Trinity University Will End Russian Program Next Year
The San Antonio institution will discontinue the language program following the retirement of its two faculty members.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Language Learning
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Trinity University will discontinue its Russian language program in the coming year following the scheduled retirement of faculty members Bruce and Masha Holl. The university is currently implementing a teach-out plan for students.
Why it matters
The decision follows a steady decline in student enrollment across the department, which university officials noted worsened significantly after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian program currently serves 15 students across five courses, with one specific class holding an enrollment of only one student. Bruce Holl has served as a faculty member for over 35 years.
The players
Trinity University
This private university is located in San Antonio and is implementing a teach-out plan for students affected by the program closure.
Bruce Holl
He has taught Russian language and literature at the university for more than 35 years.
Masha Holl
She serves as a faculty member in the university's Russian program alongside her husband.
The details
Trinity University is working with its accrediting body to manage the transition for remaining students pursuing a major or minor in the subject. The program will officially close once Bruce and Masha Holl conclude their tenures.
Timeline
The Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred in 2022.
Enrollment totaled 15 students during the fall 2026 semester.
Bruce and Masha Holl will retire in the coming year.
Culture Shift
The program closure reflects a broader trend of declining interest in Russian language studies within American higher education. This follows the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which significantly altered student perceptions and academic demand for the language.
Current students majoring or minoring in Russian must now coordinate with the university to complete their degrees under the new teach-out plan. Those hoping to study the language in the future will need to monitor university course catalogs for potential changes in availability.
The takeaway
The retirement of long-tenured faculty often serves as a catalyst for universities to reassess and consolidate underperforming academic departments. Students interested in niche language studies should prioritize programs with diverse staffing to avoid disruption.
Further reading
For additional context on academic trends, visit the Language Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trinitonian.
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