Beyond her teaching at AUC, Vessela led two educational development projects: one on streamlining research methods education in the Social Sciences and the other on diversifying the International Relations curriculum. Over the years, she made significant contributions to educational innovation efforts, and played an important role as coordinator in AUC’s Community Projects and Internships (CPI) programme.

Before joining AUC, Vessela earned an MA in International Relations from Sofia University in Bulgaria in 1999 and received her PhD in International Political Economy at Old Dominion University in the United States in 2010.

Vessela was not only a successful lecturer and valued tutor, she also brought valuable experience from her work with the Enlargement Directorate of the European Commission and was the author of “Oil Supply Crises: Cooperation and Discord in the West” (Lexington Books, 2012).

In every role she held, Vessela was a diligent and committed professional, a beloved colleague and a highly appreciated member of the AUC community. Her dedication to her students, her passion for education, and the way she approached each day with humour and a positive spirit made a lasting impact on our community. She will be remembered as an exceptionally kind and warm person.

After a period of illness, Vessela passed away on 23 August 2024. She leaves behind her family members, her friends, her dog, and beloved husband, Arturo.

She will be greatly missed.