Baruch Graduate Student Selected for Rockefeller Institute’s Fellowship on Immigrant Integration

Baruch Graduate Student Selected for Rockefeller Institute's Fellowship on Immigrant Integration

January 23, 2026

Yuri Lyashenko, a graduate student from Baruch College's Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, has been selected for the highly competitive Fellowship on Immigrant Integration, a research-focused program run by the Rockefeller Institute of Government.

Lyashenko (MPA '26) is among eight emerging researchers from SUNY and CUNY colleges, as well as Columbia University, who will be responsible for developing evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes for foreign-born residents in New York and beyond.

Born in Ukraine, Lyashenko applied for the fellowship with the Institute on Immigrant Integration Research and Policy (IIIRP) due to a deeply personal motivation.

"As an immigrant, I have seen how policy decisions directly affect integration, opportunity, and social trust," he explained. "This fellowship felt like a rare chance to connect research with real policy impact at the state level."

Baruch President S. David Wu said Lyashenko embodies the College's mission of delivering a high-impact education that prepares students to drive positive change in a diverse society.

"At Baruch College, we believe that academic excellence has its highest purpose when it is applied to the pressing challenges facing our city and communities," said President Wu in an IIIRP announcement.

"The selection of Yuri Lyashenko for this fellowship reflects our deep commitment to preparing innovative and skilled leaders who can help shape policy solutions with meaningful societal impact. We appreciate that the Institute on Immigrant Integration Research and Policy has created pathways for our students to contribute to their important mission."

Real-World Impact

Through the fellowship, graduate students will conduct research on the economic, social, and civic dimensions of immigrant integration, with a focus on examining successful models for building inclusive communities.

Fellows receive a $6,000 stipend and will work virtually for 20 hours per week. Their tasks will include data collection, produce policy briefs, and organize education programs to disseminate research findings and best practices to strengthen integration pathways for immigrants.

Public Administration and Foreign Affairs Leader

Lyashenko brings extensive experience as a public service professional and policy researcher. Before coming to the United States, Lyashenko led Kyiv's public television network and managed the city's Covid-19 Remote Learning Initiative.

At Baruch, he participated in the Marxe School's Washington Semester Fellowship in Fall 2024. While in Washington D.C., he also served as a fellow at the National Democratic Institute researching participatory democracy and inclusion.

Lyashenko, who already holds a PhD in political science from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, said pursuing his master's degree at Baruch has "sharpened my policy analysis skills while staying grounded in real-world problems."

Looking ahead, Lyashenko hopes to advance policies that promote civic participation and belonging for newcomers.

"I am excited to deepen my understanding of evidence-based immigrant integration policy and how research translates into concrete policy decisions," Lyashenko said. "My career goal is to work at the intersection of policy research and public service. This Fellowship gives me the tools, network, and hands-on experience to move in that direction."

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