Umoja

Welcome to the Orange Coast College Umoja Community

Transforming, Enriching, and Advancing the lives of students by infusing culturally relevant pedagogy and practices

What is Umoja?

Umoja is Unity
Mission Statement
Vision Statement

Umoja is a state-wide student success program open to all students and is specifically designed to increase the retention and success rates of African-American students. The Umoja Program is a Learning Community that offers student success classes, English, Math, Communication, Sociology and History classes which strives to educate the whole student, informed by an ethic of love and its vital power. Academic success is also achieved through educational counseling, workshops, cultural events, mentoring, and personal development. The learning experience within Umoja will deliberately and intentionally provide each individual the opportunity to add their voice and their story to the collective voices and stories of the African Diaspora.

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.

Umoja is the preeminent global educational organization that provides transformative, emancipatory education to uplift and inspire academic excellence of self-actualization for students of African descent.

Maya Angelou - "When you learn, teach. When you get, give."

PROGRAM SERVICES

Academic/Career Counseling
Culturally Relevant Workshops and Events
Culturally Relevant Field Trips
Learning Co-Horts
Culturally Relevant Classes
Jegnas (mentors)
Career Exploration and Networking Opportunities
Supportive and Safe Faculty Guidance
Umoja Annual Conferences
Student Leadership Summit
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Tours
UC/CSU Tours
HBCU Transfer Admissions Guarantee
Supplies
Tutoring
Scholarships

UPCOMING EVENTS

Porch Talks
Guest Speakers
Umoja Meet and Greet
Umoja Transfer Connections
Umoja Annual Conference
Kwanzaa Celebration

PAST UMOJA EVENTS

Umoja Conference
A2MEND Conference
Symposiums
Umoja Day UCLA/AVC
Langston Project
Pan African Film Festival
From Be-Bop to Hip-Hop/Workshop
Student Leadership Summit
The Gospel Connection
Real to Reel Talk

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Complete OCC Application

Be enrolled as an OCC student (full-time or part-time)

Complete FAFSA Application or CA Dream Act

Complete Umoja Application

Complete Umoja Orientation

Sign the Umoja Student Contract

Meet with Umoja Counselor/Coordinator
COMPLETE THE UMOJA APPLICATION

We are so glad that you are interested in joining the Umoja family at OCC! Please take a few minutes to complete the application

OCC Umoja Program Application
REGISTER FOR THE UMOJA ORIENTATION

Attending the Umoja Orientation is not only one of the requirements for joining the program but its also a great way to learn about the Umoja culture, support, and resources available to you. Register today!

Umoja Orientation Registration
Umoja Counseling APPOINTMENTS

As a Umoja student you are required to meet with the Umoja counselor at least twice per semester or as often as you need. You can access the link to scheduling your Umoja counseling appointment after completing the Umoja application and receiving your offical welcome email.

STAY CONNECTED

Contact Us

714-714-7313

umoja@cccd.edu

Office Hours

Andrea Eke-Amacker, Umoja Counselor/Coordinator

Office: Watson Hall, 4th Floor, EOPS Rm. 448

Mondays 8:30am - 12:30pm

Thursdays 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Hours vary and are subject to change. Please call or email for assistance.

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." -African Proverb

Student Testimonials

"Yes indeed, it was a great experience to meet other students that I can relate to and be able to share my experiences with."

"I really liked this umoja conference I learned how to budget my money , how to network , about ancient Egyptians , and so much more . I can’t wait for next year !"