Miami alumnus builds nonprofit to empower Asian and Asian American leaders
Miami alumnus builds nonprofit to empower Asian and Asian American leaders
Shane Carlin ’93, a graduate of the College Student Personnel program (now SAHE), is the founder and CEO of Asian Student Achievement, a nonprofit organization focused on preparing Asians and Asian Americans for leadership roles through soft skills coaching, public speaking engagements, and a diversity-driven job board.
The nonprofit, which began as a personal mission in 2016 and officially became a 501(c)(3) in 2022, reflects Carlin’s lifelong commitment to supporting ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs and building equitable pathways to success.
“My passion has always been helping those in my community,” Carlin said. “As a Korean American adoptee raised by Caucasian parents, I wanted to create an organization that could help people just like me—and just like so many of the ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs I worked with over the years.”
Carlin spent three decades working with college ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs and nearly 20 years fundraising for universities and international organizations. Along the way, he noticed a common gap among AAPI ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs: they were often underprepared in key soft skills needed to advance professionally.
A pivotal moment came during an interview with a ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ who, when asked how she would support diverse hiring, said the problem was a lack of talent in the pipeline. “That was the spark,” Carlin said. “I wanted to be part of changing that narrative.”
Today, Asian Student Achievement is working to build that pipeline by offering one-on-one coaching, workshops, and a national network for job opportunities. The organization hopes to establish ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ chapters across the country and internationally eventually.
Carlin credits his Miami experience with giving him the foundational mindset for entrepreneurship—especially the importance of mentorship, persistence, and mission-driven work. His advice to aspiring founders: “Be patient, open-minded, flexible, and very passionate. Make sure you’re ready to fail—and to learn from it.”
The journey hasn’t been without challenges. From hiring and managing staff to learning the financial and operational side of nonprofit leadership, Carlin says the learning curve was steep but rewarding. He continues to seek guidance from experienced nonprofit leaders.
Among the proudest moments so far: a former intern who, after being promoted within ASA and later praised for her professionalism by another employer, donated $100 to the organization—unprompted. “She said ASA made her the most prepared intern at her other job,” Carlin said. “That meant the world to me.”
Carlin also recently secured a six-figure gift from a private family foundation, a major milestone in ASA’s growth. He hopes continued support will help expand the organization’s reach and further challenge the “Model Minority Myth.”
Carlin’s story is part of EHS Innovates: Founders and Builders, a spotlight series from ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ’s College of Education, Health, and Society. This new Q&A-style format highlights alumni who are building ventures with purpose across education, health, and society.
To learn more about Asian Student Achievement or to support its mission, visit .
EHS Innovates
Innovation thrives at the intersection of passion and purpose. EHS Innovates brings together ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs, alumni, faculty, and industry partners to explore how entrepreneurial thinking can drive meaningful change in education, health, and society. Through workshops, mentorship, and real-world challenges, we create opportunities to develop solutions that address pressing issues in our fields. Whether you're launching a venture, looking to collaborate, or simply curious about how innovation shapes your discipline, EHS Innovates is your gateway to making an impact.