• Jon Santangelo

    Co-founder of Chariot Global Education

    Core beliefs: Charisma. Creativity.

    Compassion. Competence. Commununity.

    Award-Winning

    Lecturer. EdTech Leader. Strategic Consultant. International Education Veteran.

    Based in Asia for nearly two decades, Jon Santangelo is a senior international educator and consultant operating at the intersection of institutional leadership and EdTech innovation.

    His career spans key strategic roles with high-impact platforms, including VIPKID (formerly the world’s largest online ESL tutoring network), KEATH.ai (pioneers in personalized AI assessment and diagnostic feedback), and Leading Education (a digital-first platform preparing elite students for Oxford and Cambridge admissions).

    He is also the former spokesperson for China’s largest study-abroad industry association, where he scaled strategic marketing endeavors, and a U.S. J-1 visa exchange program with Southeast Asian institutions.

    Educated across both American and British academic systems, Jon holds a BS in Communication from Appalachian State University and an MA in Education Management & Leadership (Distinction) from Keele University.

  • Former member of the University of Oxford AI in Education Research Hub, specializing in AI-integrated assessment and educational innovation.

    Serving as a Strategy Consultant to KEATH.ai, Jon led award submission strategies resulting in 11 prestigious nominations and contest recognitions, notably: (below)

    Debuted inside the UK Parliament to widespread acclaim, KEATH.ai quickly gained international prominence with an invitation to present at UNESCO Digital Learning Week in Paris. The platform achieved key institutional validation through its selection by Jisc—the official national body overseeing digital infrastructure and EdTech for all UK universities—while securing membership in the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.

    Jon has taught and coordinated Critical Thinking, Global Citizenship Education (GCE), Project-Based Learning (PBL), IELTS, and Cambridge IGCSE ESL within private bilingual schools in China.

    He recently taught IB (International Baccalaureate) DP & MYP English Language & Literature, while also serving as the EAL Coordinator at an international boarding school.

  • Timeline of Work

    2010-2015

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    2010 Global Community Relations Award Winner: Doubletree by Hilton Worldwide

    Took lead of a team that delivered a Global Citizenship Education campaign to spread awareness about Earth Hour to public primary schools in Beijing, in partnership with the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Hilton's official philanthropy partner.
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    4 years of Higher Ed-Level Junior Lecturing | Transnational Education & Academic Delivery at BDIC

    As a Junior Lecturer in Academic English at Beijing Dublin International College—a joint transnational initiative between University College Dublin and BJUT—Jon delivered EAP coursework for dual-degree undergraduate students preparing for international academic pathways.

    Coursework integrated thematic modules on global economics, international business, cross-cultural communication, and consumer behavior, enabling students to sharpen their critical thinking, academic writing, and IELTS performance through high-stakes, relevant content.
    Jon also started his teaching career at BTBU as a junior lecturer.
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    2015-2022

    Private Consulting & Advisory Services

    Founded Chariot Global Education, an international advisory firm specializing in cross-cultural competency, B2B business development, and market-entry strategy for foreign educational enterprises expanding across China and Southeast Asia.

    Core Expertise & Client Footprints

    • Market Expansion & Strategic Partnerships: Spearheaded cross-border marketing, high-level institutional sales, and strategic partner acquisitions across Asia-Pacific.
    • High-Impact Portfolio: Client engagements and advisory initiatives include BOSSA (China’s premier national study-abroad association), establishing strategic partnerships with the likes of Pearson (PTE), Duolingo, Flywire, UCAS, a U.S. state (Oregon) J-1 visa cultural exchange organization, and hundreds more.
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    2022-now

    Teaching & Academic Leadership in Institutions

    In 2022, Jon returned to institutional leadership as Interim Vice Principal at the Guangzhou satellite campus of Renaissance Academy (California, USA), where he oversaw administrative operations and taught Global Studies, AP Microeconomics, and English.

