1st Annual UMOJA High School Counselor’s Conference Presented by: Abdimalik Buul, Southwestern College Don Love, MiraCosta College Dr. James Canady, Grossmont College Michael Temple, San Diego Mesa College

Presentation Overview Welcome/Introduction Data Walk/Discussion UMOJA History/Mission UMOJA Program Design UMOJA Student Voices Benefits of UMOJA Question & Answer Next Steps

DATA WALK ACTIVITY and DISCUSSION Through the data walk we wish to look at the educational experiences and outcomes of California’s Back children, preschool through college. The data presented should serve as a statement of the problem and also demonstrate the need for UMOJA programs statewide.

Founded in 1988 at Chabot College in Hayward, CA as the Daraja Program UMOJA Beginnings Founded in 1988 at Chabot College in Hayward, CA as the Daraja Program Fall, 2006 – 1st conference at Diablo Valley College regarding Black Student Success. It was here that faculty and administrators declared a formal statewide recognition of a problem. Fall, 2007 – Steering committee of 23 members spent several months developing strategies to become a statewide model and resources for community colleges. January, 2008 – UMOJA Community presented its model to the California Community College Board of Governor’s and is officially recognized as a legitimate statewide success program. May 20, 2015– Press Release issued by the CCCCO announcing the awarding of $1 million to the UMOJA Community Education Foundation. Notes: The Umoja Program was modeled after the Daraja Program out of Chabot College. They had a successful Puente Program at Chabot College and educators wanted to see those same opportunities afforded to Black students. In Fall, 2006, emails began to circulate throughout the state about a conference to discuss Black student success. We did not know at that time that that conference would become of first of, now, 12 conferences. From the conference at DVC, 23 educators volunteered to serve as a steering committee to provide a formal structure and unity to this effort. Quickly Umoja began to make its presence known in the state. In January 2008, Umoja was officially recognized by the BOG. The Umoja organization was a 9-midnight operation. It was started with no money and no formal permission by anyone to do this work. It wasn’t until May 2015 that funding was granted to further develop this statewide initiative.

UMOJA Mission Statement Umoja, (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students. We believe that when the voices and histories of students are deliberately and intentionally recognized, the opportunity for self-efficacy emerges and a foundation is formed for academic success. Umoja actively serves and promotes student success for all students through a curriculum and pedagogy responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas. Often times in Umoja we do a popcorn read of the Mission statement and have them note which words or phrases resonate with them. You can have them share briefly.

UMOJA PROGRAM DESIGN

Learning Community Model In this model a group of Umoja students take two or more linked classes and remain together for at least one year. Sample classes that the program may offer are: Guidance/counseling courses (1st and 2nd semester) English course Math course Library information literacy course Other course(s)with a Black studies emphasis

Sample classes that they might enroll in are: Cohort Model In contrast to the Learning Community Model, in this model subsets of Umoja students are enrolled in classes with students who do not participate in the Umoja program. Sample classes that they might enroll in are: Guidance/counseling courses Other identified course(s) with a Black emphasis

Other Program Components Umoja campuses may also offer additional program components that have been approved by the Umoja Community. For example: Mentoring program (staff/community mentors) Peer mentoring Tutoring/supplemental instruction Service learning

Participating Colleges College Program American River College Umoja Saku Bakersfield College ASTEP Chabot College Daraja Project Chaffey College AMAN/AWOMAN College of Alameda Amandla College of Marin pilot Fall 2015 College of San Mateo CSM Umoja Cosumnes River College Diop Scholars De Anza College Sankofa Scholars Diablo Valley College Ujima El Camino College Project Success Fresno City College IDLE Fullerton College Reach 4 Excellence Long Beach City College Sankofa Scholars Los Angeles Trade Tech LATTC-Umoja Los Medanos College Umoja Scholars MiraCosta College Umoja/EOPS College Program Moreno Valley College Renaissance Scholars Mt. San Antonio College Aspire Napa Valley College Napa Valley Umoja Program Norco College Talented Tenth Orange Coast College OCC Umoja Riverside Community College Ujima Program Sacramento City College Umoja SBA San Bernardino Valley College Tumaini San Diego City College Umoja/TSP San Diego Mesa College Mesa Academy San Joaquin Delta College AFFIRM San Jose City College Umoja Academic Success Program Santa Rosa Junior College Umoja Sierra College Umoja Sankofa Skyline College ASTEP Solano Community College Umoja Program Scholars West Valley College SUCCESS Program Currently, there are 34 official Umoja program. Please emphasize here that there is a formal process by which campuses affiliate with the Umoja Community. Please do share that while Southwestern and Grossmont have had Umoja programs, they will officially become part of the statewide organization effective fall, 2016. In fact, we will be adding 14 new programs for the 2016-2017 academic year. (This equals more opportunities for collaboration and networking for our students.)

Readiness Colleges for 2016-2017 Antelope Valley College Berkeley City College Cerritos College CSU East Bay** De Anza College Foothill College Grossmont College Laney College L.A. Harbor College Long Beach City College Merritt College Ohlone College Orange Coast College Southwestern College Victor Valley College We have 20 additional colleges “in waiting” for the 2017-2018 academic year.

STUDENT VOICES

Hands Up! Walk Out! Hands Up. Walk Out. Feel free to use this photo if you’d like. The student at SD City organized a walk-out in protest of what was going on in Ferguson, etc. Demonstrates the social justice and leadership opportunities that our students can engage in. Hands Up. Walk Out.

Personal, Career, and Academic Counseling with dedicated Counselor Benefits for Students Personal, Career, and Academic Counseling with dedicated Counselor Culturally-relevant pedagogy Academic & Personal Enrichment Activities Mentorship Leadership Opportunities Lifelong friendships & support Add anything that’s true for your students here. Also want to emphasize the regional relationship that we are building and its benefit for our students.

Questions & Answers

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