In the morning, she’s the student assistant for the music department. On certain weekdays during the lunch period at the cafe, she’s that girl you might catch staring at you as she takes notes and eats her food. And on Tuesday evenings, she’s the curly-haired girl with her hands high as she sings hillsong lyrics at Resolutions.
Jemima Yuma is a current senior here at UNF, majoring in sociology with a minor in biology. Yuma, who attended local high school Robert E. Lee , is scheduled to graduate a year ahead of time this coming Spring. Although her years in undergrad will be shorter than most college students, Yuma’s activeness on campus still averages around that of a college student who took the traditional four years.
Since coming to UNF in 2012, Yuma has been active in many clubs including the African American Student Union, where she is currently nominated for many awards including best personality and best dressed. She regularly attends Resolution Campus Ministry, where she has lead life groups and is known for her contagious laughter. A laugh that earned her the award for best laugh at the Resolution annual christmas party last year.
Yuma is bilingual, speaking french and english, derived from her congolese and Burundian background. Most people don’t know that Yuma was actually born outside of the United States, in her native land of Congo. Her family moved here when she was young in order to escape the war.
Yuma embraces her African culture fully. In fact, you may have seen her dancing alongside her friends as she performed with the African Student Association, where she serves on the executive board. ASA is a new club on campus who mission is “to educate students on the rich and vast cultures and traditions of Africa and to unify and strengthen the bond between fellow students.” Established this fall, the club has had quite a bit of momentum with performances at UNF’s Road to Asia and the Women’s Center annual event, Women in the Arts. Yuma performed in both events.
Outside of participating in various clubs on campus, Yuma works two jobs and is always staying late in the library to study for her classes. She has plans of going to grad school to get her masters of health administration.
In the meantime, you can find her in the cafe staring back at you as she complete observations for her sociology homework.