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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 AVC Umoja Community Agreement.

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 annually - 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 two 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?

  1. Sign in to your myAVC account
  2. Complete the Umoja Scholars Interest Form
  3. After you have completed the interest form, complete the Umoja Orientation, then the Umoja Commitment Form (see below)

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

Kristal Ibrahim

Umoja Co-Coordinator/ Counselor

kristal.ibrahim@avc.edu

Vejea Jennings

Umoja Co-Coordinator/ English Instructor

vejea.jennings@avc.edu

Towana Catley

Umoja & Academic RISE Counselor/ Honors Co-Coordinator

towana.catley@avc.edu

May Sanicolas

Umoja, Puente, & Honors Counselor

may.sanicolas@avc.edu

Dr. De'Nean Coleman-Carew

Umoja students who are also part of Academic RISE should see Dr. Coleman-Carew

Umoja & Academic RISE Counselor

denean.colemancarew@avc.edu

Devin Mosley

Umoja Counselor

devin.mosley@avc.edu

Dietra Jackson

Only Umoja students who are also part of EOPS can see Ms. Jackson

EOPS & Umoja Counselor

dietra.jackson@avc.edu

 

Complete Umoja Orientation at any time, online.

Step 1

Sign in to your myAVC account.

Step 2

Watch the Umoja Online Orientation (just under 24 minutes):

https://avcedu-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/kristal_ibrahim_avc_edu/EZdXXp6CFuBBqFEWiz-lrVoBh0xR2HnrdUsZzlSYZcIuaQ?nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJPbmVEcml2ZUZvckJ1c2luZXNzIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXciLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJNeUZpbGVzTGlua0NvcHkifX0&e=1Jyhz8

Step 3

Complete the Umoja Online Orientation Quiz:

https://forms.office.com/r/aNYJFyg2au

The quiz is required for students who view the AVC Umoja Orientation online. A minimum score of 70% must be achieved to satisfy the annual Umoja Orientation requirement. If you score below 70%, please retake the quiz until you score 70% or higher.

You can take the quiz as many times as you need to - without penalty - in order to achieve a score of 70% or higher :)

Step 4 (last step!)

Fill out the Umoja Commitment Form:

https://forms.office.com/r/fvQM6kj2JH

After completing all four of the steps above, keep an eye on your @students.avc.edu inbox.

There, you'll receive email correspondence in the coming days letting you know when you've been admitted to the AVC Umoja program, and when you've been added to the Umoja Canvas shell.

COMM 101 – Introduction to Public Speaking Section with Dr. Norma Jones:

This class meets at the Palmdale Campus.

CRN 37454

Mon/Weds, 2:00 pm to 3:20 pm at the Palmdale Campus 

PALMDL 161

 

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

CRN 38549

Mon/Weds, 12:30 pm to 1:50 pm 

SH 219

 

ENGL 103 – Critical Thinking and Research with Professor Vejea Jennings:

CRN 38762

Tues/Thurs, 11:00 am to 12:20 pm

SH 219

 

CRN 36912

Tues/Thurs, 112:30 pm to 1:50 pm

SH 219

 

ENGL 253 – African American Literature with Professor Vejea Jennings:

This is an online synchronous course.

CRN 38305

Mon/Weds, 11:00 am to 12:20 pm 

This course has mandatory live sessions that meet on Zoom.

 

HD 101 – College and Life Management Section with Dr. De’Nean Coleman-Carew:

This is an online asynchronous course.

CRN 38094

This class has no live meetings, and is taught entirely online.

 

MATH 115 – Statistics with Professor Hal Huntsman:

CRN 38743

Mon/Weds, 12:00 pm to 2:05 pm 

YH 167

 

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

CRN 77310 

Mon/Weds, 3:30 pm to 4:50 pm 

SH 219

Umoja Porch Talks (every last Wednesday) | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | The Student Lounge
 
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 every 4th Wednesday at the Student Lounge!

  • 26 February 2025 in the Student Lounge
  • 26 March 2025 in the Student Lounge
  • 23 April 2025 in the Student Lounge
  • 28 May 2025 in the Student Lounge

 

Movies in Color (every 3rd Thursday) | 1 PM - 3 PM | Umoja Village

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!
 
  • 20 February 2025 in the Umoja Village
  • 20 March 2025 in the Umoja Village
  • 17 April 2025 in the Umoja Village
  • 15 May 2025 in the Umoja Village

 

The InkWell Workshops (every 2nd Wednesday) | 3 PM - 4 PM | Umoja Village

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.
 
  • 12 February 2025 in the Umoja Village
  • 12 March 2025 in the Umoja Village
  • 9 April 2025 in the Umoja Village
  • 14 May 2025 in the Umoja Village
 

Click the link below to access the AVC Umoja Community Counseling Form:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ciJLeI3Ph4gCdTQPWQWUL1ptYVu3xCic/view?usp=sharing

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