About me
Anastasiya is a bridge-builder across cultures, languages, and educational systems. Originally from Azerbaijan, she has navigated three distinct educational environments—studying in Baku, spending seven years in China, and now pursuing her Master's in Higher Education Administration at Syracuse University, where she is expected to graduate in May 2026. Fluent in six languages, Anastasiya brings a truly global perspective to her work in student affairs and international education.
During her time at Xiamen University, Anastasiya didn't just succeed as an international student—she became a leader and advocate for others navigating similar journeys. She co-founded and served as President of the World Cultures Leadership Initiative (WCLI), a student organization that brought together over 120 members from China, Russia, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and the United States. She also worked as a Housing Student Assistant, supporting 80 first-year international students through both everyday transitions and emergency situations like typhoons. Through her work as a Student Coordinator, she advised 122 students, developed curriculum, and created the kind of support system she wished she'd had when she first arrived in an unfamiliar country.
Currently, Anastasiya serves as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of People and Culture at Syracuse University, where she coordinates community-building initiatives including the Staff Mentoring Program, Community Spotlight newsletter, and the Creating Community Retreat. Her work centers on a simple but powerful belief: inclusive communities don't happen by accident—they require intentional design, cultural humility, and genuine commitment to making everyone feel they belong.
Anastasiya remains passionate about language education, translation work, and exploring how technology—particularly AI—can be leveraged to better support international students in higher education.
Ultimately, Anastasiya is driven by her lived experience as someone who has crossed borders—linguistic, cultural, and educational—and her determination to make those crossings easier for the students who come after her.
Leadership Philosophy
My leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that true inclusion requires more than good intentions—it demands intentional design, cultural humility, and the courage to bridge divides. As someone who has navigated educational systems across three countries and seven languages, I understand that leadership means creating spaces where everyone can participate fully, regardless of their starting point.
I am committed to fostering inclusive and equitable environments in higher education. Through my work, I aim to support international student success and promote equity-minded practices within campus communities, guided by my experiences at Syracuse University. I believe that the most effective leaders are those who have stood on both sides of the experience—as learners and as facilitators, as newcomers and as guides.
My approach centers on listening deeply to understand the invisible barriers that prevent full participation, then working collaboratively to dismantle them. Whether coordinating a campus-wide retreat, matching mentors with mentees, or supporting students navigating unfamiliar systems, I lead by asking: Who is missing from this space? Whose voice hasn't been heard? What am I assuming that might exclude someone?
I value building sustainable structures over quick fixes. Inclusive communities aren't created through one-time events but through consistent practices, thoughtful relationships, and systems that honor diverse ways of learning, communicating, and contributing. My goal as a leader is not just to open doors but to ensure that once people step through, they find a environment where they truly belong.
Contact me
Location
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY, United States