Dr. Soni Thapa

Advisor

Dr. Soni Thapa is an educator, social science researcher, and community advocate with over 30 years of experience, bringing academic expertise and grassroots advocacy to the communities she serves. With a PhD in sociology and MA degrees in women’s studies and psychology, complemented by specialized degrees and training in community-based development and postsecondary teaching across institutions in Nepal, the United States, and Canada, Dr. Thapa brings a deeply interdisciplinary and global perspective to her work and research.

Dr. Thapa’s research centers on gender-based violence, migration, diaspora studies, race, ethnicity, and immigration. She has published peer-reviewed articles examining the adaptation of the Nepali immigrants in the United States, including a study on intimate partner violence among Nepali women in the USA. Her recent publication examines how Nepali immigrants navigate cultural and structural adaptation in the United States while maintaining strong ethnic identities.Beyond the classroom and her scholarly contributions, Dr. Thapa has a long-standing commitment to community development and women’s empowerment. She previously served as the executive director of a non-profit organization dedicated to the socio-economic empowerment of rural Nepali women.

Currently, she serves as President of the Nepali Women’s Global Network (USA)—a non-profit organization that promotes networking, support, and self-reliance among Nepali women through education and advocacy. Through her teaching, research, and community leadership, Dr. Soni Thapa continues to be a powerful voice for equity, inclusion, and transformative social change—both locally and globally.