The Hellenic American University Debating Team got off to a resounding start in late May with an inaugural series of workshops led by Dr. Eric Smaw, Professor of Philosophy at Rollins College and the founder and coach of its award-winning debate team. Under Dr. Smaw’s guidance, the Rollins’ team has earned first-place finishes at regional and national competitions.

The University’s own team is an initiative of provost Dr. Themis Kaniklidou, who met Dr. Smaw while she was a visiting instructor at Rollins. In her words, “Few opportunities match this one for showing how transformative a learning experience can be. We hope that the skill of debating will add value to our students’ education and foster their critical thinking and their self-confidence.”

The four-member squad, all of whom were recommended for the team by their teachers, is made up of Or Ayash (BSPSY ’26), Jonathan Cacatian (BSI ’24), Androniki Fili (BAELL ’25), and Andriana Gounalaki (BSPSY ’24). They will be coached by Dr. Kaniklidou and Stephen Bacigal, an adjunct faculty member who serves as the University’s Director of Institutional Research and Assessment.

Dr. Smaw began by providing team members with an overview of the Rollins College team, and the body of philosophical knowledge and skills they will need to acquire as debaters. But his session also included hours of hands-on training in argumentative templates, breathing exercises, and rhetoric. Joining Dr. Smaw in the training session was a contingent of three Rollins College undergraduates, champion debaters Enrique Alberti, Elle Manino, and Jiya Manhanda. The Rollins students worked individually with each member of the Hellenic American University’s team to coach them on preparing and delivering their first opening arguments.

The team will continue to meet and train this summer as it prepares for its first debate, which will take place at the Rollins campus in Florida this November. Known as the “Great Debate Forum”, this annual event is an international cultural and debating exchange that Dr. Smaw created when he saw the potential impact that his team at Rollins could have beyond the college itself.

• View our team video

Image: Hellenic American University’s Debate Team members (from left to right), Andriana Gounalaki, Androniki Fili, Or Ayash, Jonathan Cacatian.

We’re excited to be cooperating with Arcweave, the popular browser-based collaborative platform for creating and prototyping interactive narratives, in organizing this year’s 2023 Arcjam, a game design event where competing teams and individual designers create and publish a short game in 72 hours using the platform.

The game jam will take place online between May 12–15. Prizes for winning games include Arcweave Pro subscriptions and Steam gift cards.

The event is being coordinated by Giannis Georgiou, a filmmaker, screenwriter, and story consultant who teaches in Hellenic American University’s degree programs in Informatics and serves as Narrative Director of Arcweave.

Anyone can join the jam, even if they have never used Arcweave before; it is easy to learn and there are links to YouTube tutorials and documentation on the jam’s page. Nor do participants need a paid Arcweave subscription to take part in the jam.

Just as importantly, students do not need to have a background in technology. Arcweave is above all a tool for developing interactive narratives, so anyone who has a story to tell is encouraged to take part. Participants do not need to code if they don’t want to or even use images or sounds; they can instead focus on the writing. The University is thus looking forward to having a diverse representation of students from all degree programs at the event.

More info on how the game jam works and how to sign up can be found on the jam’s page.

Image: Photo by Axville on Unsplash.

Dr. Alexander Nikolaou, adjunct faculty member in the B.A. in English Language and Literature, M.A. in Applied Linguistics, and Ph. D. in Language and Communication programs, co-delivered a presentation at the annual conference of the American Association for Applied Linguistics, which was held in Portland, Oregon March 18-21, 2023. The presentation, titled “Critical Reflections on Qualitative Research Methods in the Study of Affect in Heritage Language Maintenance”, was co-presented by Dr. Jennifer Sclafani, a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and Ms. Rosiane Barcelos de Oliveira, a doctoral candidate at the same institution. During their talk, Dr. Nikolaou and his colleagues presented insights gained from two ethnographic research studies with heritage language (HL) speakers, one a case study of language socialization in a Brazilian trilingual family, the other interviews with successful adult HL speakers of Modern Greek.

As Dr. Nikolaou points out, the study sheds light on how second-generation migrants in English speaking countries navigate their identities, particularly those with mixed cultural and linguistic backgrounds. “Our research,” he says, “focuses on how these individuals talk about language and use it to construct their identities and affiliations, as well as to negotiate their cultural and ethnic authenticity. We believe that our study provides a unique perspective on the experiences of second-generation migrants and illuminates the complex ways in which their identity is shaped.”

