Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults
Transforming stress into strength, one mindful student at a time.
Collin McConaghy teaches MIEA Mindfulness alongside Jake McDonald to youth, high schoolers and college students and student-athletes. They’ve been leading stride for stride over for the past seven years at the Richmond-based preparatory Collegiate School, recently expanding their mindfulness-based initiatives to include partnerships with Summit Emotional Health and the ThePeaveyProject. They have adapted MIEA to multiple platforms and organizations.
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Allan is a Registered Nurse specializing in college health and a certified MIEA trainer since 2023. His meditation journey began in 1998 with Zen practice, leading him to ordain as a Zen Buddhist priest in 2004.
For years, Allan sought ways to introduce mindfulness to his patients but found traditional avenues like encouraging students to attend local Zen centers rarely resonated. When he discovered MIEA, he recognized it as the “right formulation, right dose, and right time” for emerging adults.
Teaching MIEA allows him to share mindfulness as practical medicine for stress and anxiety. Allan’s favorite moments are when students report small but profound shifts, such as noticing gratitude, calming anxious thoughts, or seeing the world differently on a simple walk to class. He believes MIEA equips students with life-changing skills at a critical stage of their development.
Buddhini lives and works in Kuala Lumpur, where she combines her role as a Chartered Accountant with her passion for mindfulness education. A certified MIEA trainer since 2022, she is also a teacher in the globally recognized Search Inside Yourself (SIY) program.
Her mindfulness journey began in university meditation classes, where she experienced the clarity and calm that helped her excel academically and professionally.
Today, she shares MIEA because she sees how its structured, evidence-based curriculum helps young adults and professionals alike discover resilience and emotional intelligence. Buddhini especially enjoys listening to students reflect on their progress, offering encouragement, and witnessing their gradual transformation. She is committed to building access to effective mindfulness training in Malaysia, where structured programs like MIEA remain rare but deeply needed.
Danielle is based in Bozeman, Montana, where she teaches MIEA at Montana State University and co-leads the Montana Mindfulness Project, a nonprofit bringing mindfulness to youth and communities across the state.
She first encountered mindfulness as a religious studies major at Brown University, where she studied Buddhism and Hinduism. Over the years, she has woven mindfulness into her roles as a somatic coach (sometimes with horses as co-teachers), nonprofit leader, and faculty member.
Danielle became a certified MIEA trainer in 2020 and values the program for its peer-reviewed structure that stands apart from piecemeal approaches. She delights in watching students slow down, become aware of their habitual patterns, and discover that they can choose new ways of responding.
A solo parent of a teenage daughter, whom she counts as one of her best mindfulness teachers, Danielle embodies the resilience and adaptability she helps cultivate in others.
Jane is an education and training facilitator based in Auckland, New Zealand, with a background in adult learning. She has designed and led courses across universities, vocational institutes, workplaces, and community groups in New Zealand, Austria, and Vietnam. She has taught MIEA courses since 2015.
Her mindfulness journey began early in life through Christian prayer and reflection, later deepening through Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), the writings of Pema Chödrön, and Buddhist retreats.
Jane’s favorite part of teaching is the “check-in” sessions, where students share their experiences and she helps them connect daily struggles to mindfulness principles. Outside of work, she is an enthusiastic traveler and grandmother to three young granddaughters, who continue to inspire her practice of curiosity and presence.
Marcia has worked in higher education for more than 3 decades in positions that spanned front line service to executive management. She taught MIEA for over eight years at Valencia College, Florida. While in graduate school, she worked at a seminary, actively involved in inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue. She has also worked as a hospice chaplain, bringing care to patients and families during critical times.
Her meditation journey began in the Wisdom Tradition of her upbringing and deepened in 2014 through a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course and Vipassana retreat during a difficult professional transition. Grateful for the healing impact of practice, Marcia embraced MIEA for its accessibility and structured approach, which made it possible to bring evidence-based mindfulness to higher education.
Finding joy in creating supportive environments where students discover practical tools that transform daily life, Marcia lives in Florida with her husband, dog and seven chickens.
Paula is the Director of the Center for Well-Being at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she integrates mindfulness into student services, mental health and well-being support, and campus culture. Before taking on this role in 2022, she spent more than two decades at Assumption University as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Professor of Psychology, combining academic leadership with a commitment to student development.
Her meditation journey began with Zen practice and deepened through Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training, which provided a foundation for her work as a MIEA trainer. Certified since 2021, Paula values MIEA’s evidence-based curriculum for its accessibility and practical application in academic settings.
In her teaching, Paula focuses on dispelling myths about meditation, encouraging self-compassion, and helping students experience mindfulness as a tool for managing stress and living with intention. She finds joy in those moments when students recognize the need to slow down, rest, and treat themselves with kindness. Outside of her professional work, Paula enjoys yoga, reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and exploring new approaches to meaning and purpose in everyday life.
