experts with knowledge of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia by graduating 105 students from its master’s program since 1990. “We offer an interdisciplinary course of study, combining political science, sociology, law, literature, film, history, and art.” added Lance Erickson, Assistant Director of the Center.

Each year, the CSEES awards Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Students, at all levels and in any department, who are pursuing a course of study that requires advanced foreign language and area studies training are eligible to apply. The center awards $349,500 annually in FLAS grants.

The CSEES complements its academic agenda with a myriad of outreach opportunities with local businesses, local schools, community organizations, K-12 teachers, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Columbus Council on World Affairs and Columbus International Programs. Students who pursue the MA in Slavic and East European Studies are prepared for professional careers in non-profit or private industry, government agencies, and often find work internationally in banking, education, and business.  Erickson said, “It is rewarding to see that more and more students are beginning to realize the value in knowing a critical language. These students are finding themselves in high demand to solve problems and work with communities.”

In the past three years the Center has placed nine students in internships or careers with government agencies.