It was in January 2025, when Maya Dean forced herself to enter a public speaking competition, that her idea to help tackle education inequality affecting low-income students was born.
While at North Carolina A&T State University, her professor emailed the class about a case competition organised by Duke University.
“I had never entered one before. At the time, I was struggling with public speaking, so I saw it as a chance to challenge myself, build confidence, and practise presenting,” said Ms Dean, 21.
The competition was the 2025 Duke University New Ideas Case Competition, and students were asked to propose how business can be a force for good by reducing societal polarisation and creating positive community impact.
Her submission, NextGen Resource Centre, focused on education inequality affecting low-income students in high-poverty schools in the United States.
“I explained how chronic underfunding often shows up as overcrowded classrooms, outdated materials, teacher shortages, limited extracurricular opportunities, restricted access to technology and minimal counselling support.
“I also highlighted how these gaps disproportionately impact many students of colour, including Black and Hispanic or Latino students, while outside pressures such as work obligations, housing and food insecurity, transportation barriers, and limited internet access make it even harder to succeed.”
Her solution was NextGen Resource Centres — community-based hubs supported by an online platform. The physical centres would offer computers, printers, internet access, school supplies and structured support from volunteers and professionals.
Services would include tutoring, college and career readiness preparation, as well as practical supports such as washers and dryers, a small kitchen and a donated professional attire closet — “because students should not miss out on opportunities due to basic resource barriers.”
Why it matters
She proposed launching the website first to reach students nationwide, then opening a physical centre in a high-poverty community once funding and partnerships were secured, with plans to expand over time.
“The goal was to improve academic support, test readiness, job readiness and college application outcomes, while helping reduce the gap between high-poverty and low-poverty communities.”
Ms Dean did not place in the top 10, but she was selected as an alternate, meaning that if a finalist could not attend the in-person presentations, she would present their findings in their place.
In the end, Ms Dean did not present — but the idea never left her.
“The experience stayed with me. It pushed me to reflect on why the idea mattered so much, and who else it could serve,” she said.
“That reflection brought me back to Bermuda, and to my own senior year of high school. I remember how overwhelming it felt to apply to colleges and scholarships without a clear, centralised guide.
“My parents did not attend college, so they could not answer most of the questions I had. School counsellors tried to help, but support was limited, and I had to complete many steps independently.”
Ms Dean ended up navigating the process herself but was often unsure where to find key documents, what a strong résumé should look like, and how best to prepare for interviews.
Wanting to make a difference, she decided to bring her idea to life for her community.
“Drawing on my own struggles and a desire to help future students, I set out to create a resource that would guide others through the college application process so no one would have to figure it out alone.
“I also incorporated my experiences living in the United States over the past four years, as well as insights from other Bermudian students studying in Canada and the UK, to provide a realistic picture of life in those countries.”
The result is the website Bermudiana Sources. Its mission statement reads: “Bermudiana Sources isn’t just a resource. It’s a bridge — a bridge between ambition and access, built to ensure that every student, no matter their background, has the tools and support to succeed. Our mission is to empower every student to navigate higher education with confidence.”
It offers students a clear and streamlined starting point for the college application process in the United States, Canada, Bermuda and Britain.
The website provides step-by-step guidance, outlines key requirements and centralises essential resources in one hub. It also offers advice on transitioning to a new country and shares student testimonies, allowing users to learn from real experiences.
The platform includes resources aligned with what admissions committees seek, including sections on community service and extracurricular involvement, with connections to local organisations to help students develop leadership skills and gain experience.
There are also guides for scholarship preparation, internships, interview tips, and crafting effective résumés and cover letters.
Keep going
Bermudiana Sources supports families as well, recognising that many parents want to help but may be unfamiliar with today’s international application procedures, timelines and expectations.
The website will be updated annually to reflect the most current information for each application cycle.
“Bermudiana Sources means a lot to me because it came from a real place. I remember how overwhelming this process felt, and I know other students feel the same pressure.
“Building this was not easy, but I kept going because I believe students deserve clearer guidance and a fair chance. If Bermudiana Sources helps even one student feel less discouraged and more confident, then every late night and every obstacle was worth it.”
A student at the Berkeley Institute for four years, Ms Dean excelled, maintaining a GPA above 3.5. In 2020, she was accepted into the Bermuda College dual enrolment programme part-time, allowing her to complete college courses alongside her high school studies during her final two years at Berkeley.
She will graduate from North Carolina A&T State University in 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration management.
“The unique experience of being part of a historically Black institution has allowed me to witness firsthand the power of a supportive and uplifting community.”
Throughout her university years, Ms Dean has been awarded more than $165,000 in scholarships, which helped cover tuition and fees, transportation costs, books and supplies, housing and airfare.
“Their support has allowed me to attend university comfortably and focus fully on my academics without the added stress of financial barriers,” she said.
“I am deeply grateful to be recognised by these scholarship organisations. Their investment in my future inspires me to give back.”