Tiffany is an educator and strategic leader with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of education, equity, and community. Most recently, she served as Head of Lower School and Director of Community Engagement and Belonging at Louisville Collegiate School, where she led curriculum redesign, faculty development, enrollment growth, and diversity initiatives that transformed school culture. Earlier in her career she held leadership roles at Norwood School, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, and The Potomac School, and she has also taught as an adjunct professor at Marymount University and Belmont University.
Her mindfulness journey began when her school introduced a six-week seminar for administrators, and she quickly discovered meditation as a powerful tool for focus, emotional awareness, and well-being. Tiffany co-led student seminars, integrated mindfulness into classrooms, and wove practice into her DEI facilitation with adults. She became a MIEA trainer because of the program’s inclusivity and accessibility, finding in it a framework that resonates with both her professional mission and personal practice.
Tiffany’s teaching emphasizes helping even the most reluctant learners discover that mindfulness can offer clarity, resilience, and calm. She brings compassion and lived experience as both an educator and caregiver, and she views mindfulness as a lifelong practice that supports equity, belonging, and sustainable growth for individuals and communities alike.
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Sid is a mindfulness educator and program leader whose work bridges research, practice, and philanthropy to advance wellbeing in education. He currently serves as Development Manager at WholeSchool Mindfulness, finding in it a framework that resonates with her professional mission and personal practice. Previously, he coordinated wellbeing initiatives at Dartmouth College, where he partnered with more than a dozen campus offices to deliver evidence-based programs to over 1,300 students annually.
Sid’s mindfulness journey began in childhood and has been a source of resilience through personal challenges. He deepened his practice with training as a Certified Yoga Instructor in Mumbai, later earning a Master’s in Education Studies from KU Leuven in Belgium, where he researched contemplative pedagogy. He also holds an Economics degree from the University of London and is trained in iRest Yoga Nidra.
As a MIEA trainer, Sid values the curriculum’s research-backed structure and its ability to make mindfulness accessible across diverse student populations. His teaching emphasizes transformation through practice, and he is motivated by the vision of building a culture of mental health and wellbeing on campuses nationwide.
Begin your mindfulness journey with a free chapter from “The Mindful Twenty-Something” by Holly Rogers, a book praised by Sharon Salzberg for its accessibility and usefulness.
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Dylan is a certified MIEA trainer who teaches mindfulness to medical students, health professionals, and university students in Germany. He studied Exercise Science and Sports Psychology at Ithaca College, where mindfulness became a lifeline during struggles with anxiety and panic attacks.
After graduating, Dylan immersed himself in courses and retreats, training extensively at the Myrna Brind Center for Mindfulness at Jefferson University. There, he completed a practicum and internship in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which gave him a solid foundation to teach in both academic and healthcare settings.
His teaching blends scientific training with personal experience, resonating with students who may feel skeptical or uncertain. Based in Berlin, Dylan is also active in the Wake Up Sangha, a Plum Village-inspired community, and pursues his creative passions as a music producer and audio engineer.
Tim is University Chaplain at Wake Forest, where he has served since 2003 and developed programs that support spiritual life, pastoral care, and interfaith engagement. He began practicing mindfulness in 1985 as a way to manage stress and maintains a lifelong connection to meditation in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.
In 2017, Tim created the MindfulWake program, offering mindfulness training for students, faculty, and staff. He later became a MIEA trainer to expand the reach of evidence-based mindfulness on campus, helping students cultivate self-awareness and resilience. His teaching is rooted in the belief that contemplative practices can transform both individuals and communities.
Tim practices with sanghas in North Carolina and is preparing for ordination into the Order of Interbeing. His style blends joy, playfulness, and presence, inviting students to experience mindfulness as a way of living, not just a technique.
Mac serves at the University of Richmond, in the Weinstein Learning Center where he has supported student success for over 15 years through academic coaching, peer tutoring, and integrated learning initiatives. He holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Science in Education, and has taught university courses in religion and history for .
Mac’s introduction to mindfulness came after his military service, when he turned to meditation as part of his healing from PTSD. First guided in samatha-vipassana practices by a psychologist, he found mindfulness to be a life-changing tool for resilience and personal growth. In 2019, he became a certified teacher with the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA) and has since introduced hundreds of students to mindfulness through structured courses, workshops, and weekly practice groups.
As a teacher, Mac brings a compassionate, energetic presence to his work. He views mindfulness not only as a practice for personal well-being, but also as a powerful educational tool—helping students cultivate focus, reduce stress, and deepen their sense of purpose. He continues to advocate for evidence-based mindfulness in higher education and community programs, with a commitment to fostering reflection, resilience, and connection in every learning space.
