Ben Farrell

About Ben Farrell

I’m an educator, strategist, author, and innovation advisor working at the intersection of emerging technology and human development. Across two decades in global education, including leading schools in the U.S. and China, I’ve built programs that center student agency, strategic thinking, and cultural fluency. I’ve guided families and institutions through transformational growth and helped communities adapt to the changing demands of our world. But today’s greatest challenge, and opportunity, is preparing educators and learners for what’s next. Through Northern Oak Educational Consortium, I help schools, educators, and organizations design future-ready learning environments. I specialize in integrating AI, AR/VR/XR, and other emerging technologies into academic programs in ways that are ethical, efficient, and empowering. My goal is to support educators with tools and frameworks that enhance creativity, elevate student voice, and foster real-world skill development. I also partner with DreaMR Labs, an MIT-connected startup, on immersive technology initiatives across education, entertainment, government, and private industry. These collaborations are grounded in the belief that when humans and AI work together, when we harness collective intelligence, we unlock extraordinary potential for learning, connection, and progress. And through my strategic advising work, I continue to help students and families navigate the path to the right-fit school, balancing academic vision with cultural alignment and long-term growth. My passion for cross-cultural communication and identity-informed leadership stems from my own lived experience. As a multi-racial man married to a first-generation American, I grew up asking and answering questions about difference, belonging, and perspective. I’ve seen how transformative it can be, whether in classrooms, communities, or organizations, when people are given the tools and trust to share their stories and listen to others. Whether advising a school on generative AI policy, designing student programs focused on digital agency, or helping an organization pilot mixed-reality simulations, I’m always focused on how we can create agency and deepen the ties that bind us as humans. Let’s connect: b••••••••@gmail.com

Experience

1. Interim Head of School

   Carolina Day School

   Aug 2025 — Present · Asheville, NC, US

Education

• Colby College

  Bachelor's degree, Double major in History and American Studies

  1997 — 2001

• Teachers College, Columbia University

  Master's degree, Higher and Post-Secondary Education

  2008 — 2009

• School for International Training

  Graduate Certificate, Cross Cultural Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation

  2006 — 2007

Skills

• Student Leadership
• International Education
• Research
• Higher Education
• Community Outreach
• Curriculum Development
• Project Management
• Curriculum Design
• Admissions Counseling
• Strategic Planning
• Staff Development
• International Admissions
• Student Discipline
• Leadership Development
• Public Speaking
• Change Management
• Event Planning
• Nonprofits
• Teaching
• Consensus Building
• Program Management
• Student Programs
• Educational Management
• Student Leadership Training
• Character Education
• Educational Consulting
• Coaching
• Leadership
• Student Affairs
• Cross-Cultural
• Editing
• Management Consulting
• Conflict Resolution
• Student Development