    Following this, he transitioned to another bilingual boarding school, where he served as the Coordinator for Global Citizenship Education (GCE) alongside instructing courses in Critical Thinking, IELTS, and Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (ESL).

    Recently he taught IB (International Baccalaureate) DP & MYP (Grades 6-12) English Language & Literature, while also serving as the EAL Coordinator at an international boarding school.

  • Publishings

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    With a focus on the growing number of institutions employing commercial agents to support international student recruitment, Student Recruitment Agents in International Higher Education provides an evidence-based exploration of this phenomenon, and will increase the reader’s understanding of the multiple dimensions of agent engagement, its contradictions and complexities

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    By Jon Santangelo, Founder of Chariot Global Education, current IB International Educator, and former Spokesperson to BOSSA, China’s study abroad industry association.

  • Jon's Thought Leadership / Commentary

    Featured commentaries on Chinese student outbound mobility, and more.

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    Can This Online Course Get Me a Job?

     

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    Are Online Graduate And Professional Programs A Scam Or An Opportunity?

     

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    China’s rise as a study hub calls for an internationalisation rethink

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    China Higher Ed in this Asian Century

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    Chinese seek U.S. college admission at any price

     

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    Classroom Revolution: China is taking a leading role in the global EdTech market

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    Is this the end of the romance between Chinese students and- US colleges?

     

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    US colleges look to insure against impact of trade war

     

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    WeChat and stolen credit cards: How scammers victimized Miami Chinese college students

     

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    China Steps Up Efforts to Lure Academic Talent From Overseas

     

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    China Bans Overseas Online Colleges

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    BOSSA and Pearson partner to help PTE Chinese students bound for US & UK

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    Stay or Go? COVID-19 Forces Students to Rethink Study Abroad Plans

     

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    China’s $100bn education sector fights to survive after crackdown

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    Chinese school-leavers look closer to home for overseas study

     

     

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    Number of New Chinese Students at U.S. Colleges Plummeted This Fall, Visa Data Show

     

     

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    86% Chinese students want to return home

     

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    Coronavirus epidemic to hit short-term summer programs hardest – BOSSA

     

     

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    Visa waiver deal puts Singapore in good stead to attract the coveted Chinese tourist 

     

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    Please answer 2021:
    the post-epidemic era for students studying in the US
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    U.S. colleges seek to combat fraudulent applications

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    US-China Trade War Impact on Student Flows

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    China: safety as crucial as ranking for study abroad

     

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    Chinese Education Association BOSSA and Payments Specialist Flywire Announce Strategic Partnership

     

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    US-China relations impacting on student recruitment

     

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    Agents predict drop in Chinese students studying abroad

     

     

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    Chinese agents and schools outline virus impact

     

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    疯狂造假?中国人不惜一切代价“留美”

     

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    ICEF-BOSSA qualification primed as China’s international education advising standard

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    Chinese students at “disadvantage” in US jobs market

     

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    Beijing eases policy for internships, post-study work in China’s tech centre

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    First time audits of Beijing agencies to be made public

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    How have the new SELT rules at sub-degree level impacted the UK sector?

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    Overseas education demand unstirred amid China slowdown

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    StudentMarketing & BOSSA MoU on China study opps

     

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    China: 100 agents certified by BOSSA, ICEF

     

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    Trade deal gives Australia access to China's universities

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    View from the desk of: Jon Santangelo, Association Q&A

     

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    Agents and educators concerned about UK test capacity
     

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    Chinese agents predict recruitment bounceback after coronavirus

     

     

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    冲坡勇士团:在瞬息万变的签证政策缝隙中,绕路回美国

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    专访IES国际教育解决方案 公共关系负责人

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    Q&A Agency Association:

    Jon Santangelo from BOSSA in China

     

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    Non-EU agents feel bounce from post-Brexit weaker pound

     

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    Bossa promoting verification services

     

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    15+ Extra Curricular Activities to Boost Your College Resume

     

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    China Student Recruitment Problems – Q & A With 5 Experts

     

