Transition-focused college planning and student development support

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We recognize that when students receive a comprehensive plan focused on their unique needs, they can achieve success in college and beyond.

We know that many parents of students with learning differences are eager to learn what they can do to support their children with this challenging transition.

We’re committed to helping students and their families navigate the college readiness, planning and admissions process from application to acceptance and more. Our all-encompassing training and support ensures that students develop and strengthen skills needed to make a healthy transition to the next level of their education.

Through our unique integrated mindfulness-based stress reduction and wellness services approach coupled with a highly talented team, we provide a safe, nurturing environment where your student can THRIVE in each phase of the college planning, application and student development process.

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“Latoya has, and continues to be a role model for us. Her words have a way of bringing solace when your mind may be chaotic.”

- Jamilah, student

Meet Our Thrive Crew!

Latoya Attis, PhD, M.Ed., MFT-LP

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Latoya Attis, PhD, M.Ed., MFT-LP //

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Founder & CEO // RYT 500

Dr. Attis is a leader in higher education student support, health and well-being. She specializes in cognitive-strategic teaching & learning, content-area literacy, student advocacy, and postsecondary transition readiness, particularly as they pertain to students with high-incidence disabilities in inclusive education. Her career and training in secondary and postsecondary education, student services, applied behavioral analysis, health, and well-being spans over 17 years. She advises, teaches and mentors diverse students, and understands the challenges students face navigating educational systems, including accessing accommodations and requesting modifications. She has used her educational and professional training/experiences to contribute to numerous professional presentations/committees in the fields of higher education and disability, social justice, and access and inclusion. She was a fellow of the CSWE-SSWR-GADE Social Work Doctoral Student Policy forum and presented her research to policy makers on Capitol Hill. As an education consultant, her transition coaching practice follows the tenets of person-centered planning, rooted in promoting self-determination, self-advocacy. and resilience.

She currently serves as the Principal Investigator on a funded grant, an interdisciplinary approach to using a self-advocacy and resilience intervention on Students with Disabilities to improve transition services to postsecondary education. She also conducted research in the disability studies field, examining self-advocacy skills and accommodation services for postsecondary students with disabilities. She has written a book chapter in Lessons in Social Equity, A Case Study Book, which explores issues of social equity in classrooms.

  • Dr. Attis is currently a clinical assistant professor and adjunct professor in the graduate school of psychology, a certified yoga, and health and wellness educator, and child/parent advocate. Prior to her faculty role, she held various university positions, such as associate director for academic advising & student advocacy, academic advising and program administrator, student financial services loan coordinator and counselor. She founded ThrivEnviornment to help marginalized students overcome barriers to college access.

    She holds a Doctoral degree in Social Welfare from Yeshiva University, a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona University, a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education, with a specialization in Teaching Students with Disabilities, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College. She is certified by American Yoga Academy and registered with Yoga Alliance.

    When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, running and indoor cycling!

John Anzul, EdD

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John Anzul, EdD //

John Anzul, the Vice President of ThrivEnvironment
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Dr. Anzul’s career in education spans over 34 years. He is currently an Assistant Superintendent, working for the NYC Public Schools.

Prior to joining the NYC Department of Education, John was the Superintendent of the Oradell School District in New Jersey, and the Assistant Superintendent of the New Brunswick, New Jersey Public Schools. He also served as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel for the Hoboken School District in New Jersey. John served as a middle school reading teacher, high school English Language Arts teacher, vice principal and principal across a number of urban and suburban districts.

In addition, John has been an adjunct professor of Educational Administration at the University of St. Elizabeth in Morris County, NJ for seven years.

Dr. Anzul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University, a Master of Arts degree in English Education from New York University, and a Doctoral degree in Educational Administration from Seton Hall University. John Anzul is a certified School District Leader in four states.

Vice President

You deserve to feel excited about your student's college planning, application and student development journey.

With the right partners by your side, you can take strides through that journey feeling empowered, seen and heard.

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