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Exciting Update: Formerly Koru Mindfulness, We’re Now the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA).

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Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults

Become Certified to teach mindfulness with an evidence-backed program

Transforming Higher Education –

One Mindful Student at a Time

Empower your students to move from feeling stressed and burnt out to feeling capable and resilient with our tailored mindfulness program.

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The Challenge

Rising Student Stress

A national survey revealed that 72% of students experience moderate to severe psychological distress. This has led to challenges with student retention, increases in student harm/violence, and increased demand for mental health services.

Higher education professionals are increasingly concerned about rising student stress levels, and they themselves often feel overwhelmed and burnt out.

College administrators seek proven strategies for relief that can be readily implemented on campus.

The Solution

Mindfulness Education

The American Council on Education’s 2023 report “What Works for Improving Mental Health in Higher Education?” noted, “Mindfulness programs with supervised practice have the most consistently positive evidence.”

Mindfulness, the capacity to pay attention to your present-moment experience with an attitude of kindness and compassionate curiosity, was also identified as one of the most important skills for improving mental health in the largest meta-analysis ever done on the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

The Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA) offers evidence-based programming that promotes individual mentoring by a trained teacher and provides supervised practice in the context of small-group learning.

The Evidence

Tangible Results

MIEA’s curriculum, developed at Duke University, is the gold standard for mindfulness education on campuses worldwide. It is taught by a diverse community of 1,000 teachers, to over 60,000 students, on more than 250 campuses, in 14 countries.

Our evidence-based curriculum consistently empowers students to achieve higher levels of well-being and resilience.

MIEA’s curriculum proved effective when taught remotely and helped students cope with COVID-19-related stress and anxiety.

Picture of Zachar Olivan outside on a boat in a suit with sunglasses

Read how MIEA offers Manhattan College students an alternative way to cope with stress during the pandemic

This class has changed my life.

Zachary Olivan

Exercise Science Major / Manhattan College

Implement campus-wide programming

How Our Program Works

Contract with the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults to train the necessary number of teachers to fully support your campus and ensure a comprehensive program implementation.

  1. Strategize for Success
    We will develop a customized plan to integrate mindfulness education throughout your campus, aiming to reach the broadest student audience possible.
  2. Welcome MIEA’s Expert Trainers
    Together, we will engage participants from your community for our MIEA teacher certification program. Our experienced MIEA faculty will visit your campus to conduct the training.
  3. Witness Student Transformation
    Supported by MIEA, your newly trained teachers will offer our evidence-based curriculum to your students, fostering resilience and academic excellence.
Schedule a Consultation
what’s included

Full Support for Your Campus

We provide step-by-step support, from initial training to full program implementation, ensuring you have the necessary expertise and assistance.

Our plan includes:

  • Mindfulness Fundamentals Course
  • Teacher Certification
    Immersive Workshop, Online Consultations, 3-Day Mindfulness Retreat
  • Custom Program Development
  • Teacher Dashboard Subscription
  • MIEA Mobile Apps for All Students
  • Tech Support for Students & Teachers
  • Ongoing Mentoring from MIEA
  • Custom Marketing
  • Quantitative & Qualitative Assessment
  • Curriculum Books

With MIEA, you’re equipped with a comprehensive package for impactful, campus-wide mindfulness integration.

Inspiring Words from Our Students

I went into the Mindfulness classes knowing absolutely nothing about meditation or mindfulness. After 4 weeks, I can say that this class truly helped me work through problems in my life that I never thought I could improve.

Taylor James

ASU

I just wanted to let you know how helpful these practices have been in my adjustment to living in a new country. I’ve had a few moments where I’ve felt a bit anxious and homesick, but just taking a brief moment to breathe and meditate has made a world of difference to me.

Max Bartlett

Duke University

These classes have changed how I approach relationships, stress, and normal day-to-day activities.

MIEA Student
Transform Your Campus

Get Started with MIEA Today

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Discover the Difference

Our tailored, evidence-based curriculum equips professionals like you to build resilience in students and transform higher education, one mindful student at a time.

Science-Backed Results

Our evidence-based curriculum enhances well-being, reduces stress, improves sleep, fosters self-compassion, and promotes resilience.

Tailored for Students

Our curriculum is uniquely designed for college-aged adults, addressing their specific needs and challenges with practical skills.

Guided by Experts

Led by experienced faculty and trainers, our Mindfulness Teacher Certification program ensures our curriculum is delivered skillfully.

