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“January was able to help my daughter with things I wasn't qualified or knowledgeable as well as just things I wasn't there to help her with. She's worked with advisors assigned by the school and there is just no comparison to what January is able to offer in experience and knowledge as well as her natural ability to connect with young adults. I can honestly say that I don't think my daughter would be where she is without January's assistance.”
-Penn Parent
“Outside of family, it’s impossible think of any other individual who had such a profound impact on my life. Transforming me from a naïve high schooler to a confident and excited young adult was a small miracle, and one which she achieved in only a few short years of working with me closely. From the day I got into Penn to well beyond the day I graduated, January was a wind that blew me in the right direction, an omnipresent source of structure, perspective, empathy, strength, and connection that I was lucky to have.”
-Jake Hart
“At a competitive and academically rigorous university like Penn, it was easy at times to feel like grades were the most important aspect of my life. During our advising sessions, January never made me feel like academic success was everything. She helped ground me and other students by providing a voice of balanced perspective, reminding us that a bad grade is not the end of the world, and keeping us focused on our well-being and long-term goals.”
-Michelle Chan
“When my daughter first left for college I knew the time had come for her to seek out mentors outside our family and with specific experience and expertise. Knowing that fact and being ready to trust that someone else would fill that role with the type of values and approach I thought was appropriate were two totally different issues. Watching January “at work,” listening to my daughter’s comments about her interactions with January, and observing the results I knew January was the right person incredibly fast.”
-Penn Parent
“College was a difficult, yet transformative time of my life-- Between classes, social life, family, sports, and trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, college life creates a unique environment where it is hard to find your place. We, as invincible college students, think we can do it all on our own. Yet, it isn't quite possible to do that. During my time at Penn, I was lucky enough to have a few people that made a huge difference in my college career. January was one of those people that helped me navigate the ins and outs of college. January really makes you feel comfortable and gets to know you and your passions so that she can help you make the best of your college years.”
-Cathryn Herbst
“Many parents seek out college coaches to uplift an underachieving student. January can certainly fill that bill, but also has the unique ability to boost even the highly motivated student. Because of her focus on all aspects of academic life, including well-being and long-term planning, many students chose to meet with her multiple times throughout a semester. Her students benefited greatly from this individualized advice not provided to students in most programs. January listens first; then evaluates and develops a customized program with a personal touch and connection to the individual.”
-Penn Alum & Parent
“January wore many hats - advisor, planner, advocate, support system, career coach, motherly figure, and so much more. Looking back, I can say with confidence that thanks to her guiding hand, I achieved more, got more out of, and had a better experience at Penn than I could have otherwise hoped to have had. I could not be more thankful for January's guidance or recommend her more highly for anyone looking to get the most out of their college career.”
-Bahram Bansidar
“As parents of a current college Freshman, we are eternally grateful to have January’s expertise, guidance and care. January has done an amazing job of helping our daughter navigate the new terrain of college and independence. Our daughter, like many college freshman, has not had an easy transition, but January has been there every step of the way to help ease the anxiety, steer the course and help her to utilize the resources available on campus. The amount of knowledge that comes with January’s experience is invaluable for the student and parents alike.”
-Saint Joseph’s University Parent
“With January's help, I was able to identify my interests, play to my strengths, and build a foundational mindset to make meaningful career decisions with more awareness. January was one of the mentors early on in my career who helped me let go of what was not working, and focus my energy on building a career aligned with my strengths and passions.”
-Lucy Xu
“Throughout my son’s years at Penn, January was a reliable and steady, yet friendly and caring source of support for him as he navigated an intense curriculum, demanding requirements, and a highly competitive environment. She was kind and compassionate, yet firm and clear just when he needed it most, and, as such, she effectively guided him to keep his eye on the ball. January continually helped to ensure that my son was on track to achieve his goals and progress toward his degrees and she was a cheerleader and friend to him and so many other students at the same time.”
-Penn Parent
“January was always behind her students’ back in tough situation. I still remembered that I went through a couple stressful incidents in my freshman year. Besides my closest friends, January was the person I felt most comfortable talking to. She calmed me down and gave me clear guidance on how to deal with those tough situations. Without her help, I would not be able to handle well such situations.”
-Frank Fan
“The counselling services provided by Mrs. Wuerth were genuine, valuable and nerve calming considered all the new environments (academic, social and everything else) freshman students encountered. She is the best student advisor we ever had. With her prior various different positions at the universities, I know she is more than knowledgeable but caring enough to give students (and parents) great advice and encouragement.”
-Penn Parent
“January has an amazing sense of listening and really understanding what we seek. She has not only been effective at guiding our son through his choices and decisions, but has also been very effective at guiding him through the transition of high school life to college.“
-Penn Parent
“Not only was January instrumental in helping manage the various logistical stressors of college, she was also an invaluable guide on the emotional journey at the heart of the college experience: figuring out who you are and what you want to do with your life.”
-Thomas Yuhas