New company to help students navigate the college journey

College MAPS, a new North Florida education company, has been launched to help students in grades 6-12 build confidence, discover their interests and approach the college journey with greater clarity and purpose.

Founded by four women with extensive backgrounds in education, admissions and youth mentorship, College MAPS offers personalized mentorship, workshops and comprehensive college counseling.

College MAPS was created in response to the growing complexity of college admissions. The company’s model provides students with carefully matched college mentors – near-peer young adults who have recently navigated the process themselves and can offer relatable, informed and practical support.

World-Class Mentorship

College MAPS mentors come from many of the nation’s leading universities, including MIT, Princeton, Yale, Duke, Stanford, UPenn, the University of Florida, NYU, the University of Virginia, UCLA, the University of Texas, Dartmouth and the University of North Carolina.

The mentor team includes:

• Jefferson Scholars, Morehead-Cain Scholars, and Robertson Scholars

• Division I athletes

• Published researchers, engineers and pre-med students

• Entrepreneurs, artists, writers and business students

• Campus leaders

“We believe students benefit from guidance earlier — not simply to build a résumé, but to discover what excites them, develop confidence and become the kind of student who thrives in college and beyond,” the founding team stated.

Services include one-on-one mentorship, passion-project development, study habits support, interview preparation, and essay coaching.

A Broad Foundation of Expertise

College MAPS is led by a founding team with unusually broad expertise:

• Karen Freedman: A University of Florida graduate bringing deep experience in marketing, strategy, youth leadership and community engagement.

• Dr. Elizabeth Paul Magnano: An educator with more than 30 years of experience in public health and global youth development, holding a doctorate and an MPH from Columbia University.

• Amy Maughan: A writer, editor, former adjunct professor and certified life coach with an MFA who excels at helping students discover their unique voice.

• Kate Zarczynski: An attorney, award-winning author and former Northwestern University admissions interviewer who brings analytical rigor and storytelling expertise to student development.

“Every student has a unique story,” the founders noted. “Our job is to help them discover it, shape it and bring it to life.”

Upcoming Event

College MAPS will host its first Common App writing workshop on Saturday, June 6, in Ponte Vedra Beach. Space is strictly limited to 12 spots to ensure highly personalized feedback.

To register, email info@mycollegemaps.com.

About College MAPS

College MAPS is a North Florida-based education company offering high-quality mentorship, workshops and customized college counseling for students in grades 6-12. By pairing students with carefully selected college mentors, the company’s philosophy is simple: consistent mentorship builds the student; strategic consulting guides the process. For more information, go to www.mycollegemaps.com.