Ph.D. Educational Leadership & Higher Education with concentrations in Political Science and Qualitative & Quantitative Psychometric Measures, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.A. Educational Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.A. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Horlivka Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages
B.A. English, Horlivka Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages
Olena Lennon, Ph.D., is a Practitioner In Residence of National Security at the University of New Haven, where she teaches such courses as the U.S. Foreign and Defense Policy, International Relations, and Comparative Politics. An Eastern Ukraine native, she also serves as a co-editor of an online scholarly forum "Eyes on Donbas: Politics, Places, and People" at the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. Formerly a Fulbright scholar and most recently a Title VIII Scholar at Woodrow Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute in Washington, D.C., Olena has dedicated her research to domestic and international politics of Ukraine, as well as Eurasian geopolitics and security writ large.
"Russia's War Against Ukraine: A Wake-Up Call for the West," co-sponsored by Mystic & Noank Library, Otis Library & Museum, Inc, Groton Public Library, Public Library of New London, CT, and Waterford Public Library; March 24, 2022.
Lennon, Olena (March 21, 2022), "Why Putin Is Scaling Down His Political Aims while Scaling Up the Fight," Focus Ukraine,
Lennon, O., (January 12, 2022), "The Time Is Right for Ukraine to Revisit the Lessons of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War," PONARS Eurasia,
Lennon, O., (January 19, 2021), "Ukraine’s Decentralization will Empower the Center, but Not in Ways You Think," Focus Ukraine,
Lennon, O., Sotnyk, O. (June 2020), "Ukraine's Strategic Choices vis-à-vis Occupied Donbas: Striking a Balance between the Possible and the Desirable," Krytyka, Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute,
See MoreLennon, O. Book Review of Paul J. D'Anieri's "Ukraine and Russia: From Civilized Divorce to Uncivil War" Harvard Ukrainian Studies, The Journal of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University, Volume 36 (Number 3–4), 2019 (Pages 512-514). ISBN: 9781108713955
Lennon, O. (November 2019), "Why the Fight for the Hearts and Minds of People in Donbas Remains Urgent Today," Krytyka, Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute,
Lennon, O. (2019). “Six Reasons the ‘Opposition Platform’ Won in Eastern Ukraine,” Kennan Cable 45, Wilson Center, December 9, 2019,
Lennon, O., Adams, G. (2019). "All is quiet on the Russian front: ceasefires and the pursuit of legitimacy by self-proclaimed "republics" in Ukraine" Eurasian Geography and Economics, July 30, 2019. . (Peer-reviewed)
Lennon, O., Becker, A. (2019). "Belarus at a Crossroads: Will the Russia-Ukraine War Make or Break It? An analysis of Belarus’s External Orientation Following the Maidan Revolution" forthcoming in Demokratizatsiya (peer-reviewed), 27 (3), pp. 319-348. (Peer-reviewed)
Lennon, O. (2018). "Documentary review of Peter Entell’s Like Dew in the Sun," Nationalities Papers 2018, 1-2. . (Peer-reviewed)
Lennon, O. (2016). The Role of Donbas Universities in Reconciliation and Prevention of Future Conflicts in Ukraine. A policy paper written and presented as a part of the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s project "Rimlands, Buffer Zones, and Great Power Rivalry." Published by Columbia University Institute of War and Peace Studies. http://www.siwps.org/research/ukraine-between-russia-and-the-west-buffer-or-flashpoint-2/
Lennon, O. (2016). Ukraine’s Imaginary Patients: Why Health Care Reform is Long Overdue, Fair Observer, January 26, 2016.
Lennon, O., Milakovsky, B. (2015). Is Europe’s Buffer Zone in Ukraine Keeping it Safe? Fair Observer, December 4, 2015. Article named in the list of top 30 articles of 2015 (#21) on Johnson's Russia List, a project of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.
Lennon, O. (2015). Wanted: Competent Foreigners to Work for Ukrainian Government. YaleGlobal, 27 October 2015.
Lennon, O., Laskin, A. The Winners and Losers of anti-Russian Sanctions. Journal of Political Risk, 3(10), August 2015. (Peer-reviewed)
Lennon, O. (2015). No Time to Wait: Why Reconciliation in Ukraine Must (And Can) Happen Now. The National Interest, July 27, 2015.
Lennon, O. (2015). Abandoned: The Kiev Government's Isolation of Eastern Ukrainians. The National Interest, May 20, 2015.