Image: Dr. Alexander Nikolaou’s conference presentation at the annual conference of the American Association for Applied Linguistics

The Winter 22-23 issue of Connect is now being emailed to University alumni and can be downloaded here. This issue features news about three successful events that our University hosted at its Athens campus, namely the 3rd Europe in Discourse Conference, the 1st Terra (in) Cognita International Conference: Dialogues between Greek Culture and Modern American Art and the 63rd Annual Conference of the European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA).

President Leonidas Phoebus Koskos apprises us of developments regarding our accreditation status and the launch of a new graduate certificate program in “Drug Manufacturing and Sales”.

Our Alumni Success Story features Elena Cami (BAELL ’16), who shares her experience of the BAELL program and the way it has helped her in her career. For the Faculty Spotlight, we turn to two adjunct faculty members in the IT programs, Dr. Sokratis Sofianopoulos and Mr. Spyros Christopoulos.

Finally, as always, we share news and accomplishments of our faculty and your fellow alumni, from newly published works and talks at conferences to career advancements.

Image: CONNECT ALUMNI Winter 22-23

Hellenic American University is proud to be hosting the 2023 Olympia Summer Academy at its Athens campus on July 11-14. The 2023 Olympia Summer Academy is co-organized by the Navarino Network, a public policy initiative based in Thessaloniki, Hellenic American University, the European International Studies Association, and the Institute of International Relations.

For the last 20 years, the Olympia Summer Academy has been offering an annual series of specialized courses in politics and international studies for university students from all over the world. The program is geared to undergraduate and graduate students with an excellent command of English and an academic interest in international relations. Senior high school students and young professionals are also considered for admission.

This year's program, which will be held in Athens, features three parallel courses, with sessions taught by leading scholars from Europe and the United States:

A. Global Discord and Cooperation, with:

• Kristin Fabbe, Jakurski Family Associate Professor, Harvard Business School.
• Orfeo Fioretos, Professor of Political Science, Temple University, Philadelphia.
• Dimitris Keridis, Professor of International Politics, Panteion University; Director, Olympia Summer Academy.
• Wolfango Piccoli, co-president and Director of Research, Teneo Intelligence.

B. Terrorism and Counterterrorism, with:

• Richard English, Professor of Politics and Director of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s University Belfast.
• Sofia Galani, Assistant Professor of International Law, Panteion University.
• Andreas Gofas, Professor of International Relations, Panteion University; Director, European Cultural Center of Delphi; Co-director, Olympia Summer Academy.

C. The Rise of China: Domestic and Global Perspectives, with:

• Igor Rogelja, Assistant Professor of Global Politics, University College London
• Konstantinos Tsimonis, Assistant Professor of Chinese Politics, King’s College London and Panteion University, Chinese Politics program coordinator, Institute of International Relations.

For fees and information on how to apply visit the academy’s official website.

On Tuesday, January 31st, Dr. Costas Synolakis, member of the Academy of Athens, Professor at the University of Southern California, Chairman of the Scientific Committee on Climate Change in Greece and President of the Athens College, delivered the inaugural lecture in Hellenic American University’s new Distinguished Lecture Series.

In his talk, titled "Planetary Health: The Hidden Threat" Dr. Synolakis addressed the implications that climate crisis has for the planet and humankind. He presented a series of complex global phenomena related to global warming, such as the increase in sea levels and the emergence of extreme climate events, in a way that was accessible to the general audience and underscored the urgency of addressing the threat to our planetary health. At the end of his talk, Dr. Synolakis fielded questions from University students, alumni, and faculty and other members of the audience.

The Distinguished Lecture Series brings to the Athens campus leading thinkers, researchers, and public figures from a broad spectrum of disciplines to share their insights and perspectives not only on their work but also on issues of broader social importance.

Image: Alexandra Aivalioti, Director, Communications and Public Relations, Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College-Psychico College, Leonidas Phoebus Koskos, President, Hellenic American University, Dr. Costas Synolakis, President, Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College-Psychico College, Dr. Themis Kaniklidou, Provost, Hellenic American University, Mary-Irene Triantafillou, Executive Director Of Development, Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College-Psychico College (from left to right).

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Hellenic American University is honored to welcome Professor Costas Synolakis, President of Athens College, to its Athens campus on January 31, 2023 to deliver the inaugural lecture in the University’s new Distinguished Lecture Series. Dr. Synolakis will speak on “Planetary Health: The Hidden Threat”. The event is organized by Hellenic American University/College and Hellenic American Union.

