In Conversation with Steven Boyd, Dean of Enrollment Management & Student Life, HJI International Graduate School – Edu Unlocked Podcast

Steven Boyd

Guest

Steven Boyd is an accomplished higher education leader with over two decades of experience in strategic enrollment management, international recruitment, and student success initiatives across the U.S. and abroad. As Dean of Enrollment Management & Student Life at HJI, he oversees domestic and international recruitment, marketing, admissions, and student engagement—driving institutional growth and advancing access to quality education for diverse learners worldwide.
Before joining HJI, Boyd held senior leadership positions including Executive Director of Graduate and International Admissions at the University of New Haven and Director of International Admissions at the University of Bridgeport. Under his leadership, the University of Bridgeport rose to #1 in New England, #2 in the Northeast, and #7 nationally for international student enrollment among master’s-level institutions—a testament to his strategic vision and data-driven approach.
Boyd’s career is defined by his commitment to building globally engaged institutions through innovative marketing, collaborative partnerships, and a strong student-centered philosophy. He has traveled extensively to over 60 countries to develop and strengthen international student markets, agent partnerships, and educational collaborations. Fluent in Spanish, he brings a deep cross-cultural perspective to his leadership and communication style.
Prior to his work in higher education, Boyd and his family lived in Latin America for 20 years, where he served as a missionary, educator, simultaneous interpreter, and international conference organizer. This global experience continues to inform his holistic approach to student development and institutional strategy.
Boyd holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Kansas, an M.B.A. in Marketing, and a Certificate in Unification Leadership from HJI.
He is a Past President of the Association of International Enrollment Management (AIRC), former member of its Board of Directors, and has served as President-Elect and Chair of the AIRC Annual Conference. Additionally, he sits on the Board of Advisors for Keystone Education Group and the Advisory Board for the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
A frequent presenter at NAFSA, EducationUSA Forum, NACUBO, ICEF, EnglishUSA, and AIRC, Boyd is recognized globally for his expertise in strategic recruitment planning, data-informed enrollment strategies, and international market development.
Key Achievements:
1. Led the University of Bridgeport to record-breaking international student enrollment rankings.
2. Developed and managed a global agent network spanning 60+ countries.
3. Spearheaded strategic marketing and recruitment campaigns across multiple continents.
4. Served as President and Board Member of AIRC, advancing international enrollment standards.
5. Presented at leading conferences on enrollment innovation and global education strategy.
6. Brings 20 years of cross-cultural leadership experience from work and life in Latin America.

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