Seamless Technology

Effortlessly manage courses, boost engagement, and create meaningful connections with students with our innovative tools.

Inspiring Words from Our Teachers

We chose MIEA because it was tailored specifically to the population we were serving. This is what really stood out to us among other potential programs… The certification does not end with the training!

Picture of MIEA Certified Mindfulness teacher Penelope Wong smiling wearing a yellow shirt.

Penelope Wong

Berea College

The ending of my classes left me in tears as the students shared the impact of the class.I am honored to be given the opportunity to engage with students in a meaningful, transformative, mindful way. What a gift!

Cheryl Mitri, MSW, RSW

Seneca College

Last night each student’s check-in sounded like a glowing testimonial of how transformative class has been for them in a short time, and how the range of positive experiences was motivation for them to keep it up.

Picture of MIEA Certified Mindfulness teacher Maria Sperduto smiling wearing a blue shirt and gray vest.

Maria Sperduto

Yale University

The Path to Certification

The process of becoming a Certified MIEA Mindfulness Teacher typically takes 6 months to 1 year and equips educators with the skills to effectively teach mindfulness to college-aged adults.

By completing certification, educators will be fully prepared to make a meaningful impact by sharing the gift of mindfulness with college-aged adults transforming campuses one mindful student at a time.

Prerequisites
  • Completion of our 5-week introductory course, Fundamentals.

    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 at multiple retreats.

  • An ongoing personal practice, most days, for at least 6 months.
  • Experience teaching or facilitating groups is recommended.
  • Strongly recommended experience working with diverse populations or engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion activities.
Certification Workshop

Once accepted into our Certification program, kickstart the journey with our immersive workshop, available in-person (3 days, 8 hrs/day) or online (5 days, 5 hrs/day).

During the workshop, participants will:

  • Understand the unique developmental challenges faced by 18-30-year-olds and the invaluable role of mindfulness.
  • Explore curriculum research and relevant mindfulness studies specific to college-aged adults.
  • Gain insights into the common obstacles college-aged adults face with mindfulness and meditation, and learn effective teaching strategies.
  • Acquire and demonstrate essential mindfulness skills from MIEA’s curriculum.
  • Develop expertise to organize and lead Intro to Mindfulness classes.
Practical Experience

After successfully completing the workshop, participants will transition to the practical phase. Organize and lead mindfulness classes with ongoing support from our experienced faculty.

During this phase, participants will:

  • Teach 3 Intro to Mindfulness courses, applying their knowledge to make a real impact.
  • Participate in 4 online consultations with MIEA faculty and fellow teachers-in-training, benefiting from their guidance, feedback, and shared experiences.

This hands-on experience and collaborative support will refine teaching skills, deepen understanding of our approach, and enhance effectiveness as a Certified MIEA Mindfulness Teacher.

Portfolio Submission

The final step towards certification is the submission of the portfolio, which includes:

  1. Completion of Required Components: Demonstrate understanding and mastery of MIEA’s curriculum through completion of required readings, practice teaching the curriculum, and review of recordings of experienced teachers facilitating Intro to Mindfulness classes.
  2. Student Evaluations: Include student evaluations from 3 courses, providing valuable feedback and insights on teaching effectiveness.
  3. Mindfulness Meditation Retreat: Participation in a 3-day or longer mindfulness meditation retreat.
  4. Reflective Essay: Write a short essay reflecting on the experience teaching MIEA’s curriculum, sharing insights and lessons learned.

Applicants demonstrating readiness will be invited to pay an annual fee. For those needing further development, additional study, practice, or supervision may be recommended.

Participants have up to 1 year from the workshop to complete the certification training, with the option to extend if needed.

Read our FAQs

Global Impact

Campus-Wide Transformation

The Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults has collaborated with leading campuses to transform how educators and students build resiliency and the skills needed to succeed.

Join these institutions in providing proven strategies for your students and staff.

Schedule a Consultation

Welcome to the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults!

The name of our organization ("the Center for Koru Mindfulness") is now "Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults".

Reasons for the Name Change

  1. Though we love the name “Koru”, it does not serve us well when administrators in higher education - our primary market - see it. It does not make it clear that we are recognized as the primary provider for evidence-based mindfulness training for the population they serve: emerging adults.
  2. We have grown a lot, but there is much more work to do. A name that is more in line with our mission, and doesn’t have to be explained to be understood, will support our growth more broadly.
  3. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we feel a tug of unease about the cultural sensitivity of our name. We occasionally hear from teachers who are fielding questions from students who are concerned about the appropriateness of our use of the word "koru". It is inconsistent with our values to cause harm or discomfort in any way to anyone if we can avoid it. So we feel we need to make an effort to avoid it.

