Dr. Janjay Gehndyu
Chief Academic Officer and Financial Coach
Dr. Janjay Gehndyu, known throughout the community as “Dr. J,” helps students and families connect educational goals with the planning needed to pursue them. As Chief Academic Officer and Financial Coach at Prestige Advisors, he leads the firm’s college-planning program, bringing academic preparation, college selection, and funding into the same conversation.
His work starts with understanding the student: how they learn, what motivates them, and where they want to go. He helps students identify academic and vocational goals, strengthen SAT and ACT performance, navigate college applications, and pursue scholarship opportunities. His three-pillared approach considers the student, the institution, and the finances as separate, but connected elements to help families look beyond rankings and sticker price when evaluating their options.
Dr. J brings nearly two decades of experience serving students in Sarasota and Manatee counties and has helped more than 200 high school students earn Florida Bright Futures scholarships. After years working alongside Prestige, his formal role builds on that experience while helping families consider how educational decisions fit into their broader financial plans.
He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University, where his research on learning styles informed his individualized approach to instruction and test preparation. Whether working on test readiness or exploring college options, his focus is helping each student understand their strengths and take practical steps toward their future.