Victoria Hasko, director of the University of Georgia’s Russian Flagship Program, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Richard Reiff Award for Campus Internationalization. The annual award, presented by the Office of Global Engagement, honors full-time faculty for exceptional contributions to global education at UGA.
A Leader in Global Education
Hasko, who has directed the flagship program since 2018, has focused on expanding international learning opportunities for students across various disciplines. She is likewise an associate professor of applied linguistics and Slavic studies with a joint appointment in the department of Germanic and Slavic studies and the department of linguistics within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
UGA Associate Provost for Global Engagement, Martin Kagel, praised Hasko’s work, stating, “Through thoughtfully designed language instruction and distinctive opportunities abroad, Dr. Hasko has broadly advanced student success and contributed to the achievements of some of our most outstanding students.”
Program Growth and Impact
Under Hasko’s leadership, the Russian Flagship Program has grow one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind nationally. The program serves students from over 30 majors and minors and has produced alumni who have earned prestigious accolades, including two Rhodes Scholarships and a 2025 Truman Scholarship, as well as recipients of Boren awards, Fulbright grants, and the Critical Language Scholarship.
The program emphasizes intensive language instruction, weekly tutoring, and a curriculum designed for high-proficiency outcomes. It also prioritizes career readiness, scholarship advisement, and professional development, drawing students and faculty from across campus, including the School of Public and International Affairs and the Terry College of Business.
Hasko believes the program’s impact extends beyond language acquisition. “This is not just a program to study Russian,” she said. “This program fosters global competence. I sincerely believe that the students who come to us are future global leaders.”
Expanding Opportunities
Since 2018, Hasko has secured over $7 million in federal funding for global education initiatives at UGA. This funding has supported programs like the Immersion in the Russian Language, Cultures and Communities in the Baltics program, which sends students to Riga, Latvia, and a partnership with the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan. UGA has been recognized as a leading provider of Russian study abroad opportunities since 2023.
On campus, Hasko has established a Russian language Living-Learning Community and expanded extracurricular programming. Students participate in domestic trips to locations like the Kennedy Space Center and Washington, D.C.
Alumni have gone on to work with agencies including the National Security Agency, U.S. Department of War, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Richard Reiff Award recognize?
The Richard Reiff Award for Campus Internationalization recognizes full-time faculty who have made exceptional contributions to global education at the University of Georgia.
How long has Victoria Hasko directed the Russian Flagship Program?
Victoria Hasko has directed the Russian Flagship Program since 2018.
What types of students participate in the Russian Flagship Program?
The Russian Flagship Program serves students from more than 30 majors and minors.
As the Russian Flagship Program continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to notice how it adapts to changing global dynamics and continues to prepare students for leadership roles in an increasingly interconnected world.
