Meet Bohdan Andrashko

Bohdan Andrashko has come to appreciate the value of education. After starting college at 17 in Slovakia, he had to leave after a year. “It wasn’t the right time for me to focus on my education,” he recalls.  

After helping his sister and her four children move from Ukraine — his home country — to the United States, Andrashko decided to follow a few months later. After some time in Miami working for an international transfer company, he realized it was time to pursue his education, so he moved to Illinois.  

Unsure where to begin, he was driving on the highway when he saw an ECC billboard.  

“I had no idea what it was, so I googled ECC and decided that was where I was going to start,” Andrashko said. “Community colleges don’t exist in Europe, so I was so excited to [for] this opportunity.” 

His first semester began in the spring of 2025, and while taking a full course load plus some, he is on track to graduate in the spring of 2026. He left his job to focus solely on school and prioritize his coursework.  

Andrashko realized the importance of being involved on campus. He joined the student government as treasurer, the engineering club, and became a student working in the Office of Student Life.  

“As an older student, my advice to new students is to get engaged on campus through student life, clubs, and organizations. Talk to your professors, talk to your classmates. It can make your experience so much better. You never know what those connections can lead to and how they can help you grow.” 

Andrashko hopes to transfer to a university and continue studying business and finance, with dreams of living in a big city ahead of him. 

Read more about this financially savvy student below.  

What is one of your study hacks or habits? Eliminating distractions. I like to go to the library or a coffee shop. I took three classes this summer and spent the whole summer in coffee shops! I would get my favorite latte or espresso and study. No distractions, no phone, I am on do not disturb. It is me, my computer, and my coffee. That is how I keep up my GPA. 

What is something that really makes your day? Meeting new people, I am a very sociable person. I need to be around people, sharing ideas, talking about goals, and learning about people’s stories.  

What is your favorite spot on campus? Student Life, I spent a lot of time there during my spring semester. That is where I was able to meet a lot of people who are engaged, who are student leaders, very nice people who showed me around campus. Those students made my life so much better. 

What is one thing that surprised you about ECC? I didn’t have any expectations when I started, but some professors here are high-level. Every professor really pushes you to think critically and be a well-rounded person.  

Would you like to shout out to ECC staff, faculty, or peers? Dr. Catherine Matson was my psychology professor this summer. Even though it was an accelerated class, she really pushed us. It was very engaging, and we did a lot of group work. She made my summer very nice!