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Weingarten Center Administrative Staff

Image of Jane Holahan Jane Holahan, Ed.D., Executive Director of the Weingarten Learning Resources Center, has been in the field of education for over 30 years. Her Peace Corps experience sparked her interest in education. Jane’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Moravian College, a master’s degree from Barry University, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership/Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University. As a language arts teacher in the Miami-Dade Public School system, Jane gained experience working with students from diverse backgrounds. During her secondary education experience, Jane discovered her interest in working with students with disabilities, thus leading to her mission of working in the field of disability services in the university setting. Jane served as the Director of the Academic Resource Center at Georgetown University for over 20 years. Reading and films represent two of her favorite activities.
Image of Sheryl Warfield Sheryl D. Warfield, B.B.A., Associate Director of Operations, is responsible for overseeing the financial and operational needs of the respective areas within WLRC. Sheryl devises and implements strategic plans to address the needs of the department in a variety of areas including operations, finance, and administration. Sheryl came to Penn in 2001 from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where she worked as a Financial Officer. Sheryl earned her B.B.A. from Eastern University, where she is currently pursuing her MBA. She enjoys spending time with her family; three of her favorite pastimes are traveling, swimming, and visiting museums in different countries.
Alia White, B.A., Financial Administrative Coordinator, came to Penn in 2012 and supports all areas within the Weingarten Center. She is responsible for managing financial and personnel functions for staff, temporary and student workers, as well as supervising front desk staff and day-to-day operations at the Tutoring Center. Alia earned her B.A. in Journalism from Arcadia University and is currently pursuing her MPS in Human Resources and Employment Relations at the Pennsylvania State University. In her spare time, Alia loves playing Spades and is a horror movie buff.
Lauren T. Swain, B.S., Operations Support Coordinator, has been an accomplished member of the administrative team since 2007 and provides exceptional service throughout the three areas of the Weingarten Center. Lauren helps to facilitate an optimal experience by providing high-touch customer service for all encountered in support of WLRC’s mission and goals. Lauren holds a B.S. in Applied Behavioral Science from Pennsylvania State University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, and discovering new restaurants.
Image of Jacyln Weisser Jaclyn Weisser, B.A., Administrative Assistant, graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Journalism & Media Studies and a minor in Women’s & Gender Studies. Jackie began her career at Penn in the Office for The Vice Provost for University Life and is excited to continue supporting students at the Weingarten Learning Resource Center. By providing thoughtful and personable customer service, Jackie helps to optimize all areas of the WLRC experience for all encountered. In her free time, Jackie enjoys comedy, TV, writing, reading, and walking her beloved dog.

Tutoring Services Staff

Image of Valerie Wrenn Valerie Wrenn, M.A., Associate Director of Tutoring, (she, her, hers) has been working in Academic Support Services since 2011 with experience in both Tutoring and Learning Support services at various types of educational institutions.  She holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Rhode Island and an M.A., in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arizona.  She is also actively engaged with the College Reading and Learning Association, as a member of the review board for the International Tutor Training Program Certification, is an Adjunct Instructor for a civic engagement course at Drexel University,  and frequently volunteers with her sorority Phi Sigma Sigma as an Academic Support resource.  In her free time, Valerie loves to cook, craft, travel, play games (video and board!), and learn any new skill that comes to mind that week.
Image of Patricia Briscoe Patricia Briscoe-Cypress is the Administrative Assignment Coordinator for the Tutoring Center who has been dedicated in her service as an employee of the University of Pennsylvania for over 33years. She started her Penn career in the front office of the Department of Psychiatry, where she confirmed her commitment to helping people. Later, she found her true niche working with students, first at the School of Nursing and then the Tutoring Center. As a critical member of the Tutoring Center’s team, Ms. Briscoe-Cypress interacts with and supports hundreds of students seeking tutoring services and has stayed in touch with many Penn alumni over the years. Outside of Penn, Ms. Briscoe-Cypress is an engaged citizen, having served as a committeewoman for 10 years.Ms. Briscoe-Cypress has served as a mentor to young mothers facing adversity and a lack of social support, teaches Sunday school for teenagers, and sings in her church’s choir. She has a passion for baking, having started her own baking business called Pattykakes, loves to read, watch sports and movies. Throughout her career, Patricia Briscoe-Cypress has proven herself to be a kind and knowledgeable member of the Penn community who cares deeply about supporting students’ academic and personal success.

 Graduate Assistants

Odinaka Chukwu is a graduate student of International Educational Development at the University of Pennsylvania, with an undergraduate background in Economics. She has worked in providing access to quality education for children displaced by the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria and also has 4 years of experience in designing and implementing programs that teach literacy and vocational skills to children and young people in Nigeria. She is a Penn-UNESCO fellow and an alumnus of Teach For Nigeria.
Image of Daana Roach Daana Roach:  I am currently a graduate student in the School of Veterinary Medicine. After completing an IB program in Canada, I moved to the United States to pursue my undergraduate studies in Chemical Biosciences and Psychology at the University of Oklahoma. While there, I worked at the Student Learning Center, where I served as a tutor in several subjects and an office assistant. In my last year, I became a staff supervisor, and coordinator for the Study Night Program, a program dedicated to helping students establish consistent study habits and receive extra help before examinations. In my home country Barbados, I have also had tutoring experience working with primary school students and my peers. Although my goal is to become a wildlife veterinarian, I have a passion for learning and providing accessible education and wish to retire someday to teach conservation medicine.