Timeline

Starting August 1, 2023, our organization will be officially known as the "Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults". Our curriculum name, "Koru Basic", "Koru 2.0", and "Koru Retreat" is changing to "Intro to Mindfulness", "Intro to Mindfulness, Part 2", and "Intro to Mindfulness Retreat" by January 1, 2024.

What's Not Changing

Our founders, owners, staff, trainers, mission, and vision remain the same. We will continue to offer teacher training and support as always, building a community of teachers and students who embody curiosity and kindness.

Thank you for being part of our journey as we transition to the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (Formerly known as Koru 😀).

Got It
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Stay Informed and Inspired

Sign up for valuable insights, updates on programming, research, tips, inspiring stories, and stay connected to the world of mindfulness education.

By sharing your email, you agree to receive emails from MIEA and consent to the use of your information as outlined in our Privacy Policy. We are committed to your privacy and will never sell your information.

You can opt out of our communications anytime by using the unsubscribe link provided in our emails.

FREE DOWNLOAD

Address campus burnout using these strategies for integrating mindfulness on your campus.

Download Your Blueprint
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Your Path to Certification

  1. Start Your Journey
    A commitment to a regular meditation practice and experience in teaching or facilitating groups enhances your foundation before applying. If you do not have any mindfulness experience, begin with our 5-week introductory course, Fundamentals.
  2. Certification Workshop
    Participate in our immersive workshop, available both in-person and online, covering the unique challenges of 18-30-year-olds, curriculum research, and teaching strategies.
    Psychologists can earn 18 APA-approved CE credits.
  3. Practical Experience
    Teach three student courses, applying your knowledge in real-world settings, supported by ongoing consultations with MIEA faculty.
  4. Portfolio Submission
    Demonstrate your mastery through a portfolio that includes student evaluations, a reflective essay, and evidence of participating in a mindfulness meditation retreat.
  5. Maintain Certification
    Certified teachers are encouraged to sustain their certification with an annual fee. This fee guarantees access to MIEA's evolving resources, ongoing support, and professional development.
Illustration of two people with arms around each other reflecting community

Stay Informed and Inspired

Sign up for valuable insights, updates on programming, research, tips, inspiring stories, and stay connected to the world of mindfulness education.

By sharing your email, you agree to receive emails from MIEA and consent to the use of your information as outlined in our Privacy Policy. We are committed to your privacy and will never sell your information.

You can opt out of our communications anytime by using the unsubscribe link provided in our emails.

Siddhant Babla

MIEA Trainer
Wellbeing Program Coordinator, Dartmouth College

Siddhant Babla brings his expertise in education studies and mindfulness to Dartmouth College as the Wellbeing Program Coordinator. With a Master's degree from KU Leuven in Belgium and training as a Certified Yoga Instructor from the Yoga Institute in Mumbai, Sid collaborates with campus offices to cultivate student wellbeing through evidence-based programs.

With an Economics degree from the University of London and a background in finance, Sid pivoted towards his passion for mindfulness, which he has been teaching since April 2023.

Mindfulness Journey

Sid was drawn to mindfulness from a young age, finding solace and strength in the practice amidst personal suffering and life challenges.

Connection to MIEA

Sid appreciates MIEA for its structured, evidence-based curriculum that enables him to address a broad spectrum of mindfulness concepts, making them accessible to diverse student populations.

Teaching Highlights

For Sid, teaching MIEA has been deeply gratifying. He relishes the chance to refine his instructional skills and witness the profound effects on his students.

"The most rewarding part has been the transformational impact it has had on the students."

Vision as a Trainer

Sid aims to support and collaborate with mindfulness teachers nationwide, contributing to the wellbeing and mental health of college students. He believes in a systematic approach to mindfulness training as a cornerstone for building a culture of prioritized mental health and wellbeing on campuses.

"At a time when students on college campuses across the nation and world are in need, being in community with teachers who are supporting them will be a tremendous learning opportunity in understanding the ways wellbeing and mental health for emerging adults can be transformed.

"In my experience working with administrators and leadership across a college campus, it has become clear that supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students through mindfulness based practices requires a systematic approach.

