RIT Kosovo Welcomes Distinguished RIT Rochester Scholar for Research on Post-Conflict Reconstruction Prishtina, Kosovo – April 11, 2025
RIT Kosovo (A.U.K) proudly hosted Maya Sapozhnikov, an exceptional undergraduate scholar from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) main campus, for a personal research project titled “Kosovo and Ukraine: A Comparison of Conflict and Reconstruction.”
A standout student in RIT’s School of Individualized Study, Maya is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Device Design and currently holds multiple academic honors including Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar, Presidential Scholarship, and McNair Scholar. Her visit to Kosovo was driven by a personal and academic interest in conflict resolution, with a particular focus on post-war recovery through societal, military, and political lenses.
During her time at RIT Kosovo, Maya engaged closely with faculty members whose firsthand experience and expertise in the Kosovo conflict offered her unique perspectives. She immersed herself in local culture and explored the socio-political landscape of Kosovo—drawing parallels with her own background as a first-generation Ukrainian.
“My time with RITK, although short, was incredibly eye-opening. The faculty and staff gave me invaluable local insights and access to a wealth of knowledge surrounding Kosovo’s history and reconstruction efforts. As a Ukrainian, it was important for me to understand how people like myself can become involved in political sectors. This experience has made me a more informed and empathetic global citizen,” said Maya.
In addition to her academic work, Maya brings an impressive professional portfolio, having served as a Project Management Intern at ACM Global Laboratories and as a Student Researcher at RIT’s AMPrint Center, where she worked on innovations in 3D printed prosthetics. Her leadership and communication skills are further demonstrated through her work as a teaching assistant, classroom assistant, woodshop manager, and student leader at Thought at Work, a design-focused student organization.
RIT Kosovo continues to serve as a hub for global learning, cross-campus collaboration, and impactful research. Maya’s visit exemplifies the university’s commitment to providing meaningful international experiences that shape thoughtful, innovative, and globally conscious leaders.
