Colleen Larsen is an Education Director for Student Success with the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and an ELL Instructor teaching refugees and immigrants with the Literacy Network. In her role with the WTCS, Colleen supports all 16 technical colleges across the state in increasing access and success for underrepresented students. Colleen earned her Masters Degree in Global Higher Education and her PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she focused on the experiences of refugees in technical and community colleges.
Colleen has over 10 years of experience in student services and instruction focused specifically on equity and serving minoritized communities. With a background in international relations, English language instruction, and global higher education Colleen has valuable experience working with a variety of educational institutions both in the United States and abroad and is passionate about holistic community-based education. Colleen is also a liaison to the Wisconsin Refugee Advisory Committee and coordinates the WTCS Immigrant and Refugee Community of Practice.