"Individual and group based mindfulness training programs are crucial in building personal and interpersonal self-awareness skills.

"Training facilitators to bring mindfulness based practices to different stakeholders is key in creating a culture where wellbeing and mental health is a priority and being a MIEA Trainer will allow me to realize this vision.

Book: The Mindful Twenty-Something by Holly Rogers

Download Chapter 1 of The Mindful Twenty-Something

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.

Cultivate Resilience on Your Campus

Create a mindful, resilient learning environment with our tailored approach, designed to address your campus's distinct challenges. Begin with a consultation to shape a mindfulness strategy that's right for you.

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Hang Tight!

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Dylan Scott

MIEA Trainer

Dylan Scott is currently based in Berlin, Germany. He was born and raised outside Philadelphia, PA, and holds a B.S. in Exercise Science and Sports Psychology from Ithaca College. During his time at Ithaca, Dylan found mindfulness meditation to be a transformative resource in his struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. Upon graduating, Dylan moved back to Philadelphia and immersed himself in mindfulness courses at Pennsylvania University and Thomas Jefferson University as well as several retreats. He went on to receive extensive teacher training through the Myrna Brind Center for Mindfulness at Jefferson, completing their Practicum in MBSR for Professionals and an internship in MBSR. When Dylan came across MIEA he saw the perfect opportunity to offer mindfulness practice back to new generations of college students and jumped at the chance to join a teacher training in October 2018.

Dylan has offered MIEA's Intro to Mindfulness curriculum to medical students and house staff through the counseling center at Jefferson. He is now finding new opportunities to bring MIEA abroad to Berlin. He is also a passionate organizer of Berlin's WakeUp Sangha based in the Plum Village tradition founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Outside of teaching mindfulness, Dylan feeds his passion for music by producing and DJing under the moniker Chirop and has his own freelance audio engineering business.

Tim Auman, Koru Mindfulness Trainer

Tim Auman

MIEA Trainer

Timothy L. Auman became the University Chaplain to Wake Forest in August of 2003. Tim has over two decades of experience in ministry in higher education, pastoral care, and work with religious, secular, and spiritual identity. At Wake Forest, Tim aims to build relationships amidst difference, and to cultivate healthy contemplative and mindful practices for the transformation of self and world. He previously served as the United Methodist Ecumenical Campus Minister at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and as a pastor of two United Methodist congregations.

Tim created the MindfulWake program at Wake Forest in January of 2017. He began his mindfulness practice in 1985 as a way to reduce stress and credits mindfulness as key to his emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Tim practices in the Plum Village Tradition of Engaged Buddhism and will be ordained into the Order of Interbeing in April of 2020. He practices with the Planting Seeds Sangha of Chapel Hill and the Winston-Salem Community of Mindful Living.

Within a few months of learning about MIEA, Tim knew that he wanted to share this practice with his students. That would become an important part of his life’s work at Wake Forest. Eventually, faculty and staff started to ask Tim to teach them what he was discovering. They wanted to share the practice of mindfulness, just as Tim did. But as demand increased, Tim stumbled upon the idea of becoming a MIEA Trainer. A crazy idea at first, but being a teacher and practitioner at heart, he decided to give it a go. Tim believes that when you’re teaching with joyfulness and playfulness, you’re not just talking mindfulness...you’re living mindfulness.

Roger Mancastroppa, Koru Mindfulness Trainer

Roger “Mac” Mancastroppa

MIEA Trainer

Roger “Mac” Mancastroppa has earned a MS in Education, a MA in Theological Studies and a BS in History. He taught history and religion for over a decade before joining the University of Richmond where he serves as the Associate Director of the Academic Skills Center. Mac is in his 9th year assisting students individually and collectively with academic and life skills development. He helps students transition to a mindfully engaged learning style where they conceptualize information through meta-cognitive and executive functions. He also leads a weekly meditation session on campus known as Mindful Mondays.

Mac’s personal mindfulness and meditation practices began during counseling and therapy for PTSD after exiting the military. His initial training began with a psychologist who practiced Buddhism and taught him the samatha that occurs with the vipassana practice. He began to integrate it into his work by using the CD’s by Jon Kabat-Zinn as a companion to his book "Full Catastrophe Living," over and over again with students. He now works with students, faculty, staff, local non-profits, churches, and offers keynotes on mindfulness and meditation, and is one of the co-leaders of a faculty learning community that brought MIEA to the university.

