Mindful, evidence-based college planning support to help students thrive from high school to college and beyond

Enhancing Impact Through Partnership

TELL US YOUR STORY

We promote self-determination

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We foster self-advocacy skills

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We amplify marginalized voices

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We advocate

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We research

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We work to bridge the educational attainment gap

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We foster well-being through mindfulness-based practices

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We help students THRIVE

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Welcome to ThrivEnvironment!

The transition to college can be very challenging for individuals, especially for students with learning differences. Some of these challenges include frequent navigation of complex educational systems, experiencing the changes in support structures from high school to college, and managing life demands. At ThrivEnvironment, our educational coaching employs the Person-Centered Planning framework which provides a strategy that supports positive engagement across these challenges for young adults, from the lens of wellness. We deliver learning and training experiences that promote college readiness and success, self-determination, self-advocacy and resilience skills needed to thrive in and beyond college. Members of our team are currently working in K-12 and college settings and have over two decades of collective direct experience working in college admissions, academic advising, financial aid, career services and student development. Our rich collective wisdom and foundations are rooted in the values of Ethical Practice, Advocacy, Optimism, Respect, and Partnership, which guides the work that we do.

ThrivEnvironments’ services utilize a three-pillared approach to student engagement:

Knowledge of self – The more knowledge students have about themselves, including their learning differences, they can articulate their learning needs to others. ThrivEnvironment provides opportunities to help students understand themselves as learners, which is the foundation for self-advocacy.
Self-Advocacy – Through practical application and exposure, supported and mentored by their assigned college planning coach, students will engage in expeditionary learning activities, such as understanding the law and disability rights, requesting and modifying accommodations, and exploring academic needs, to develop and strengthen advocacy skills needed for that crucial first semester of college.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction – First-year college students, particularly those with learning differences, can be vulnerable to stress and adversity. ThrivEnvironment teaches students evidence-based strategies to manage stress, emotional or executive responses to social situations to enhance positive social interactions, a healthy transition to college and overall health and well-being.

ThrivEnvironment’s mission is to promote access and transform lives through quality college planning and student development services for marginalized students, including students with learning differences.
ThrivEnvironment strives to empower students and their families by strengthening their skills in self-determination, self-advocacy, and resilience, which advances informed decision making regarding the college transition and planning process.
We firmly believe in the unique differences of humankind. We envision a world where the power of difference is embraced, valued, and celebrated.
We assert that programs, services, and environments are usable by all students to the greatest extent possible, thereby eliminating the need for marginalized students to “fit into” social structures.
Rather, we must ensure universal accessibility and adapt our practice principles to meet the needs of each student and family we serve without the need for adaptation or specialized designs.
Disability is diversity and a part of the human experience. We operate using a social and disability justice model where access to quality college planning and student development services reduce gaps to educational attainment so all students can THRIVE.
We recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children, and we join with each family, standing in alignment to empower them to take an active role in their academic and college planning processes. We ground ourselves in the values of Ethical Practice, Advocacy, Optimism, Respect, and Partnership.
Ethical Practice
Fostering self-determination and self-advocacy is at the core of what we do. We are committed to facilitating an environment where consistent, open, honest communication surrounding college admissions advising occurs. With shared accountability we will ensure that we uphold the standards and quality of our work and remain committed to improvement of our services.
Advocacy
Historically, ableism has long led to discrimination and poor treatment against individuals with disabilities. We align with the socio-political model of disability, which asserts that this discrimination is systemic in the very policies and structures that govern support services for marginalized individuals, including those with disabilities. As such we proactively advocate for policy changes toward access and inclusion through maintaining active memberships with specialized coalitions and ongoing research which informs policy changes.
Optimism
We are committed to increasing 2- and 4-year degree attainment for marginalized students and to encourage a hopeful experience around education attainment so students can lead a fulfilling, productive life.
Respect
Ableism has no part at ThrivEnvironment, and we strive to dismantle it. We exhibit respect because of our own lived experiences and by considering the experiences of others. Exhibiting respect allows us to build an inclusive community of mutual trust, understanding, and accountability.
Partnership
“Nothing about us without us.” Decisions regarding individuals with disabilities should be prioritized from the foundations of those who are directly impacted. ThrivEnvironment acknowledges the strength of these voices and works to amplify them across various sectors.

Choose Your Holistic & Highly Customized Thrive Program

Two black women sitting on a couch looking at a laptop planning to work

College Planning: Start-to-Finish

For Students Grades 10-12
This service is for students and families who need step-by-step guidance planning, preparing, and submitting applications to undergraduate programs, and getting acclimated to their first college semester

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Our Trio of Services

A group of three students talking together whilst researching colleges

College Planning: Accelerator

For Students Grades 11-12
This service is designed for students and families who have started and completed the majority of their application process and planning, but got discouraged and/or stuck along the way

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College Planning: Summer Immersion

For Students Grades 9-12 (June & July Only)
This virtual four-week transformative program is designed to inform, and deepen students’ self-determination and self-advocacy skills, socioemotional competencies, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and mind-body awareness

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What Students and Families are Saying

"Latoya took ahold of the Black Student Union at Iona University. As one of the most respected administrators on campus, we were honored to have her serve as our Advisor. She ensured ALL of our voices were heard and that the concerns of the students were taken seriously. She fought hard for us, and upheld our values in rooms we never stepped foot in. She has mentored me throughout the process of applying to medical school, personal statement edits, mock interviews, introspective conversations - I'm proud to say I got accepted to medical school and grateful for the support and guidance I received from Latoya."

Jamilah, student
"Thank you for helping me identify the best college suitable for my learning needs, for helping with the college app and FAFSA process and understanding the financial aid award breakdown. A big THANK YOU for also guiding me through that confusing verification process! I would be lost without your help. Latoya's financial aid expertise is unmatched! I have so much to be thankful for, but most importantly, thank you for advocating for students with disabilities, and for modeling what advocacy in action looks like."

Kate, student
"ThrivEnvironment is unique and a true gift to us parents and our children. It's sort of like a one-stop-shop where you can get help with a range of college planning services. I appreciated the financial aid and parent plus loan application guidance. That aside, after working with the team on the knowledge of self inventory, we gained a clearer understanding as well as a plan on how to strengthen our child's self-determination and self-advocacy skills. The knowledge shared about the differences in support services and resources for parents was great! It truly takes a village and ThrivEnvironment is now part of mine."

Barbara, parent