Rhonda Schaller, MPS, MBSR: I have been teaching and practicing meditation and creative visualization for over 35 years. As an AVP and lecturer at Pratt Institute, my published research has included The Meditation Incubator, looking at spirit, creativity and careers; and ArtSchool 2.0, a study on critique and mindfulness in the studio environment. With my co-lead Dr. Esmilda Abreu, we have been Made in NYC fellows, funded by the NYC City Council and Pratt Institute, to host Mindful Making Immersion workshops and co-founded MISA (Mindfulness Initiatives committee in Student Affairs), which helped to establish the Mindful Pratt program open to the creative community nationally and internationally. Our current project and research centers The Mindfulness Collaboratory as a core tenet of a creative life, establishing “Intender” circles around the world for self care and world care.
Esmilda Abreu, Ph.D: I bring my 45 year meditation practice to my work on diversity initiatives, wellbeing research, and business innovation. With my co-lead Rhonda Schaller, we have been Made in NYC fellows, funded by the NYC City Council and Pratt Institute, to host Mindful Making Immersion workshops and co-founded MISA (Mindfulness Initiatives committee in Student Affairs), which helped to establish the Mindful Pratt program open to the creative community nationally and internationally. Our current project and research centers The Mindfulness Collaboratory as a core tenet of a creative life, establishing “Intender” circles around the world for self-care and world-care. As Associate Visiting Faculty at Pratt Institute’s School of Design, I run an ideation lab course in Entrepreneurship. At Montclair State University’s Feliciano School of Business, I facilitate educational forums in leadership, ethical management, mindful negotiations and civic pluralism. I have served as Founding Board President of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Co-President of the New Jersey Consortium of Women and Gender Studies. Currently I serve as President of the North Jersey Chapter of the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Sam Harvey, MA: I have been working with Rhonda and Esmilda on their initiatives with Made in NYC and Pratt institute since 2017. In my current role as the Assistant Director of Creative Resilience and Well-being Programs at Pratt Institute’s Resilience, Wellness, and Well-being Center (RWW) I oversee well-being programs for faculty, staff, students, and alumni to engage in educational activities shown to increase flourishing. Through this work I oversee and facilitate signature programs such as the Mindful Pratt Drop-Ins and COMPOSE series. I also bring this lens on well-being into my role as the President of the Pratt Staff Council. As a research assistant for the Collaboratory I oversee data collection and analysis and help support communications efforts.
Mackenzie Adriance, MA: I am a Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach with a background in nonprofits and service. As an Associate Director in Pratt’s Center for Career and Professional Development, I work with students and alumni on work-life balance, leadership, and emotional intelligence helping students and alumni match their professional strengths to internships, volunteer opportunities, and community projects, and empowering them to build personalized life and career plans that support their goals from their first year through graduation and beyond. As a Research Assistant for the Mindfulness Collaboratory, I assist with participant support, recruitment, communication, and coordinating logistics for eve
Questions? Reach out to us at mindful-collab@pratt.edu