College and career readiness for all at
Mindful Awareness Academy for Children
(MAAC)
Holistic college and career readiness programming for students, incorporating mindfulness, social and emotional wellness, and community engagement
About MAAC
Mindful Awareness Academy for Children (MAAC) was created to provide a safe and nurturing environment where students can grow, heal, and prepare for their future. MAAC’s holistic college and career readiness programming combines mindfulness, social and emotional wellness, and community engagement to improve academic achievement and prepare students for success in higher education and careers.
MAAC stands out from other college readiness programs by aiming to help our communities’ most vulnerable students, especially those who have been held back from opportunities as a result of their ethnicity, poverty, homelessness, displacement, or other challenges.
College and Career Readiness
At MAAC, we prepare scholars for both college and career success by meeting them at their starting point, identifying their needs and interests, and guiding them step-by-step toward their personal and professional goals. Our dedicated staff provide individualized attention and support that ensures scholars are equipped with the knowledge and tools to succeed.
Social and Emotional Wellness
MAAC’s focus on social and emotional wellness addresses these key drivers to overall success and well-being. Our skilled and caring staff meet each scholar where they are, giving them a space to feel heard and supported.
Mindfulness
MAAC programming includes a mindfulness component to help scholars manage stress and anxiety, improve their focus, increase resilience, build healthy relationships, and make good decisions.
Community Engagement
MAAC Villagers, our ever-growing consortium of leaders from the business and academic communities, support MAAC scholars by sharing their own stories and providing valuable guidance for personal growth, college and career exploration, civic responsibility, and making a positive impact.
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What was your role with ABC?
I spent a week as a runner for the Lafayette Park press pool, which is the staff responsible for covering the ceremonies on the day of the inauguration. Our pool consisted of ABC, NBC, CNN, and FOX. On the day of the inauguration, I got there at 4:30 am to get the morning shots of the transition between Biden and Trump. My role included assisting the tech staff and engineers with both ABC and Game Creek Video and our head pool producer with running errands between the press pool and the National Press Club. I stayed until 5 pm and enjoyed every minute. I hope to work with ABC again in the future. It was an incredible experience.
How did this opportunity come about?
ABC News contacted one of my broadcast professors, Jill Olmstead, and asked her to recommend students for the job. She called me during winter break to ask if this was something I was interested in.
What was the best thing about this experience?
The best thing about this experience was getting to work in a production truck on Pennsylvania Ave. It has been a long dream of mine to cover the White House.
What surprised you about this experience?
Honestly, nothing surprised me, because I did not know what to expect. I went in knowing it would be a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment, and I was ready to acclimate.
Were there any challenges?
The day before the inauguration, we received news that President Trump was moving the entire ceremony indoors. This essentially flipped our entire schedule upside down, and we had to change our entire production. While challenging, I enjoyed that experience.
The over-arching challenge was dealing with breaking news as it was coming in.
What advice would you give to another student in the same position?
Listen as much as possible, and ask a question as soon as you think of one. Also, don't be afraid to point out a mistake that nobody else has seen yet. Take lots of pictures, and enjoy the experience while you're there.
Kennedy with CNN anchor Abby Phillip at a White House Correspondents’ Dinner after-party.
MAAC's Scholar of the Month!
Every month, we spotlight a student whose journey inspires us all. This month, meet Kennedy Morgan, who overcame the challenge of channeling her boundless energy into focused ambition to excel in school and dream of a career covering the White House as a political journalist.
Fifteen years ago, Kennedy Morgan’s kindergarten teacher saw her potential, calling her student “extremely enthusiastic” and explaining, “She has an energy about her that we are working together to use in a positive way.”
Fast-forward to 2025, Kennedy is a junior at American University in Washington, D.C., carrying a dual major in political science and journalism, and her professor has continued the mission of finding ways to allow Kennedy to leverage her energy and enthusiasm, now on a broader scale. Last month, the ambitious MAAC scholar and virtual tutor was invited to work with the ABC network at the presidential inauguration. She shares her experience here.
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Our Impact
Whether it’s helping displaced youth find stability or guiding students toward achieving personal milestones, our work speaks for itself.
80%
of scholars continue learned wellness strategies
1000+
students served
98
of graduates go on to college
Our MAAC scholars have gone on to these colleges and universities
American University
Columbia
Davidson
Delaware State
Drexel
Emerson
Essex County College
Felician
Fordham
Guilford
Howard
Lincoln Tech
Marist
Montclair State
Naval Academy
Northern Illinois
Penn State
Princeton
Rutgers
School of Visual Arts, NYC
Seton Hall
Spelman
St. Elizabeth
SUNY Binghamton
Syracuse
Temple University
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of Pennsylvania
William Paterson University
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
Keannah
“I am now a college freshman with a clear mind and dedicated to my purpose.”
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
Blake
“Without MAAC, I would have never been given the inspiration to consider a new career path after high school.”
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
Lydia
“...during mindfulness discussions, it was normalized that you will face some uncomfortable moments to grow, which I think has encouraged me to try new things like welding...”
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
Devin
“MAAC was a part of my success. It put me ahead of the game. When I returned to school in September, I felt more prepared than most.”
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
Cassidy
“MAAC has helped me grow in so many aspects of my life.”
Summer College Readiness Boot Camp
After-School Program
HESAA/FAFSA workshops
College Day events
Community events
Partnerships with local and state organizations
School partnerships
Community engagement speakers
Virtual tutoring
Refugee assistance
Resource connections
…and more!
MAAC has served scholars through its
Program$
Offerings include FAFSA, HESAA, scholarship and grant exploration, and financial literacy.
Free Mentoring
We connect college students with resources including networking opportunities, health and wellness, goal-setting, study skills, internships, and more.
Summer Boot Camp
MAAC’s flagship summer college readiness program for rising high school seniors offers 2- to 4-week sessions.
After-School Program
Our tailored 4-year program guides high school scholars through their personal and academic growth journey.
MAAC became one of those opportunities that was hard for me to accept because of life being thrown at me, in addition to the distresses that caused me to be anxious about the future instead of present about my goals. MAAC is exactly where I needed to be, and so I met Ms. Andrea, and her lovely spirit of trust and temperament opened my mind to stay there. Guess what? I didn't want to leave when the course was ending. I was shocked at the staff who were like family, and the college guests who were just as mindful as Ms. Andrea. And I needed that--someone who was present and honest to help. I got aid mentally, physically, and wisely! They'd ask me if I needed anything more, and just like that, they made it happen where someone from my dream college visited me. We talked about all my worries, and I am now a college freshman with a clear mind and dedicated to my purpose. I am passionate about who I want to become: a midwife. Thank you MAAC family!
Community Engagement
Our inspirational and motivational speakers engage on a variety of subjects, including:
-
Financial literacy
-
Career choices
-
Emotional health and wellness
-
Academic support
-
Resilience and personal growth
-
and many more!
We work with your budget and needs. Click here for more information.
Community Engagement
Our inspirational and motivational speakers engage on a variety of subjects, including:
-
Financial literacy
-
Career choices
-
Emotional health and wellness
-
Academic support
-
Resilience and personal growth
-
and many more!
We work with your budget and needs. Click here for more information.