In Conversation with Colleen Thapalia Senior Director, International Admissions, Clarkson University – Edu Unlocked Podcast

Colleen Thapalia

Guest

Colleen Flynn Thapalia is an accomplished higher education leader and Senior Director at Clarkson University, with extensive expertise in graduate recruitment, enrollment marketing, and international education strategy. She brings more than two decades of experience advancing institutional growth, cross-cultural engagement, and student success across global contexts.
At Clarkson University, Thapalia leads initiatives to strengthen graduate enrollment through innovative recruitment strategies, data-informed marketing, and global partnerships. Her leadership emphasizes inclusive access, strategic communications, and student-centered engagement to attract diverse learners worldwide.
Prior to joining Clarkson, she served as Director of the Center for International Programs at The College of Saint Rose, where she developed a comprehensive approach to campus internationalization and expanded the college’s global footprint. Earlier, as Director of International Recruitment & Admissions, she enhanced international enrollment pipelines and implemented sustainable recruitment models.
Thapalia’s international career includes service as Academic Director in Nepal for the School for International Training (SIT) and as a United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Program Officer, where she managed development programs supporting volunteers across multiple sectors. Her early professional journey began with the Peace Corps, where she contributed to staff training, materials development, and grant writing at the National Institute for Nature Conservation and the Environment (INECN).
A skilled communicator and educator, Thapalia also served as an Adjunct Instructor in Communications at The College of Saint Rose and as a Teaching Assistant at Cornell University, teaching courses in communication research, small group dynamics, and magazine writing.
Thapalia earned her Master of Arts from Cornell University and Bachelor of Science from New York University, and holds professional certification in Executive Presence on Video Conference Calls from LinkedIn Learning.
Key Highlights:
1. Leads graduate recruitment and marketing strategy at Clarkson University.
2. Spearheaded campus-wide internationalization initiatives at The College of Saint Rose.
3. Directed international education programs in Nepal with the School for International Training.
4. Managed development programs as a UNV Program Officer with the United Nations.
5. Served as a Peace Corps Volunteer supporting education and environmental initiatives.
6. Experienced educator in communication, research, and global studies.
7. Committed to advancing cross-cultural understanding and access to international education.

Ashish Fernando

Host

Founder & CEO, EDMO
Ashish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements:
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives