Sitting at the very heart of the business school in Steinberg–Dietrich Hall, Yazmin Wu (W ‘25) is a multifaceted presence in Wharton’s dynamic college environment. You've heard of Wharton cohorts, Wharton Latino, the WH1010 TA community, and maybe even the Wharton Sports Business Club. But do you know anyone who is not only involved in these communities, but actively shaping every one of them? Allow us to introduce you to Yazmin Wu.
Name: Yazmin Wu
Hometown: Miami
Major: Behavioral economics and finance
Minor: Consumer psychology
Activities: Wharton Undergraduate Cohorts Division, Wharton Ambassador, WH1010 TA, Wharton Sports Business Club, Residential Advisor, Wharton Latino, and 180 Degrees Consulting
What made you join so many communities in Wharton?
When I first came to Wharton, my plan was to not dive too [deep] into it. I wanted to explore other communities, and I ended up finding my place within them. Cohorts specifically are one of my biggest involvements on campus—as a freshman, I decided to apply as a first–year representative. In my first year, I didn't really want to join too many professional organizations and looked for new people. I ended up sticking with my cohort, and now, as co–chair, I can't imagine my Penn journey without it. I also had an amazing experience with my WH1010 TA. They became a support system for me. I used to reach out to them, for anything: We used to schedule our one–on–one meetings, and they would go for two or three hours, and it was us grabbing boba and yapping. I realized I wanted the opportunity to have the same relationship that they had with me with other students, and be a mentor to them. My TA encouraged me to apply, and even after being a student in WH1010 myself, I have stayed involved with the community and worked to promote more inclusivity within that group. Wharton Latino was the most convenient way for me to join, like, a representative cultural society here on Penn's campus. Also, I had a couple friends who decided to join during their first year, and I ended up following them, although my involvement with them is very limited. It's more for social things. Even though I didn't plan it, it’s good that this ended up this way.
Can you share one common characteristic of all the Wharton communities you are involved in and what role it plays in your life?
I think that one of them is inclusivity. When I look at my friend groups, organizations I enjoy, or things I want to do, I want to make sure it's a community that is inclusive—whether that be culturally or just people with different ideals, backgrounds, motivations, and passions in life. I think all of the Wharton communities that I've joined are very representative of that. It's something that I look for in every organization. Even my friend group back home in Miami, or even my friends here, are reflective of that. Inclusivity is something that motivates me to want to join a community, but in the end, it's also what keeps me in that community.
How did you find a passion in making others feel like they belong?
I believe it's a reflection of the different experiences I've had in my life and the different mentors I’ve met. I think having someone who's looking out for you and making you feel welcome makes you want to stay in an organization. That's just a mentality that I've possessed my whole life, whether it comes to joining a soccer team when I was little, or clubs in high school, and even clubs at Penn. I try to keep that mindset whenever I join any new community: “How can I give back?” Someone took a chance on me—I want to make sure that I offer someone else the same chances that I was offered. I think I try to be as positive and bubbly as possible, but I'm also very genuine. Sometimes I can be a little direct and intense, but I suppose in doing so, I cultivate a sense of transparency with others that makes them feel welcome.
What is home for you?
For me, home is people. I'll be honest: I enjoy warm weather, but I think at the end of the day, what matters is the people you surround yourself with. When I think back on my home in Miami, what matters to me isn't just my immediate family, but also my close friends that I'm constantly talking to and hanging out with. Same goes for life on campus. Home isn't necessarily the dorm I have at the Quad. Home is also the people I surround myself with, and who have always made me feel welcomed and included and seen.
How has being a residential advisor shaped your experience here at Penn?
I think something that's really funny is that as much as I try to avoid saying I'm super involved in the first–year experience, I actually have been involved for all four years. I've been a residential advisor twice, and I've been at the Quad both times. I guess I never left my freshman dorm, if that makes sense. Generally, I believe as an RA, you get the opportunity to help other students find their communities on campus. Even though they’ve met other mentors already (e.g., cohort leaders in Wharton), for a lot of students who don't have previous connections, their residential advisor is the first upperclassman figure they'll be exposed to on campus. I always take that as an opportunity to help them explore different paths and mentor them in any way I can. I also have to recognize that sometimes students don't necessarily want mentorship, and that's fine, but for those that do, I want to make myself available to them and want to offer them the resources I had—whether it be, like, advice for clubs, how to get to classes, where the best places are on campus to get food.
What makes a great mentor?
I'm very passionate about mentorship, I really like the idea of giving back. Every time I've been able to join a community or be in a leadership position, it's because someone decided to take a chance on me. And I think mentorship is kind of the feeling of giving that back and offering someone else the same opportunities you were given. It's taking a chance on someone that maybe others wouldn't. You have to find the spark in people, and that's what mentorship means to me. That's why a mentor is such an important figure, because I don't think I'd be where I am today if someone hadn't taken that chance, or if I hadn't had certain individuals reach out to me, or even just want to spend time with me and answer all my questions. That's true not only of my Penn journey, but my entire life.
Which of your commitments bring you the most joy and fun?
My cohort community, which I think everyone who knows me personally knows I never shut up about. It's my number one involvement—it's because it's one of the first communities I felt welcome in, and it's also a community that I've been involved in for so long. There's no Penn experience for me without it. I can't tell you how many times I've hung out with so many people in the organization, and I genuinely enjoy the work we do. It's just a community of very passionate people who share similar beliefs about how to promote inclusivity on this campus. That being said, we also want to spend time together and form relationships and spend some time together outside of the work that we do.
Given all your current involvements, what are your long–term aspirations?
I'll be super transparent: I don't think I'm the most professional figure on this campus. First of all, I'm very happy with my decision to not strive for a life in corporate America. I actually decided to change my career path towards the beginning of my junior year and take a more nontraditional approach. For me, even though professionalism is a big part of the Penn culture, I don't think it necessarily frames everyone's Penn experience. I think it definitely has an influence, whether that be you learning how to build a resume or learning how to speak in public—there are a bunch of Wharton classes tailored to help guide students professionally or prepare for internships. However, I don't think that should be the defining characteristic thing of Penn students and the Penn environment. I'm not very professional in that regard, but something that I carry with me is that I'm motivated by your passions when considering my professional endeavors and career aspirations. I'd love to be working in the sports industry, whether that be in the United States or Europe. I typically have a preference for being in Europe, but we'll see where life takes me.
Lightning round
Best soccer team? F.C. Bayern Munich
A song you have on repeat right now? "Feel It—From The Original Series 'Invincible'" by d4vd
Favorite place to study on campus? ARB138 or Joe’s Cafe
To–go order at Pret? Hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie
Best piece of media you consumed in 2025? Any Florida Panthers posts
There are two types of people at Penn? Those who follow the Penn mentality and get absorbed in the culture, and those who decide to do their own independent stuff.
And you are? I’m a part of both.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Do you know that one senior who brings a smile to everyone’s face or always has the craaaaziest stories? It’s time to give them the recognition they deserve. Ego of the Week seeks to showcase seniors not for their grades or any other academic construct, but for who they are as a person and the joy they bring to the people around them! Nominate your favorite Penn seniors for Ego of the Week!
