YLASS — Young Leaders Academy of South Sudan

About YLASS

Building the Next Generation of South Sudanese Leaders

YLASS students in a study session in Juba

Our Story

The Young Leaders Academy of South Sudan (YLASS) was founded by Emmanuel Malou Deng and Piok Deng Mayiik, South Sudanese students at Columbia University and Dartmouth College respectively. The program was established after the realization that academically talented students from South Sudan were missing out on admissions to top universities due to the daunting U.S. college application process.

YLASS provides students with the resources and knowledge to overcome the bottlenecks that prevent deserving students from accessing an American education. Our students apply directly to universities, and it is the universities that award them scholarships. YLASS prepares students to become so competitive that rejecting them over other applicants is almost impossible.

Our Mission

Global Competitiveness

Prepare South Sudanese students to compete globally with comprehensive college preparatory support.

Full Scholarships

Increase the number of South Sudanese students admitted to top U.S. universities with full scholarships.

Nation Building

Build a generation of well-educated leaders who will contribute to South Sudan's development in medicine, engineering, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Our Program

A 6-Month Comprehensive College Prep Journey

Our rigorous program equips students with every tool they need to successfully navigate the U.S. college application process and thrive at elite institutions.

Critical Thinking

Assigned reading comprehension, academic seminars, and mathematics to sharpen analytical skills.

Academic Writing

Building the writing skills necessary for success at college, from essays to research papers.

Test Preparation

Comprehensive preparation for standardized tests including the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL.

Personal Essay Coaching

One-on-one sessions to identify and craft compelling personal narratives from each student's unique lived experience.

Mentorship

Guidance from current university students and alumni who have walked the same path.

Leadership & Career

Leadership development, career guidance workshops, and university readiness courses to build proud, patriotic citizens ready to contribute to nation-building.

Our Impact

Where Our Students Are

Since 2022, YLASS students have earned admissions and full scholarships to some of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Harvard Yale Stanford Princeton Columbia Cornell Duke UPenn Dartmouth Harvey Mudd Haverford Babson Whitman

Long-Term Vision for South Sudan

01

Skilled Professionals

Producing highly skilled professionals in medicine, engineering, business, and more who will bring expertise back to South Sudan.

02

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inspiring alumni to bring innovative ideas and entrepreneurial ventures that create jobs and drive economic diversification.

03

Governance & Leadership

Equipping graduates for leadership roles in government, civil society, and international organizations.

04

International Relations

Building ambassadors for South Sudan who strengthen the country's reputation and foster global partnerships.

Our Students

Meet the Future Leaders of South Sudan

First Cohort Class of 2027

GB

Yale University

Ghai Tit Buny

Juba Academy, Juba

Stanford University

Kuot Kiir Aluetmiir

Darling Wisdom, Juba

SM

Harvard University

Santino Makuei Marial

Juba Academy, Juba

YC

Haverford College

Yor Daniel Chol

Juba Academy, Juba

DD

Babson College

Didi Ding Mayen Kuai

Juba Academy, Juba

In Loving Memory

MT

Cornell University

Majok Thiong

Juba Academy, Juba

MA

Duke University

Majok Anyieth

Juba Academy, Juba

Second Cohort Class of 2028

AC

Princeton University

Aluk Bak Barnaba Chol

Juba Academy, Juba

WW

Whitman College

Wol Bol Wol

Juba Academy, Juba

AB

University of Pennsylvania

Abouch Bol Akot

Darling Wisdom, Juba

JB

Harvard University

Julia Agum Mangar Bol

Bishop Mazzolari, Rumbek

Third Cohort Class of 2029

Harvey Mudd College

Nyariay Kic Nyang

Independence Secondary School, Juba

Student Voices

What Our Students Say

"At YLASS, I found not only a unique community that helps you stand a real chance of getting into your dream college, but also a world of supportive mentors dedicated to helping you discover yourself and realize your true potential. You could be next!"

Nyariay Kic Nyang

Harvey Mudd College, Class of 2029

Our Founders

Founded by South Sudanese Students, for South Sudanese Students

YLASS was born from a simple realization: South Sudan has no shortage of brilliant, driven students — but they lacked the guidance to navigate the complex U.S. college application process. Having walked that path themselves as Bridge2Rwanda scholars, Piok and Emmanuel knew exactly what it took — and what was missing. In 2022, they decided to bridge that gap.

Piok Deng M. Mei

Co-Founder

Dartmouth College

Piok graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Economics and a minor in Government as a King Scholar — a four-year fully funded scholarship. Before Dartmouth, he scored 95.1% on the South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Examinations, ranking 2nd in the entire country. A Bridge2Rwanda Leadership Academy alumnus, Piok served as an MLDP Facilitator at Dartmouth's Rockefeller Center for Public Policy. He co-founded YLASS to ensure that talented South Sudanese students receive the same guidance that transformed his own trajectory.

EM

Emmanuel Malou Deng

Co-Founder

Columbia University

Emmanuel studies Economics and Political Science at Columbia University. He scored 92.9% on the South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Examinations, ranking 5th nationally, and is a Bridge2Rwanda Leadership Academy alumnus. Beyond academics, Emmanuel is an essayist and writer on South Sudanese politics, economics, and cultural identity. He serves as YLASS's primary college counselor, bringing firsthand knowledge of the application process to mentor each cohort of students through their journey to top universities.

Join YLASS

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Are you a South Sudanese high school graduate with strong academics and the drive to study at a top U.S. university? YLASS provides 6 months of comprehensive, free college prep support — from test preparation and essay coaching to mentorship and application guidance.

No program fees

Full scholarship guidance

One-on-one mentorship

SAT, ACT & TOEFL prep

Apply Now

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

South Sudanese high school graduates with strong academic records and a genuine desire to pursue higher education at a top U.S. university. You must have completed secondary school and be able to commit to the full 6-month program.

When does the program start?

YLASS recruits a new cohort each year. The program typically begins in the spring and runs for 6 months, preparing students for the fall U.S. college application cycle. Follow us on social media for application deadlines.

Does YLASS cost anything?

No. YLASS is completely free for students. We cover SAT/TOEFL exam fees, application fees, and all program costs. Students only need to bring their dedication and hard work.

What does the 6-month program include?

The program includes SAT/ACT/TOEFL test preparation, academic writing workshops, personal essay coaching, college application guidance, interview preparation, mentorship from current university students, and leadership development.

Do I need to be based in Juba?

While our study center is in Juba, we have accepted students from across South Sudan and the region, including from schools in Kenya and Uganda. Reach out to us to discuss your situation.

What are YLASS students' success rates?

100% of YLASS students who complete the program have received full scholarships to top U.S. universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, and UPenn.

Support Us

Help Us Empower More Students

YLASS is seeking financial assistance, resource provision, and infrastructure support to ensure the program's continued success and reach more talented South Sudanese students.

What Your Support Covers

Study Center Rent $600/month
Internet Connectivity $400/month
SAT Exam Fees $100/student
TOEFL Exam Fees $200/student
InitialView Interviews $200/student
CommonApp Fees $50/student
CSS Profile Fees $50/student

Cost per cohort (10 students) $12,000

Your Impact

Every dollar invested in YLASS directly supports a South Sudanese student's journey to a world-class education. Our students receive full scholarships worth over $300,000 each — your contribution unlocks that opportunity.

$300K+ Average scholarship value per student

$600 Average cost per student to YLASS

To discuss partnership and donation opportunities, please reach out to us at info@ylass.org or call +1 (603) 449-4537