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AVC Umoja Community

Umoja (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a learning community dedicated to African Americans and other students' academic success, personal growth, and self-actualization. African and African American intellectual, cultural, and spiritual gifts inspire all Umoja values and practices.

Click here to learn more: Umoja Practices

Click here to review the Umoja Community Guidelines


Why join the AVC Umoja Community?

  • Access to priority registration
  • Courses that focus on the African American experience
  • Support from Umoja counselors who help plan your academic pathway
  • Transfer Guidance: Personal essays, letters of recommendation, scholarships, etc.
  • Motivational, cultural, and career workshops/activities
  • Community engagement
  • Participation in Umoja state-wide events

AVC Umoja Community Program Requirements

  • Attend Umoja Orientation- either online or in person (an in-person orientation is offered in Fall semesters only) (see below for more information)
  • Meet with an Umoja counselor once a semester
  • Attend at least three Umoja events per semester, in addition to the Umoja orientation
  • We highly encourage you to take a designated Umoja course (see below), if possible

Want to apply?

      Sign in to your myAVC account and complete the AVC Umoja Scholars Interest Form

For more information or questions, please email avcumoja@avc.edu

Professor Erica Meadows

Umoja Co-Coordinator

AVCumoja@avc.edu

Professor Cierra Gooden

Umoja Co-Coordinator

AVCumoja@avc.edu

Alberto Mendoza Gonzalez Larreynaga

Hub Manager

alberto.mendozagonza@avc.edu

Dr. Rebecca Farley

Vice President, Equity and Student Achievement

rebecca.farley@avc.edu

Patreicia Sims

Umoja Adjunct Counselor

patreicia.sims@avc.edu

 

SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology with Professor Carina Giorgi

CRN 73368

M/W 11:00am–12:20pm

SH 202

 

ANTH 103 - Archaeology & World Prehistory with Professor Darcy Wiewall:

CRN 74632

T/TH 9:30am–10:50am

UH 261

 

ENGL 101 - College Reading and Composition Sections with Professor Vejea Jennings:

CRN 71776

Mon/Weds, 12:30 pm to 1:50 pm 

SH 219

 

MUSC 108 - History of Hip Hop Section with Professor Cierra Gooden 

CRN 77310 

Mon/Weds, 3:30 pm to 4:50 pm 

SH 219

 

STAT C1000 - Introduction to Statistics and STAT 1000S – Support Course for STAT C1000, both with Professor Hal Huntsman (Puente faculty)

These two courses must be taken together.

CRN 79662 and 79653

Mon/Weds, 11:30 am to 12:20 pm, then 12:30 pm to 2:35 pm

YH 158

Umoja Porch Talks | The Umoja Village (inside the Hub) 

Sharing stories and traditions, passing down knowledge, and simply spending time together as a community has been a long-standing tradition throughout history. One place where this has often taken place is on the porch. The porch provides a space that is not quite inside the home, yet not fully outside either. It's a middle ground that allows for casual conversations with neighbors as they walk by. This creates a warm and welcoming environment that fosters a greater sense of community and connectedness.

Umoja Porch Talks are student-led conversations that create connection and build on community knowledge. By participating in Umoja's Porch Talks, we can all contribute to building a stronger community together. Join us for Umoja Porch Talks in the Umoja Village!

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Level Up: Career Ready Series for College Trailblazers | The Umoja Village (inside the Hub)

Ready to build a resume that screams “hire me”? Want to crush interviews and shine online like a pro? Level Up: Career Ready is your monthly go-to workshop series designed to help college students boost their confidence, sharpen career skills, and stand out in today’s competitive job market. Each session is hands-on, interactive, and tailored to your journey whether you're chasing down internships, prepping for full-time roles, or just figuring out what comes after graduation. You’ll dive into resume clinics that teach you how to craft a polished resume and get one-on-one feedback. Mock interviews give you space to practice answering tough questions while building poise. You’ll also pick up insider strategies for networking like a pro and learn how to build a personal brand that employers can't ignore. Whether you're just starting out or gearing up for your next big move, this series will help you polish your skills, sharpen your brand, and take the next step with confidence.

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Movies in Color | The Umoja Village (inside the Hub)

Join us for our film series highlighting Black filmmakers and actors. We're excited to showcase the work of talented artists and creators who have made a significant impact on the film industry. Come and experience the power of storytelling through the lens of these groundbreaking filmmakers and actors. We can't wait to see you there!

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The InkWell Workshops | The Umoja Village (inside the Hub) 

Join us at The InkWell, a supportive space for writers and artists to connect and build community. Here, storytellers are empowered to craft authentic narratives that affirm their unique experiences. Whether you prefer poetry, spoken word, performance, non-fiction, or fiction writing, choose your medium of storytelling and become a part of our community of like-minded creatives. Discover your voice and share your story with us at The InkWell

Our agreement guarantees admission to 39 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)

Transfer Advantages:

  • Acceptance of completed transfer-level community college courses
  • A free single application for up to four participating partner HBCU institutions
  • A simplified transfer process
  • Priority registration for housing when application is submitted by the posted deadline
  • Pre-admission advisement
  • Consideration for transfer scholarships if you have a 3.2 or higher GPA (based on funding availability)

For more information, please visit: https://www.californiacommunitycollegehbcutransfer.com