Our Story

About

Dr. Seo

As the child of a struggling immigrant family, Dr. Jiwon Seo knew little about the American college application process. When the time came to apply, he quickly realized that success required years of preparation throughout high school—preparation no one had explained to him. Schools offered limited guidance, and the path to higher education was filled with hidden steps and missed opportunities.​

Though some resources existed for underprivileged and international students, Dr. Seo discovered them too late to benefit. Determined to pursue higher education, he spent several years in New York City working as a private tutor and SAT instructor, saving every dollar he could to fund his college education.

​His journey—from a local community college to Harvard University—revealed the critical importance of early mentorship and accessible guidance. He later earned his Ph.D. from Brown University in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry.​

Now, Dr. Seo is dedicated to raising the next generation of scholars, providing academic and financial support to students who need it most. Through Provident Scholars, he ensures that no deserving student is left uninformed or unprepared for what comes next.

The mission of our organization

charity icon
Education for All

To provide accessible, high-quality mentorship and academic guidance to all students—especially those overlooked or underserved—empowering them to discover their purpose, pursue excellence, and use their knowledge to serve the greater good.​

To fulfill this mission, Provident Scholars offers academic support through affordable paid classes and free weekly tutoring sessions, open to all middle and high school students in need. By removing financial and informational barriers, we aim to ensure that no student with potential is left behind due to lack of access, guidance, or support.

family icon
Community Development

To build a community of scholars, mentors, and educators united by a shared purpose: to seek knowledge with integrity, uplift others through education, and ensure that every student with potential—no matter their background—is seen, supported, and set on a path to thrive.

Provident Scholars aims to guide students to be not only informed minds, but purposeful hearts by demonstrating good and faithful practice of knowledge. We lead by examples and encourage others in the community to join our effort in caring for those in needs.

Join us in the journey to empower and transform lives

We start today. We start from caring for our neighbors.

Now at Tampa Bay