Umoja Project and Home Room Engagement Center

African/African-American Student Engagement Center

The Umoja Community

The Umoja Project at RCC, a Kiswahili word meaning unity, is a community-building and critical resource that is dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of students from a perspective that is responsive to the legacy of African American history and culture. 

Through our committed team of staff and faculty, we provide dedicated support and guidance to assist students to identify and develop positive behaviors in their personal, social, and academic lives.  We support meaningful experiences that will lead to academic success and engagement in college life.  We foster community among students and we provide students with the tools to strengthen their relationships and enrich their ties to their home communities.

Employing an approach to student engagement retention and success that is infused with African cultural traditions and a motto of “collective work and responsibility,” the components of the Umoja Project are:

      1. Umoja Program

• Membership in a statewide network of Umoja progams at California Community Colleges
• Counsleing: academic, career, financial aid, personal achievement
• Academic Learning Communities
• Peer Advocates/Faculty Mentors
• Speakers, workshops, field trips
• “Porch Talk” – Open Discussion Forums

        2. Umoja Student Club

• Campus leadership and service
• Student Activities/ASRCC
• Club Meetings
• Kings of Umoja
• Queens of Umoja
• Campus and Community Service

3. HOME Room Student Engagement Center (Hope, Opportunity, Mentoring, Empowerment).  As the campus home for the Umoja Project, the HOME Room opened in 2008 as the first Student Engagement Center at RCC. It was developed in response to the need for deliberate and intentional interaction between African American students, faculty, and staff to facilitate student success. It continues to be a place for students to relax, study, and interact with one another and with faculty and staff. 

 The HOME Room is a welcoming space for building community.  This Student Engagement Center provides computer and printer access, charging stations, school supplies and other resources, career guidance and academic counseling, tutoring, workshops, and a space for club meetings and events.

Visit Us  

Bradshaw Building, Room 110 (next to cafeteria) 
(951) 222-8130 

Student Resources

• Access to Umoja Educational Advisor
• Access to Umoja Counselors 
• Learning Communities (Guidance, English, African American History, African American Art, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Nursing etc.)
• Faculty one-on-one tutoring 
• Transfer assistance to four-year colleges and universities 
• Peer tutoring
• Support with attaining Associates Degree(s), vocational certificates, and professional development 
• Community leadership, mentoring, and activist development opportunities 
• Resources to promote students' cultural backgrounds into the academic experience 
• Advanced academic achievement through involvement in learning communities, mentoring, workshops, career and academic guidance 
• Counseling: academic, career, financial aid, personal achievement.
• Specialized, comprehensive two-year educational plans (and semester by semester counselor check-ins)
• Culturally relevant workshops, field trips, college tours, and community activities
• The Umoja Project Student Club

Your Peers, Your Community

Men of Umoja

What does it mean to be a man — it’s a question that doesn't need to be answered. The Men of Umoja come together to discuss their challenges, dreams and ideals — and learn from each other in a socialized setting. There is no definition of a man, there’s just being the best person you can be…whoever you find yourself to be.

Queens of Umoja

We find our strength together. We find our strength within. Queens of Umoja is a place where issues that effect the mind, body, and spirit of women, of the diaspora, are discussed to foster communal understanding, uplifting and empowerment amongst one another. It is a shared place where candid truth and respectful privacy are honored.

The Umoja Project Official Student Club

Umoja provides a place where we can learn about heritage and how it influences the past, future and present. Become active to learn your voice and see it heard. Our club is proud of our community, the good work we do and the lives we help advance — those within our organization and those in the greater community.

 Umoja Project Expectations 

We are a reflection of each other. We will hold ourselves and each other accountable. We strive to achieve academic excellence. As such, Umoja students are expected to: 

• Develop a comprehensive Student Educational Plan with your Umoja counselor each semester. 
• Complete one appointment with your Umoja Educational Advisor each fall and spring term for academic support
• Attend 3 on campus/virtual workshops/study jams each semester 
• Be a member and actively engage in The Umoja Project Student Club (Kings/Queens) 
• Complete 20 hours of Umoja affiliated service/activities each fall and spring term (may include club activities, Umoja student success workshops, field trips and conferences

Anyone Can Apply 

The Umoja Learning Community is African/African-American/Black centered; however, anyone can apply and participate. To be eligible, students must complete the following steps:  

1. Submit Umoja application 
2. Attend a mandatory program orientation 
3. Sign a Umoja Project Statement of Commitments