UGA Russian Flagship Director Wins Internationalization Award | University of Georgia News
UGA’s Victoria Hasko Honored with 2026 Richard Reiff Award for Internationalization
Victoria Hasko, the director of the University of Georgia’s highly regarded Russian Flagship Program, has been awarded the 2026 Richard Reiff Award for Campus Internationalization. The annual award, presented by the Office of Global Engagement, recognizes UGA faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to expanding global education opportunities for students. Hasko’s leadership has been instrumental in growing the Russian Flagship Program into one of the largest and most successful of its kind nationwide.
Expanding Global Competence Through Language Immersion
Since assuming the director role in 2018, Hasko has focused on broadening access to international learning experiences across various academic disciplines at UGA. Her work extends beyond traditional language instruction, emphasizing career readiness, scholarship advising, and professional development for students. The Russian Flagship Program, initially funded by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office, now serves students from over 30 different majors and minors within the university. This interdisciplinary approach highlights the program’s commitment to fostering global competence, not simply linguistic proficiency.
A Track Record of Student Success
The impact of Hasko’s leadership is evident in the achievements of the program’s alumni. Graduates have secured prestigious opportunities, including positions with national security agencies like the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of State, as well as roles in military intelligence and consulting firms. Notably, the program boasts alumni who have been awarded Rhodes Scholarships, a Truman Scholarship, Boren Awards, Fulbright grants, and the Critical Language Scholarship – demonstrating a consistent record of producing future leaders equipped for global engagement.
The Richard Reiff Award: Recognizing Commitment to Internationalization
The Richard Reiff Award specifically acknowledges faculty contributions to campus internationalization. According to Martin Kagel, UGA associate provost for global engagement, the award is a “fitting recognition of her exceptional leadership and the lasting impact the Russian Flagship Program has had on our campus.” The award underscores the university’s commitment to preparing students for a globally interconnected world.
Securing Funding and Expanding Program Reach
Hasko’s success in securing external funding has been crucial to the program’s growth. Since 2018, she has obtained 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 provides students with advanced coursework and internship opportunities in Riga, Latvia. She likewise coordinated a capstone partnership with American Councils and the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan, solidifying UGA’s position as a leading provider of Russian study abroad opportunities.
Cultivating a Vibrant Academic Community
Beyond expanding external opportunities, Hasko has also focused on enhancing the on-campus experience for students. She established a Russian Language Living-Learning Community in Rutherford Hall and increased extracurricular programming to include two weekly conversation sessions. These initiatives foster a strong sense of community among students, creating an immersive environment that extends beyond the classroom. As Hasko explained, “Our students spend time with each other in classes and in almost daily activities…They inspire each other to keep going.” This emphasis on community building is a key component of the program’s success.
What’s Next for the Russian Flagship Program?
Hasko’s dedication extends to mentoring current students, with over 90 individuals currently receiving her guidance. She also serves as chair of the national Language Flagship Directors’ Council, further demonstrating her leadership within the field. While details regarding future program expansions were not provided, the program’s continued success and Hasko’s commitment to innovation suggest a promising future for global education at UGA. More information about the Richard Reiff Award can be found at globalengagement.uga.edu/richardreiffaward, and details about the Russian Flagship Program are available at russianflagship.uga.edu.