After twenty years in education, as a teacher, school counselor and Director of Accelerated Pathways at Florida SouthWestern State College, Dr. Amanda Sterk found her passion helping students and families navigate the high school to college process in order to reach their college and career goals.
Wanting to help the families she served as a counselor, she started the UnMaze.Me website and blog and created College UnMazed: Your Guide to the Florida College & University System, the only published step-by-step workbook to aid a family’s journey through academic planning, searching for the right college fit, applying to college, and earning scholarships and financial aid for Florida students. UnMaze.Me also hosts multiple online live webinars and includes an online magazine, College UnMazed, that is written by over 45 educators throughout Florida to support student’s academic goals, social and emotional growth, and college and career readiness. UnMaze.Me is based on expert research and evidence-based practices.
Dr. Sterk is actively involved in the FutureMakers Coalition as a part of the Guiding Team and leads the Access & Entry Team, the Lee County Action Team, and College & Career Readiness Working Group. She also created the state’s first organization for dual enrollment called Florida Alliance of Dual Enrollment Partnerships (FADEP). Her writings have been published in the News-Press, SW Florida Parent & Child, The Corridor, South Association for College Admission Counseling, Link for School Counselor, and Florida Weekly. She is an experienced presenter on college and career readiness.
The Lee County Action Team and the College & Career Readiness Working Group has created a series of online live webinars with local and state experts on a variety of topics that revolve around college transition. #RUReady will showcase over 25 experts discussing topics such as college admission testing, college applications, scholarships and financial aid, mental health, career pathways, and financial budgeting. The webinars are free and easily accessible to all students. Please share with students and families who you serve. More information and registration can be found at www.unmaze.me/webinars
