  {"id":43519,"date":"2013-08-21T08:44:51","date_gmt":"2013-08-21T08:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/?page_id=43519"},"modified":"2026-05-04T16:35:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:35:49","slug":"thrive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/thrive\/","title":{"rendered":"º¬Ðß²Ý´«Ã½ Thrive Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>PROGRAM OVERVIEW:<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/04\/Thriive.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-44139 size-medium alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/04\/Thriive-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"The word &quot;THRIVE&quot; over a black pattern. \" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/04\/Thriive-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/04\/Thriive-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/04\/Thriive.jpg 574w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Augsburg\u2019s <strong>Thrive Program<\/strong>\u2014formerly known as EAST (East African Students to Teachers)\u2014has expanded its mission to support all education majors at º¬Ðß²Ý´«Ã½ who are working toward a K\u201312 teaching license. Thrive is dedicated to empowering future educators by offering personalized support throughout their college journey, from academics to Professional development.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>MISSION:<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Thrive<\/strong> is focused on recruiting, engaging, and supporting future teachers through student development, mentorship, networking, and community involvement. The program helps students transition smoothly into Augsburg and encourages their academic, professional, and personal growth. Thrive is dedicated to helping education majors build a strong foundation for success while fostering meaningful connections throughout their college experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>VISION:<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transform the K\u201312 classroom experience by preparing well-rounded, culturally responsive teachers who are equipped to support and engage today\u2019s diverse student populations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Mentorship:<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_44140\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-44140\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/04\/students.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-44140 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/04\/students-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of Professor Madrid and current Thrive Program students.\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-44140\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Professor Madrid and current Thrive Program students.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faculty, staff, and peers work together to create a supportive and encouraging environment for future educators, helping them navigate challenges and stay on track toward successful careers in teaching and academia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Health &amp; Wellness:<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Committed to supporting the overall well-being of future educators, <\/span><b>Thrive<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helps students manage the stress and challenges of teaching and learning by connecting them with trusted health and wellness resources. The program ensures students have access to knowledgeable, compassionate practitioners who understand the unique demands of the education field.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PERSONALIZED COUNSELING:<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Staff and faculty are dedicated to providing thoughtful, personalized counseling that fosters strong relationships and supports students in navigating the unique challenges of their academic and personal journeys.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>STEPS TO APPLY<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/transfer\/\">Traditional Undergraduate\u00a0Day Transfer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/pro\/\">Adult Undergraduate<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/mae\/\">Master of Arts in Education (MAE)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Faculty &amp; Staff<\/h2>\n<table border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" width=\"150\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"padding-right: 20px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/01\/use250x300_0009_EAST_06.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/faculty\/madrid-aranda-sergio\/\"><b>Sergio Madrid-Aranda<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0earned his doctorate in Special Bilingual Education, along with a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders, from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sergio is passionate about teaching, especially at the college level, and is committed to student success. He previously served as president of the Graduate Student Council at NMSU, where he helped promote academic achievement and professional development among participating students.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" valign=\"top\" width=\"150\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"padding-right: 20px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/01\/use250x300_0006_EAST_09.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2026\/05\/kaia-copy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-44188 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2026\/05\/kaia-copy-195x300.png\" alt=\"Kaia, the student coordinator Headshot\" width=\"108\" height=\"166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2026\/05\/kaia-copy-195x300.png 195w, https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2026\/05\/kaia-copy-667x1024.png 667w, https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2026\/05\/kaia-copy-768x1179.png 768w, https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2026\/05\/kaia-copy.png 809w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 108px) 100vw, 108px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\"><a href=\"m&#97;&#x69;&#x6c;t&#111;&#x3a;&#x61;b&#100;&#105;&#x6b;&#x61;r&#105;&#x40;&#x61;u&#103;&#x73;&#x62;u&#114;&#103;&#x2e;&#x65;d&#117;\"><b>Abdikarim M Abdi<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0is the son of East African immigrants who instilled in him a fervent passion for education and equity. Abdikarim received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from St. Cloud State University and later obtained a Graduate TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Passionate about access to meaningful employment and education, Abdikarim fought for labor rights and taught English language courses to newly arrived immigrants throughout the state of Minnesota. Abdikarim remains active in his community as a mentor, organizer, and teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"h&#105;&#114;&#x74;&#x40;a&#117;&#103;&#x73;&#x62;&#x75;r&#103;&#46;&#x65;&#x64;u\">K<strong>aia Hirt<\/strong><\/a> is an equity specialist, educator, and mentorship consultant based in Minneapolis. My focus is on cultural competency, belonging, and the advancement of people of color. <span class=\"a_GcMg\">As a college advisor to Education undergraduate students, I love hearing about what they are learning and helping them explore the many questions they have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"a_GcMg\">\u00a0As <\/span><span class=\"a_GcMg\">Mentorship and Student Leadership Coordinator<\/span><span class=\"a_GcMg\"> of the Thrive Program at º¬Ðß²Ý´«Ã½, it has been my pleasure to be able to connect students with professional development, networking opportunities, and scholarship streams.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Augsburg\u2019s Thrive Program\u2014formerly known as EAST (East African Students to Teachers)\u2014has expanded its mission to support all education majors at º¬Ðß²Ý´«Ã½ who are working toward a K\u201312 teaching license. Thrive is dedicated to empowering future educators by offering personalized support throughout their college journey, from academics to Professional development. MISSION: Thrive is &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-43519","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43519"}],"version-history":[{"count":170,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43519\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44161,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43519\/revisions\/44161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}