Mil Witt, Koru Mindfulness Trainer

Mil Witt

MIEA Trainer

Mil Witt is a licensed PhD clinical psychologist and Psychology Training Director at the University of North Carolina’s Counseling and Psychological Services in Chapel Hill, NC (UNC-CAPS). Mil is passionate about working with emerging young adults in university settings. In addition to mindfulness, her professional interests include college mental health, the training and supervision of future clinicians, multiculturalism and diversity, and journal writing as a meditative practice. Prior to joining UNC-CAPS in 2014, Mil worked at the college counseling centers at UNC-Greensboro and Duke, and worked with medical students at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Mil was in the inaugural class of MIEA Teachers in 2013 and has been a Certified MIEA teacher since 2015. Her meditation journey started in the mid-1990s with her first meditation teacher and mentor Dr. Ronna Rachel Weiss, and followed with mindfulness trainings and practice at the Cape Cod Institute and at Duke Integrative Medicine.  Mil is excited to work with, support, inspire, and mentor new MIEA teachers, especially those working with students of color. A proud first gen Haitian American from New York City, Mil lives in Carrboro, NC with her family. Mil is an avid tennis player and enjoys dancing, musical theatre, crochet, the beach, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Karen Newton, Koru Mindfulness Trainer

Karen S. Newton

MIEA Trainer

Karen S. Newton served as Director of Health Promotion & Wellbeing in Campus Health Services from 2007 to 2018 as her team implemented a resilience framework to support the academic persistence and personal wellbeing of University of Louisville students. Inspired by her personal experiences with mindfulness and mediation practices through many years of her life’s ups and downs, Karen added MIEA Intro to Mindfulness courses, retreats, and drop-in Relax & Refocus sessions in 2015.  Karen has also directed healthcare access initiatives for the University of Louisville and at The Healing Place Recovery. Karen graduated from San Diego State University and completed her Master of Public Health degree in community health promotion and nutrition science at Loma Linda University, CA.

Karen’s current life is focused on her purpose and what she loves: family, travel, practicing, and teaching. She teaches MIEA's Intro to Mindfulness and other courses at the Earth & Spirit Center Meditation School; Speed Art Museum; and her MIEA-based 14-week Mindfulness for Stress Resilience course at the University of Louisville College of Education. She is collaborating with University of Louisville colleagues to develop a research agenda to study MIEA's curriculum.

Karen’s public health point of view and personal perspective resonates with MIEA's commitment to social justice. Karen is committed to doing all she can to further the adoption of MIEA's Intro to Mindfulness courses in a variety of settings.

Erica Alexander, Koru Mindfulness Trainer

Erica Alexander

MIEA Trainer

Erica Alexander, flutist and music educator, has taught music and mindfulness in private and group settings for over 20 years. She has a Masters in Music Education (MME) with all-level teaching certification.

Erica is the founder and director of The Open Wings School which specializes in helping busy people find a lasting sense of calm in their lives and discover their own inner musicians. Among her most popular offerings are Be the Music workshops which incorporate Native American inspired flutes and meditation

Erica is currently enrolled in the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.

She has loved working with MIEA for the past 5 years, teaching in local high schools and non-profit organizations and reviewing teacher portfolios.

Erica lives in Durham, NC, and enjoys hiking, swimming, gardening, and listening to and playing music from all over the world.

“It is clear that the only way to truly change our world is through teaching compassion…We must teach people, especially our youth, the source of happiness and satisfaction. We must teach them the ultimate source of happiness is within themselves.” 

–The Dalai Lama, The Book of Joy
Chase Giroux, Koru Mindfulness Trainer

Chase Giroux

MIEA Trainer

Chase Giroux began her career in residential care for youth, followed by support work in an educational setting for children with behavioral health challenges. After attaining her Mental Health Counseling degree, she became a therapist trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She currently supervises an Intensive Care Coordination program, where she also provides agency-wide trainings and mindfulness practices.

After spending time in Buddhist Monasteries, practicing Mindfulness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, Chase was inspired to make this beautiful practice accessible to as many people as possible. Trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and certified in the MIEA model, Chase now works hard to share this practice in a more secular context. This program will deepen and expand these efforts by supporting practitioners in sharing and teaching the practice themselves.

Chase lives with her family in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she can be found both playing and coaching sports in her community.

