Diana Award Recipient—Jiayuan Tian

Jiayuan Tian, Class of 2025, has just become Minerva’s second Diana Award recipient. He is also the only recipient from mainland China to receive the recognition this year, celebrated for his impactful work in fostering educational equity and accessibility in the Chinese-speaking region.

Jiayuan chose Minerva because he was drawn by the global rotation model and the diversity of the student body. “My field of interest was sociology, and Minerva’s global rotation seemed like the perfect way to study social sciences and the connections between cultures and communities,” he recalls.

At Minerva, Jiayuan chose a double major in Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences, with concentrations in Arts & Literature and Politics, Government, and Society. “Studying at Minerva showed me the intersection between disciplines like art and politics,” he explains. “Art teaches attention to detail, while politics demands understanding big-picture structures. Together, they give me a comprehensive view of the world.”

Jiayuan’s passion for global education stems from his own experiences as an international student and his determination to break down barriers for others. During his first year at Minerva, he joined Tilting Futures (formerly Global Citizen Year), where he completed an online leadership program. This experience inspired him to found the Tilting Futures Chinese Media Center, which produces original content to inspire young people in global Chinese communities to explore diverse educational and career paths.

Jiayuan didn’t stop there. Recognizing the challenges Chinese students face in accessing international educational opportunities, he co-founded OneXplore, a social enterprise that eliminates information asymmetry in international education. “Many Chinese students are eager to explore gap years or study-abroad programs but don’t know where to start,” Jiayuan shares. OneXplore has reached over 100,000 students worldwide, providing resources and fostering cross-cultural exchanges to help them discover new possibilities.

His Capstone Project, the culmination of his Minerva education, ties together these past experiences. The two-part project first explores the cultural, economic, and historical factors contributing to the lack of accessible international education resources in China. He then uses this research in practice to show how OneXplore addresses international educational resource issues in real time. His project even incorporates elements of design, blending his artistic and social science expertise to explain how the brand image of OneXplore came to be.

Receiving the prestigious Diana Award was both an honor and a turning point for Jiayuan. “It’s more than just an award—it’s an encouragement to keep pushing for change,” he says. The recognition has strengthened his resolve to make international education accessible to all, regardless of background.

As he approaches graduation, Jiayuan remains focused on expanding the reach of his initiatives. He’s determined to build new partnerships, create scholarship opportunities, and inspire young people to dream big. “Education is a universal right, not a privilege,” Jiayuan emphasizes. He wants to empower every young person to realize their potential through Tilting Futures and OneXplore.

‍If you were inspired by Jiayuan’s story and are seeking a college experience that will teach you valuable pragmatic skills that will enable you to change the world, start your Minerva application today.