Z Carin Zinter

Z Carin Zinter is a multidisciplinary educator, mindfulness practitioner, and champion for financial literacy, currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Business at Greenfield Community College in rural western Massachusetts. Raised in the upper Midwest and shaped by lived experiences of rural poverty, Z brings an intersectional lens and a heart-centered approach to higher education. Their teaching bridges the gap between business acumen and human flourishing, integrating positive psychology and contemplative practice into the classroom.

As a non-binary academic, ultra distance runner, martial artist, and beekeeper, Z's worldview is richly textured by both discipline and curiosity. Their passion for contemplative education is grounded in the belief that healing and learning go hand in hand—especially for students navigating systems not built with them in mind. They are especially committed to expanding access to personal finance and fostering environments that honor both intellectual and emotional literacy.

In the Acosta Institute Fellowship, Z seeks to connect with fellow educators integrating mindfulness, justice, and care into their pedagogy. They bring a powerful commitment to protecting trans rights, dismantling systemic barriers, and elevating financial literacy as a vital part of student empowerment. Z’s presence is a quiet revolution—embodied, intentional, and deeply rooted in care.