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    Why Finding an Apartment is a Challenge for Chinese Students in the US

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    China: BOSSA, Vericant team up to combat fraud

     

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    Chinese students consider UK study over US

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    China agents report online study hesitancy

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    Chinese students head to Singapore in search of US visas

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    China: US begins processing student visas

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    Reduced demand for UK study across East Asia

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    Sinorbis forms partnership with BOSSA

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    US issues fewer China visas as interest declines

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    Chinese students looking to UK, major research shows

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    City lockdowns hinder Chinese students’ study-abroad plans

     

     

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    China opens student visa applications, direct flights resumed

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    Agency association BOSSA partners with The Lygon Group on China-Australia mobility insights

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    UCAS and BOSSA partner to recruit Chinese students

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    Drop in China UCAS applications as Nigeria grows

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    Enrollment Headaches From Coronavirus Are Many. They Won’t Be Relieved Soon.

     

     

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    China Was Long the Top Source of Foreign Students in the U.S. Now India Has Overtaken It.

     

     

  • Greater Bay Area - Online Course Initiative: Spearheaded and launched a free, non-profit digital learning program with one of China's top universities during the height of global pandemic disruptions, delivering accessible education to hundreds of students worldwide.

  • Presenting

    For, or with, the following organizations

     

     

     
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    AAE

    Vietnam

    Access American Education (AAE) is an AIRC certified, full service education consulting agency that hosts Vietnam's largest student recruitment expos and forums with North American educators.

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    AIESEC

    Global

    AIESEC is the world's largest global non-profit youth-run organization that provides young people with leadership development, cross-cultural global internships, and volunteer exchange experiences across the globe.

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    UK VI

    UK/China

    UK Visas and Immigration is a division of the Home Office responsible for the United Kingdom's visa system. It was formed in 2013 from the section of the UK Border Agency that had administered the visa system.

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    ETN Educators Training Network

    EU

    ETN Focus Workshops are boutique agent fairs offering a unique, personalised and innovative networking experience. We bring a human touch into international student recruitment.
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    ICEF

    China

    ICEF brings together international educators, industry service providers and carefully screened student recruitment agents at networking events around the world, helping them to create strategic partnerships and increase international student enrolments.

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    BONARD

    EU & China

    BONARD is a global market intelligence consultancy that specialises in international education, youth and student travel market, student housing and micro-living asset classes, and is a United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Affiliate Member.

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    WEBA

    China

    WEBA (World Educate Business Association) is the umbrella organisation and international voice for Education Business Partnerships working around the world.

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    The PIE

    UK

    The PIE Live: Student Journey is a dynamic, virtual conference from The PIE (Professionals in International Education) News team, offering exceptional learning and global networking opportunities.

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    Study Travel Live

    UK

    The StudyTravel Magazine editorial team will present news, stats and current affairs and invite opinion from their special guests. Members of the audience will have the chance to interact with any of the presenters.

  • Teaching & Learning Resources

    Resources for Global Citizenship Education (GCE) Global Studies & Communications English as a Second Language (ESL) Critical Thinking, Project-based Learning (PBL)

    Target Audience: High School / Undergraduate Students Time Allotment: 90 minutes (can be adapted...
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    LESSON PLAN Note: There is an article summary with real-life commenters below this lesson plan...
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    The Zhongkao (中考), China’s high school entrance exam taken around age 15, is increasingly viewed...
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    Why I Don’t Use A Smart Phone | Ann Makosinski | TEDxTeen English & Critical Thinking - viewing...
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     Introduction Western culture seems to be changing how young people act. Some adults are...
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    For GCE (Global Citizenship Education) Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and...
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    We as educators get it. The pressure to excel on the IELTS is immense. After all, a strong...
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    Overview Why is studying cross-cultural communication is important? Avoid misunderstandings ...
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    Ever feel like "like" is your verbal crutch? You're not alone. As a recovering "like"-aholic...
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    Overview: "The Day After Tomorrow" is a great movie for students to learn both English and Global...
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