Em DiPrinzio, Founder and Lead Consultant
If there's one thing Em's passionate about, it's helping students reach their goals. After working as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware for over five years, Em realized that college advising provides just one piece of the puzzle. Good advising requires time, rapport, and dedication. Unfortunately, these are difficult to develop in a typical college setting where advisors balance caseloads of over 300 students (not an exaggeration!) each.
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This is why Em developed VIZR, an academic consulting and advising collaborative that includes every puzzle piece. Whether you're a student or parent, you can expect your questions to be answered promptly at VIZR.
Background and Experience
Em is a former university advisor and instructor who brings years of experience to VIZR. Her interest in advising began during her senior year at the University of Pittsburgh, where she took an internship advising her fellow Communication majors on courses they should take in the upcoming semester. After graduating with a BA in both Communication and Sociology, Em entered a graduate program in Sociology at the University of Delaware. It was through this program that she developed keen skills in qualitative research, which requires deep listening, categorical analysis, and theory development. This background leant itself perfectly to the world of academic advising, which Em explored part-time as a way to make a little extra money over the summers while in grad school. Soon enough, Em realized that her true passion was in advising, not research, and she decided to pursue full-time employment as a collegiate academic advisor.
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Em was hired by the University of Delaware College of Arts & Sciences in 2017, the largest college at the school. Here Em successfully advised students in over 90 undergraduate majors with even more minors, certificates, and extracurricular activities. She worked with students studying abroad, athletes, Honors students, and students facing academic probation. Her students ranged from those completely unsure about their purpose to those absolutely set on achieving one goal. Her skillset bloomed as she assisted this incredibly diverse population.
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Ultimately, Em decided to leave the advising job she loved to move closer to family in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, this move also prompted the foundation of VIZR, where Em hopes to remedy some of the inadequacies she experienced with the academic advising sector. Em often felt that academic advising lacked the potential for real connection--particularly with parents, who are often completely ignored by college advisors per FERPA regulations--but also with students who receive little allocated time with their assigned advisor each semester.
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As a former scholar, educator, and advisor, Em truly understands the importance of meeting both students and families where they are. This is why VIZR is here to help.
Notable Experiences
2009-2013
BA in Communication and Sociology
University of Pittsburgh
2013
Academic advising internship
Department of Communication & Rhetoric
University of Pittsburgh
2013-2015
MA in Sociology
University of Delaware
2015-2017
Continued doctoral work toward PhD in Sociology
University of Delaware
2015-2024
Taught college courses including:
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Intro to Sociology
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Social Problems
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Love & Relationships
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First Year Experience
2023
Won Excellence in Advising: Best New Advisor award from NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising Region 2
2025
Began Teaching Certification Post-Baccalaureate program at Penn State Harrisburg
Summer 2025
Taught reading and study skills classes for the Institute of Reading Development, Pre-K through college
Why VIZR?
Our philosophy is simple: every student deserves personalized support and guidance to thrive academically. We believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to helping students take control of their academic future.
With high school counselors and college academic advisors available for free, you might ask yourself why you need a service like VIZR. Here are some of the ways your VIZR goes above and beyond traditional advising services:
The VIZR Approach
At VIZR Academic Advising and Consulting, our mission is to provide comprehensive support to students and parents, ensuring a collaborative partnership that leads to academic success. We strive to empower students to navigate the college experience with confidence and success. With our personalized approach, we aim to make a positive impact on the educational journey of every student we assist. We're dedicated to understanding the unique needs of each student and family, and we tailor our approach to provide the most effective guidance and support. By working with us, you are taking the first step towards a successful and fulfilling academic journey.