Testimonials

During my first encounter with John at an interview, he said that his goal would be to see me grow as a professional and develop skills and experiences that would equip me for any direction my career would take me. Those words proved true, as I had the opportunity to work under John and experienced first-hand his genuine care, active listening, and willingness to share his insight and experiences to help me and others grow. Beyond our time working together, John continued to go above and beyond what was expected or required of him by continuing to be a mentor, sounding board, and encouragement as I pursued new career paths.

John can quickly see the potential in people and is gifted with the ability to encourage and equip others towards their goals. He meets people where they are at and holistically helps by caring not only about someone's career development or success, but also their overall well-being. His creativity, care, and insight work together in a way that makes John an invaluable mentor!

- Emily

I began my higher education career in 2018 at the University of West Georgia. At the time, I had no higher education experience and was grieving the death of my sister from cancer. My wife was working at UWG and told me about a colleague she believed would be a great connection for me. There was an opening as an Administrative Specialist in the Enrollment Services Center in the next few months. Having been recently connected to John, I asked him about his expertise with the position and if he would be willing to highlight my character and skills to the department. I ended up applying for the position and landed the job due to John's preparation and the respect others had around UWG for his recommendations and judgment of character.

After starting the job, John took me on as his mentee and helped me navigate the higher education field. This was nothing short of professional conduct, writing style, navigating conferences, and connecting with campus partners. The knowledge I acquired from John helped me flourish at UWG and landed me a position at Georgia

State University through another connected peer within John's network. Fast forward to now, it has been three years of me at GSU, but I recently, in October 2023, became the Assistant Director of the Student Financial Management Center. This is a huge accomplishment for me, as a black male and as someone who grew up in poverty. I can now open doors for those of all backgrounds who only need a positive role model and helping hand to guide them. I can provide the same efforts John provided me to others, and my story is just one of the many from the passionate work that John carries within his professional work and his personal life.

By trusting Guided Pathway Solutions, you're getting the help you need to succeed and making a lifelong partnership with someone who truly values helping others achieve their goals. I will forever be grateful for John and his willingness to help others - and today, we continue our professional relationship. Still, John also became one of my best friends as well.

- Brandon

I met John as a graduate student at the University of West Georgia and working as an Academic Advisor. I was brand new to the profession and higher education, and John took me under his wing every step of the way. His door was always open if I ever had questions or concerns or even just wanted to talk through things. Not only did he show me how to do the job as an advisor, but JB also showed me how to care about others through empathy and active listening. He challenged me to be better and live up to the potential he saw in me, even when I did not see it in myself. He even went as far as to help me craft my application documents (resume, cover letter, thank you protocol, etc.) and to practice my interview skills. I applied and interviewed for one position and landed it in record time. I 1000% attribute that to John's dedication to the process and me as a mentee.

Even after leaving UWG, JB kept in touch with me and helped me as I applied for promotional positions, developed presentations, and furthered my career in Career Services. What made it so significant was that he cared about my professional and personal development. I

no longer work in higher education. However, I am able to take my person-centered approach into my new career, and JB has helped me see the transferrable skills I possess. John is a well-rounded mentor who gives you full attention and has truly improved my career trajectory.

- Jackie

It's difficult to express the extent of John's coaching prowess in only a few words, but the following comes close: intentional, dependable, and affirming. John takes a comprehensive approach to understanding his mentees and focuses on setting achievable goals. Throughout our time working together, John provided feedback that played a crucial role in my success and helped me plan for the future. His professional demeanor and personable nature work together seamlessly to create a safe and progressive environment for mentees to thrive.

-Taylr

I met John during my undergraduate career at Georgia State University, where I studied biology. Although I hadn't the slightest idea what I wanted to do with this degree, I had one goal: complete my program with honors and find my community on campus. As my academic advisor, John gave me critical advice on how the grading system worked and was very honest about the potential outcomes I'd experience. I appreciate our candid conversations, as he didn't always tell me what I wanted to hear. Based on his knowledge, John would say, "Hey, maybe withdraw from class X until you complete classes Y and Z. They'll be challenging to balance, and you may be putting unnecessary stress on yourself." This was the advice I needed. In a world where it's often seen as 'noble' to bite off more than you can chew to say, "I made this happen on my own," or "I pulled myself up by my bootstraps," it's refreshing and even comforting to hear, "You know you don't have to do it all on your own? There are resources to help you get from where you are to where you wanna be."

John's guidance throughout the years opened doors of opportunity for internships, campus jobs, and an honor society that I otherwise wouldn't have known about. His mentorship was not only a wealth of knowledge but a core memory that I'll always hold dear to my heart. To this day, John continues to bless me and my family with wisdom that helps us navigate life's many seasons. I am forever thankful to call John an excellent mentor and friend!

- Angela

"I have been fortunate to rely on JB as a person that I can confidently share information with and receive an unbiased opinion and solid recommendations. The advice and best practices shared by JB have ultimately led to actions on my part which have positively shaped my path. Whether it be resume assistance, cover letter content review, or just someone to bounce ideas off of, JB is a person with years of valuable coaching expertise.

I look forward to continuing to entrust in JB and I encourage others to do the same."

-Wil