Lennon, O. (2015). Ukrainian Politics Abroad. How the Ukrainian Diaspora Sees the Homeland. Foreign Affairs, March 17, 2015.
Kovtun, O. (2011). International student adaptation to a U.S. college: A mixed methods exploration of the impact of a specialized first-year course at a large Midwestern institution. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 48(3). DOI: 10.2202/1949-6605.6336. (Peer-reviewed)
Kovtun, O., Stick, S. (2009). Ukraine and the Bologna process: A case study of the impact of the Bologna process on Ukrainian state institutions. Higher Education in Europe, 34(1), 91-103. (Peer-reviewed)
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia, as an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine could be enforced during his visit.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses a partnership between Russia and North Korea and why the West should be concerned.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses the foreign aid package that the U.S. Senate approved for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Dr. Lennon reports soldiers in the trenches in Ukraine watched and cheered the passage.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses the funeral of Alexei Navalny and the future of the opposition against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses the two-year mark since Russia invaded Ukraine and the latest developments in the war.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, comments on Russia abducting Ukrainian children, amid the ongoing war between the two countries.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses the war between Russia and Ukraine and how other countries are positioning their political views on the situation.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, comments on the support from Ukrainians for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before and throughout the war with Russia.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security and homeland security, gives her analysis of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the United Nations General Assembly.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses the decision by the U.S. to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses a deal made with Belarus to provide a safe haven for the Wagner group, showing vulnerability in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, wrote an op-ed on the impact to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from the attack on the Nova Kakhovka dam.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, comments on why the city of Mariupol is an important strategic target for Russia as the war in Ukraine continues.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security and political science, was invited to a discussion on the war in Ukraine hosted by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and the Yale School of Management.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of political science and national security, discusses recent meetings happening around the world involving democratic and autocratic leaders, expressing concerns that some govern without checks and balances to their powers.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, was part of a panel to discuss the one-year mark of the war between Ukraine and Russia. The panel also included U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Konstantin Usov, the mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and national security, was part of a panel discussion on the first anniversary of the Russian-Ukraine war. Lennon is a Title VIII Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center's Kennan Institute in Washington, D.C.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and national security, discusses the one-year mark of the war in Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and national security, will participate in a discussion on February 24 on the one-year mark of the start of the war in Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses the importance of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s visit to the U.S.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, discusses the latest war developments in Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, talks about her family being in the annexed region of Ukraine that is now occupied by Russia.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, a practitioner in residence of national security, comments on how Russia is using cell phone companies to spread propaganda in Ukraine.
The Թ Blog
Olena Lennon, Ph.D., who hails from Eastern Ukraine, recently returned from visiting many of her family and friends in her home country. She also spent time in Poland, which has welcomed millions of refugees from Ukraine. She shares her experiences in both countries, and discusses Ukraine’s war with Russia.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science, talks about her recent trip back to Ukraine, including Kyiv, as many Ukrainians are traveling back to show their resilience.
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Dr. Olena Lennon recently visited the Republic of Korea to moderate a session at the World Emerging Security Forum, describing the experience as a remarkable opportunity to share her expertise as well as learn from prominent leaders from around the world. The experience also enabled her to engage with the country’s rich culture, including visiting the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, says now that Russians control the internet in Ukraine, it allows them to manage the spread of information and send out propaganda.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, discusses the options that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may need to consider to stop the ongoing war with Russia.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about Russia’s lack of manpower to continue on the offensive in Ukraine after suffering significant losses on the battlefield.
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Olena Lennon, Ph.D., who hails from eastern Ukraine, is dedicated to educating students and the public on the war in Ukraine. As part of a recent human rights symposium at the University of Connecticut, she explained the history of Ukraine and the genesis of the conflict.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, will give a lecture at the Mystic and Noank Library on the war in Ukraine on May 5th at 6pm.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about the murder of hundreds of civilians in Ukraine by Russian soldiers and the investigations into war crimes.
