The Robert A. Rothstein Prize is given annually to one or more undergraduate students who have excelled in the Russian, Eurasian, and Polish Studies (REPS) Program. Eligible students should demonstrate a sustained commitment to coursework, language acquisition, or cultural activities in the Program.
Michael Sabados
Michael Sabados is a Junior at UMass Amherst working towards a double major in Russian, Eurasian, and Polish Studies and History. He had previously been a history major before he transferred to UMass following his Freshman year, drawn in by the REPS program. He enrolled in the Polish language course and over the next two years fell in love with the Polish language and Polish Culture. In addition to Poland, he became interested in Central Asia, and took several courses that provided an opportunity to focus on Central Asia. He plans on pursuing a license to teach history and hopes to take what he learned in the REPS program and emphasize this region’s often overlooked place in history.
Joseph Fernández ’24
Joseph (Иосиф) Fernández ’24 is a registered nurse and post-baccalaureate undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. in the Russian, Eurasian, and Polish Studies (REPS) program. Inspired by the cultural parallels between his Castilian-Spanish heritage and Russian traditions, he developed a deep passion for Russian language and culture. His enthusiastic commitment to the REPS program includes active participation in the weekly Russian Samovar Club and distinguished performance at the 2025 New England Olympiada of Spoken Russian held at Harvard University, where he earned awards in both speech and poetry. In his work on a medical-surgical-telemetry hospital unit, he uses his Russian language skills to support elderly patients with cognitive decline, helping to improve communication and adherence to treatment plans. Dedicated to health promotion and culturally responsive care, he plans to attend graduate nursing school to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and serve diverse populations, including Spanish-, French-, and Russian-speaking communities.
Congratulations to both of our winners!