Zhiwen Jin

Preferred Pronouns:

She/Her/Hers

Where I call home: 

China

Biography:

Zhiwen is a passionate human development researcher, a social-emotional learning (SEL) practitioner, and a youth career coach. In 2020, she earned her B.A. in Educational Sciences and B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior at the University of California, Irvine. In 2023, she obtained her Ed.M in Human Development and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. In addition to her work in the Developmental Interaction Lab, Zhiwen has been actively managing a non-profit organization since 2019. Her organization focuses on empowering children, teenagers, and teachers in rural China to cultivate essential social-emotional skills to thrive. Furthermore, she guides teenagers and young adults in navigating their career exploration journey. Zhiwen firmly believes in the transformative power of positive and supportive human relationships for individual learning and growth.= 

✨ What is a simple but meaningful interaction that made an impact on you? 

One sunny day in April 2023, I lay on the lawn outside the gates of HGSE, feeling the weight of stress upon me. A fellow alumna, with whom I had only chitchatted once before, happened to pass by. We greeted each other. When she asked me how I was, I admitted that I wasn’t doing well. Without hesitation, we embraced. That simple yet powerful gesture marked the beginning of a meaningful connection. From that day on, we began to meet for meals, and she soon became a cherished friend. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by pressure, I always find comfort in recalling that bright, sunny day and the reassuring embrace that followed. 

💭 A developmental relationship that impacted my life:

My mom.

🌱 Developmental interactions remind me of…

“Connection.”