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Program Benefits and Requirements

Program Benefits

Umoja students will benefit from the following services and support:

  • Access to the Village, a dedicated study and social space for Umoja Program students
  • Field trips to museums, like the De Young and Museum of the African Diaspora, Bay Area mural tours, and cultural events including an orientation, African Harvest Festival, Black film festival, Black history month celebrations, and annual summer Juneteenth Celebration
UMOJA De Young Museum visit students standing together posing
  • A supportive network of faculty, staff, administrators, and student mentors who have the cultural competence to help you reach your goals
  • Cohort-based, Afro-centric learning opportunities in English, Political Science, and Math
  • A peer mentoring program for first-year students
  • A dedicated academic counselor and retention specialist
UMOJA staff looking at a device laughing and smiling together
  • Campus visits to local universities
  • Transfer support and planning, including transfer pathways to the UCs, CSUs, and HBCUs
  • Umoja Club membership
  • Weekly porch talks and social time
  • Statewide conferences and symposia sponsored by the Umoja Community Education Foundation (statewide Umoja organization)
  • Mental health, finance, and scholarship workshops (including automatic SparkPoint enrollment for those who qualify)
  • Priority Registration 
UMOJA college visit

Program Requirements

Members of the Umoja Community are expected to complete the following program requirements:

  • For cohort students, make a one-year commitment to the coursework and all class expectations
  • Participate in Umoja gatherings, field trips, celebrations, and the Umoja Club
  • Meet with the Umoja Counselor twice (2x) a semester
  • Complete a Student Education Plan (SEP)
  • Meet with the Umoja Program academic counselor twice (2x) a semester and the Umoja coordinator once (1x) a semester
  • Meet with Umoja instructors, counselor, retention specialist, and/or coordinator if struggling to balance school, family, and/or work so that we can fully support you
  • Actively participate in the peer mentoring program
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California College Promise Grant application