Mil is a licensed clinical psychologist and Psychology Training Director at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Counseling and Psychological Services, where she specializes in supporting emerging adults through transitions and challenges. She began meditating in the 1990s and trained with mentors including Dr. Ronna Rachel Weiss, as well as through Duke Integrative Medicine and the Cape Cod Institute.
As part of the inaugural MIEA teacher cohort in 2013, Mil is among the longest-serving MIEA trainers. She is especially passionate about mentoring new teachers and ensuring that students of color and other underrepresented groups have access to mindfulness education. For her, mindfulness is both a personal anchor and a professional tool that enriches her own life and strengthens her ability to guide young adults with compassion and clarity.
Mil lives in Carrboro, North Carolina, where she enjoys tennis, dance, musical theatre, and time with family and friends. Her teaching reflects the joy and resilience she finds both in her personal practice and in community.
Karen directed Health Promotion and Wellbeing at the University of Louisville Student Health Services from 2007 to 2018, where she and her team developed resilience frameworks to support student success. She began teaching MIEA courses at UofL in 2015, drawn to the accessibility of the curriculum and its ability to bring real-life application of structured mindfulness practice into both academic and community settings. These days, Karen teaches Intro to Mindfulness, 2.0 courses and retreats at the Earth & Spirit Center and other non-profit organizations in Louisville. It provides great pleasure, focus and purpose in her life to to continue teaching mindfulness to ever-emerging populations of all ages.
Her personal meditation practice spans decades and has been shaped by life challenges as well as inspiration from the Vipassana tradition. Determined to stay relevant in this chaotic world, she continues to study trauma-responsive teaching methods and incorporate somatic practices into her teaching and her own life.
She sees mindfulness as both a personal practice and a tool for social justice, aligning her values with MIEA’s mission to create equitable access to resilience-building education.
Erica is a flutist, music educator, and founder of The Open Wings School, where she integrates mindfulness with music education to help students build resilience and creativity. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, she brings both artistry and compassion to her work.
Her mindfulness journey began in graduate school, when she turned to meditation to manage performance anxiety. She soon discovered its transformative potential for musicians, educators, and students alike. In 2013, Erica joined the inaugural class of MIEA teachers and is a dedicated advocate for bringing mindfulness to emerging adults. She also completed the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, further strengthening her foundation as a teacher.
Erica believes mindfulness deepens not only her students’ self-awareness but also her own teaching practice. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, swimming, hiking, and exploring world music, all while continuing her lifelong practice of mindful presence.
Chase began her career in residential care for youth and later worked in educational settings with children experiencing behavioral health challenges. After earning a degree in Mental Health Counseling, she trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and now supervises an Intensive Care Coordination program, where she also leads agency-wide trainings.
Chase’s mindfulness journey took root in Buddhist monasteries where she practiced in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. She later trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and became certified in MIEA’s model to bring these practices to young adults in accessible ways. She is passionate about sharing mindfulness as both healing and empowering, helping students cultivate resilience in their daily lives.
Chase lives in Northampton, Massachusetts with her family, where she can often be found both coaching and playing community sports.
Bibi is an educator and advocate who currently serves as Dean of Restorative Practices at Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center, where she fosters community building, empowerment, and healing. She also held leadership roles at Duke University, advancing gender equity and civic engagement through student development and academic advising.
Her mindfulness journey began at age 14 in a church setting and deepened during law school, where practice helped her manage stress. Since then, she has woven mindfulness into every aspect of her professional and personal life, bringing presence to her students and her activism.
Bibi has been teaching mindfulness with MIEA since 2016, offering classes that integrate social justice values with practical mindfulness skills. She also explores storytelling through film and leads wellness workshops that combine reflection, movement, and mindful eating.
Vivien is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and founder of Activated By Wellness, a group practice dedicated to serving historically underserved communities. She is part of MIEA’s teaching team, a role she began in 2018, along with directing outreach and teacher development.
Vivien’s academic background includes a BA in Psychology, an MSW in Social Work, Graduate Certificate in Women in Politics and Public Policy, and currently in a PhD program where her research is focused on mindfulness and DEI. She integrates mindfulness into education by creating curricula that address equity and inclusion. Vivien is also ordained in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing, where she received the Dharma name True Presence of Compassion. She serves on the board of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and is active in the Hopping Tree Sangha in Massachusetts.
Vivien balances her professional commitments with family life and time in the woods of Western Massachusetts, where she continues to deepen her own practice of compassion and presence.
*Acceptable alternatives to Fundamentals include MBSR, MBCT, MSC, training by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, formal mindfulness training with an experienced teacher, or attendance to multiple retreats.
