We Remember Anastasiya Kolvakh

"She was a person of many talents and should have had a great future." These words, spoken by Olena Dmytrenko, an AUBG alumna of class 2019, capture the reality of a life lost too soon. On February 1, Anastasiya Kolvakh was killed when a Russian missile struck a residential building in Poltava, Ukraine, where she was living. She was 30 years old.

Anastasiya was more than just a student - she was a leader, a friend, and a kind soul who left a lasting impact on those who knew her. She graduated from AUBG in 2017 with a degree in Computer Science and Information Systems and she excelled in her studies. Professor Dimitar Christozov, who taught her in several courses, remembered her as “an excellent student, open, responsible, and responsive.” He said that she stood out not just for her intelligence but for her ability to bring people together. “In one of the courses she was a team leader and managed to organize the team to do an outstanding project,” said Professor Christozov.

Her academic talents were matched by her creativity. Anastasiya was part of the winning team in The Hub’s first-ever Hackathon in 2016, and for her senior project, she developed a Windows Phone mobile app for student grading as well as a 2D platform game for Android. These projects were a testament to her innovation and technical skills—proof that she was meant to create, build, and leave a mark.

But Anastasiya was not just her achievements. She was a vibrant presence and was known for her kindness and her humor. “She was very easy to talk to and always ready to help,” Olena recalled. Anastasiya was an integral part of AUBG’s Ukrainian community, always eager to help, whether by preparing food during Diversity Week, joining cultural celebrations, or being a friend when someone needed her. “Every year when we prepared for the Taste Fest, Anastasiya was eager to cook, dance, and do whatever else was necessary to represent our country,” Olena said.

Beyond her academic and cultural contributions, she was simply fun to be around. Her roommate, Gaukhar Murzagaliyeva, even after eight years remembers how Anastasiya’s dorm room was decorated with a photo of Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow and how they would play Cards Against Humanity together late into the night. "She was the type of student to pull all-nighters before exams," Gaukhar recalled. Anastasiya had a love for fantasy movies, anime, and board games, passions that brought her closer to her friends.

Anastasiya was always deeply connected to her home. She had the opportunity to leave Ukraine when the war began in 2022—her host family in the U.S., whom she had met through the FLEX exchange program, had prepared all the documents for her to move back to the States. But she chose to stay. “I'm guessing she couldn't leave her country behind,” Gaukhar said. Instead, she threw herself into helping others—volunteering, rescuing animals, and even acting in a local theater in Poltava.

Anastasiya Kolvakh was a force of nature—brilliant, compassionate, and full of life. She had so much left to give, so many dreams yet to fulfill. Her future might have been stolen by a Russian missile, but her legacy will remain in the hearts of those who knew her.

 

This article has been written by Liana Georgieva, an AUBG student. It is part of the collaboration between AUBG Daily and the Newsroom course led by Prof. Laura Kelly.