“Being a part of YSU is a title and honour for me”: Lilit Shakaryan

Lilit Shakaryan talked about the role of YSU in her experiences of getting PhD and successfully lecturing at the University of Nevada. She also mentioned future plans and perspectives of cooperation between the two universities.

Science and education are fields where you learn and teach at the same time…

Having figured out academia and lecturing as my professional pathway, I set the goal to contribute to the development and improvement of the field as well as to achieve higher levels of knowledge and success, which became a stimulus to my decision to pursue a doctoral degree.

With experience in the course program development and research work from Arizona State University, cooperation with the UNR, as well as being familiar with the American educational system, I am determined to defend my PhD in the United States, more specifically at the University of Nevada. At present, my studies focus on the sub-cultural features of the Armenian community in the U.S., opportunities, challenges for adaptation of young people, and the protection of human rights.

I have received an offer from the University of Nevada to deliver lectures and conduct research work…

In parallel with the PhD program, I also teach two subjects at the Department of Human Development and Family Science: "Introduction to Educational Research" and "Research Methods".                                            

Referring to a research project, we are currently studying the “Domestic Violence” problem. As a result, a new module will be developed, which will serve as a guideline for the entire State of Nevada. Through the module, we will provide training not only to relevant specialists of state institutions but also to representatives of non-governmental organizations based in Nevada.

I will continue to contribute to the enhancement of Armenian-language literature in my field…

Up until now, I have lectured at multiple leading European universities, and I can surely state that the Armenian educational system does not inferior to the educational systems of other countries.

Speaking about the advantages of UNR, I wish to highlight its distinctive teaching methodology and the accessibility of professional literature. Concerning the latter, I myself have attempted to expand the professional literature field by authoring 2 books in Armenian. I have important projects in connection with the educational system of Armenia and YSU, one of which is my third professional book, titled Branding: Persons, Companies, Countries. The content of the book will be quite unique as it will aim at presenting Armenia’s competitiveness in the international arena. The book comprises three sections. It will begin with a personal branding concept, after which will be presented the strategy on how to brand companies. In the third section of the book, the concept of branding the country will be presented, portrayed through the example analysis of the Republic of Armenia․ 

Being a part of YSU is a title and honor for me…

YSU has a unique twofold significance for me. On the one hand, it is the education I received at YSU that set the basis for my success and achievements, on the other hand, being an academic gives me the chance to uphold the surname of my grandfather, honorary academic Hrachik Shakaryan. I strive to fulfill his cherished dreams at YSU. Sociological education shaped my unique worldview concerning society as a social system, providing an opportunity to understand and analyze the structure and functioning of that system. Being in the United States, I apply my sociological worldview in the field of my studies, as well.

Doctoral degree as an opportunity to establish cooperation between the two universities…

The formation of cooperation between Yerevan State University and the University of Nevada, Reno is one of my primary missions. We will develop a joint educational program towards which I will start to work at the beginning of the next year as this year is already full of programs.