Ukrainian Scholar Brings Global Insights to TCC

Tulsa Community College hosted Ukrainian scholar Iryna Skorniakova for the latest installment of the International Scholar Series. The series connects students and the public with global perspectives that inspire learning and community engagement.

Tulsa Community College welcomed Ukrainian scholar Iryna Skorniakova, Ph.D., for the latest installment of the International Scholar Series, “From Kyiv to Tulsa: A Journey Across the Ocean,” held at the Thomas K. McKeon Center for Creativity on Nov. 6.

The event explored how research and data can move across borders to drive community change. Skorniakova, formerly a national economic strategist in Ukraine, now works with Tulsa-area nonprofits and civic organizations to apply digital tools and strategic frameworks to advance community impact.

“Cross-cultural exchange and lifelong learning keep societies resilient and innovative,” she said. “Exchange brings new perspectives and tested practices; continuous learning allows individuals and institutions to adapt to shocks, like wars, pandemics, or supply-chain disruptions.”

Launched in 2021 and supported by the TCC Foundation, the International Scholar Series connects Tulsa audiences with global perspectives.

“The International Scholar Series showcases the work and experiences of international scholars who bring diverse perspectives to Tulsa, emphasizing the value of intercultural exchange and lifelong learning,” said Douglas Price, Ed.D., TCC Director of Faculty Development & Global Learning.

While the program’s guests have traditionally joined virtually, Skorniakova’s visit marked its first in-person presentation by an international scholar.

Skorniakova shared with the audience how she and her family relocated from Ukraine to the U.S. in December 2022 through inTulsa Talent, an initiative backed by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Her eldest son remained in Ukraine to serve in its armed forces.

After arriving to Tulsa, Skorniakova started work for YWCA Tulsa, where she helped refugees from Ukraine and Mariupol rebuild their lives. She has become active in Tulsa civic life, volunteering with inTulsa Talent to support other international professionals as they transition to the community.

Drawing on two decades of experience in academia and government, Skorniakova discussed her work developing a macroeconomic framework to determine a country’s export potential. Her research—applied in national and regional economic policy—examined how strategy, institutions, and technology shape a country’s ability to compete in global markets.

She explained how this work can be scaled down to cities like Tulsa, where local industries and nonprofits use data and strategy to strengthen their own economic and community impact.

“Living and working in Tulsa showed me how local networks—colleges, industry clusters, and civic organizations—become entry points for global exchange,” she said. “I’ve learned that effective international collaboration is often local first: small teams, practical pilots, and trusted partners create scalable impact.”

She pointed to Tulsa’s TRAM Cluster as an example of how regional partnerships can drive innovation by turning high-level ideas into practical actions that benefit both local communities and global partners.

The International Scholar Series gives students, faculty, and community members the opportunity to engage directly with visiting scholars. Following her presentation, Skorniakova answered questions from attendees about her economic research, civic collaboration, and her transition from Kyiv to Tulsa.

Through the series, TCC continues to connect classroom and community learning with global perspectives and encourage participants to think critically about the challenges shaping today’s world.

The next International Scholar Series event is scheduled for March 5.