By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Michelle Seniuk, APU Graduate
The geopolitical landscape has grown increasingly complex, with global tensions reaching levels not seen in decades. As nations maneuver for influence and control, the human element can become overshadowed all too easily. Yet even in times of chaos, there are individuals committed to restoring balance and who ensure people remain at the heart of every decision.
American Public University (APU) alumna Michelle Seniuk is one such person. Driven by a deep commitment to service and understanding, she dedicates her work to bridging divides, fostering connections, building communities, and improving the lives of everyone she encounters.
A Childhood Influenced by Other Cultures
Michelle grew up in Lebanon, New Hampshire, a small town located near Dartmouth College. Because of the town’s proximity to Dartmouth, she was exposed to a wide range of cultures from around the world at an early age.
“It made me very curious about the world and what else was out there. Given the size of the town, there was not much to do but wonder what else was out there,” Michelle says.
“Being raised with curiosity, the importance of education, respect, and the importance of understanding and celebrating differences are things that I am forever grateful to have been taught,” she adds.
Answering an International Calling
The year 2022 brought significant shifts to the global geopolitical landscape, with Eastern Europe absorbing much of the impact as tensions escalated. Watching these events unfold, Michelle felt an undeniable call to act.
Driven by her commitment to support those caught in the cross currents of international conflict, she sought out meaningful ways to contribute and help restore a sense of balance where it was needed most.
“I moved to Ukraine in late 2022,” Michelle explains. “Currently, I teach English. I like it for now because it is easy to schedule around university work.”
In Ukraine, Michelle is helping bridge communication between nations. This role allows time to dedicate to her career, education and family. At the same time, Michelle has pursued entrepreneurial opportunities.
“I am also registered as a private entrepreneur in Ukraine to do consulting work. My hope is that I primarily start working as a consultant on projects for non-governmental organizations or international consulting firms,” she says.
Following a Nontraditional Academic Path at APU
Before enrolling at APU, Michelle attended several traditional universities. However, the rigid structure and pace of conventional academic programs made it difficult to balance her coursework with the demands of her professional and personal lives.
Limited flexibility left few options for accelerated progress or individualized support. Over time, trying to meet her goals within an inflexible academic system led to burnout and stalled progress.
Determined to achieve her educational goals, Michelle began the search for a path to complete her undergraduate program. After diligent research, she was attracted to the flexibility of APU.
That flexibility provided an avenue for advancement leading to the completion of her bachelor’s degree in international relations and global security. With momentum from her undergraduate program, Michelle moved into the master’s degree in international relations and global security where she is currently working to complete the program’s requirements.
“I was immediately drawn to the school by the courses APU offered and the ability to complete a concentration in a bachelor’s as well as a master’s degree,” Michelle says.
She began her undergraduate program in July 2023. “I immediately loved the University and found the coursework to be wonderful. The assignments not only required academic knowledge, but they also focused on applying that knowledge to real-world situations,” Michelle notes.
Learning in a Student-Focused Environment
Higher education can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you’re juggling academic, professional, and personal responsibilities. Michelle credits much of her success to the university’s strong culture of student support. The dedication of professors and staff who consistently prioritized clarity, accessibility, and personalized guidance made a significant difference in helping her move confidently through each step of her academic journey.
“Throughout my enrollment, everyone at the University – from admissions, advising, and financial aid to professors and fellow classmates – have been amazing. I have thoroughly enjoyed every interaction with anyone from the university. It made my decision to go straight from my B.A. into my M.A. an easy choice,” she says.
“The variety of specific courses was also a major factor in drawing me to the program. For example, there was an entire course on NATO and another on logistics for UN peacekeeping operations,” she adds.
Studying in Challenging Circumstances
Like many APU students, Michelle’s academic journey is far from conventional. Balancing graduate coursework for her master’s degree while living in a country experiencing its fourth year of war requires resilience, creativity and determination.
“The war has definitely made education more difficult, though also more important. Sometimes, it requires some creative thinking and planning. During prolonged power outages, for example, completing an assignment requires a trip to a café to borrow its Wi-Fi,” Michelle says.
Michelle optimizes every moment she has to ensure all requirements for her program are met. Sometimes, that requires completing assignments in different environments.
“I use McDonald’s® in the summer. They invested in good generators that can also run the air conditioning and Wi-Fi,” she adds.
Other nights, studying takes place in even more unusual environments. “Sometimes, I read in a bomb shelter overnight because I am already awake, so I figure that I might as well get some work done.”
Advice to Students Seeking to Make a Difference
Today’s world needs compassionate individuals willing to step forward and serve communities in meaningful ways. Michelle hopes her experiences encourage others to pursue paths that align with their passions, even if those paths fall outside traditional expectations.
“Stop trying to force yourself into the standard mold. It does not have to be that way, and it can be far more beneficial to let go of standard expectations for your life and look at something different,” Michelle advises.
“Don’t be afraid to take a risk and do something a little bit insane, like moving to a war zone to work as a volunteer with little planning on what to do next. Being afraid of failure is not a reason to not try something. Lean into a bit of impulsiveness and commit to seeing it through,” she observes.
“Make connections and get involved with those around you. Both in my time working in Ukraine and in my time at APU, I have found getting involved and connecting with those around makes a big difference professionally and personally,” she says.
Building Communities Across Borders
Community building has played a central role in Michelle’s journey both internationally and within the APU community. “I have gotten job connections and built many friendships from getting involved in Ukraine through volunteering and donations.”
She has also remained actively engaged with APU through student organizations, such as the OSINT Club and the Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society.
“Becoming the webmaster for the OSINT Club and the Vice President for Sigma Iota Rho have made a big difference in feeling connected at the university as well. Getting involved in communities is something I encourage everyone to do – either at APU, in your own community, or both.”
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About the Author
John Robert Morton is a Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 16 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Our Department
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.
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