About This Episode
In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of EDUnlocked, host Ashish Fernando sits down with Michelle Kowalsky, Associate Vice President for Enrollment at Western New England University, and a passionate advocate for international education.
Michelle shares her incredible journey into higher education, how she became a champion for international students, and the inspiring story behind the - You Are Welcome Here scholarship initiative — a movement that now spans 50+ U.S. institutions. From navigating shifting global rhetoric to helping students overcome financial and cultural barriers, Michelle brings unmatched insight, warmth, and dedication to every student story she touches. Whether you’re an aspiring international student, a higher ed professional, or simply someone who believes in the power of education, this episode is for you.
Highlights Include:-
1. The courage and drive of international students
2. How Western New England University creates a welcoming campus environment - The power of scholarships in transforming lives
3. Candid reflections on leadership, mentorship, and career growth
4. Travel stories and the life-changing impact of global experiences
At the end of the day, it’s all about kindness.
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Host & Guest
Michelle Kowalsky
GuestMichelle Kowalsky serves as the Director of International Admissions and Associate Director of Graduate Studies at Western New England University (WNEU). With over 12 years of experience in international education and admissions, she has been instrumental in expanding WNEU’s global reach and supporting international students from recruitment to graduation.
Michelle began her career in international admissions at Catawba College in North Carolina, where she served as the Primary Designated School Official (DSO) and worked closely with students throughout their academic and OPT journeys. Since joining Western New England University in 2005, she has played a key role in developing and implementing strategic plans to grow the university’s international student population, evaluating global academic credentials, and representing the institution across international markets.
As a dedicated advocate for global education, Michelle serves on the International Programs Coordinating Council at WNEU, a university-wide committee committed to advancing campus internationalization. Beyond the university, she has contributed to broader professional and statewide initiatives—serving as Chair of Study Massachusetts, participating as a NAFSA Trainer Corps member, and holding a leadership position with NAFSA Region XI.
Michelle holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Catawba College and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Springfield College.
Key Highlights:
1. Over 12 years of experience in international admissions and higher education.
2. Director of International Admissions and Associate Director of Graduate Studies at WNEU.
3. Former Primary DSO at Catawba College, supporting students from recruitment through OPT.
4. Integral in WNEU’s strategic planning for international enrollment growth.
5. Active contributor to NAFSA and Chair of Study Massachusetts.
6. Member of WNEU’s International Programs Coordinating Council.
7. Holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration.
Ashish Fernando
HostFounder & 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
Show Notes
- 1 0:00 Highlights the courage of international students who travel alone to the U.S. to study, emphasizing the bravery required for such a journey.
- 2 1:31 Introduction of Michelle Kwiatkowski Goodfellow, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment at Western New England University, and her role as a mentor and leader in higher education.
- 3 3:47 Discussion about the - You Are Welcome Here - scholarship, created in response to U.S. political changes that raised concerns about the perception of international students.
- 4 7:23 Story of a Russian transfer student who became an interpreter at a college fair, later received a scholarship, studied at Western New England, and worked in Michelle’s office.
- 5 10:03 Explanation of how the - You Are Welcome Here - scholarship was a reaction to political rhetoric causing fear among international students, aiming to unify institutions in support of them.
- 6 14:24 Michelle shares her passion for international students, sparked by their courage to study abroad alone, and how this drives her to ensure they have the best possible experience.
- 7 28:05 - Michelle reflects on her career, noting her long tenure at Western New England and her excitement for staff members who pursue new opportunities, emphasizing her support for their growth.
Key Quotes
"The courage that an international student brings to essentially get on a plane and in many cases alone come to the United States on their own and come to a place that they've never been and study, it's hard to even put into words how much bravery you have to have to just do that."
Resources
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