Priyanka Roy, York University

Introduce yourself in three words or phrases. 

Borderless thinker, story collector, quietly fierce.

What do you like most about your job?

Connecting people to possibilities. It blends everything I’ve studied and lived through, connection, culture, and human behavior.

With a background in clinical psychology, I lean into the why behind choices, but I also love thinking big: What changes access? What drives outcomes? What makes strategy stick? Helping students dream bigger is what I do daily, but assisting institutions to see differently is what I’m growing toward.

Best work trip/Worst work trip?

Best: Nepal. A place where spirituality meets ambition, and every conversation felt like a masterclass in purpose. I met students who challenged assumptions,
asked global questions, and reminded me why this work isn’t just recruitment, it’s relationship-building across borders.

Worst: One of those everything-goes-wrong kind of trips – delayed flights, tech glitches, and a schedule that changed by the hour. I remember the panic, but
more than that, I remember pivoting fast, staying present, and making it work. It showed me how adaptability and clarity under pressure aren’t just nice-to-haves;
They’re the bones that build leaders.

If you could learn a language instantly, which would you pick and why?

Arabic. I was born in Saudi, so it’s always felt like the soundtrack of my early life. Learning it would be more than linguistic. It’d be a way of reconnecting with
something I’ve always found myself drawn to.

A close second would be Japanese. With how they’re innovating in education and global engagement, it feels like a language that’s about to take centre stage.

What makes you get up in the morning?

The fact that someone out there is making a life-changing decision, and I might get to play a small part in it. That, and the promise of good coffee.

Champion/cheerleader which we should all follow and why?

Tunde Oyeneyin. Peloton coach turned powerhouse. She speaks about purpose, identity, and growth like she’s been reading your journal. I was never athletic or sporty and exercise never felt like it belonged to me.

But something shifted when I found her. She made movement feel like a celebration, not a punishment. Her energy is magnetic, her story is powerful, and her voice makes you believe you can rewrite your narrative, and when used intentionally, can move people.

Best international ed conference and why

APAIE in India earlier this year. My first global panel! Sitting among leaders I Googled in awe and quietly learn from, now contributing to the conversation at the same table as them was surreal. It was one of those “you’re not in the audience anymore” moments.

Worst conference food/beverage experience

One conference served “fusion” snacks. I tried something that was somewhere between dessert and deep regret. Coffee didn’t salvage it either. It’s fine.
Character was built.

Book or podcast recommendation for others in the sector?

The One Thing by Gary Keller. This sector moves fast. There’s always something to do, someone to help, somewhere to be. This book forces you to pause and ask: “What’s the one thing I can do right now that actually makes a difference?” Game changer for anyone juggling a million priorities.

Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you.

I’m working on a storytelling series that spotlights international students who’ve carved out unexpected paths. It’s about humanising the data and reminding
institutions that behind every stat is a story worth telling. Still in early stages, but it’s one of those ideas that just won’t leave me alone.

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