Meet The Team

Agha Haider is currently a senior at Whitfield School in St. Louis, Missouri. He is an avid philanthropist & changemaker who has worked on a multitude of projects throughout his high school career. Most notably, Agha founded a 501(c)3 non-profit organization called the Literacy Initiative focused on developing after-school programming for disadvantaged youth. Since 2017, the Literacy Initiative has been able to distribute over 35,000 books and support over 27,000 disadvantaged youth across the world. In his free time, Agha enjoys going on adventures in St. Louis with his friends.

Nick Sarji is currently a senior at Kalaheo High School in Hawaii. He loves playing sports and exploring the awesome scenery that Hawaii has to offer! Nick was born in Germany and lived in Washington DC for four years, which has led him to having an interest in international relations. At school, Nick is a member of NHS, Common Ground, and Hiking Club. When Nick isn't doing schoolwork, you can find him hiking at the beach, or on the soccer field. He is passionate about protecting the beauty of nature and the island that surrounds him. During the summers he participates in nature cleanups and works as a counselor at a local sleepaway camp! Next year, Nick will be taking a gap year before college to work at a ski resort. He can’t wait to help students with their college application journeys!

Cara Marantz is currently serving as the Director of Engagement for the Education Collaborative. She is currently taking a gap year before starting at Dartmouth College in the Fall of 2021. Throughout her gap year, she has worked on Biden’s presidential campaign, spent lots of time with family, and even took an amazing baking class. Ask her about her dog and she’ll talk for hours. She is so excited to be a part of this incredible organization and help students all across the world get to college.

Auden Muchnik currently serves as a member of the marketing team and helps run The Education Collaborative's TikTok account (@educollab). Originally from Massachusetts, she is headed to Tufts this fall to study art and psychology. In a nut shell creating equal opportunity in the college application process, and in the world, are both things Auden cares deeply about. In her free time Auden likes to be at the beach or in the woods with her dog. She loves all things that are creative and is always looking to try new things. 

Blake Pak currently serves as a Marketing Manager for The Education Collaborative. Blake is a graduate of San Marino High School. Since the age of five, she has been a competitive swimmer at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center where she races year round. Blake was also a member of National Charity League. Here, through her volunteer work, she discovered her love for working with students. Recently, Blake began producing and hosting a podcast with her best friend. In her free time, she pursues photography. Next year, Blake will major in business at the Marshall Business School at the University of Southern California. 

Wesley Jansen currently serves as an Outreach Manager for The Education Collaborative. He recently graduated from Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City. Wesley is incredibly passionate about literature, education, and writing. He loves to read, play tennis, laugh with friends, and listen to music in his car. At school, Wesley is the president and founder of the Social Justice Book Club, a varsity tennis player, and a delegate for the Model United Nations Team. When given the opportunity, he will do whatever he can to travel and go somewhere he's never been before. His primary passion in life, however, is simply to develop meaningful and beneficial connections with the humans around him — the reason why this project is so exciting for him. Next year, he will be attending Tufts University to study English and International Relations. He can't wait to foster more connections and help students with their applications in the fall. 

Aijah Garcia is currently serving as an Outreach Manager for The Education Collaborative. She has always enjoyed working with younger students, serving as both an academic tutor and dance teacher throughout the past few years. In her free time, Aijah enjoys going on adventures with friends, reading, playing volleyball, and making the best cinnamon rolls you will ever taste. Next year she will major in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at Brown University. She is so excited to be a part of this project, and hopes to help a myriad of students navigate the college application process! 

Brisa Hernandez currently serves as a member of the marketing and social team for The Education Collaborative. Brisa is a graduate from Chiawana High School in Pasco, Washington, and is excited to explore more of the PNW as she begins her journey at the University of California, Berkeley. By working closely within FCCLA as a national officer and state president, as well as on her school district's school board as a student representative, she has found a passion for advocacy and teaching and will be studying Political Science with a minor in Education.

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