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The Spark is the official blog of Alfred University, created to illuminate the dynamic experiences, creative achievements, and unique perspectives of our student community. The Spark captures the essence of what it means to be a Saxon. Whether you're a prospective student dreaming of your next chapter, or a current Saxon shaping your journey, let The Spark guide you.

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How Alina Zabihailo Built Leadership, Creativity, and Community at AU

Posted By Valeriia Radko

Apr 24, 2026 | Athletics Business Current Students General Blogs Performing Arts

Alina Zabihailo, a senior from Kyiv, Ukraine, is making the most of every opportunity Alfred University has to offer. Triple majoring in Business Administration, Data Analytics, and Music, while also minoring in Marketing, Alina has built a dynamic college experience that blends leadership, creativity, and initiative, all while preparing for a future career in business.

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Choosing Alfred

Alina Zabihailo, senior at Alfred University

From the very beginning, Alfred University stood out to Alina.

"Out of all the universities I applied to, Alfred felt the most welcoming,” she said. “It was very personal. I was hearing from professors, deans, and even President Zupan. It just felt different.”

Even before arriving on campus, Alina was able to connect with faculty, staff, and coaches, which gave her confidence in her decision and created a strong foundation of support.

Originally planning to major in Communication Studies, Alina switched to Business Administration before arriving on campus after realizing how closely it aligned with her long-term goals.

“I want to own a business one day, so that became my main focus,” she explained.

Music, however, had always been a major part of her life. After taking a few classes, she decided to pursue it more seriously and added it as a second major. Later, recognizing the importance of technical skills, she expanded her studies even further by adding Data Analytics as a third major.

Creating Community

As an international student, Alina’s experience at Alfred has been shaped by both challenge and growth. Coming to campus from Ukraine without ever visiting beforehand required extensive research and a willingness to enter a new environment with an open mind. That experience inspired her to help create a supportive community for students with shared backgrounds. This motivation led her to co-found the Ukrainian Student Association, which has grown significantly since her first year.

“We started with just a few people, and now it’s a real community,” she said.

One of the group’s earliest events, "Ukraine, As It Is," was especially meaningful, showcasing Ukrainian culture through music, food, history, and traditions.

“We wanted people to see our culture, not just what they hear in the news,” Alina shared.

Throughout her time at Alfred, Alina has remained deeply involved across campus. She recently completed her four-year collegiate tennis career and currently serves as president of WALF Radio, a Student Ambassador for the Admissions Office, and secretary of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She is also a member of the Honors Program and has participated in additional organizations such as the Economics Club.

A photo of Alina Zabihailo playing tennis

A photo of Alina Zabihailo and two students during a Ukrainian Student Association meeting

One of Alina’s most meaningful accomplishments was bringing the first-ever TEDx event to Alfred University. After taking responsibility for organizing the event, she and her team spent months planning and creating every detail.

“We had been working on it since July,” she said. “Everything you saw was created by students.”

Alina selected “Finding Your Spark” as the theme, reflecting both her own journey and a message she hopes resonates with others. “It’s about discovering what drives you—or even creating that for yourself.” She credits her success to the skills she developed at Alfred, including the organizational and planning tools gained through business coursework and the confidence built through music and performance.

A photo of Alina Zabihailo onstage during TEDxAlfred University

Looking Ahead and Reflecting

Being both an athlete and a musician has played a major role in shaping Alina’s mindset. Tennis taught her discipline, time management, and resilience, while music offered a creative outlet and personal expression.

“It’s the pressure of performance,” she said. “You have to balance being focused and actually enjoying what you’re doing.”

Looking ahead, Alina plans to attend graduate school next fall and continue working toward her goal of owning a business in the educational technology field.

“I want to create opportunities for people,” she explained. “That’s what really motivates me.”

Reflecting on her time at Alfred, Alina appreciates the growth, connections, and experiences that shaped her journey.

“Alfred is what you make of it,” she said. “The more opportunities you take, the better it gets.”

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About the Writer

Meet Valeriia

Valeriia Radko is a first-year student at Alfred University from Cherkassy, Ukraine, studying psychology and marketing. As a student writer for the university’s marketing team, she develops content focused on providing helpful information for current and prospective students as well as highlighting campus life and available resources. Her interests include content marketing and media psychology, shaped by her involvement in student government and several other organizations on campus. In her free time, Valeriia enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with a good book.

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