The Distinguished Lecture Series brings to the Athens campus leading thinkers, researchers, and public figures from a broad spectrum of disciplines to share their insights and perspectives on their work but also on issues of broader social importance. The series aims to enrich the student learning experience and spark debate within and beyond the university community on timely issues of social and cultural importance. In addition, an important strand in the series will feature young scholars who have made significant contributions to their profession but may not yet have gained the attention of the broader public.

Abstract of the talk:

Climate crisis can feel quite abstract, distant or overwhelming or maybe even like it is someone else’s problem, but in reality it poses a significant threat to human kind and our planet. What is the history of climate change and why should we care? The future of our planet is on the line and the natural systems, people, animals, and so much more that we care about, are at risk. As climate change crisis intensifies, people around the world are experiencing powerful and unprecedented weather phenomena such as tropical cyclones, intense rainstorms, severe droughts and extreme heat waves. Rising sea levels are flooding coastal areas, destroying homes and natural environments and threatening human and animal lives. We are all in danger and unless we act, it will all get worse.

Brief speaker bio:

Costas Emmanuel Synolakis earned a B.Sc. in Engineering and Applied Science, an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, all from the California Institute of Technology. An internationally recognized pioneer in the field of tsunami research and other natural hazards, Professor Synolakis has held professorships in engineering at the University of Southern California and the Technical University of Crete. He is a regular member of the Academy of Athens and serves currently as Secretary of the Division of Natural Sciences. In 2019, he was elected Chairman of the Scientific Committee on Climate Change in Greece, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Space Center. In July 2020, he assumed the Office of President of Athens College. A passionate educator and mentor, he has helped produce documentaries for Discovery Channel, BBC, National Geographic, History Channel and ZDF. He has received numerous distinctions in Greece and the US, including the Presidential Young Investigator Award and the International Coastal Engineering Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Useful Information

Venue: Hellenic American College, Auditorium, 2nd floor, 22 Massalias Street, Athens

Date & Time: January 31, 2023, 19:00 (Athens time)

Language: English

RSVP: Required through the EventBrite platform.

Admission: Free of charge

The event will be also delivered online through Zoom platform. For those who wish to participate online, the Zoom link and meeting ID follows:

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83158151203
Meeting ID: 831 5815 1203

Tel.: 2103680950
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reservation is required either you participate onsite or online.

The 1st Terra (in) Cognita International Conference: Dialogues between Greek Culture and Modern American Art, organized by Hellenic American University and supported by Terra Foundation for American Art, came to a successful close on November 13th, 2022.The 4-day conference brought together 40 scholars and artists from the US, Greece, and elsewhere in Europe to present their research and discuss cross-cultural influences in art, architecture, theater, cinema, literature, music, and dance.

The conference’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Sozita Goudouna, professor, curator, and founder and director of “Greece in USA,” a non-profit organization that promotes knowledge of contemporary and ancient Greek culture. Dr. Goudouna discussed the organization’s work and its role in helping Greek artists gain a voice in the U.S.

The conference featured 12 thematic panels, led by renowned scholars and artists such as Marie Koutsomallis-Moreau, Head of Collections of the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation; Dr. Thodoris Koutsogiannis, Chief Curator of the Hellenic Parliament Art Collection; Dr. Katherine Schwab, Professor of Art History in Fairfield University; and Nicholas Alexiou, Professor of Sociology at CUNY Queens College. The program of conference events included James Lane’s video exhibition “Re-Reverie”, a concert by the L’Anima String Quartet dedicated to the memory of Theodore Antoniou, and a presentation by Dr. Nina Papathanasopoulou, which explored the role of Greek myth in Martha Graham’s work and which was accompanied by a restaging of excerpts of the choreographer’s work.

In their text for the conference’s opening remarks, members of the Organizing Committee Drs. Panayotis Kalozoumis and Ermioni Karachaliou pointed out that: “the 1st Terra (in) Cognita International Conference experience shows that success is not a matter of size and resources. A small and relatively young university such as Hellenic American University can thrive through hard work and a commitment to excellence.”

For the organizing committee and the University’s executive leadership alike, the dialog and interaction that took place during the four days of the conference shed light on the terra incognita between the two cultures and opened the door to similar endeavors in the future. As University President Leonidas Phoebus Koskos notes, “Our role as an American university in Greece goes beyond offering academic programs. Enhancing cultural bonds between the U.S. and Greece is also part of our mission. The grant for organizing the conference was not awarded to Hellenic American University by chance.“

The organizing committee is eager to capitalize on the knowledge capital and potential for academic collaboration that emerged during the conference and has already begun planning a second conference.

