What’s in a name?

We recently rebranded under the name Palladis Admissions Consulting. Palladis is another name for Athena the Greek goddess whom soldiers and explorers sought for good counsel, wisdom, and strategy before heading off on bold adventures. Our hope is for clients to find similar guidance with us.

We are an experienced team of university & college admissions strategists dedicated to guiding students through the higher education application process. We are inspired by our students’ ideas, ambitions and goals, and work tirelessly to grow their confidence, inform their decisions, and build a foundation for lifelong success.

The Palladis mission

After years in the university consulting industry, Sarah and Darcy witnessed a problem: students and parents were increasingly overwhelmed by the complicated post-secondary application process. Recognizing that clients lacked 1:1 availability with a trusted consultant, they founded Palladis to offer personalized college admissions counseling from start to finish. Whereas traditional educational consulting groups are focused on securing acceptances to prestigious schools and cookie-cutter approaches to the application process, Palladis focuses on defining success for each client and finding the best education choice to fit that goal.

Our story

Meet the team

The Palladis team is here to bring clarity and stress relief to the labyrinth of university, college, and graduate admissions for students and their families. We offer guidance, insight, compassion, and a values-centered approach to choices in higher education.

Sarah Thornton

Co-Founder & Lead Academic Coach

After a decade teaching and advising in higher education, I co-founded Palladis to bring to life my vision of meaningful higher education consulting. I approach every student with respect, and offer strength, courage, and good counsel as students embark on the heroic endeavor of shaping the lives that they want. My background in research and direct post-secondary advising career, as well as my own experience as a non-traditional student, give me the informed perspective and empathy to build incredible relationships with students and parents.

A little more about me: when I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my partner, my dogs, and my family. I am passionate about books, records, daily meditation walks, coffee, and travel.

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Education & Academic Experience
  • University of Texas at Arlington – BA, Summa Cum Laude
  • University of British Columbia – MA, History
  • Academic Advisor, Capilano University
  • Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps
  • Associate Member, IECA

Self-knowledge is no guarantee of happiness, but it is on the side of happiness and can supply the courage to fight for it.Simone de Beauvoir

Darcy Abelew

Co-Founder & CEO

As a medical social worker with a lifelong passion for learning, my cumulative experiences of building programs and finding solutions to complicated problems perfectly prepared me to co-found Palladis. I now focus on building, shaping, and designing an energetic and dynamic company that will make a difference in the lives of both students and parents. My focus is to make Palladis a place where courage meets inspiration, obstacles become triumphs, and dreams become reality.

Outside of work and my less serious role of Palladis’ Fun Times Director, I enjoy traveling with my partner, cooking for friends, loving on my dogs, preparing or seeking out Texas BBQ and being outdoors in the sunshine.

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Education & Academic Experience
  • University of Texas at Arlington – BSW, Summa Cum Laude
  • University of Texas at Arlington – MSW, High Honours
  • Guest Lecturer, School of Social Work, UTA
  • Professional Social Work Accreditation Canada and the U.S.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.Viktor Frankl