Bibi Gnagno, MIEA Trainer

Bibi Gnagno

MIEA Trainer

Bibi Gnagno is an educator and wellness advocate. Ms. Gnagno has been working with MIEA since 2016. She first began practicing meditation at church at the age of 14. While completing a law degree, she embraced mindfulness at a deeper level to cope with the daily stress of school. Bibi has taught mindfulness classes at the university level and infuses mindfulness in her interactions with students but also in her daily life.

Currently, she is the Dean of Restorative Practices at Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center. Prior to that role, she was one of the Directors of Academic Engagement for Global and Civic Opportunities at Duke University’s Academic Advising Center and the former Coordinator for Student Development at Duke University’s Women’s Center, where she focused on gender equity through the creation of experiential programming and training that emphasizes community building, empowerment, men’s engagement, activism, and civic engagement.

Her work outside of the office explores telling stories through film using a social justice lens. She also leads workshops on wellness through reflection, movement, and healing foods.

Vivien Roman-Hampton, Director of Teacher Retention

Vivien Roman-Hampton

Director of Outreach & Teacher Development / MIEA Trainer

Vivien Roman-Hampton is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Activated By Wellness, a group mental health practice dedicated to serving historically underserved communities for over half a decade.

Vivien obtained her BA in Psychology from UNLV, a graduate certificate in Women in Politics and Public Policy from UMASS Boston, her MSW from Salem State University and is currently a PhD student at UConn where her focus of research is on mindfulness and DEI. She is already working alongside faculty on integrating mindfulness into education which is evident in her current endeavor: creating and teaching a critically engaged mindfulness curriculum tailored for BSW students.

In her role as the Director of Outreach and Teacher Development at the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults, Vivien has spent the last six years honing her skills as a mindfulness facilitator, teaching others to be mindfulness teachers, developing mindfulness curricula and fostering growth and awareness among young adults.

Vivien is part of the Hopping Tree Sangha located in Amherst, Massachusetts and is ordained into the Order of Interbeing, receiving her Dharma name of True Presence of Compassion. She also serves on the board of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and is their volunteer librarian.

When she isn't working, Vivien spends time with her family in the woods of Western Massachusetts.

Prerequisites for becoming a Certified Mindfulness Teacher with MIEA

  1. Complete our Fundamentals Course*.
    Immerse yourself in our 5-week introductory course led by a highly trained MIEA Trainer. Experience our Intro to Mindfulness curriculum and gain insight into our philosophy of teaching mindfulness to college-aged adults.
  2. An ongoing personal practice, most days, for at least 6 months.
    To effectively teach mindfulness, it is essential to have a consistent personal practice.
  3. Teaching or Group Facilitation Experience.
    Prior experience in teaching or facilitating groups is recommended. Our small group learning model forms the basis of our approach. Experience in this setting will be valuable.
  4. Diversity Experience.
    Experience working with diverse populations or participating in diversity training is strongly recommended. MIEA aims to bring mindfulness to a diverse range of communities. While we address this in our training program, additional experience is valuable.

*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.

Mindfulness for the Next Generation

Book: Mindfulness for the Next Generation by Holly Rogers and Maytan

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.

Learn more about this book

Suit Fong Chan, Asia Pacific Regional Rep

Suit Fong Chan

Asia Pacific Regional Representative / MIEA Trainer

Suit Fong’s interest in mindfulness began more than twenty years ago when she attended her first meditation retreat in Nepal. In 2012, she made a life-changing decision to leave a global corporate career to pursue her passion, embarking on a continuous learning and teaching journey on evidence-based mindfulness programs. She finds the journey meaningful, transformative, and also nurturing.

Suit Fong is trained to teach mindfulness and compassion cultivation programs for children, young adults, and adults. She also facilitates and curates mindfulness programs to support families and individuals with additional needs in Singapore, where she lives with her family. It is now her life passion and learning, to serve and support others of different diversities, cultures, and (dis)abilities to learn to sit with ease with life’s discomforts, build mental resilience whilst practicing kindness to oneself and to others. Her current work involves working with women, youth, teenagers at risk, and those with special needs. As a MIEA trainer, she is very keen to help establish a cadre of professional mindfulness teachers in the Asia Pacific, so more emerging adults and youths in the Asia Pacific may benefit from the MIEA program.

Suit Fong is an accredited professional coach, and chartered accountant. She holds a Master's in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Counseling.

