Mestenhauser Student Award

Alina Ivashchenko is an international student from Ukraine studying at the University of Minnesota Crookston majoring in Software Engineering and minoring in IT Management, Cybersecurity, and Graphic Design. Alina is the vice president of the Multicultural International Club (MIC). The purpose of the MIC is to promote cultural awareness, connect domestic students with international students, and create a community for students away from their home countries. In her role, Alina organizes campus events and volunteer opportunities. Members of the MIC collaborated with the Center for Human Environment to prepare meals from Ukraine, Bangladesh and Nepal to individuals battling addictions. Alina also helped to organize International Week, which featured a variety of cultural events creating a valuable space for students and the Crookston community to learn about different world traditions while making new connections.