James Deng

James has seen much that could make anyone feel hopeless, and yet he has used every obstacle as an inspiration to do something at both the local and global level. A refugee from South Sudan, James graduated from Syracuse University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international relations.

“On Point stood by me.”

His volunteer work is extensive. He has volunteered with InterFaith Works, helping other refugees by providing transportation, help with paperwork, and translation services. In 2012, he traveled to Kenya to volunteer with the Development Initiative Access Link, a humanitarian agency, where he wrote grants and helped with refugee needs assessments.

During the trip, James was also able to reunite with his mother and siblings for the first time since they fled the Civil War in South Sudan. He hopes to bring his family to the U.S. one day.

James has also volunteered with On Point for College, where he now works as a College Access Advisor. “On Point has stood by me,” said James. “As a new refugee, I wasn’t familiar with the education system here in the U.S., and On Point helped me so much at every step.”