A panel of judges selected Cerena Solefack as the winner. Cerena is a rising junior at the University of Maryland, College Park, studying Public Health Science on a pre-dental track. Her essay, titled “One Size Doesn’t Teach All,” presents a vision for AI-powered personalized education that addresses the individual learning needs often overlooked in traditional classrooms.
Cerena’s vision centers on AI playing a central role in personalizing education. She envisions a system where AI generates homework and assessments tailored to each student’s current skill level and learning pace, operating like “a personal tutor who never moves on until they’re ready and keeps trying different methods until a concept clicks.”
Read more about Cerena below and view this video spotlight to learn about how her tutoring experiences inspired her innovative approach to educational technology.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Cerena, and I’m a rising junior at the University of Maryland. I’m on the pre-dental track with the goal of becoming a pediatric dentist. I love working with kids and have been involved in mentoring and tutoring programs over the years.
I come from a big family of eight, and we immigrated to the United States from Cameroon when I was just one year old.
Growing up, I watched my family face many health challenges, especially with autoimmune diseases. My brother has lupus, and my sister has a rare condition called ITP. Seeing them go through their health journeys has shaped my perspective on how important it is for healthcare providers to truly listen and make patients feel safe and heard.
What has been your best experience in school?
One of my favorite experiences I’ve had was performing with my school’s step dance team. It was actually my first time ever learning step dance, so it was totally new to me. Even though it was a bit out of my comfort zone, I had a lot of fun practicing with the team and performing in front of a crowd. It was such a cool experience, and it showed me how rewarding trying something new can be.
What is your major, and what influenced your choice?
I’m majoring in Public Health Science. I chose this major because it helps connect science and research to the well-being of entire communities. I also believe it’s helping me build the empathy and awareness I’ll need to be a compassionate healthcare provider in the future.
How do you envision yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself in the middle of dental school, working toward my goal of becoming a dentist. I hope to feel happy and fulfilled by the path I’ve chosen and continue to be a positive role model for my younger sisters who look up to me.
What do you hope to learn from your college experience?
I hope to continue building my independence as I prepare for life after college. I also want to further develop my leadership skills and learn how to inspire and support others. Most importantly, I want to keep growing as a person by connecting with people from different backgrounds and learning from their experiences.
What extracurricular activities do you enjoy?
I enjoy dancing, crocheting, volunteering, and watching movies. I also love spending time outdoors, taking nature walks, and visiting museums.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I’m really grateful to have been selected for this scholarship! It means a lot to me and my family. Thank you for supporting students like me and making a difference in our futures.
YuJa’s annual scholarship program continues to recognize and support students who demonstrate exceptional insight into the future of education and technology. Congratulations to Cerena and all the students who participated in this year’s scholarship contest.