Backed by Science

The Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults is grounded in scientific research and a commitment to evidence-based practices. Over the course of nearly 10 years, we developed and refined our curriculum, culminating in a groundbreaking randomized, controlled trial. Our study, published in the prestigious Journal of American College Health, became the most downloaded article in 2014.

This landmark trial established MIEA (formerly known as Koru Mindfulness) as the first and foremost evidence-based mindfulness curriculum for emerging adults. The results were remarkable: students reported increased calmness, improved restfulness, enhanced self-compassion, and greater mindfulness.

Explore the Evidence

The Mindful Twenty-Something: Life skills to handle stress… & everything else

The Mindful Twenty-Something by Holly Rogers

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.

Learn more about this book

Jennie Dickson-Mills, MIEA Trainer and Director of Training

Jennie Dickson-Mills

Director of Training / MIEA trainer
MSW, LCSW, SEP, E-RYT 200

Jennie is a psychotherapist and yoga/meditation teacher. She has over a decade of experience working in higher education, and thousands of hours of experience teaching yoga and mindfulness to people from a wide range of backgrounds. She received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2002 and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2013.

Jennie’s clinical practice focuses on delivering experiential therapies through an anti-oppression and relational lens, with a specialized certification in Somatic Experiencing, a model that addresses trauma and its impact on nervous system regulation. Prior to opening her private practice in Chapel Hill, NC, in 2017, Jennie worked as a counselor at Duke University’s counseling center where she began teaching the MIEA curriculum to students. Alongside Holly and Libby, she began training MIEA teachers around the U.S. in 2014. Jennie spearheaded the first MIEA Train-the-Trainer Program in 2019 as Director of Training and immensely enjoyed growing the MIEA family of Trainers to support the growth of the program.

Contemplative mind-body practices transformed Jennie’s life and started her on her own path of healing and growth in her twenties. Since then, she has found deep comfort and inspiration in the wisdom traditions of yoga and Buddhism, which have helped form a bedrock of support on this ever-changing, complex human journey. As a new mother, she has opened to a new universe of opportunities to practice presence, gratitude, and curiosity. For more information about Jennie, check out her website at jenniedicksonmills.com.

Alex Brown, Director of Operations

Alex Brown

Director of operations / MIEA Trainer

Alex Brown developed his passion for practicing and sharing mindfulness in 2012 after participating in a guided meditation and having a transformative experience. Since then, he has sought to strengthen his love and compassion for himself and others through daily meditation, reading, and courses. He has an immense desire to help others do the same.

Alex is a native of Detroit, Michigan, loves spending time with his sons, family, and friends, and finds utter delight in dancing. He thoroughly enjoys helping people learn about the different ways in which they improve their overall health and wellbeing and his motto is “I live to serve.”

Holly Rogers, co-founder of Koru Mindfulness

Holly Rogers

Co-Founder of MIEA / Author

Holly is one of the developers of the Intro to Mindfulness curriculum and a co-founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (formerly known as the Center for Koru Mindfulness). She worked for over two decades as a psychiatrist at Counseling and Psychological Services, the student counseling center at Duke University where she developed strategies to help students incorporate the practice of mindfulness into their lives in a meaningful way.

Holly’s own mindfulness practice began more than 25 years ago when she had the good fortune to be taught and mentored by Dr. Jeff Brantley. Since that time, she has integrated the principles and practice of mindfulness into her clinical work with students and been continually inspired by the profound growth she has witnessed.

Holly is the co-author of Mindfulness for the Next Generation: Helping Emerging Adults Manage Stress and Lead Healthier Lives. She is author of The Mindful Twenty-Something, a handbook for young adults who wish to learn about mindfulness and meditation.

She lives in Durham, NC with her husband, dog, and two cats.

Libby Webb, co-founder of Koru Mindfulness

Libby Webb

Co-Founder of MIEA

Libby is a co-founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults. Before retiring in 2016, she was a licensed clinical social worker at Duke University’s Counseling and Psychological Service, and a Clinical Associate on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center.

She has been working with emerging adults since the early 90's and finds great significance in helping them explore the question of meaning at a time of life filled with such ambiguity.

Libby came to the practice of mindfulness through her early participation in the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program. Her meditation practice is built on the Vipassana tradition of mindfulness.

In addition to her interest in mindfulness, she also has a strong belief in the restorative benefits of small group work to illuminate the humanness of struggle. Libby lives with her family in Durham, NC and loves her adopted hometown. Most of her mindfulness lessons have been learned while cycling on the country roads surrounding her hometown.