Today marks the first day of the rest of the Spring semester after a refreshing Spring break here at UMass. Before the break, the Operations and Information Management (OIM) Department hosted an exceptional guest speaker, Dr. Yossi Sheffi, whose lecture left us both inspired and provoked to think deeply about sustainability in business. His talk, part of the OIM Distinguished Speaker Series, offered valuable insights that resonate with students, faculty, and professionals alike.
Dr. Yossi Sheffi is the Elisha Gray II Professor of Engineering Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a globally recognized expert in supply chain management and logistics. He is the founder and director of the renowned MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL), which houses the prestigious Supply Chain Management master’s program. Dr. Sheffi was named the #1 Influencer in Supply Chain Management by Supply Chain magazine, and his thought leadership continues to guide businesses in addressing sustainability, resilience, and risk management challenges. On Tuesday, March 11, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., he spoke to the Isenberg community in Campus Center Rooms 165-169 about a critical question: When to Embrace Sustainability in Business? His lecture, followed by a Q&A session, drew from his influential book, Balancing Green: When to Embrace Sustainability in a Business (and When Not To).
Dr. Sheffi challenged conventional wisdom, urging us to look beyond surface-level sustainability efforts and consider the complexities of supply chains. He illustrated this with the example of a banana’s life cycle, tracing its emissions from farm to port to consumer, highlighting how location and transportation can drastically alter its environmental footprint. His perspective sparked lively debate during the Q&A.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Professor Senay Solak, John F. Smith Memorial Professor and Department Chair of Operations & Information Management, for his support in making this event possible. A special thank you goes to Professor Arzum Akkas for inviting Dr. Sheffi, and, of course, we’re immensely grateful to Dr. Yossi Sheffi for sharing his expertise and sparking meaningful dialogue. You can also read an article on Professor Anna Nagurney’s website about her visit and talk at CTL, where she crossed paths with Dr. Sheffi.
The UMass INFORMS Student Chapter is excited about our upcoming events and news for the rest of the Spring semester. Stay tuned to our blog posts for more updates!
On Friday, March 7, 2025, the University of Massachusetts Amherst had the privilege of hosting Dr. Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), for a thought-provoking talk hosted by the Office of Global Affairs and the UMass INFORMS Student Chapter. Dr. Mylovanov, a former Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Agriculture, and Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, shared his insights on leading KSE during wartime, the resilience of Ukraine, and the broader implications for Europe and the United States. His visit underscored the growing partnership between UMass Amherst and KSE, a collaboration that continues to support scholars, students, and research amid Ukraine’s ongoing challenges.
A Warm Welcome and Engaging Pre-Talk Chat
The day began with a friendly gathering in Isenberg Room 111, where faculty, PhD students, and KSE exchange students gathered. Dr. Mylovanov and Professor Anna Nagurney, the Eugene M. Isenberg Chair in Integrative Studies and Director of the Virtual Center for Supernetworks, joined the group after lunch to host the session. Participants included Dr. Senay Solak, John F. Smith Memorial Professor and Department Chair of Operations and Information Management; Dr. Bogdan Prokopovych, Senior Lecturer in Management; PhD candidate Dana Hassani; and PhD students Samira Samadi, Yongdong Chen, and Ismael M. Pour. Joining them were KSE exchange students Asta Motrenko, Karyna Lutsenko, and Oleksandra Horusieva, who are currently studying at UMass Amherst as part of the partnership. The group enjoyed a lively discussion before escorting Dr. Mylovanov to the Integrated Applied Life Sciences Conference Center (Room S330-S340) for his presentation.
The Talk: “Future of Europe if Ukraine Loses”
From 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST, Dr. Mylovanov delivered an engaging presentation introduced by Professor Anna Nagurney. Professor Nagurney, who also serves as Co-Chair of the KSE Board of Directors, praised Dr. Mylovanov for his tremendous work leading KSE in wartime, tripling student enrollment, launching new master’s programs, and hosting global speakers despite the conflict.
Kalpen Trivedi, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Director of the Office of Global Affairs, reflected on the partnership’s potential, expressing openness to further collaboration and new ideas to strengthen ties between UMass and KSE. Kalpen Trivedi then offered welcoming remarks and presented Dr. Mylovanov with a gift on behalf of UMass Amherst.
The talk, titled “Future of Europe if Ukraine Loses,” explored the stakes of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its potential ripple effects across the continent and beyond. Dr. Mylovanov highlighted Ukraine’s resilience, and emphasized KSE’s role as a hub of education and research, with its Institute producing studies widely cited by global media. Shifting to a broader view, he addressed the uncertainty facing Europe and the world: “Four, six weeks ago, this scenario seemed extreme, but you see how things have evolved in four, six weeks and at this rate of uncertainty anything can happen.” Reflecting on Europe’s role, he noted, “It does provide a nice angle, as a counterfactual, of what would happen to Europe and what is at stake for Europe in the current situation.” His talk offered a framework for understanding these complex issues, blending data, personal experience, and a call to consider the global implications.
