When Penn GSE alumni and faculty gathered in Beijing in November 2025 for the Global Education Technology (GET) Conference, the moment marked more than a return to one of the world’s largest education-technology convenings. It marked the official launch of an alumni-led initiative, the China EdTech Leadership Network, that aims to connect Penn GSE graduates, students, and education leaders working across China, the United States, and beyond.
The network was founded by Rose Xue, GED’18, and Sophia Liu, GED’25, alumni of Penn GSE’s Education Entrepreneurship (EdEnt) program, who shared a belief that education innovation depends on relationships, trust, and long-term community building. Its launch reflects the global reach of the program and the ways alumni continue to extend Penn GSE’s presence internationally long after graduation.
“This global partnership could not have come at a better time,” said Jenny Zapf, senior fellow and director of EdEnt. “This came from the entrepreneurial leadership of EdEnt alumni who identified a critical need and then built a collaborative solution.”
A Network Years in the Making
The idea for the China EdTech Network developed gradually through informal connections among alumni. Sylvia He, GED’20, GRD’25, an alum of both the EdEnt and Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management programs, recalled early conversations about how Chinese alumni could remain connected after graduation.
“At the time, there were only a few dozen Chinese students in the program,” said He, now founder of Global Youth Entrepreneurship Zone and based in the Bay Area. “We stayed in touch through informal channels, but there was no structured way to support each other professionally.”
He managed a WeChat group that brought alumni across cohorts into conversation. Over time, that group grew as more graduates returned to China or built careers spanning global education systems.
Sophia Liu, GED’25, founder and CEO of Daring Soul Education Technology in Beijing, joined the Education Entrepreneurship program after nearly a decade running her company. She immediately recognized the need for a more intentional alumni platform.
“There were so many Penn GSE alumni working in education and edtech in China, but they were not connected,” Liu said. “We needed a space to share resources, mentor students, and collaborate across organizations.”
In addition to her role as founder and CEO, Liu now serves as strategy chair of the China EdTech Leadership Network, helping guide its long-term direction and alignment with Penn GSE more broadly.
“Our goal is to steward this network thoughtfully,” Liu said. “We want it to grow from an informal alumni community into a sustainable platform that supports Penn GSE, its students, and its global education mission.”
The Power of Convening
A critical turning point came through Xue, who, as director of international business development at JMD and lead organizer of the Global Education Technology Conference, works at the intersection of international education, edtech, and global networking.
“GET has always been about more than showcasing technology,” Xue said. “It is about bringing together educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers in a space where real dialogue can happen.”
Xue played a key role in supporting the forum that brought EdEnt alumni together in Beijing and saw the gathering as an opportunity to highlight alumni leadership and collaboration.
“There was already so much Penn GSE talent in the room,” she said. “Launching the network in this context allowed alumni to see themselves as part of a larger, global education community connected through their Penn experience.”
For Xue, the network also reflects Penn GSE’s distinct approach to education innovation.
“Penn brings a human-centered, research-driven perspective,” she said. “That voice is important in global education conversations, especially in fast-moving ed tech environments.”
GET 2025 as a Launchpad
The 2025 conference, held in Beijing under the theme “AI-Powered Education, Learning Beyond Boundaries,” drew thousands of educators, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. According to conference materials, the event featured hundreds of speakers and organizations working across education, technology, and innovation.
Alumni embedded the network’s launch within GET through a dedicated forum focused on education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Zapf attended as a speaker, alongside alumni including He, Liu, Xue, and ChenXin Xu, GED’22, GRD’25.
“What impressed me was how quickly they moved from idea to execution,” Zapf said. “They demonstrated exactly the kind of entrepreneurial leadership we aim to develop.”
For many alumni, it was the first opportunity to gather in person since graduating the program across the last decade.
“There was an immediate sense of belonging,” He said. “People realized they were not working in isolation. They were part of something bigger.”
Education First, Technology Second
While the network centers education technology, its founders emphasize that technology is a tool, not the goal.
“Our shared value is education first,” He said. “Technology should serve learners and communities, not drive decisions.”
That philosophy resonated strongly with Xu, who originally trained as a pianist at Juilliard and was involved in founding Juilliard’s China campus. “The Education Entrepreneurship community is already very active globally,” said Xu, now an international client and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in New York. “This network helps consolidate that energy and direct it toward supporting Penn GSE and its mission.”
Alignment, Stewardship, and Community
For Xu, one of the most important elements of the China EdTech Leadership Network is ensuring that alumni have a way to support Penn GSE’s leadership and long-term vision.
“This is not just a social group,” she said. “It is about facilitating academic exchange, supporting the institution, and building bridges between China and the broader global education community.”
Liu echoed that sense of responsibility.
“Education entrepreneurship is not only about innovation,” she said. “It is also about stewardship. We want to mentor students, support alumni, and contribute back to Penn GSE.”
Xue views the network as part of a longer-term effort to strengthen global education ecosystems: “This is not about one conference or one event,” she said. “It is about building a sustainable community that continues to grow and support each other across borders.”
Looking Ahead
With its official launch complete, the China EdTech Leadership Network is now focused on growth and sustainability. Organizers are developing digital platforms, seeking to connect with alumni across Asia and the United States, and exploring future convenings beyond GET.
“There is still a lot we are figuring out,” Xu said. “But the willingness from the alumni side is very strong.”
Liu hopes the network will continue to expand beyond the EdEnt program.
“We want all Penn GSE students in China to feel they belong to a community,” she said.
Zapf believes the network captures the spirit of the EdEnt program.
“This is what happens when alumni take ownership,” she said. “They build bridges at a time when global connection matters more than ever.”
For Xue, the purpose remains clear: “We are educators first,” she said. “No matter where we are in the world, that is what connects us.”
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