This book, written by MIEA’ co-founder Holly Rogers and Margaret Maytan, is the essential text for those interested in teaching mindfulness to college students and other emerging adults. It is a required reading for teachers getting their certification.
Suit Fong is based in Singapore, where she curates and facilitates mindfulness and compassion programs for children, youth, adults, and families with additional needs. She is an accredited coach, certified counsellor and chartered accountant with advanced degrees in business and counseling, bringing both professional rigor and personal warmth to her work.
Before dedicating herself fully to teaching mindfulness, Suit Fong spent more than two decades in senior corporate leadership, including roles at Shell Group, AirAsia, and as CEO of Extraordinary People Limited, a charity supporting children and youth with special needs. She managed large global and regional teams, built shared service centers, and guided organizations through periods of growth, transformation and change.
Her personal mindfulness journey began over 20 years ago at a retreat in Nepal. In 2012, she chose to leave her corporate career and dedicate herself to teaching mindfulness full-time, inspired by the transformation her son with special needs experienced through learning and practicing mindfulness.
As MIEA’s Asia Pacific Regional Representative, she is committed to building a strong network of trainers to expand access to evidence-based mindfulness across the region. Her teaching reflects both her professional discipline and her personal passion for resilience, kindness, and inclusion.
This book, written by MIEA co-founder Holly Rogers, is an essential guide to MIEA's curriculum, Intro to Mindfulness (formerly known as Koru Mindfulness). It is required reading for students and teachers getting their certification.
Jennie is a psychotherapist and yoga and meditation teacher with more than a decade of experience in higher education and thousands of hours of teaching practice. She earned her BA in Philosophy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and her MSW from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her clinical work is grounded in experiential and somatic therapies, with advanced training in Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems.
Jennie began teaching MIEA at Duke University and went on to co-lead national teacher trainings with co-founders Holly Rogers and Libby Webb. In 2019, she launched MIEA’s first Train-the-Trainer program, helping grow a strong community of certified teachers. She continues to teach as part of MIEA’s faculty while maintaining a private practice in North Carolina.
Her mindfulness journey began in her twenties through yoga and Buddhism, practices that transformed her personally and professionally. Today, Jennie brings presence, gratitude, and curiosity to both her family life as a parent and her ongoing work with students and clients.
Alex oversees daily operations at MIEA while also teaching mindfulness as a certified trainer. His mindfulness journey began in 2012 during a guided meditation that sparked a transformative experience. Since then, he has cultivated a daily practice through meditation, study, and community, with the intention of strengthening compassion for himself and others.
Alex is passionate about helping people find accessible ways to improve their health and wellbeing and believes mindfulness is one of the most effective tools available.
A Detroit native, Alex enjoys time with his family, especially his sons, and finds joy in dancing and celebrating life with others. His personal motto is simple: "I live to serve."
Dr. Holly B. Rogers is a psychiatrist, mindfulness teacher, and co-founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (formerly Koru Mindfulness). She spent 23 years at Duke University's Counseling and Psychological Services, where she developed deep expertise working with college and graduate students navigating the unique pressures of emerging adulthood.
During her years at Duke, Dr. Rogers witnessed firsthand the toll that stress and disconnection were taking on young adults. She also saw the extraordinary impact mindfulness could have when taught in a way that truly resonated. Alongside her colleague Dr. Margaret Maytan, she co-developed the Koru Mindfulness program, creating a practical, evidence-based approach designed specifically for the realities of 18- to 30-year-olds. Her mission is clear: make mindfulness accessible, relevant, and immediately useful, whether in the classroom, the workplace, or everyday life.
Dr. Rogers' core passion is helping young adults navigate this critical life stage with more clarity, confidence, and compassion. Her approach centers on supervised practice in small group settings, emphasizing the tools that help emerging adults stay steady under stress and through transition. She believes that mindfulness can transform not only individual lives but also the broader culture of how we support young people.
Dr. Rogers is the author of The Mindful Twenty-Something and co-author of Mindfulness for the Next Generation (Oxford University Press). She has trained mindfulness instructors at over 300 universities worldwide and continues to support clients through her private psychiatry practice in Durham, NC, integrating mindfulness into mental health care.
Libby co-founded MIEA after a career as a licensed clinical social worker and Associate Director at Duke University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. Libby also served as a Clinical Associate in the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center. She loves working with emerging adults, a commitment she began in the 1990s.
Libby’s meditation practice was borne out of her interest in bringing restorative practices to her clients. She has practiced in the Vipassana tradition for 20 years and finds great meaning teaching the MIEA curriculum to adults of all ages.
She lives with her family in Durham, North Carolina and loves cycling the country roads wherever she lands in her travels.
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