About the Organizations — College Day 2026

MAAC

Host

MAAC

Mindful Awareness Academy for Children — a holistic college and career readiness program for our community's most vulnerable students.

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.

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.

Visit MAAC's website →

In partnership with

ERESC

Essex Regional Educational Services Commission — special education and alternative schools serving students who need a different path forward.

Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC) is a public, non-profit agency that runs three special education and alternative schools: Essex Junior Academy (K–8th), Essex Campus Academy, and Essex High School. ERESC also operates Sojourn High School for grades 7th to 12th at the Essex County youth detention center.

Across these schools, ERESC serves students who often need a different kind of educational environment — including students with disabilities, students in alternative education programs, and students whose circumstances have made traditional schooling difficult. The Commission's work is grounded in building meaningful partnerships with school districts to deliver quality educational and administrative services to every student they reach.

Visit ERESC's website →

ERESC

Our teams

A Big Thank You To The Team That Made This Day Possible!

MAAC

Andrea Smith

MAAC Founder and Executive Director

Tanya Isler

MAAC Board Member

Dr. Eleanor Gil-Kashiwabara

MAAC Board Member

Nadine Verna

MAAC Board Member

Tamara Williams

MAAC Board Member

Kathryn Tam

MAAC Board Member

ERESC

Pheobie Thomas

ERESC Program Director

Laquisha Valentin

ERESC Grants & Fiscal Manager

Atiya Trent

ERESC Data & Logistics Analyst

Candice Gainer

ERESC Community Outreach Liaison

Crisaliz Soto

ERESC Community Outreach Liaison

Want to learn more?

Reach out: we'd love to hear from you!

Whether you're a school looking to bring College Day to your students, an organization that wants to partner, or just curious about the work: get in touch!

Email us → See ways to partner