Q&A and Reception
The lecture was followed by an engaging Q&A session, during which attendees had the opportunity to ask insightful questions. Topics discussed included the role of technological innovations in warfare, geopolitical alliances, Europe’s strategic choices, and the critical role universities can play in supporting Ukraine through research partnerships and scholarly exchanges.
The event concluded with a reception from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Room S320, where warm conversations flowed alongside food and drink. Faculty, students, and guests reflected on the talk, strengthening ties between UMass Amherst and KSE.
Since March 2022, UMass Amherst and KSE have collaborated to support Ukrainian scholars and students affected by the war through a highly original model. This includes a virtual scholar program, on-campus residencies, and hosting exchange students like Asta, Marharyta, Karyna, and Oleksandra, helping reduce brain drain and fostering research collaborations that have led to joint publications and symposia.
Dr. Mylovanov’s visit was a testament to his leadership—not just of KSE, but as a voice for Ukraine on the global stage. As he navigates wartime challenges, Dr. Mylovanov remains driven by a clear purpose. “We all will die, so we need to identify what will be our legacy,” he said during a prior visit—a sentiment that resonates as he builds KSE into a beacon of resilience and hope.
Thank You
Our heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Tymofiy Mylovanov for his inspiring visit and to the Office of Global Affairs—Kalpen Trivedi, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Director; Kimberly Stender, Senior Administrative Coordinator to the Vice Provost for Global Affairs; Eric Wirth, Manager of Global Partnerships; and Kenneth Reade, Executive Director of Immigration Services—for their support. Special gratitude to Professor Anna Nagurney, our UMass INFORMS Student Chapter faculty advisor, and to UMass Amherst and everyone who made this event possible.
On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the UMass INFORMS Student Chapter hosted a panel discussion in Isenberg School of Management Room 210 to mark over three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The event celebrated the ongoing partnership between UMass Amherst and the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), featuring Professors Anna Nagurney and Bogdan Prokopovych alongside four remarkable exchange students from Ukraine: Asta Motrenko, Marharyta Nechytailo, Oleksandra Horusieva, and Karyna Lutsenko.
The event kicked off with Professor Nagurney sharing highlights of the UMass Amherst–KSE partnership, which began swiftly after the invasion in March 2022. This collaboration, has enabled student exchanges to support Ukrainian academia amidst wartime challenges. Professor Nagurney praised the rapid response of UMass leadership, including the Office of Global Affairs, and noted KSE’s incredible growth—tripling its student body despite the ongoing war.
The spotlight then turned to the exchange students, who shared their personal stories and perspectives. Asta, Marharyta, Oleksandra, and Karyna, reflected on the challenges they faced in Ukraine—power outages, water shortages, and studying in bomb shelters—while expressing gratitude for KSE’s resilience and support. Their transition to UMass Amherst brought a mix of relief and new experiences, from navigating an expansive campus to enjoying the diversity of dining hall food (though they still crave Ukrainian borscht!).
Moderated by Professors Nagurney and Prokopovych, the panel tackled questions about differences in education and daily life between KSE and UMass. The students highlighted smaller, discussion-based classes at KSE versus the larger, theory-heavy lectures at UMass, appreciating the independent learning opportunities here. They were surprised by the scale of UMass—its massive campus, diverse student body, and endless events—describing it as a vibrant, supportive community that reminded them of both the challenges and joys of student life.
The audience, including representatives from the Office of Global Affairs and the INFORMS Chapter officers, engaged eagerly in a Q&A session. Questions ranged from favorite UMass experiences (like exploring Amherst’s downtown or attending basketball games) to plans for Ukraine’s future. The students expressed a strong desire to leverage their education for recovery efforts—whether through research, or fostering international connections to rebuild their homeland.
A special moment came with the exciting news of the President of KSE, Dr. Tymofiy Mylovanov, revisiting UMass Amherst. He will deliver a talk titled “The Future of Europe if Ukraine Loses” on March 7, 2025. The event is scheduled for 3:00 PM in the Integrated Applied Life Sciences Conference Center, Room S330-S340. It will be followed by a reception from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Room S320.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Asta, Marharyta, Oleksandra, and Karyna for their inspiring participation, as well as to Professors Anna Nagurney and Bogdan Prokopovych for their insightful moderation. Special appreciation goes to the Office of Global Affairs, the Isenberg School of Management, the Operations and Information Management Department, and other UMass supporters for making this event a success.
Last year, we also hosted an event featuring exchange students in a panel discussion titled Higher Education in the US and Ukraine. The event explored the challenges and opportunities of studying abroad and emphasized the importance of academic collaboration between the US and Ukraine. You can revisit our blog post about that event here:
For more details on KSE President Dr. Mylovanov’s upcoming talk or to stay updated on future INFORMS events, check our blog posts, along with the UMass and Isenberg event pages. Keep following us for more coverage of the Chapter’s exciting initiatives!
