About Us
About American Councils
Founded in 1974 as an association for area and language professionals, American Councils has focused its expertise on academic exchange, professional training, distance learning, curriculum and test development, delivery of technical assistance, research, evaluation, and institution building.
Mission & History
American Councils for International Education advances scholarly research and cross-border learning through the design and implementation of educational programs that are well grounded in key world languages, cultures and regions. We contribute to the creation of new knowledge, broader professional perspectives, and personal and intellectual growth through international training, academic exchange, collaboration in educational development, and public diplomacy. With a presence in the U.S., Russia and Eurasia for nearly four decades, in addition to representation in over thirty countries across Asia, the Middle East and Southeastern Europe, American Councils strives to expand dialog among students, scholars, educators and professionals for the advancement of learning and mutual respect in the diverse communities and societies in which we work.
The Outbound Department
The Outbound Department administers overseas programs for undergraduates, graduate students, teachers and scholars in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. In addition to the Title VIII Fellowship Programs, the Outbound Department adminsters study abroad progams in Russia and Eurasia.
Outbound Staff
Liliya Kholod, Program Officer
Liliya is the point of contact for American Councils research programs. She has been working in the international education and research field for the past 9 years and has first-hand knowledge of the post-Soviet countries. Liliya holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the Institute of Social and Political Psychology, Kyiv, Ukraine. In the Outbound Office she administers Title VIII research and language trainings programs. Liliya speaks Russian and Ukrainian.
Vladka Shikova, Program Manager
Vladka received her M.A. in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a graduate student, she participated in the summer Russian Language and Area Studies Program in St. Petersburg. Vladka has been working in the Russian and Eurasian Programs office since January 2004. She administers the Eurasian Regional Language Programs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. In addition, she oversees all aspects of the Title VIII research fellowships and Outbound finances.
Michael Warchol, Communications Officer
Michael is a recent Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from eastern Ukraine, where he spent nearly three years working with small NGOs on social and education issues. Prior to his work abroad, Michael spent eight years at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts creating educational media for a wide range of local and national audiences. In the American Councils Outbound department, Michael develops pint, web, and video marketing materials, while coordinating outreach activities at universities throughout the U.S. and managing the alumni network. An avid student of life, he enjoys travel, photography, carpentry, and playing the euphonium.