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Olena Lennon, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of political science, international affairs, and national security, hails from eastern Ukraine and has family and friends throughout the country, as well as in Russia. She discusses the history of the conflict between the two countries, her concerns for the safety of her loved ones, and what people around the world can do to support Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, says the loss of junior and high-level commanders in the Russian military may be affecting ground operations in their invasion of Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, and Adnrii Kryvoruchko '22, both natives of Ukraine, have family and friends dealing with the impact of war being waged by Russia.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, says Putin may not withstand the worsening economic hardships being experienced by Russians.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about her homeland of Ukraine and what independence means to Ukrainians.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering; Declan Hill, associate professor of investigations; Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs; David Sacco, a practitioner in residence of finance; and Howard Stoffer, professor of national security and international affairs, took part in a panel discussion on the war in Ukraine and it’s impact. The special program was part of collaboration with WFSB, with the show airing on WFSB+ and WFSB’s Facebook page.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering; Declan Hill, associate professor of investigations; Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs; David Sacco, a practitioner in residence of finance; and Howard Stoffer, professor of national security and international affairs, took part in a panel discussion on the war in Ukraine and its impact. The special program was part of collaboration with WFSB, with the show airing on WFSB+ and WFSB’s Facebook page.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks on how Putin underestimated the strength of the Ukrainian national identity.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about the latest diplomatic talks between Russia and Ukraine, with leaders meeting in Turkey.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, says the Russians have attacked civilians during a cease-fire to allow women and children to leave the city of Mariupol, Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about the latest developments in Ukraine as civilians flee the country, while Russian troops intensify bombings of residential areas.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about how Russian troops were able to take the city of Kherson and how Russia miscalculated the Ukrainian resistance they would encounter.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about the situation in Ukraine and the country’s recent application to join the European Union.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about the latest developments as Russian troops invade Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, says that Ukraine becoming more independent from Russia may have been a catalyst for Putin to invade.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, believes Putin has been obsessed with taking over Ukraine since 2014.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about the situation unfolding as Russia attacks Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, wrote a commentary, 'War Optimism in the Russia–Ukraine Conflict: A Cause for Pessimism?'
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of international affairs and political sciences, says that communications and utilities could be severed as Russia moves forward into Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of international affairs and political sciences, says Russian forces are preventing men under 50 from evacuating.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, says the movement of Russian troops being viewed in real-time shows an attack could be coming within a matter of days.
In the Media
The Center for the Study of Europe at Boston University hosted a lecture by Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and national security.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and national security, talks about the latest demands from Russian President Vladimir Putin to prevent a potential attack on Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and national security, says the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukraine border has not happened. The rhetoric is escalating, and the shelling that hit a school in eastern Ukraine was to try and provoke a response.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and national security, talks about the Russian Minister of Defense claiming a military exercise has been completed and that troops would leave the border, but this cannot be confirmed by NATO or the U.S.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and national security, participated in discussions with other experts about the heightened tension in Ukraine as Russian troops are stationed on the border.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and national security, says the Russian troops on the border of Ukraine, including units from eastern and central military districts, which, can be easily deployed by Putin.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, will be participating in a panel discussion that will examine the situation in Ukraine.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, an adjunct professor of political science and international affairs, talks about U.S. troops heading over to Eastern Europe and the continuing crisis at the border of Ukraine and Russia.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science, talks about the U.S. deploying troops to Eastern Europe but not entering Ukraine.
In the Media
The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh that began in late September 2020 and lasted 44 days generated extensive analyses among journalists, academics, politicians, and other experts, each drawing lessons for their respective fields.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct professor of political science, wrote an article comparing how Ukraine could stand up to Russian aggressors lessons learned last year from the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Թ Blog
Olena Lennon, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of political science at the University of New Haven, reflects on her trip to Armenia in June as part of an Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Election Observation Mission to observe early parliamentary elections. She discusses her role in the mission, visiting Armenia, and what she learned, as well as how she plans to draw on her experience in the classroom.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct faculty of political science, discusses the results of Ukraine's fall 2020 elections.
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Olena Lennon, adjunct faculty of political science, examines the recent electoral win of the 'Opposition Platform' in eastern Ukraine.
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Olena Lennon, adjunct faculty of political science, discusses the implications of the scandal surrounding the Trump-Zelensky phone conversation.
The Թ Blog
Get to know Olena Lennon, Ph.D., an adjunct faculty of political science whose research focuses on the fight for freedom and democracy in her home country of Ukraine. One of her most rewarding teaching experiences was taking her students to eastern Europe to give them a firsthand account of the impact of conflict.
In the Media
Olena Lennon, adjunct faculty of political science, discusses her research on the relationship between Ukrainian advocacy groups in the United States and U.S. policy makers.
The Թ Blog
Nominated by their students and colleagues, five professors have been recognized for their research, leadership, and dedication to students’ success.
In the Media
The University of New Haven hosted a concert and public forum commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Holodomor and the 5th anniversary of the Maidan Revolution of Dignity. Victor Markiw, a lecturer in music, and Olena Lennon, an adjunct faculty of political science organized the event.