OUR MISSION
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.
OUR VISION
The Umoja Community at UC Irvine is designed to assist students of African descent in the transition to a four-year university. We offer resources and support to help students set goals, and maximize their experience at UCI to achieve academic, professional, and personal success. The Transfer Student Center staff and counselors will provide individualized support to meet students where they are and support them in their goals and future aspirations.
*The Umoja program at UCI is pending until official designation from the Umoja Community Education Foundation. However, please reach out if you have any questions about resources available to you through our Transfer Center.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
One on One Advising
Mentorship
LARC Scholarship
SOAR Scholarship
Book Loan
I-Clicker Loan Program
Laptop
Loan Program
Testing Material
Workshops and Events
Priority Consideration for Housing
Umoja Community members applying for housing in the Arroyo Vista theme house community may want to consider living in the UMOJA House. To be considered for the Umoja house you must select that option in the housing application and complete this form.
You may also want to consider three other theme house options that complement the goals of Umoja: George Washington Carver House, Rosa Parks House, and the Academic Excellence Black Scholars House.
*All UMOJA Community Members will be notified via email when application open for the housing for the 23-24 Academic Year
PROGRAM PARTNERS
TIMELINE
*DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SCHOLARSHIPS
UPCOMING EVENT
TBA
NEXT EVENTS
TBA
STUDENT STAFF
I am Nyah, a “super-senior” 5th year undergraduate student at UC Irvine. I transferred from Los Angeles City College in Fall of 2020 and am majoring in Anthropology. My interests include gaming and specifically esports. I look forward to continue serving fellow Umoja students’ transition to UCI. Outside of the classroom, I live breathe and love gaming. I enjoy playing competitive in every game I touch, and if I am not playing myself, I like to watch the pros!
Hi! My name is Kennedi and I am so excited to be working with Umoja x SOAR this upcoming school year. I am a fourth year Psychological Science Major with a minor in Criminology. I enjoy going to concerts/festivals, painting, gaming, and finding new places to explore. I am not a transfer student; however, I have had the opportunity of working with Black transfer students as a Resident Advisor last year, which made me want to be a part of the process of building and enriching the Black transfer community at UCI.
My name is Naja Christmas and I will be the peer mentor for Umoja for the academic year. Umoja means unity and feeling unified with one’s surroundings is vital to the academic experience. I hope to assist the African Diaspora that chooses to attend UCI in becoming unified with their community and feeling welcomed at UCI.
It was crucial for me to be involved with Umoja because it is a program that assisted me with getting into the UC system. Umoja eliminates some of the barriers that deter students, especially students from the African Diaspora, from applying to the UC system. Being a product of such an excellent program, I wanted to assist students directly and give them all the tools that Umoja has to offer to make their matriculation into UCI as seamless as possible. UCI is a great university and I want African Diaspora to know that there is a place for them here. I want to see these students thrive at UCI.
CONTACT & OFFICE HOURS