Image on the top: Keynote Address - Dr. Kalozoumis, Dr. Goudouna, and Dr. Karachaliou

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Hellenic American University proudly hosted the 63rd Annual Conference of the European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA) on October 21-22, 2022. The hybrid event, which brought together academics and mental health professionals from around the world, was held at the University’s Athens campus and coordinated on-site by Dr. Alessandra Sax, Associate Professor of Psychology at Hellenic American University and Director of the Psychology programs and the Counseling Center.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Moving through Together: Addressing a Changing World”. The two-day event featured 40 talks, poster presentations, and panel discussions that explored international counselling and social justice issues in a wide range of counselling disciplines. The conference’s keynote address, delivered by Drs. Joshua Kreimeyer and Carol M. Smith, explored training for trauma counselling in the context of the war in Ukraine.

The University’s faculty, staff, and alumni were well-represented at the conference. Dr. Sax was joined by adjunct faculty member and coordinator of the University Counseling Center, Dr. Maria Agorastou, in a roundtable session where they presented case studies of using creative art and mindfulness in treating trauma. Aikaterini Aranitou (MSPSY ’23) presented her research on mental resilience during military service in an award-winning poster presentation, and Arthur Antonopoulos (MSPSY ‘22) delivered a talk on deciphering deception signals. Six students from the undergraduate and graduate psychology programs served as volunteers during the conference.

In the words of Dr. Sax, the 63rd EB-ACA Conference was an unqualified success: “The fruitful exchange and positive collaboration at the conference,” she says, “helped strengthen existing ties between Greece, Hellenic American University/Hellenic American College with the EB-ACA organization.”

Image: University welcomes mental health professionals from Europe and the US for 63rd EB-ACA Conference

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We are delighted to announce the launch of a new addition to Hellenic American University’s graduate programs: the M.S. in Stress and Health Management (MSSHM).

The program has been designed by Professor George P. Chrousos, one of the world’s leading experts in the biology and medicine of stress and one of the 100 most cited biomedical scientists internationally.

The MSSHM was licensed in February 2020 by the New Hampshire’s Department of Education, Division of Educator Support and Higher Education -- Higher Education Commission and is addressed to candidates who have an undergraduate degree in any subject. Psychologists, mental health counselors, life coaches, HR professionals, teachers, physicians, nurses, nutritionists, coaches, fitness trainers, wellness consultants, physical therapists and social workers are some of the professionals who can especially benefit from the program. The fact that the MSSHM is conducted exclusively in English makes it extremely useful to professionals who provide services to people of diverse population groups and nationalities and to health professionals working in tourist destinations.

The M.S. in Stress and Health Management aims to bring together students from diverse backgrounds—from teachers and mental health counselors to social workers and dieticians. The HR professional who needs to empower a team to better manage workplace stress and improve productivity. The coach who wants to help athletes build positive coping mechanisms to handle competitive stress. The physical therapist interested in expanding the range of therapeutic tools for managing pain. The structure and content of the program has been designed to use this diversity of expertise and prior education to create a stimulating learning environment for all participants.

Τhis interdisciplinary program draws on courses in the life sciences and psychology to help students build a strong understanding of the stress system and its role in health and disease. The program provides you with in-depth knowledge of the science of stress and the role of stress in chronic non-communicable and other diseases. You’ll become familiar with instruments to identify and evaluate stress. You’ll also acquire the practical skills to apply evidence-based stress management methods for individuals and groups in a variety of settings.

The MSSHM brings together core faculty of biomedical scientists and expert practitioners in clinical psychology, nutrition, psychotherapy and management. They include (in alphabetical order): Dr. Aristidis Charonis, collaborating investigator at the University Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Professor George Chrousos, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Endocrinology, Director of the Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and head of the unit on Clinical and Translational Research in Endocrinology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Dr. Evi Hatziandreou, Senior Director, Health Policy and Market Access, Dr. George Paltoglou, pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Anna Papageorgiou, nutritionist in the Department of Childhood Obesity at Mitera Hospital, Dr. Harikleia Stefanaki, pediatrician and post-doctoral researcher at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Dr. Effie Tsilibary, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Liza Varvogli, psychologist and psychotherapist.

Studying at Hellenic American College/Hellenic American University does not require the physical presence of the student in Athens or Nashua, but it allows attending courses in a hybrid class, with great interactive capabilities due to the use of the Blackboard Ultra platform.

Courses start in October and applications are open. For more information contact the Office of Admissions through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via phone at +30 2103680950.