A Game Plan for Success

For Elmhurst University student-athlete Stefan Soh ’28, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it extends into every corner of his experience. Through hands-on opportunities that blend academics, athletics and innovation, the sophomore computer science major and Bluejay point guard is building the knowledge and skills that will serve him for a lifetime.

Originally from Chapel Hill, N. C., Soh transferred to Elmhurst after seeking a place where he could grow both personally and professionally. Drawn to the University’s strong basketball program, small class sizes and proximity to Chicago’s thriving tech scene, he found the perfect environment to explore his passion for data science and its power to create social change.

Finding the Right Fit

After his freshman year at a private liberal arts college in rural northwest Pennsylvania, Soh was ready for a change. “I was looking for a place where I could network more, so I started looking at schools near bigger cities,” he says. “I really liked Elmhurst, and they had a really good basketball program on top of the academic programs that I was looking for.”

Elmhurst’s commitment to making education affordable was another factor that drove Soh’s decision. He was awarded first place in the 2025 Elmhurst University Transfer Scholarship Competition, out of a record 127 applicants. He received a $10,000 renewable scholarship for up to two years of study.

In the first round of the competition, applicants were asked to submit a video about a defining moment when their curiosity drove them to explore something in a different way, and how that moment would affect their experience at Elmhurst and beyond. Soh, who has played basketball since grade school, used his video to explain how the sport has taught him the value of leadership skills, discipline and teamwork, and to highlight his idea to combine data and technology to give coaches real-time access to player metrics during a game.

Using Data for Good

Initially, Soh’s college plans were to study psychology. Being diagnosed with ADHD in high school piqued his interest in finding out more about how he and others like him were at risk of slipping through the cracks and not receiving treatment for learning differences. But taking a computer science course led him in a new direction: “I realized that data was a way to quantify the value of things, like equal access to health care, by using numbers to back up the facts,” he says.

That realization led him to pursue a career in data science, which Soh hopes will allow him to make a difference, both on a business level by improving customer experience and also on a societal level. “I have a huge sense of justice and wanting to take care of people,” he says. “There are a lot of underserved minority groups in this country, and, with my experiences and my background, I am in a place to make change—so why not have an impactful career?”

Gaining Real-World Experience

Beyond his coursework, Soh recently launched his own AI solutions business, SohAI, to help local companies optimize their online presence and customer service through artificial intelligence. His clients include a real estate agent and a dental practice. For the dental practice, he’s working to create an AI receptionist that can interact with patients during the hours the office is closed.

Soh completed an internship while he was a college freshman and is actively seeking additional opportunities to acquire new skills in different business sectors. “I want to have a really built-out and diverse work background to prepare me for my future career,” he says.

Elmhurst provides access to resources and networks that will allow him to do just that. “I’ve made a bunch of connections with alumni and people in the area, and it really makes a difference to have professors who have worked in your field,” he says.

Connecting with Support

Soh credits Elmhurst’s supportive community and staff as well as faculty mentors, including computer science professor Kathleen Rossi, with helping him discover his strengths and prepare for the future. He also appreciates the assistance of Patrick Yanahan, director of the Jans Summer STM Internship Program and executive in residence for the E-celerator, which is a resource for student entrepreneurs.

“During a time like college, which can be stressful, you really want to make sure you are well-supported, healthy and happy,” he says. “Elmhurst makes sure you’re supported in every way—academically, personally and professionally.”

Discovering New Passions

The University’s diverse student body and caring community have provided a smooth transition to a new campus, and the liberal arts curriculum has exposed Soh to new subjects beyond his core interests. “Elmhurst is super-welcoming to all types of people. It’s allowed me to grow into a huge sense of my own individuality,” Soh says. “I have found out a lot about myself as a student here, just in the first few months.”

For example, taking an art class this semester sparked a new love for painting. “I liked to paint, but I never really knew anything about it—and now it’s become a passion,” says Soh, who also enjoys writing poetry, journaling and spending time outdoors.

When he’s not in the classroom, on the basketball court or working on entrepreneurial pursuits, you might find Soh at his favorite spot on campus—a bench that overlooks the Kranz Forum and Niebuhr statue. “If you look up, you just see all the trees—it’s beautiful day or night. I go there every day,” he says.

Looking ahead, Soh hopes to combine his passions for technology and social justice to make a lasting impact through data-driven change. His future plans include playing basketball, working in in the data science field and, someday, being a father. Whether on the court, in the classroom or in the community, he’s building a foundation for enduring success.

Go Far. Do Well. Visit elmhurst.edu/Admission to take the first step toward your future.