Dr Karolina Kołpak Named Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish-American Studies at CCSU
Central Connecticut State University has named Dr Karolina Kołpak as its new Stanislaus A Blejwas Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish American Studies.
CCSU named Dr Kołpak to the Chair after a national search, saying that,
Kołpak brings an impressive record of scholarship, teaching, research, and a commitment to an interdisciplinary and inclusive approach to Polish, Polish-American, and Polish-Jewish studies. She earned her doctorate in History from Yale University in 2024, specializing in Modern Eastern Europe and Russia. Her dissertation, A Microcosm of Civic Action: The Kolonie Letnie for Warsaw’s Frail and Impoverished Children, Christian and Jewish, 1882–1922, examined grassroots civic engagement and intercommunal cooperation in late imperial Poland. Her doctoral research was supervised by Professor Timothy Snyder.
CCSU President, Dr Zulma R. Toro,
Dr Kołpak’s appointment as the Stanislaus A. Blejwas Endowed Chair marks an exciting new chapter for Polish and Polish American Studies at Central. Her impressive body of work and commitment to inclusive research will build on the proud legacy of this program and enrich our academic community.”
Dr Kimberly Kostelis, CCSU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Kołpak to Central. Her interdisciplinary scholarship, multilingual expertise, and deep community engagement align perfectly with our mission to promote global understanding and historical awareness.”
CCSU says that, “Kołpak has taught courses in Polish and Jewish history, including an undergraduate seminar ‘The Jewish Metropolis: Warsaw Before the Holocaust’ at Yale. Her scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications, book introductions, and public commentary in both English and Polish, all with a focus on historical memory and cultural identity. Beyond academia, she has worked closely with migrant and refugee communities in Poland and has helped organize humanitarian initiatives supporting scholars at risk.”
CCSU says that, for 50 years, “the Polish Studies Program has grown into one of the most significant university-based initiatives of its kind in North America,” adding that, “The program owes its existence to the generosity of Connecticut’s Polish American community, which successfully raised significant funds that were matched by the state of Connecticut.”
The past two directors of the program were Dr Stanislaus A Blejwas (1974–2001) and Dr MBB Biskupski (2001–2024).
Editor’s note: The cover photo is courtesy of CCSU.
