Karsten Jin

Stepping into the role of Academic Principal at OCAHS felt like returning to my roots—blending leadership with innovation in international education. Every day, I work hand-in-hand with the Executive Principal to shape a dynamic learning environment and elevate our US academic programs. From overseeing curriculum design to fine-tuning our marketing and recruitment strategies, my goal is to ensure excellence across the board.

• Introduced engaging curricular changes that led to noticeable improvements in both student motivation and performance.
• Built a culture of open communication among students, parents, and faculty, transforming how we support learning and wellbeing.
• Played a key role in refining policies to align with international best practices and academic standards.
• Analyzed student data to implement support programs that boost individual success.

Helping students discover their paths has always been my passion. At OCAHS Educational Group, I lead the college counseling efforts for a network of six schools. It’s a role that allows me to be both a strategist and a storyteller—connecting students with their dreams and universities with their future changemakers.

• Organize and lead over 10 college admission events every three months, increasing visibility and partnerships.
• Personally advised hundreds of students and families, crafting tailored strategies that reflect their goals and potential.
• Fostered strong relationships with parents and institutions by being a trusted guide throughout the admissions journey.
• Continuously evolve the counseling program based on real-time feedback and global trends.

At Tsinghua International School Daoxiang Lake, I led transformative projects that shaped our academic landscape and elevated our global reputation. My role was both visionary and hands-on—from high-level curriculum planning to organizing large-scale events with top UK universities.

• Spearheaded key curriculum development projects that enriched the student experience.
• Built strong ties with UK institutions like UCL and the British Council to support student aspirations.
• Used data to track outcomes, refine strategies, and guide future initiatives.
• Trained staff to confidently implement new educational tools and systems.

As the head of the International Department, I balanced daily operations with long-term planning. It was a rewarding, high-impact role until structural changes in policy required us to transition the department elsewhere.

• Led recruitment efforts, ensured academic rigor, and supported college-bound students through holistic programming.

At King’s College School Chengdu and across Dipont’s 20+ schools, I served as the founding Senior UG Guidance Counselor and the go-to advisor for an extensive counselor network. I led the development of training programs, mentoring over 100 counselors, and crafted systems that empowered them to guide students toward standout applications. Also, I led a team in designing the hallmark program of "Above & Beyond" programs for Dipont Group's network of independent schools.

• Spearheaded the creation of a comprehensive counseling framework, which was adopted across the Dipont network.
• Mentored and trained counselors, contributed to national professional development programs, and drafted impactful recommendations, helping students secure offers from leading institutions like UCL.
• Played a central role in student recruitment, conducting interviews, writing reports, and providing strategic insights into admissions processes.
• Initiated and led the expansion of relationships between Dipont and top U.S. institutions, traveling to universities such as NYU and Princeton to strengthen partnerships.

Moonshot Academy challenged me to reimagine college counseling by co-creating a forward-thinking program that embraced inclusivity and emotional intelligence. Grounded in the ISCA SEL model, the program blended academic rigor with emotional well-being, reflecting the school’s innovative ethos, including LGBTQ+ support programs, unisex washrooms, and pride walls.

• Guided students and families through every step of the college application journey, providing holistic support.
• Represented the school at international forums and fostered strong relationships with liberal arts colleges and global universities.
• Played a key role in helping 17 graduates secure 58 offers and over $2.3M in financial aid from top institutions across the US, UK, and Canada.
• Contributed to Moonshot’s unique educational environment by supporting its progressive values, which emphasized diversity and inclusion.

At this joint venture between Huawei and Tsinghua High School, I juggled curriculum design, admissions counseling, and standardized testing with a focus on excellence.

• Integrated ESL teaching and national curricula, ensuring smooth navigation for both students and teachers.
• Supported college prep through hands-on guidance, from essay writing to interview prep.

This role combined vision, mentorship, and strategic execution. I built the college counseling program from the ground up and turned it into a flagship initiative for the school. I also led the academic team to integrate AP curriculum with national standards.

• Led one of the largest college fairs in the region, attracting 200+ experts and 400+ attendees.
• Developed the English curriculum, blending it with national standards and preparing students for AP success.
• Oversaw every part of the application season—from workshops for parents to quality control for final submissions.This role combined vision, mentorship, and strategic execution. I built the college counseling program from the ground up and turned it into a flagship initiative for the school. I also led the academic team to integrate AP curriculum with national standards.

• Led one of the largest college fairs in the region, attracting 200+ experts and 400+ attendees.

• Developed the English curriculum, blending it with national standards and preparing students for AP success.

• Oversaw every part of the application season—from workshops for parents to quality control for final submissions.