Umoja students attend an African-American History Month event.

Mission Umoja

All Mission College students are welcome, regardless of background. If you are interested in joining the Umoja Community program, fill out our Student Interest Form.

Empowering and Motivating

The Umoja Community empowers and motivates African American students (and other students from disproportionately impacted populations) to excel in academics.

Programming includes community engagement, cultural empowerment, culturally responsive pedagogy, and self-love.

The statewide Umoja Community includes over 50 California community colleges.

There are hundreds of educators and learners committed to the academic success, personal growth, and self-actualization of African American and other students.

 

Umoja Courses

Explore the African and African American experience in the United States through a curriculum responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas. 

An emphasis is placed on UMOJA Community principles. 

Umoja classroom. Students sit at table in classroom and wear Umoja polo shirts.


Program Requirements
  • Meet with Umoja Counselor twice each semester.
  • Attend a minimum of three Umoja events/program activities each semester.

(Receive $100 Book Store Voucher each semester for meeting program requirements)

Program Recommendations
  • Be open to transferring to a four-year university.
  • Participate in all Umoja Community program activities/events each semester.
  • Enroll in the Umoja-focused English & Counseling Cohort Courses each semester.


Benefits of Program

The Mission College Umoja Community (MCUC) empowers and motivates African American students, and other disproportionately impacted student populations, to excel in academics through community engagement, cultural empowerment, and self-love. 

  • Access to a Supportive Community 
  • Dedicated Umoja Counselor
  • Dedicated Umoja English Professor
  • Umoja Community Courses
  • College Field Trips (CSU, UC, HBCU, etc.)
  • Book Store Vouchers 
  • UMOJA Scholar scholarship
  • Cultural Activities and Workshops
  • Umoja Student Club and Organization
  • Umoja Merchandise
  • Leadership/Employment Opportunities 

Past Speakers and Events

See all photos of Umoja events.

Umoja students and faculty pose in a group at a welcome event.

Umoja Welcome Event

Umoja Welcome Event for Spring 2023 Semester.

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Yolanda Barnes and Dr. Piper at podium smiling during Black History Event for Umoja program.

African American History Celebration

African American History Celebration 2023.

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Umoja students and faculty pose together for a photo.

Closing Ceremony

Photos from our Inaugural Umoja Community Closing Ceremony of Spring 2022. 

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A group of students (male, female, students of color) are posed in a group outside on campus in casual clothes on their way to a college tour of UC Berkeley..

UC Berkeley Spring 2022 Tour

Umoja partners with the Puente and MESA programs in leading a College Tour

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A group of students (male, female, students of color) are posed in a group outside on campus in casual clothes on their way to a college tour of SJSU.

SJSU College Tour Spring 2022

Umoja partners with Puente and MESA in leading a tour of SJSU.

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An event for Black History Month at Mission College. People are seated in a classroom at tables, a projecter shows a slide against a screen on the wall that reads "African American History Month. Umoja Spaker Series: Steregotype Thread with Dr, Claude Steel. Stanford Psychology Professor. Wednesday February 16, 11:30-12:30 p.m. - TAV 130.

Black History Month 2022

Celebrate, reflects, and draws wisdom from African American leaders.

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Umoja staff and faculty wear black tshirts with multi-colored letters reading "Umoja" on the front. They sit outside the Student Engagement Center on the MIssion College campus in Santa Clara, California.

Community Photos Fall 2021

Fall 2021 pictures of Umoja community programming and events.

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woman dancing

Kwanzaa

Every December, we celebrate Kwanzaa with the community. 

Kwanzaa
Angela Davis at a podium as she delivers a speech for students.

Dr. Angela Davis

Dr. Angela Davis, political activist, philosopher, academic, and author.

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Dr. Cornel West poses with three students after delivering talk.

Dr. Cornel West

Dr. Cornel West visited campus to give a speech and meet our students.

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